According to Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the plans to welcome immigrants over the coming years look very promising. Canada intends to welcome from 430,000 to 542,000 people in 2024 and 442,500 to 550,000 in 2025. This is certainly music to the ears of many enthusiasts of the Great White North, especially Nigerian enthusiasts. With Immigration policies changing all the time, the important question at this point is – “What are the Requirements to go to Canada Right Now?”.
To travel to Canada right now, you will need your International passport, proof of funds, proof of home ties, proof of English proficiency (IELTS or CELPIP), a clean criminal record, and other documents depending on the travel route you intend to use.
There are different routes for migrating to Canada from Nigeria; the Express Entry, the Study Route, and the Work Permit, among others. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have a vivid understanding of what you need to process Canada Immigration through any of the aforementioned routes.
Without further ado, let’s understand what you need to Immigrate to Canada.
What are the Requirements to go to Canada Right Now? – General Requirements
International Passport
A valid International passport is an important requirement for accessing Canada. It is a universally accepted travel document verifying someone’s identity and nationality. Before applying for a Visa to Canada, your passport must have more than 6 months of validity. If this isn’t the case, your passport needs a renewal.
According to the IRCC, passport types that are considered unacceptable include :
- any passport issued by Somalia
- non-machine readable passports issued by Czech Republic
- temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
- provisional passports issued by Venezuela
Proof of Funds
Whether you’re traveling for work, study, tourism, or as a permanent resident, Proof of Funds is a requirement to show the Canadian authorities that you can support yourself financially. It is also important to ensure that lump sum deposits – large amounts of money deposited into an account once – are defended with explanations and concrete evidence. To migrate to Canada, the financial requirements must be met. For the study route, you can prove funds with one of the following options:
- proof of a student loan from a bank
- your bank statement over the past 4 months
- proof that you have paid tuition and accommodation fees
- if you have transferred money to Canada, you need proof of a Canadian bank account in your name
- a Guaranteed Investment Certificate from a participating Canadian financial institution
- a letter from the person or institution sponsoring you
- proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or you’re a beneficiary of a Canadian-funded educational program
How Much Funds do I Need to Show for a Canada Student Visa?
This table applies to all provinces and territories aside from Quebec.
| Number of family members (including the applicant) | Finds required per annum (aside from tuition) |
| 1 | 20,365 CAD |
| 2 | 25,690 CAD |
| 3 | 31, 583 CAD |
| 4 | 38,346 CAD |
| 5 | 43, 492 CAD |
| 6 | 49, 051 CAD |
| 7 | 54, 611 CAD |
| For more than 7 people | 5, 559 CAD/person |
For the Express Entry, you will be required to meet the “settlement fund” requirement, particularly if you are invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The only exception is if you are either authorized to work in Canada or you have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada. You do not need to meet the proof of funds requirement if you were invited under the Candian Experience Class
Proof of Home Ties
This is one of the most popular reasons why Visas get denied. For most Canada routes – aside from routes like the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs – , it is important to prove a strong connection to your home country. This demonstrates to the Canadian authorities that you’d be returning to your home country on or before the expiration of your Visa. Some great proof of home ties include:
- Proof of Employment – If you have a job in your home country, you need to show the visa officer documentation to prove that you’re employed at an organization in your home country, possibly with a letter from your employer, your employment letter, or other documentation.
- Proof of Property Ownership – Landed properties can also be used to prove that you’ll return to your home country.
- Bank account and monetary investments in your home country
- Strong family ties – A spouse or a child in your home country is a strong proof of home ties. Include documentation like a marriage or birth certificate to show the relationship
- Proof of studentship – Your admission status in your home country can be a strong home tie indicator. You can include your admission letter to prove studentship at an institution in your home country.
- Travel History – If you have a history of travel, you can include evidence to prove compliance with your visa to show the visa officer that this time is no different.
Medical Clearance
Canada makes it a priority to protect its citizens. If you’re applying for permanent residence, you MUST have a medical exam, including your family members even if they’re not coming with you. If you’re coming for 6 months or less, you don’t need a medical exam, unless you plan to work in particular jobs such as jobs that bring you in close proximity with people. This ensures that people migrating into the country would not pose a health risk to Canada. Some medical conditions preclude applicants from getting their Visa approved including Chronic kidney disease, Cardiac disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, Cancer, and lots more
Proof of English Proficiency
Proof of English proficiency is necessary for particular visa types in Canada including the Express Entry and the Study Permit. To travel to Canada by these routes, applicants will be expected to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) assessments. This proves to the Canadian authorities that applicants can communicate effectively with people in Canada.
