For thousands of Nigerians, Canada is likely their second home after the UK. This article explains how to apply for and obtain a Canada student visa from Nigeria. Students make up the majority of immigrants to Canada.

When you finish reading this article, you mus have gained knowledge about how to apply for a student visa to Canada from Nigeria, as well as what documents you will need to submit your application and how much money you will need to demonstrate your ability to pay for your studies and accommodations. You will also know how to manage the status of your application.

The Nigerian student visa application process for Canada

1. Assemble all the paperwork required for your visa application.

Make sure you have all of the necessary paperwork available before you begin the visa application process. Receiving response or even an outright rejection can take weeks to arrive when a document is missing. It’s important to take inadequate documents seriously, as it represents a significant portion of visa denials. It makes sense that you won’t have all the necessary documents before beginning the application procedure because some are only available after the process has begun. However, obtain the documentation you can before beginning the application procedure.

The required documents for a student visa to Canada (study permit application)

1. Transcripts and Certificates of Education
2. Verification of employment
3. Purpose statement (SOP)
4. Letter of sponsorship (should you receive one)
5. Sponsor relationship (birth certificate if your parents are sponsors)
6. Acceptance letter
7. Documentation of tuition
8. 2 regular Canadian passports (see the requirements your passport must fulfill here)
9. Passport International
10. Evidence of financial capability As a student in Canada, you will have to demonstrate your ability to pay for both your living expenses and tuition. Therefore, you will need to provide a bank statement that details your transactions over the previous four months as well as a balance that demonstrates your ability to pay for tuition and living expenses for a year. Verify that no transactions in your account indicate odd lump sums, as this could lead the visa officer to suspect that you are using borrowed funds. However, in your statement of purpose (SOP), explain why there are if any.

The procedures to apply for a student visa to Canada from Nigeria are as follows:

2. Acquire admission to a recognized educational institution (DLI)

You have two choices regarding Canada. You can submit applications to colleges or universities. Because admission to universities is competitive, you may want to apply to multiple universities if you wish to apply. It is considerably simpler to get into college. A maximum of seven years must elapse between educational experiences before being admitted to certain colleges, such Durham College.

It’s impossible to predict with certainty how many weeks or months the school you apply to will take to respond to your application and issue an acceptance letter. Though some take up to 3 months, the majority of schools revert in 4-6 weeks. You should thus begin applying to schools many months in advance of the start of a new session, as you will require time to apply for your visa and receive feedback.

3. Pay your tuition payments as soon as you receive an admissions letter

Even though you might not have to pay the full tuition, make a contribution nonetheless. After receiving their study permits, two of my pals reported they paid the entire cost of tuition for a complete semester. It is advisable that you choose to cover the cost of tuition for a minimum of one semester. According to one of them, he was instructed to pay a minimum of $4,000 CAD, but he decided to pay the entire semester’s tuition since the more money you pay, the more likely it is that you will be granted a visa because it demonstrates your ability to pay for your studies and remain in Canada.

4. Complete your medicals

This can be completed either after filing for your visa or prior to it (upon medical examination). It will save you roughly 2-3 weeks of waiting time after you apply for your visa if you can finish your medical exams and upload them at the same time. It’s also acceptable if you choose to proceed after submitting your visa application. Just make sure that the date of your school’s return is still far off. You will have to wait for an email from the embassy with instructions on how to get your medicals completed if you don’t finish them before submitting your application for a visa. The medical examination must be finished within 30 days of the letter being received.

Nigerian medicals for a student visa to Canada

Tests for tuberculosis, blood, urine, hearing, and eyes will be part of the medical requirements for your visa application. These tests cannot be performed in any clinic. The only valid results come from panel physicians (medical centers) certified by Canada.

