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  • Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa

    Toyo* (28) had been planning to leave Nigeria since 2018, but a serious illness put her plans on hold till 2023. In this story, she shares everything she knows about Canada’s Express Entry system and how other Nigerians can secure permanent residency.

    Where do you live now, and when did you relocate from Nigeria?

    I left Nigeria in 2023, and I live in Canada. 

    How did the big move happen?

    I moved here as a permanent resident through the Express Entry pool. Express entry is basically a route that allows you to come in as a skilled worker or tradesperson. I came in through the Federal Skilled Worker stream, allowing me to live and work anywhere in Canada except Quebec. 

    Can you walk me through the Express Entry process? 

    I started by doing my research on Nairaland. I also have a sibling who moved through the same route, so it was easy for me to pick her brain on certain things. In addition to these, I joined Telegram groups, where people talked extensively about the process.  When I finally decided on the route I wanted to relocate through, I  evaluated my degree through the World Education Services (WES) and wrote the IELTS exam. 

    At the time, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which earned applicants a spot in the express pool, was rapidly increasing. To meet the required CRS score, I was required to have three years of work experience, which I didn’t have. 

    I knew my chances were low, but luckily, my sister had been a permanent resident since 2018, so this automatically earned me an additional 15 points.

    Another requirement I struggled with was the IELTS score. I needed to score at least eight in the Listening section and seven in the remaining three IELTS sections. I didn’t hit the cutoff mark. I got 6.5 in Reading, 7 in Writing and Speaking, and 9 in Listening.

    I had to take the IELTS several times because I didn’t get the required band, which was important for my CRS. There’s something called maximising your chances. You can do that by taking French classes or getting another degree. You can also do that by getting a high IELTS score, and that’s what I was trying to do. Unfortunately, I fell seriously ill in 2018, and I had to take a step back from relocation plans.  

    ALSO READ: How to Pass the IELTS on Your First Try, According to Band 7.5 Students Who Did It

    Sorry about that…

    I recovered and resumed my relocation plan in 2019.  I tried IELTS again, and I got my desired band scores. By then, I had finally gained 3 years of working experience, so everything was already lining up for me. I had also started a postgraduate diploma because I wanted extra scores to boost my profile. Ass of March 2020, my score was 451, but then COVID happened, and everything shut down. 

    By the time COVID was over, I had finished my postgraduate course, and my score had gone up to 486. Canada did a surprise draw on one random Tuesday, and I was selected. They selected people who had scored 469 and above, and I was one of them. After getting selected, I had to do my medicals and get a bank statement showing that I had the required funds, which was around 13,000 Canadian dollars then. I also had to make sure I had my certificate from the two institutions where I did my degrees, and get a work reference from my place of work.

    After putting those requirements together, I gathered proof that showed that my sister was living in Canada (one PR card, two utility bills, my sister’s birth certificate and my birth certificate to showthat we were siblings). I added them to the other documents and submitted my application in December 2020.

    Due to how COVID slowed things down, it took 14 months before getting approval. I was finally asked to provide additional documents for my application by  February 2022,  but the process ended in April 2022, and I became a permanent resident.

    Mine took a while, but the timeline varies. People are now getting their permanent resident approval within four months of submission.

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    Do you have tips to help Nigerians get through the application process?

    The CRS score is now very high. Immigration rules are changing in Canada so it’s going to be more difficult getting a visa this year.

    My first tip is to maximise your chances and be strategic. The good thing is that Canada has introduced different streams, such as the health care stream. Find out which stream works for you and don’t focus exclusively on Express Entry. There’s also the Provincial Nomination, which works according to different provinces. For example, if you’re interested in living in Ontario, you’ll need to figure out the nomination process. Some provinces give you an extra point if you already have a friend there.

    All the necessary information is on the Canadian government’s website. You should also join social media groups where people share their application experiences.

    Another thing I’ll also recommend is that you remain extra careful of fake agents. I applied all by myself, and so did my sister. If you want to use an agent, request a registration code. If the person is a registered immigration consultant in Canada, they get a code from the Canadian government. Once you get that code from the agent, you can search Canada’s website again to see if they are legit or not.

