Canada Visa from Nigeria: Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

For most Nigerians, a trip to Canada means a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), the visitor visa used for tourism, visiting family and friends, or short business trips. It’s frequently issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years (or until your passport expires), so one approval can cover years of travel.

Canada decides visitor visas on a simple test under the immigration rules: are you a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of your stay, and can you fund the trip? Everything in your application should answer those two questions.

Canada visitor visa requirements for Nigerians

You apply online through an IRCC account, pay the fees, then book biometrics at a VAC in Lagos or Abuja. Prepare:

• A valid passport covering your intended stay.
• Bank statements, typically the last 4-6 months, showing a steady balance you can explain.
• Proof of funds for flights, accommodation and daily costs.
• Employment evidence, a letter stating your position, salary and approved leave; or, if self-employed, your CAC documents, business statements and tax records.
• A letter of explanation (often called a cover or purpose-of-travel letter) setting out who you are, why you’re visiting, how long, and how it’s funded. This carries real weight with IRCC.
• An invitation letter from your Canadian host if you have one, with their status documents.
• Proof of ties to Nigeria, job, property, family, business, to show you’ll return.
• Travel history, if any. Prior travel to countries like the UK, US or Schengen strengthens your case but is not mandatory.

How much a Canada visa costs

The TRV fee is CAD $100, plus CAD $85 biometrics, roughly CAD $185 total. You pay in Canadian dollars online; your card or bank handles the Naira conversion. Fees are set by IRCC and can change, so check the official site.

How long it takes

Canada doesn’t publish a fixed timeline, it depends on application volumes. Use IRCC’s processing-time tool for the current estimate for Nigeria, which can range from a few weeks to several months. Apply early; rushing a Canada application is the wrong place to cut corners.

Why Canada visas get refused

Most Nigerian TRV refusals come down to a short list of officer concerns, usually quoted almost word-for-word in the refusal letter:

1. Insufficient or unexplained funds, the classic large, unexplained deposit.
2. Purpose of visit not established, a vague or missing letter of explanation.
3. Weak home ties, nothing convincing the officer you’ll return.
4. Travel history and overall profile not supporting a short, genuine visit.

The fix is rarely “more money”, it’s a clearer, better-evidenced story. A precise letter of explanation plus clean, consistent financials addresses most refusals.

How Oya Visa helps

We check your file against the exact points IRCC officers cite, write a strong letter of explanation, and make sure your funds and ties read clearly. See our pricing, or browse the full visa guides hub. Comparing options? Many Nigerians also look at the UK visa and US B1/B2 visa.