5. Submit an application for a study permit

Make sure you have scanned and saved any necessary documents on the laptop you plan to use to submit your study permit application before you begin. This will make it simple to upload the documents during the application process. The necessary paperwork for your study permit application are mentioned in the first point I covered, but you can also look them up on the official Canada Immigrations website by clicking this link. Your application can be rejected or delayed if your supporting documentation is lacking.

What is not a visa is a study permit. You will be notified to send your original passport so your visa may be stamped, nevertheless, if your study permit is granted. You have two options for submitting your passport: in person or via courier. However, your study permission will not be returned with your passport. Only your visa will be returned with it. When you arrive in Canada, your study permit will be issued to you at the port of entry.

6. Using Bio-metrics

You will also need to pay for your biometrics once you have applied for and paid for your study permit. You will then receive a biometric instruction letter. As soon as you receive your biometric instruction letter, you must make an appointment at an authorized biometrics collecting service location to submit your biometrics.

This service is exclusively offered in Nigeria by VFS Global. Here, you can schedule an appointment and locate the center that is closest to you. You should make your appointment as soon as you receive the instruction letter because your study permit application cannot be completed until your biometrics have been taken. Recurring payments are not required in order to make an appointment. Appointment booking is free of charge.You will also need to pay for your biometrics once you have applied for and paid for your study permit. You will then receive a biometric instruction letter. As soon as you receive your biometric instruction letter, you must make an appointment at an authorized biometrics collecting service location to submit your biometrics.

This service is exclusively offered in Nigeria by VFS Global. Here, you can schedule an appointment and locate the center that is closest to you. You should make your appointment as soon as you receive the instruction letter because your study permit application cannot be completed until your biometrics have been taken. Recurring payments are not required in order to make an appointment. Appointment booking is free of charge.

7. Confirmation

You will have to wait for a response after submitting your biometrics and application for a study permit. If the IRCC is happy with your documentation thus far, you should anticipate receiving an instruction to go finish your medicals if you did not complete them before applying for your study permit. It is anticipated that you will finish your medicals within 30 days after the mail date.

Inform the medical center that you have received a letter from the IRCC directing you to finish your medicals when you make an appointment for them. Priority care will be provided to you in order to secure a close date for your medical checkup. You should receive another email asking you to send your original passport 2-3 weeks after your medical report is approved.

The first advice you should anticipate from the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is to send your original passport so your visa counterfoil can be attached to it, though, if you finished your medicals before applying for your study permit.

The IRCC will usually contact you by email to seek any further data or documents. To ensure that you don’t miss any of their letters, keep a careful eye on your mailbox.

How to obtain a student visa for Canada in Nigeria in less than 20 days

Students can get a study visa completed in as little as 20 days by applying through the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) route.

It can take less time sometimes, but it can sometimes take longer. During my research, I came across a few accounts from persons who claimed to have received their passport request mail 10 days after filing for their study permission. The Nigeria Student Express option follows the same guidelines and conditions as the ones I previously covered. However, a few more documents are required.

Read Also: Tourist Visa For Finland

Conditions for Using Nigeria Student Express

Before submitting an application for Nigeria Student Express, you must have the following in addition to the prerequisites mentioned in the preceding section.

1. A Mybank certificate displaying your last year’s worth of transactions as well as the fact that you have had $30,000 in Canadian dollars (or the equivalent in naira using the CBN rate) in your account for the previous six months. This is what you’ll need instead of your typical bank statement.
2. Upfront medicals: As you recall from the last section, I mentioned that you can get your medicals done either before or after requesting a study permit. However, you must finish your medicals before applying for your study permission and attach your medical certificate when applying for your study permit if you wish to be considered for the NSE route.
3. IELTS scores, with a minimum of 6.0 in every category.

How to Register for Student Express in Nigeria

The NSE application process is the same as other processes. The IRCC may get in touch with you to let you know that you have the option of applying through the NSE route after you have submitted all the appropriate paperwork for your study permit, as was previously mentioned. If extra information or documents are needed, they may also ask you for them.