    Can you give me an estimate of what you spent?

    As I mentioned earlier, my proof of funds was around 13,000 Canadian dollars, which was about ₦5 million in 2020

    My medical was around ₦100,000, and the WES evaluation was about 210 Canadian dollars. I can’t remember how much I paid for IELTS then, but I know it’s now about ₦280,000.

    How are you enjoying Canada so far? 

    It’s been amazing. There are many opportunities here. Being a permanent resident also helps because I can shuffle between Canada and Nigeria every now and then. 

    Love that for you. On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Canada?

    It’s a solid eight out of ten for me.

     Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here. 

  • The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad. 

    Tolu (33) took a big leap of faith when she moved to Canada as a permanent resident in 2019. But it paid off—in less than five years, she became a Canadian citizen, homeowner, wife, mother, and soon-to-be U.S. green card holder. 

    Where do you live, and when did you move from Nigeria?

    I live in Houston now. I left Nigeria in 2019 but first lived in Canada before moving to Houston in 2023.

    Let’s start from the beginning: how did the move to Canada happen?

    I moved to Canada as a permanent resident in 2019. It was a major decision because my parents didn’t want me to move without a spouse. We didn’t have any family abroad, so they were uncomfortable with me moving to a new country by myself. To assure them  I could handle it, I made sure I found a job in Canada before I left. It was a Big Four company (and I also worked at a Big Four company in Nigeria). I sent out at least 500 applications before I finally got that job, but getting it made it easier to convince my parents to give their blessings.

    Accommodation was an issue initially, but my dad reached out to some members of his old student association, and one of the women in the association offered to house me for one month. After that first month, I moved into my place and started my life in Canada. 

    500 applications is crazy. How did it feel to start over in Canada?

    It was easier for me because I got a job before I left Nigeria, and they also paid my relocation fee of about $2,000. But getting my own place was a struggle because house hunting is a bit hectic in Canada.

    The months that followed after I moved into my house were also rough– I spent my first Christmas away from my family, and while I was still grappling with it, COVID started, and the organization I worked for started layoffs. Thankfully, I survived it. At some point, I started a food business for fun. I didn’t have friends, so cooking for other people gave me a sense of community. The more people referred me, the more I met new people. 

    I’m glad. Did you experience any culture shock in Canada?

    Back in Nigeria, I was a team lead. I moved to Canada and had to take a few steps back, even though I was functioning in the same role I had in Nigeria. In addition, the people I had as team leads were less experienced. The organization said they needed to lead because they wanted me to first understand how things worked in the country. But I knew it was bullshit. Racism is very subtle in Canada, but it’s there.

    It was mentally draining for me to be on that team and disappear into the background while my juniors, who I was more qualified than, played the team lead. I also had a tough time getting used to how much they fake smiled in Canada, but I had to get used to it. 

    Sorry about that. At what point did you know you wanted to leave Canada?

    I never knew I was going to leave Canada. During COVID, I met my husband online.  He was living in the US, so I wasn’t serious about it at first. But the other people I was talking to were dead ends. Around August 2021, he flew into Canada to ask me out officially.  I knew then he wanted to be serious, so even though I was sceptical at first, I ended up giving in.  He ended up spending about ten days with me and it was on his second day with me that  I told my friend I would marry him.

    We had our introduction in February 2022 via Zoom. After that, we got married legally in April 2022  in Canada. We finalized things by getting married traditionally in Nigeria sometime in July.   I knew I’d have to move to the US eventually, but before we became serious, I bought my first home in Canada. That was sometime in 2021,  less than two years after I moved to Canada. 

    That’s huge. How were you able to achieve that?

    Interest rates were really good at the time. When I got married, moving to the US was a natural decision. We applied for a Green card immediately, and I had our baby nine months into the marriage.  At this point, I was already a Canadian citizen, and that came with many benefits that made living in the US easier even before the green card was approved. An agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico made it easy for me to get a work permit to move to the US. It’s called a TN Visa. So that was how I moved to the US. Our green card is still in the works, but I joined my husband in 2023.

    What’s happening with your property in Canada now that you’re in the US?

