Canada Asylum Visa from Nigeria: Requirements & How to Apply

If you have been to Nigeria recently, you’ll know that for a while now, the country has not experienced true peace.

It has been going through serious security challenges that have left many people feeling unsafe in their communities.

Naturally, one would expect those in power to tackle these issues head-on. But sadly, that has not been the reality for most Nigerians.

What people have observed is a leadership approach that many feel lacks urgency, with growing concerns about how public issues are being handled.

There have also been reports of individuals being detained for expressing views that differ from the government’s.

While other countries make progress over time, Nigeria’s situation seems to be going in the opposite direction.

Beyond the insecurity, there are rising levels of social and political tension. Many citizens feel that their freedom of speech is no longer guaranteed.

Some people are afraid to express themselves because of their political views, personal beliefs, or social identities.

In different parts of the country, especially certain regions in the North, there have been reports of violence, with tension often tied to deep-rooted differences.

If you are one of those who feel threatened by these ongoing challenges – that is, you no longer feel safe or you’re facing pressure due to your political stance – it’s understandable why you might want to explore safer environments.

For some, seeking asylum in a country like Canada becomes a serious option worth considering.

Recent data shows that more Nigerians have applied for asylum in Canada, and that’s not surprising.

With all the current uncertainty, many are trying to find stability and safety elsewhere.

If you’re interested in seeking asylum in Canada from Nigeria, here’s how the Canadian asylum visa process 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, especially when you’re in danger in your own country.

In this case, the country in question is Nigeria.

When you apply for a Canadian asylum visa from Nigeria, Canadian authorities will go through your case to know if your fears are valid and if you’re truly in danger.

If they accept your claims, they will allow you to stay in Canada as a refugee.

The Canada Asylum Visa from Nigeria is a type of protection 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 that you apply for anyhow.

This one is a humanitarian kind of visa that is only given to people who are genuinely afraid for their safety or lives due to conditions like war, political unrest, religious oppression, or personal threats like abuse, discrimination, or mistreatment.

Many Nigerians have reported living in fear because of their political beliefs or societal roles, especially those who speak out against prevailing systems.

If you relate to this and have genuine reasons to feel unsafe, then applying for asylum is something others in your situation have considered too.

With a Canadian asylum visa, you – as a Nigerian – can request protection in Canada.

If your request is accepted, you will be granted asylum and allowed to live in Canada legally.

A Canadian asylum visa gives you the legal right to live and work in Canada, and over time you will even become eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Many Nigerians who followed this path have eventually become Canadian citizens after fulfilling the requirements and spending several years in the country.

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

• Convention Refugees: These are people who are outside their home country and cannot return because of fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or being part of 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 grants your asylum application, Canadian authorities will carefully go through your case.

You must clearly show that you are in genuine need of protection.

If your story is not convincing or you don’t have strong evidence, your application will not be accepted.

Who qualifies for the Canada asylum visa from Nigeria?

To be eligible for asylum, you must prove that:

• You are at risk of harm or persecution in Nigeria.
• The government of Nigeria is either unable or unwilling to protect you.
• Your reason for fear is based on things like race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (such as LGBTQ+ persons or women facing abuse)

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

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

The short 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 entry point (like the airport or a land border) before you can make an asylum claim.

So, what does that mean?

It means that if you want to apply:

• First, you have to travel to Canada legally – for example, by applying for a visitor visa or through another permitted travel route.
• Once you arrive in Canada, you can tell the immigration officer that you wish to seek asylum.

Here’s a simple example:

Chinedu is a Nigerian who wants to apply for a Canadian asylum visa. To do that, he first needs to enter Canada. He can apply for a temporary visitor visa or use other lawful means to enter Canada. When he lands at the Toronto airport, he can explain his situation to the immigration officer and tell the officer that he wants to seek asylum. If the officer believes his case needs attention, he’ll be asked to start the formal asylum application process while in Canada.

How to apply for a Canada asylum visa from Nigeria

If you’re a Nigerian interested in seeking asylum in Canada, here’s how the process works. To apply for a Canadian asylum visa from Nigeria, you should first:

Step 1: Enter Canada legally

The first thing you must do is find a legal way to enter Canada or be at the border.

Most people use options like getting:

• A visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
• A student visa
• A work visa

Some people use other methods to enter Canada, but the safest and most reliable way is by going through official routes with approved visas or recognised resettlement programs.

At this point, you should know that you must avoid shortcuts that will get you into trouble – legal entry gives you a better chance of success.

Step 2: Make an Asylum claim

Once you arrive in Canada, you can apply for asylum:

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

Note that your claim will officially start once you declare your intention and start the application process.

Step 3: Go for your interview

Before Canada decides whether to accept or reject your application, you’ll attend 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 any proof that supports your story – things (like news articles, police reports, medical reports, etc – that will help show that your situation is real and serious.

Make sure that anything you submit is real, clear, and complete.

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.

You will also answer questions that they will ask you and show them in person, why you can’t return home.

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

The hearing is your final chance to convince the panel that you truly need 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.

Many Nigerians have followed this path successfully and some of them are now permanent residents of Canada.

What if your Canadian asylum visa application is denied?

If your asylum claim gets rejected, it doesn’t automatically mean the end.

You still have some options:

• You can appeal the decision through the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD).
• If you don’t qualify for an appeal, you can request a judicial review through the Federal Court.
• In exceptional cases, you can apply on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds, especially if you’ve lived in Canada for some time and have settled there.

But remember, once your claim is denied, you can be asked to leave Canada within a short time.

That’s why it’s best to get legal support immediately.

Don’t wait till it’s rejected, you should talk with a qualified immigration lawyer or contact any refugee support organisations in Canada, they understand how the system works.

Why do Nigerians apply for asylum in Canada?

Many Nigerians apply for asylum because they fear for their lives, safety, or freedom back home.

Other common reasons are:

• Political persecution, as we had with Barr. Dele Farotimi, a political activist in Nigeria.
• Religious violence which is common in some parts of the country.
• Gender-based violence like forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM).
• LGBTQ+ discrimination, where people face abuse, threats, or jail time for their identity.
• Communal clashes or inter-tribal conflict that puts entire communities at risk.
• Terrorism and insecurity, especially in areas affected by Boko Haram and other violent groups.

These reasons are not just emotional – they must be proven with solid evidence. Before your asylum visa application is approved, it must be backed by real evidence.

Canada only approves asylum if your situation is serious and well-documented.

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

Here are some things you must know if you are seeking asylum in Canada.

• You must be honest – telling lies or exaggerating your story will get your application denied.
• Don’t trust agents who claim they can “guarantee” asylum. Many of them are false.
• Avoid shortcuts – I know we like shortcuts in Nigeria but Canada doesn’t do that – always go through the right channels.
• 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 Canada asylum visa while you are still in Nigeria.

But here’s what you can do:

• Apply for a visitor visa, study visa, or work visa, then travel to Canada.
• Once you arrive, you can then submit your asylum claim inside Canada or at the border.
• Another option that can work is through resettlement, but it will only work if you’re referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or another trusted international body.

The resettlement process is slow and it doesn’t work for everybody. So, for most Nigerians, the path is to enter Canada legally first, then apply for asylum.

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, be cautious of those who guarantee approval without proper process.