Among the prerequisites for eligibility are:

1. Evidence showing, even in the absence of employment in Canada, you are able to support yourself and pay your tuition.
2. Evidence that you want to return to Nigeria following your education.
3. Verification that you are an actual student and that you have been granted permission to study in Canada (acceptance letter)
4. Evidence of your medical admissibility: You’ll need to turn in a police report and provide your biometrics.

Your application for a study permit may then be denied. The visa officer will explain in the refusal letter if your study permit application is denied. If you disagree with this judgment, you have the option to appeal it. You will need to reapply if not.Your application for a study permit may then be denied. The visa officer will explain in the refusal letter if your study permit application is denied. If you disagree with this judgment, you have the option to appeal it. You will need to reapply if not.

How to ascertain the reason behind the delay in your visa

If you are wondering why it’s taking longer than normal for your visa to be approved and you are positive that you applied for a study permit the right way, completed your biometrics, and submitted all the necessary paperwork, you can get in touch to find out why.

When you apply for a Nigerian student visa to study in Canada, there are 2 methods you can use to find out why your application is being delayed.

1. You could phone the MP for the district of your school and ask them to find out what information is on file with the immigration office. Contact information can be found here. Yes, in the truest sense. You could give us a call.
2. Another option is to apply for GCMS notes.

A few individuals who are aware of GCMS apply for it right away after filing for a study visa, as it takes 30 to 40 days to receive. It will be worthwhile if you choose to apply via the conventional method. The acronym for Global Case Management System is GCMS. It is used by the IRCC to process visa requests. The details of your visa office’s actions and their assessment of your file are detailed in your GCMS notes. You can instantly email a web form to fix any errors by monitoring these notes, which will allow you to know before making a decision that may not be in your best interests.

How Nigerians can apply for GCMS notes

Only citizens of Canada or permanent residents are eligible to apply for GCMS notes. It is therefore necessary to apply for GCMS notes from Nigeria through an entity that has been granted permission to do so. This link will allow you to contact them.

Read about the application process for a UK study visa in Nigeria if you would rather study in the UK than in Canada, or if you just want to compare the two.

Frequently asked questions

Is taking the IELTS an essential requirement for Nigerians seeking a student visa to Canada?

For Nigerian students, the majority of universities and colleges waive the IELTS. If your WAEC results show that you have at least a particular score, some universities will waive it. However, some universities request it, and it can strengthen your candidacy. But you have to take the IELTS if you want to go the NSE route.

What information is necessary for me to know about Canada as a prospective student?

The journey is challenging. Get ready to relearn the majority of your prior knowledge. For most people, it takes 1-2 years to settle in Canada. The diet is different and the winters are harsh. Still, it’s a decision worth making to move to Canada.

What is the duration required to obtain a student visa for Canada from Nigeria?

It varies. For some, it takes ten days. Some people receive it in three to six months. It frequently depends on whether you applied for your study permit through Nigerian Student Express or the regular application process, as well as if you provided the necessary supporting documentation in advance of the visa officer.

What is the minimum required bank balance in Nigeria for a student visa to Canada?

$10,000 CAD (or the equivalent in naira at the CBN rate) for your annual cost of living plus your whole year’s worth of tuition.

If your program lasts longer than a year, make sure you include a clear explanation in your SOP along with substantial evidence of a future source of funding. It could be a good idea to provide funds for return airfare to Nigeria, as this will further demonstrate your intention to return there after completing your education. Official CBN rate is used to compute bank balances.

What is the cost of a student visa to Canada in Nigeria?

There is a $225 CAD fee for the student visa. Your biometrics charge is included in this fee. It will only cost $150 CAD if you don’t need to complete your biometrics, which is most likely the case as you have already completed it.

Can an HND grant me a study visa to Canada?

You certainly can.

Do you still have questions about how to obtain a student visa for Canada from Nigeria? Post a question in the comments area.

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