    When I wanted to buy a property, I set out to buy one that I could rent out. So, before I bought the property, I made sure the bylaws included that I could rent it out. That’s why it wasn’t hard to make that move. But now that I’m no longer a resident of Canada, the taxes I have to pay are slightly different. 

    Interesting. How did your parents react to your marriage?

    Oh, they were so happy. You don’t understand how much Nigerian parents want you to marry as soon as possible, plus the fact that I was almost 30 at the time. Being a Nigerian girl, you know your parents start stressing when you reach that age. His family was happy as well. Our parents met before we got married, and my parents immediately liked them. 

    I love that for you.  What’s the biggest difference between living in the US and Canada?

    People are nicer in Canada than in the US. At least, when you’re having a bad day in Canada, people will smile at you, but in the US, everybody just wants to make their money. Both countries have many similarities, but I’d prefer raising my children in the US. 

    ALSO READ: “I’m Carrying My Green Card Everywhere Now That Trump is President”

    How is motherhood and married life going?

    It’s been beautiful. My toddler hasn’t started daycare yet, but I have a live-in nanny because the money is better here. I had a one-year maternity leave in Canada, so I had time to bond with my baby, although I only used eight out of the 12 months because I got a job in the US. The downside is that maternity leave is just three months in the US. But having a nanny makes life easier. 

    On a scale of one to 10, how happy are you with your life right now?

    I have a good job. I have a good family, and I love my partner. I’ll say 10 over 10. 

    Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me here. For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT). 

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  • Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa.

    In this edition of 1K Ways to Japa, Daniel shares how he secured Canadian Permanent Residency after a four-year journey filled with delays, marriage, ordination and fatherhood. He also breaks down his unexpected move to Nunavut—one of Canada’s coldest regions—where he’s adjusting to extreme weather, pricey flights, and surprising interactions with Nigerians in the Arctic.

    Where do you currently live, and when did you move?

    I currently live in Canada. I moved here  with my family in December 2022

    How did you move?

    We moved through the permanent residency route. We started the application in 2018.

    The process took 4 years?

    It’s a long story. I started the process in 2018 and met my wife in 2019. I also submitted my application in 2019, but COVID happened, which slowed down the application. While the process was pending, we had our first child in 2021. Later, in 2021, I got ordained as a pastor, which made me acknowledge that even delays can be blessings in disguise. We ended up getting the Permanent Residency (PR) sometime in 2022, and we moved in December. 

    Congratulations! What was it like moving with your family?

    Everything worked out so well. We moved to Vancouver because that was where the church I was pastoring had a branch. When we moved there, we didn’t even struggle with accommodation because the senior pastor at the church had a property that he was initially going to rent out as an Air BNB. He asked if we were interested in renting it, and we accepted the offer. The space he rented out to us was also fully furnished, so we moved there when we got to Canada. But we ended up moving to Montreal shortly after. 

    What happened?

    The church where I serve started another branch in Montreal. One day, the senior pastor there called me and asked if God was speaking to me about moving. At that point, I hadn’t gotten any leading and didn’t fully believe I knew enough to pastor a new branch. I didn’t tell my wife about it, but a few days after I had that conversation with the senior pastor, she told me that she felt that we were supposed to help out with the new branch. I took that as the confirmation I needed, and we moved. 

    Two big moves in less than a year. What was that like?

    It wasn’t that much of a big move because the two towns are not that far part. It was also divinely orchestrated because we experienced so much ease during the move. A friend reached out to us and told us that he knew a realtor who had a great space. The realtor turned out to be my younger sibling’s old classmate, and the landlord of the property was a Nigerian.

    One thing we were initially worried about was the logistics of the move itself, and that worked out, too. A church member offered to drive us for free. We just saw God come through for us in many ways. 

    What does life look like for you and your family now?

    I’m currently in Nunavut, the northern part of Canada, which is literally in the Arctic region. 

    Another move? When did that happen?

    I had to move for work, but I’m a family-oriented man, so I go home biweekly.

    That’s impressive. What’s life in Nunavut like?

