CONGRATULATIONS DEAR PROSPECTIVE STUDENT

1. Core International (Canadian) Documents

• Valid International Passport (If it’s close to expiration, please renew it)
• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) 
• Proof of Tuition Payment (receipts/deposit confirmation)
• Completed Application Forms (IMM1294, IMM5645)
• Digital Passport Photographs (per IRCC specifications). The frame size must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″). Proof of Funds (bank statements, sponsor letters, GIC if applicable). Calculate and ensure you have what is required of you. 
• Sponsorship Letter / Affidavit of Support: If funds are provided by parent, spouse, or sponsor.
• Medical Examination Report (e-Medical from IRCC-approved panel physician)
• Biometrics (to be completed at VFS Global) after submitting your application, if you have not had one done over the past 10 years. 
• Police Clearance Certificate (Nigeria) and any other country you have lived for 6 months and above. 
• Letter of Explanation / Study Plan
• Academic Certificates & Transcripts (WAEC/NECO, Degree certificates, etc.)
• NYSC Certificate (if applicable)

2. Local (Nigerian) Documents

These establish your identity, background, and financial capacity:

• Birth Certificate (National Population Commission preferred).
• Marriage Certificate (if married and including spouse in the application).
• Children’s Birth Certificates (if applying with dependents).
• Employment Letter / Work Reference (if employed).
• Business Registration Certificate (CAC) + Tax Clearance (if self-employed).
• Bank Reference Letter (from Nigerian bank confirming account ownership).
• Sponsor’s Employment Letter / Payslips (if a parent or spouse is sponsoring).
• Property Documents (land titles, house documents, tenancy agreements, etc. – to prove strong ties to Nigeria).
• Retirement Benefit Statements (if your parent is your sponsor).
• Affidavits / Court Documents (if relying on guardianship or third-party sponsor).

3. Supporting / Optional Documents

These strengthen your case and reduce risk of rejection:

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV): Education and work history.
• Reference Letters (academic or employment).
• Scholarship Award Letter (if applicable).
• Travel History: Copies of visas and entry/exit stamps (if you’ve travelled before).
• Return Plan Evidence: Business plans, employment letters, family responsibilities showing you will return to Nigeria after studies.

✅Tip for “Success”:

• Ensure financial proof is clear, consistent, and above IRCC’s minimum requirement.
• Write a compelling SOP linking your Nigerian background, your program in Canada, and your return plans.
• Double-check that names match across all documents (no spelling errors or discrepancies).
• Submit scanned copies in clear colour PDF format.

⚠️ What You Should Never Do

• Never pay anyone who promises or “guarantees” you a study visa. No individual or organisation can influence or guarantee approval. In Canada, you must use an authorized representative to provide paid immigration or citizenship advice. Authorized representatives include Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), licensed lawyers, and Quebec notaries. To ensure you're working with a legitimate professional, always verify their license on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants's public register or the appropriate provincial law society's website.   Never submit false or misleading documents. Providing fraudulent bank statements, fake admission letters, or altered certificates can lead to refusal and even long-term bans.
• Never ignore IRCC’s official instructions. Always use www.canada.ca for updated requirements.
• Never rely solely on hearsay or unverified sources. Each application is unique, avoid copying another applicant’s documents or study plan.
• Never dump a sudden lump sum into your bank account for the purpose of showing proof of funds. Visa officers will check the history of your funds. They expect consistent savings or legitimate transfers, not last-minute deposits without clear documentation.
• Never delay your application. Missing deadlines for biometrics, medicals, or tuition payments may affect your approval chances.

? Steps to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit

Step 1: Create an Online IRCC Account

1. Go to the official IRCC portal: IRCC Secure Account
2. Sign in with GCKey or a Sign-In Partner (Canadian bank login).
3. Start a new application → “Apply to come to Canada” → Select Study Permit.

Step 2: Fill Out Required Forms

• Fill out application form for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada
• Fill out Family Information Form

? Download forms here: IRCC Forms and Guides

Step 3: Upload Supporting Documents

• Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from your school
• Proof of tuition payment
• Proof of funds (bank statements, sponsor letter, GIC if SDS)
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical exam report (if already done)
• Academic certificates & transcripts
• Statement of Purpose (study plan)
• Marriage/birth certificates (if applicable)

Step 4: Pay the Fees

• You can use the IRCC Fee Wizard at eservices.cic.gc.ca to search for your appropriate fees. 
• Study permit application: CAD 150
• Biometrics: CAD 85
• Pay online with debit/credit card via IRCC portal.

? Official fee list: IRCC Fees

Step 5: Give Biometrics

• After submission, you’ll receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL).
• Book an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lagos or Abuja.

? Book here: VFS Global – Canada Visa

Step 6: Complete Medical Examination if requested of you to do so.

• Book with an IRCC-approved panel physician in Nigeria.
• Results are sent directly to IRCC.

? Find doctors here: IRCC Panel Physicians

Step 7: Track Your Application

• Log in to your IRCC account regularly for updates.
• Processing times vary (Nigeria often takes several weeks to months).

? Check current timelines: IRCC Processing Times

About This Guide

This information has been compiled by Flourixh Advisory & Supply Co. to support our students from Nigeria who have secured admission into Canadian institutions. It is intended for general guidance purposes only and was gathered directly from the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website as at the date of publication.

Please note that Flourixh Advisory & Supply Co. does not provide legal advice, nor do we represent students on immigration matters, or guarantee visa approval while working with any of our immigration consultants. We owe no liability for decisions made by IRCC or for the outcomes of any visa application. The final authority on all applications lies solely with IRCC.

We strongly encourage applicants to consult the official IRCC resources at www.canada.ca and, where necessary, seek professional immigration counsel.