How to Move to Canada
Canada actively invites skilled migrants for permanent residence through a transparent points system. Everything is done on the official IRCC (Canada.ca) website — you do not need a paid agent. Express Entry ranks candidates by points (CRS); provinces also nominate workers they need (PNP). Students have a clear path to work and then permanent residence.
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
Canada embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
Canada is applied for online; biometrics are then given at a VFS Visa Application Centre. There are VACs across Africa — e.g. Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Nairobi, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cairo, Casablanca, Dakar and Addis Ababa. Use the locator.
Tap “Open in Google Maps” to see the exact location, get directions, and confirm the current address & opening hours.
13010G Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja
+234 9 461 2900 Open in Google Maps1103 Arcadia Street (cnr Hilda St), Hatfield, Pretoria
+27 12 422 3000 Open in Google MapsLes Colonnades Building, New Bastos, Yaoundé
+237 222 50 39 00 Open in Google MapsNile City Towers, South Tower 18th floor, 2005A Corniche El Nil, Cairo
+20 2 2461 2200 Open in Google MapsOld Airport Area, Nefas Silk Lafto, House No. 122, Addis Ababa
+251 11 317 0000 Open in Google MapsCorner of Galliéni & Amadou Cissé Dia Streets, Dakar
+221 33 889 4749 Open in Google Maps38 Mirambo Street / Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam
+255 22 216 3300 Open in Google MapsJubilee Insurance Centre, 14 Parliament Avenue, Kampala
+256 414 258 141 Open in Google MapsTrade Centre Building, 23 Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan
+225 27 20 30 07 00 Open in Google Maps18 Mustapha Khalef Street, Ben Aknoun, Algiers
+213 770 083 000 Open in Google MapsLot 24 Rue de la Feuille d'Érable, Cité des Pins, Tunis
+216 70 010 200 Open in Google MapsDon’t see your country? Canada has more missions across Africa — find the nearest one on the official locator.
Most complete applications processed within ~6 months after an invitation.
Government fees ~CAD 1,525 (incl. right of PR) + language test + credential assessment + proof of funds.
Permanent residence (PR) — leads to citizenship after meeting residency.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Qualify under a program: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class.
- Language test (IELTS/CELPIP for English or TEF for French) above the minimum.
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees.
- Enough settlement funds (unless you have a Canadian job offer).
What to do, step by step
-
1
Take a language test
Book and sit IELTS General / CELPIP (English) or TEF/TCF (French). French gives bonus points.
-
2
Get your ECA
Have your foreign degree assessed (e.g. by WES) to prove it equals a Canadian credential.
-
3
Create an Express Entry profile
Enter the pool on Canada.ca and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
-
4
Boost your CRS & wait for a draw
Improve points (French, job offer, PNP nomination). IRCC invites top scorers in regular draws.
-
5
Receive an ITA & apply for PR
With an Invitation to Apply, submit your full PR application within 60 days.
-
6
Medical, police checks & landing
Complete medicals and police certificates; once approved you receive your PR (COPR/eCOPR) and land in Canada.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Learning French can dramatically raise your CRS score and unlock French-specific draws.
- A provincial nomination (PNP) adds 600 points — almost a guaranteed invitation.
- Everything is free to do yourself on Canada.ca; "agents" charging huge fees are unnecessary.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IRCC secure account first
Most Canadian applications are submitted inside a free IRCC secure account. Register with a GCKey (or sign in through your Canadian bank), then start your application inside it.
Create accountStart your Express Entry (Permanent Residence) application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationNomination varies by province; PR processing follows.
Provincial fees vary + federal PR fees (~CAD 1,525).
Leads to permanent residence.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- You match a specific province's labour needs (occupation, experience, sometimes a job offer).
- You meet that province's stream criteria.
- Many streams link to Express Entry for faster processing.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Research provincial streams
Each province (Ontario, BC, Alberta, etc.) has streams targeting specific skills or graduates.
-
2
Express interest / apply to the province
Submit an Expression of Interest or application to the chosen province.
-
3
Receive a nomination
If selected, the province nominates you (adds 600 CRS points if Express Entry-linked).
-
4
Apply for PR to IRCC
Use the nomination to apply for permanent residence federally.