    Life is different here, and contrary to popular opinion, there are many Nigerians here. However, the indigenous people, called Inuits, have a unique way of life. For context, Nunavet is a 3-hour flight from Montreal, where my family stays. This territory is also mostly surrounded by water so you can either come via flight or sea. Sea transportation can be tricky at times because the water around it is frozen. That’s one of the reasons why most people don’t want to come here. Flight tickets and everything else are expensive because of the logistics of moving the most basic items.

    Housing is also a slight problem here because the population has been booming lately, and the government probably didn’t anticipate it. But they’ve begun working on it. Generally, there are lots of opportunities here because the job market is less saturated. 

    What do you find most interesting about Nunavet?

    The temperature here can hit as low as minus 50 degrees. I haven’t experienced that, but I’ve been told it happens. Some territories also have seasonal periods when the sun doesn’t shine. Sunrise here can also start around 9 a.m., and sunset can start around 3 p.m. But if you have the right gear and types of equipment to cope with the weather, it’s actually not that bad.

    Things have been changing around here because of the increased population.  For example, there’s a cinema here, and there’s also a recreation centre with a pool. There was an African store here where you could buy everything from beans to garri, but it got burned recently in a fire. Despite the weather extremes here, the government still makes life easy.  There is an increase in job demands here, so it’s not a bad place for anyone who wants to do multiple jobs. The only thing I’d advise people to do is to pray about it before they decide to move; don’t just follow the crowd. 

    You mentioned that there’s a good number of Nigerians there. Have you made friends since you moved?

    It’s not just Nigerians; we have lots of Africans and Filipinos here. There’s even a Redeem church here, but it doesn’t have enough members because some people choose the chance to do a weekend shift over Sunday service, which is something I don’t advise. There’s something about being with a company of believers wherever you are, and I highly recommend it. As for finding Nigerian friends, the Nigerians who have been here for about 15 years have a WhatsApp group where they keep in touch and support each other. 

    Let’s discuss your PR application process in more detail. What advice do you have for Nigerians who intend to apply this year?

    The first thing I’ll say is pray. Ask God if you’re supposed to move. This applies more to people who go through life with a Christian worldview. Even if God says it doesn’t necessarily mean things will be easy, all things will align at the end of the day. There’s a big difference between moving to Canada as a permanent resident and exploring other visa options. For example, if you’re coming as a student, there’s a limit to the number of hours you can work, automatically limiting how much you can earn.

    I recommend the permanent residence route if you intend to come to Canada with your family. There are so many benefits the visa offers.  First, a PR will not be required to pay the same school fees as international students.  You can also work in any province as a permanent resident. The benefits are endless, but it’s essential to be sure that relocation is God’s will for you. And don’t be desperate to move because desperation drives the worst out of people. 

    For example, we’ve heard of Nigerians who come here as a married couple and get divorced on paper because they want to enjoy the benefits the Canadian government offers single mothers. Crazy things like that are not necessary if you follow the actual process. 

    What’s the best way to follow the process?

    I started my application in 2018, so I can imagine that things might have changed a little. But there was an app that I used, and it guided me through the entire process.  The app is called CanPR. It has details on the step-by-step process for applying for the visa as well as the updated cost. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in applying for a visa in 2025 because they constantly update it. But one important thing to note is that Canada wants skilled people. They have different preferences regarding the industries and the professionals they are looking for. They also consider your age, income and marital status to give you a score.

    If you have all your documents ready, you can complete the application on the  IRCC page. You’ll likely get higher points if you’re young. Speaking good French and being married also increases your score points.

    When you create your application,  you’re thrown into something that is known as a pool. That’s where all the potential candidates for the visa are reviewed. It’s from that pool that the government draws people they want to offer something called an Invitation To Apply (ITA).

    After you get an ITA, you’ll be given a deadline to provide all the documents you claim to have. This is the part where you’ll have to provide proof of funds.  Once they approve your documents, you’ll be asked to go for medicals. When that’s done, you should get a certificate of permanent residence. And with that document, you can travel and move with your family. The certificate has a deadline, and you’ll be required to relocate before it expires. That’s the summary of the process, but everything I just said can be a long process.

    On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you right now with your life in Canada?

    Very happy. I’m where God wants me to be. I’m at the right place at the right time. I’d say a solid 9.

     Want to to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.