To relocate to Canada from Nigeria without taking the IELTS, consider the following options:
1. Sponsorship
- Family Sponsorship: If you have a close family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you to immigrate to Canada. This pathway prioritizes family reunification. While IELTS may not be strictly required in some cases, providing evidence of English or French language proficiency might still be beneficial.
2. Work Permits (with LMIA Exemption)
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Exemption: In some specific cases, a Canadian employer may be able to hire a foreign worker without needing an LMIA. If you secure a job offer that qualifies for an LMIA exemption, you may be able to obtain a work permit without IELTS. However, these exemptions are limited and usually apply to specialized occupations or situations.
3. Certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- PNPs with Lower Language Requirements: While most PNPs require some form of language testing, a few may have lower minimum score requirements than those of the federal programs or may accept alternative language tests. It’s essential to research the specific requirements of each PNP to see if you qualify.
4. Study Permits (in specific cases)
- Specific DLIs or Programs: Some Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) or specific programs within those institutions might have alternative ways to assess English language proficiency other than IELTS. This could include previous education in English or internal assessments. However, this is not a common route.
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Important Considerations:
- Language Proficiency is Generally Important: Even if you can find a pathway that doesn’t explicitly require IELTS, demonstrating English or French language proficiency is generally beneficial for your application and your integration into Canadian society.
- Alternative Language Tests: While IELTS is the most common test, IRCC also accepts other language tests, such as CELPIP for English and TEF for French.
- Program Requirements Vary: The requirements for each immigration program, PNP, or work permit can vary significantly. It’s crucial to research the specific requirements of the pathway you are interested in.
- No Guarantee of Success: Even if you meet the minimum requirements, there is no guarantee that your application will be approved.
Key Resources:
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Website: This is your official source for all information related to immigrating to Canada. Visit www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html
Overview of How to Migrate to Canada Without IELTS
Migrating to Canada may appeal to Nigerians who want better opportunities and a higher standard of living. However, proving language proficiency, which is generally assessed through standardised assessments such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is a challenge. This is mostly because of the cost implications, its validity and duration.
The fee for IELTS is ₦134,000 for academic and general training on paper and ₦139,000 online, valid for two years. IELTS provides authorities with a standardised assessment of an applicant’s language skills needed for integration into Canada. This makes it an important deciding factor for Canadian immigration and visa matters.
The language proficiency requirement is not necessary for some entry routes, like tourism. However, it is often required if you wish to stay in Canada longer. Fortunately, there are some ways you can migrate to Canada from Nigeria without taking the IELTS.
For instance, IELTS might not be required for people hoping to obtain a Canadian Work Visa. Also, depending on the university and course of study, taking the IELTS exam may be optional for a study permit. The requirement for an IELTS score varies based on the specific circumstances and reason for your relocation to Canada.
Getting a Canada Permanent Residence (PR) Without IELTS
Canada PR is a status given to those who are not citizens of Canada but have been granted permission to live and work there indefinitely. Getting PR in Canada is a key achievement for immigrants because it offers benefits like social services, healthcare, and education. It also makes it possible to apply for citizenship if residency conditions are met.
Applying for a selected pathway does not automatically grant permanent residency in Canada. However, once you meet the requirements of your selected pathway and file a full application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you will be considered for PR.
Most Canada PR routes, like Express Entry, require that you submit proof of English proficiency, like the IELTS. The best way to avoid IELTS is by going for paths where it is not a requirement or can be waived. You are granted entry into Canada as a PR if the IRCC provides you with a “Confirmation of Permanent Residence” document following a successful application.
Hence, you are not given PR when you select a pathway, rather, you become qualified to apply for PR after meeting the requirements and completing the application process.
Ways to Immigrate to Canada from Nigeria Without IELTS
There are different ways to relocate to Canada without IELTS from Nigeria. These pathways include:
Provincial Nominee Programme
Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNP) are immigration programmes run by Canada’s different provinces and territories, which give them the authority to propose people who meet the requirements in terms of education, training, and work experience and who can positively impact the economy.
Applicants must possess skills and experience in a field in demand in the province or area where the PNP is being applied. You may be asked to demonstrate a specified degree of education and work experience in the field of your nominated occupation, depending on the particular PNP stream.
Many provinces taking part in PNPs provide reduced or eliminated language requirements. This is a good option for those with relevant work experience who have not passed standard language exams such as the IELTS. Many Canadian provinces are willing to grant provincial nominations based on proven relevant job experience to fill major labour shortages.
Every province has its requirements, including degree certificates, professional experience, language ability, and ties to the area. You should be prepared to relocate permanently to any province requiring your skills once in Canada.
Below are the steps to apply for a PNP in Canada:
- Find PNP streams that match your skills and qualifications
- Ensure you meet the requirements of your chosen PNP stream (occupation, education, experience, and language).
- Submit an Expression of Interest or register in the province’s candidate pool
- Receive a nomination certificate (if selected)
- Submit your nomination certificate and other documents to IRCC
- Pass medical examinations and obtain security clearance
Upon IRCC approval, you and your family (if applicable) will be allowed to live and work in Canada.
Family Sponsorship
Sponsorship Visas are a good option for Nigerians who want to relocate to Canada but do not want to take the IELTS test. To promote family reunification and provide a smooth transition to Canadian residency, this pathway enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor the immigration of their family members.