-
5
Medicals, checks & landing
Complete checks and land as a permanent resident.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Some streams do not require a job offer — research carefully.
- Match your real occupation to provincial in-demand lists for the best odds.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IRCC secure account first
Most Canadian applications are submitted inside a free IRCC secure account. Register with a GCKey (or sign in through your Canadian bank), then start your application inside it.
Create accountStart your Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationVaries; apply early. Some countries have faster streams.
Study permit fee ~CAD 150 + tuition + proof of living funds + (often) a PAL/TAL.
Course length; Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) available afterwards.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
- Proof you can pay tuition and living costs.
- A Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) where required.
- Intent to leave at the end of authorised stay.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Get accepted at a DLI
Apply to a Designated Learning Institution and receive your acceptance letter.
-
2
Get a PAL/TAL if required
Many provinces now require an attestation letter — your school helps you obtain it.
-
3
Prove your funds
Show tuition payment and living-cost funds (a GIC is common).
-
4
Apply online for the study permit
Submit your application on Canada.ca with biometrics.
-
5
Travel & study
Receive your permit, travel, and study; you can usually work part-time.
-
6
Apply for PGWP
After graduating from an eligible program, apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and build toward PR.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- The Post-Graduation Work Permit is the bridge from study to Express Entry PR.
- Choose a PGWP-eligible program at a DLI — not all programs qualify.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IRCC secure account first
Most Canadian applications are submitted inside a free IRCC secure account. Register with a GCKey (or sign in through your Canadian bank), then start your application inside it.
Create accountStart your Study permit application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSpousal sponsorship around 12 months on average.
Sponsorship + PR fees ~CAD 1,135 (spouse).
Permanent residence for the sponsored family member.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Sponsor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18+.
- A genuine relationship (spouse, common-law partner, dependent child).
- Sponsor agrees to financially support the family member.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Confirm sponsor eligibility
The citizen/PR sponsor must meet undertaking and (sometimes) income requirements.
-
2
Gather relationship evidence
Compile strong proof of a genuine relationship.
-
3
Submit the application
The sponsor and applicant submit the combined sponsorship + PR application on Canada.ca.
-
4
Biometrics, medical & checks
Complete biometrics, medicals and police clearances.
-
5
Approval & landing
On approval, the family member becomes a permanent resident.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Spouses can sometimes apply for an open work permit while the application is processed.
- Document your relationship thoroughly — genuineness is the key test.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your IRCC secure account first
Most Canadian applications are submitted inside a free IRCC secure account. Register with a GCKey (or sign in through your Canadian bank), then start your application inside it.
Create accountStart your Family sponsorship application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost Canada work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to Canada — both completely free.
Explore other destinations
Questions about Canada visas
How much does the Canada Express Entry (Permanent Residence) cost?
The Canada Express Entry (Permanent Residence) costs: Government fees ~CAD 1,525 (incl. right of PR) + language test + credential assessment + proof of funds. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Canada Express Entry (Permanent Residence) take?
Processing for the Canada Express Entry (Permanent Residence) takes most complete applications processed within ~6 months after an invitation. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Canada Express Entry (Permanent Residence) valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Canada Express Entry (Permanent Residence) is valid for permanent residence (PR) — leads to citizenship after meeting residency. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) cost?
The Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) costs: Provincial fees vary + federal PR fees (~CAD 1,525). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) take?
Processing for the Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) takes nomination varies by province; PR processing follows. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is valid for leads to permanent residence. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Canada Study permit cost?
The Canada Study permit costs: Study permit fee ~CAD 150 + tuition + proof of living funds + (often) a PAL/TAL. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Canada Study permit take?
Processing for the Canada Study permit takes varies; apply early. Some countries have faster streams. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Canada Study permit valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Canada Study permit is valid for course length; Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) available afterwards. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Canada Family sponsorship cost?
The Canada Family sponsorship costs: Sponsorship + PR fees ~CAD 1,135 (spouse). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Canada Family sponsorship take?
Processing for the Canada Family sponsorship takes spousal sponsorship around 12 months on average. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Canada Family sponsorship valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The Canada Family sponsorship is valid for permanent residence for the sponsored family member. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.