Proof of Clean Criminal Record
The safety and security of Canadian residents is a priority for immigration authorities hence, anyone intending to access the Great White North must prove that they don’t intend to cause any harm. This is done using a police certificate. As an applicant, you’re expected to get one that states that you have no criminal history and if you have one, you’ll be required to provide a copy of the criminal record to determine if you’ll be admissible to Canada.
Letter of Explanation
A letter of explanation (LOE) describes your intention of going to Canada, and your intention to go back to your home country. It will typically include;
- Purpose of your trip
- Plans for funding,
- Travel itinerary
- How you intend to finance your travel
- Intent to return home after travel
- Reason for Choosing Canada
This letter will help the Visa Officer in clarifying anything they may be unclear about which will aid in the decision making regarding your Visa. If an applicant doesn’t include a letter of Explanation in the travel application, they may experience delays in getting a response from the authorities.
Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
This is an essential requirement for migrating to Canada. It’s particularly important for routes like the Express Entry and Study. An ECA is necessary to confirm that your qualification – as someone who didn’t study in Canada – is equal to a Canadian qualification. It’s important to add that you only need an ECA for your highest qualification. Looking for where to get an ECA done? Click here to find recommendations by IRCC.
Letter of Admission
A Letter of Admission (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a requirement for migrating to Canada via the study route. A DLI is an accredited educational institution that the government of Canada has authorized to admit international students. Hence as a prospective International student, it is your responsibility to confirm if a school is a DLI before applying to such a school. You can confirm that here.
The LOA is necessary for confirming that you have been accepted in a DLI and this is mandatory to obtain a study permit.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be a requirement depending on the Visa being applied for. For individuals applying for the Skilled Workers program in the Express Entry, a CV is necessary to show your qualifications. A CV is also important for individuals applying for a job in Canada, just as it is required for a job anywhere else. For the study route and visitor’s visa, however, a CV wouldn’t be required in the application process.
It’s your responsibility to check the requirements for the route you intend to use to verify if a CV is required or not. Your CV should highlight your background, skills, work experience, education, and well as other qualifications.
Employment Contract and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
An employment contract is a necessity if you’re looking to obtain a work permit to migrate to Canada. An employment contract is issued by Canadian employers and it highlights job details, salary, and terms of employment. A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer needs to obtain before hiring an applicant from outside Canada. It analyzes the impact of a foreign worker on the labor market in Canada.
In many cases, people intending to work in Canada will need a job offer supported by a positive LMIA to apply for a work permit in Canada.
So far, we have been able to go into detail to answer the question “What are the requirements to go to Canada right now”. As explained, some of the requirements highlighted are for specific Visa categories and they are not all required for all categories. You must verify the requirements for the route you intend to use for migrating. To conclude this blog, we’ll be looking into some frequently asked questions:
Do I Need a Visa to go to Canada from USA?
As a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa to visit Canada for personal or business reasons. This applies to short visits of up to 6 months, however, if you intend to be in Canada for a longer duration (exceeding 6 months), you may need to apply for a Visa or permit.
On the flip side, if you’re not a US citizen, you need to verify your country’s requirements to access Canada. Some countries like the US are Visa exempt for visits up to 6 months while some countries will require a visit visa for the same duration.
What do you Need to Cross the Canadian Border by Car?
To cross the Canadian border by car, it’s important to have a means of identification for yourself and everyone with you in the car, such as a valid passport and other approved travel documents. Ensure your car’s documents are up to date. You may need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) as well depending on your nationality. While some nationalities are visa–exempt, others aren’t so you need to verify that as well. You’ll be required to present these at the border. You may also be asked certain questions such as your purpose of visit as well as your intended duration of stay.
To sum it all up, it’s important to comply and provide all requirements for your travel to Canada for a hassle-free process. For more information on how to travel to Canada through any of the routes discussed in this blog, go here:
The type of visa you’re applying for will determine which of the documents you’ll require specifically. If this is your first time going to Canada, here are the top 5 spots you can visit. Talk to you in the next one!
