Build my roadmap
Country route guide

Nigeria → Canada: the Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker roadmap

Express Entry is Canada's system for skilled-worker permanent residence. You create a profile, are ranked against other candidates by a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and the highest-ranked receive Invitations to Apply in regular draws. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the main route for skilled professionals with foreign work experience and no Canadian job offer, and it grants permanent residence on landing.

At a glance

Route
Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker Program
Best for
Skilled professionals with a degree and strong English, but no Canadian job offer
Language test
IELTS General / CELPIP (or French) — minimum CLB 7 in all four abilities
Credentials
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) of your degree, e.g. WES
Proof of funds (single)
CAD 15,263 (IRCC, updated annually)
Processing after invitation
≈ 6 months (service standard 6 to 8)
Status on arrival
Permanent resident
Citizenship
After 1,095 days (3 years) of presence within 5 years

Who qualifies

  • At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of continuous skilled work in the last 10 years (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
  • Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in each ability on an approved test.
  • A foreign degree with an Educational Credential Assessment showing Canadian equivalence.
  • At least 67 of 100 on the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid (a separate gate from the CRS ranking score).
  • Proof of settlement funds for your family size (CAD 15,263 for one person), unless exempt by a valid job offer.
Free calculator
Check if you qualify: Canada Express Entry CRS
Estimate your Comprehensive Ranking System score across all factors out of 1200.
→

Your step-by-step roadmap

1

Prepare & qualify

  • Take an approved language test (IELTS General or CELPIP) and confirm at least CLB 7.
  • Get your degree assessed via an ECA (e.g. WES).
  • Check you score at least 67/100 on the Federal Skilled Worker grid.
2

Enter the pool

  • Create an Express Entry profile with your work, education, and language results.
  • Receive a CRS score and enter the pool, ranked against other candidates.
3

Receive an Invitation to Apply

  • IRCC holds regular general and category-based draws and invites top-ranked candidates.
  • Cut-off scores vary from draw to draw, there is no fixed qualifying CRS score.
4

Submit the PR application

  • Within 60 days of the invitation, submit the e-application with documents, proof of funds, police certificates, biometrics, and a medical exam.
  • Pay the processing and Right of Permanent Residence fees.
5

Land & settle

  • After approval (≈ 6 months), receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and PR visa.
  • Enter Canada and complete landing to become a permanent resident.

Government fees

Language test (IELTS / CELPIP)≈ CAD 290 to 360
Educational Credential Assessment (e.g. WES)≈ CAD 200 to 330
PR application fee (principal applicant)≈ CAD 1,085 (2026; confirm on IRCC)
Right of Permanent Residence FeeCAD 600
BiometricsCAD 85 per person

Timeline & path to citizenship

Timeline: Getting language results and an ECA takes roughly 1 to 3 months. Time in the pool until an invitation is unpredictable and depends on your CRS score versus each draw's cut-off. After a complete PR application is submitted, IRCC's standard is about 6 months.

Citizenship: Express Entry grants permanent residence on landing, not citizenship. You can apply for Canadian citizenship after being physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (3 years) within the 5 years before applying, plus tax-filing and other requirements.

Sources & freshness. Figures last checked 2026; confidence: medium. Sourced from CIC News — Canada removes bonus CRS points for arranged employment (Mar 2025), Canadim — Federal Skilled Worker Program guide, Immigration.ca — Skilled worker permanent residence. Immigration rules change often, always confirm the current figures on the official Canada government portal.

This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.
Build your full Canada roadmap →