Canada Asylum Visa from Nigeria: Requirements & How to Apply

For a while now, Nigeria has not witnessed peace. Killings here and there, political arrest of people with opposing views to the government in power.

Things have got worse since the APC came to power. Starting from Buhari’s administration. It has been from one sad news of killings to another.

This is especially true in the Northern part of the country, where it now looks like being a Christian is a crime.

As the religious killings are going on, the government in power doesn’t look interested in it, rather, it’s busy arresting those who are speaking out about the killings.

If you are among those threatened by these unfortunate events – that is, your life is at risk, you feel unsafe, or you’re facing political persecution from the government in power.

Applying for asylum in a country like Canada is a good way to protect yourself from harm.

Recent records show the number of Nigerians seeking asylum in Canada has increased, and it’s not a surprise.

With everything going on in the country, people are looking for a way out. You can join them.

Here is everything you should know about how a Canada asylum visa from Nigeria works, what is involved and how you can apply for it.

What is the Canada asylum visa all about?

Seeking Asylum means asking another country to protect you because you are in danger in your home country. In this case, the country is Nigeria.

If Canadian authorities confirms that you are truly in danger in your country, they’ll let you stay in Canada as a refugee.

The Canada Asylum Visa from Nigeria is a type of protection visa that is offered by the Canadian government to Nigerians who are facing serious threats or persecution in Nigeria and need a fresh start away from Nigeria.

An Asylum visa is not the same as your regular type of visa. It is not like a student visa or a visitor visa.

This one is a humanitarian kind of visa that is only given to people whose lives or safety are at risk due to conditions like war, political persecution, religious oppression, or personal threats like domestic violence, discrimination, or torture.

If you are part of the people whose lives are at risk currently in Nigeria due to the continued political persecution of opposition by the party in power or your life is at risk due to the constant killing, especially in the Northern part of the country, you can apply for this visa and be allowed to live in Canada.

With this visa, you, as a Nigerian, can seek refugee protection in Canada. If you are accepted, you will be granted asylum status.

This gives you the legal right to live and work in Canada, and eventually apply for permanent residence.

Many Nigerians have used this visa to become Canadian citizens after spending many years in the country.

As a country, Canada recognises only two main types of refugees:

• Convention Refugees: These are people who are outside their country and cannot return because of fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
• Persons in Need of Protection: These are people who are already in Canada but can’t return to their country because they will face danger or cruel treatment if they return.

Where can Nigerians apply for a Canadian asylum visa?

Nigerians can apply for a Canada asylum visa:

• • • At the Canadian border or airport.
    • After arriving in Canada, you will then submit an in-country refugee claim.
    • Through a private sponsorship or resettlement program, while still outside Canada. This one will only work if you are eligible and are referred by UNHCR or another recognised organisation.

While Canada’s asylum visa is open to Nigerians, not everyone is eligible for it.

Before Canada approves your application, they will carefully go through your case and confirm that you truly need protection.

If you made any false claims or if you do not have strong evidence, your application will be rejected.

Who qualifies for the Canada asylum visa from Nigeria?

To qualify for asylum, you must show that:

• You fear persecution or harm in Nigeria.
• The government in Nigeria cannot or will not protect you.
• Your reason is based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group (like LGBTQ+, women facing violence, etc.).

If your application is approved, you’ll be allowed to live in Canada, work, go to school, and then apply for permanent residence.

Can a Nigerian apply for a Canada asylum visa while still in Nigeria?

The shirt answer is no. You cannot apply for a Canadian asylum visa while still in Nigeria.

You must already be in Canada or at a Canadian border (like at an airport or land entry point) before you apply for an Asylum visa.

You cannot apply for asylum while still in Nigeria.

That means:

• You will travel to Canada first (with a visa or other permission).
• Once you arrive, you can then apply for an asylum visa.

For example:

Chinedu, who is a Nigerian who wants to apply for a Canadian asylum visa, will have to find his way into Canada.

He can first apply for a visitor visa or use other means to enter Canada.

At the airport in Toronto, he will then tell the immigration officer he wants to claim asylum.

Once he explains his fears, he will be allowed to start the asylum application process.

How to apply for a Canada asylum visa from Nigeria

To apply for a Canadian asylum visa from Nigeria, you should first:

Step 1: Travel to Canada legally

You need to enter Canada legally or be at the border.

Most people use:

• • • Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
    • Student visa
    • Work visa

Some Nigerians entered Canada irregularly (without documents) through the U.S., but this is risky and we do not recommend it.

Step 2: Make an Asylum claim

Once you are in Canada, you can apply:

• At the airport or border, when you arrive
• Online through Canada’s refugee application portal
• Inside Canada at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office.

Step 3: Go for your interview

Before a decision is made on your application, you’ll go for an interview. There, you’ll:

• Explain why you are afraid to return to Nigeria
• Fill out a form called the Basis of Claim (BOC) within 15 days – Find more on the BOC form here.
• Submit documents that show you are truly in danger in Nigeria (like news articles, police reports, medical reports, etc)

Step 4: Go for your refugee hearing

You’ll attend a hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) where you will tell your story.

After telling your story, they’ll decide if you qualify for protection.

What happens if your Canada Asylum visa application is approved?

If your asylum claim is accepted:

• • • You will become a Protected Person in Canada
    • You can apply for Permanent Residency
    • You can live, work, and go to school in Canada

After some years, you can apply for Canadian citizenship.

What if your Canadian asylum visa application is denied?

If your claim is rejected:

• • • You can appeal the decision or apply for a judicial review
    • You will be asked to leave Canada
    • In some cases, you can apply for a Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds application.

If your application is denied, we advise you to speak with an immigration lawyer or any refugee support organisation in Canada.

Why do Nigerians apply for Asylum in Canada?

Many Nigerians seek asylum due to:

• • • Political persecution, as we had with Barr. Dele Farotimi, a political activist in Nigeria.
    • Religious violence or threats like you see in Benue, Plateau, Enugu and many other states in Nigeria.
    • Gender-based violence (e.g., forced marriage, female genital mutilation)
    • LGBTQ+ discrimination
    • Ethnic or tribal conflicts, like those witnessed in the Northern part of the country, where residents targeted the Igbos.
    • Insecurity or terrorism (e.g., Boko Haram attacks).

Before your asylum visa is approved, it must be backed by real evidence.

Important warnings if you are applying for Canada’s asylum visa 

• Do not lie – if you lie, you are out. If your story is not true, your claim will be denied.
• Don’t pay agents or “consultants” who promise guaranteed asylum. Many of them are fake.
• Work with a real immigration lawyer or a licensed Canadian consultant if you need to.
• Don’t apply without getting real proof of your situation (you need documents, photos, reports, etc)

Can you apply for a Canada asylum visa from Nigeria?

No. You cannot apply for a Canadian asylum visa from Nigeria. But you can apply for a visitor visa, come to Canada, and then make your asylum claim.

Some people also apply for resettlement through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in other countries, but this process takes a long time.

Helpful resources for Nigerian Asylum seekers in Canada

• • • IRCC Website (Official Immigration Info): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html
    • Canadian Refugee Law Help: https://refugeelawlab.org
    • UNHCR Nigeria: https://www.unhcr.org/ng.

If you’re applying for Cabada’s asylum visa as a Nigerian, be honest in your application.

Get enough proof. And don’t trust people who promise “easy” approvals.