The sponsor must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada to support a family member’s immigration. Generally, family members eligible for sponsorship include spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and, in certain situations, dependent children over 22 who are financially dependent.
For this path to be successful, sponsors must show they can support their sponsored family members financially to ensure their well-being when they arrive in Canada. Documents proving the applicant’s relationship to the sponsor, such as birth certificates, marriage licences, or adoption agreements, must be submitted during the application process.
Although the Sponsorship Visa route provides an alternative to the IELTS exam for entry into Canada, candidates must ensure they fulfil every requirement and follow the correct processes to guarantee a successful migration.
Canada Study Visa
You can study in Canada without IELTS. This is an alternative for Nigerians who wish to bypass the IELTS requirement. It is best to find a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada not requiring IELTS.
Some institutions waive this requirement for Nigerians because English is the official language in Nigeria. However, you may need to provide a letter of English proficiency from your previous institutions stating that you studied in English.
The embassy may still require language proficiency for study permit processing, so you should inform them that your DLI has waived your requirement by showing them your proficiency letter. It is best to contact the Canadian Embassy in Nigeria to confirm before applying for your Study Permit without IELTS.
You must get an acceptance letter from a DLI in Canada to be considered for a qualifying educational programme and show you have sufficient funds to pay for your studies, including living expenses, tuition, and other associated costs.
The steps to apply for a Study Visa in Canada from Nigeria are:
- Apply to DLIs where IELTS is waived for Nigerians
- Pay the tuition deposit (if required) and receive your acceptance letter
- Gather required documents for visa application, including DLI acceptance letter and financial proof
- Apply for a study permit on the IRCC website
- Pay the visa fee of CAD 150
- Attend an interview at the Canadian Embassy in Abuja or Lagos.
- Undergo a medical examination by an approved physician (upon request from IRCC)
- Receive your study permit if it is approved
- Enrol in the approved educational programme at the DLI and begin your studies in Canada
Upon graduation, you can apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) if you want to remain in Canada to work. Because you studied in Canada, the IELTS requirement will be waived when you apply for a Work Permit. This permit is valid for three years.
Work Visa for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Holders
The LMIA is an evaluation conducted by the Canadian government to decide if employing a foreign worker will have a positive impact on the labour market. It is not required to take the IELTS exam to apply for a work permit if you have a job offer from a Canadian employer who has received a valid LMIA.
To be eligible for this path, you must provide a legitimate job offer from a Canadian business that has received a positive LMIA. The Canadian employer must get a positive LMIA from Service Canada or Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the Canadian labour market.
Although this path may not require IELTS, you may still need to submit other language proficiency documentation. This may include transcripts from school, degree certificates, or proof of work in an English-speaking setting.
The steps on how to apply to relocate to Canada without IELTS through the LMIA Work Visa are:
- Secure a Job Offer with a Canadian employer who is willing to sponsor you
- Request that the Canadian employer apply for an LMIA from ESDC or Service Canada
- Obtain LMIA approval from the Canadian employer once it is approved
- Apply for a Work Permit at IRCC and include all required documents, such as the job offer letter and LMIA approval
- Await Work Permit approval
Once the work permit is approved, you can travel to Canada and begin working with the sponsoring Canadian employer.
French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
If you are a Nigerian who speaks French, you can opt for a French Skilled Worker programme in Canada. Canada is a bilingual country, with English and French as its official languages. People with French language proficiency can decide to work in a French setting in Canada.
You must be fluent in French because this path is designed for those with advanced proficiency in the language. You can demonstrate your French language proficiency using assessment exams like the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) or Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF).
French-speaking Canadian provinces like Quebec, New Brunswick, and Manitoba offer the French-speaking Skilled Worker Stream as part of their Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNPs). As a result, you must fulfil specific criteria for eligibility established by the applicable province.
The application process for this pathway is the same as the PNP. The only difference is that, in this case, you need to prove your French language proficiency, especially since you are from Nigeria, a country where French is not widely spoken.
Alternative Language Proficiency Tests to Move to Canada
If you wish to relocate to Canada but not with any of the previously mentioned routes, you must prove English or French language proficiency. There are other acceptable tests you can take in place of IELTS.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
While TOEFL is frequently related to academic admissions, TOEFL results may be used instead of IELTS for some Canadian immigration programmes. The TOEFL is an assessment tool used by numerous Canadian institutions and colleges that evaluates language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Programme (CELPIP)
Another English language proficiency test recognised for Canadian immigration purposes is CELPIP. It is extensively accepted by Canadian immigration officials and assesses language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
It is a bit cheaper than IELTS, so you may consider this if you are trying to save money. Note that the IELTS is more flexible and offers more options than the CELPIP.
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment
The CAEL assesses your English skills relevant to Canadian life, including academic settings and professional environments. The CAEL is cheaper than the IELTS, making it a budget-friendly option for many applicants. Note that the CAEL is designed for Canada and cannot be used elsewhere.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Similar to IELTS, PTE is a computer-based assessment of proficiency in the English language. Although acceptance differs throughout Canadian immigration programmes, it provides personalised testing and quicker results.
Canadian Academic Certificate
You may not be required to take a language test if you have a degree or diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada. In this case, your Canadian degree or diploma replaces a proficiency test.
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