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Phase 1
Foundation & Documents
Now → Month 3
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Why this phase matters
Nothing else can move until your credentials are assessed and your profile is created. This is the unsexy but critical foundation.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Go to WES.org and create an account (wes.org)
World Education Services — most accepted ECA body for Canada
Urgent
Request your official transcripts from your university (Computer Information Systems degree)
Must be sealed and sent directly from institution to WES
Urgent
Pay WES evaluation fee and submit application (~$265 CAD)
Processing takes 7–10 weeks. Start immediately.
Urgent
Track WES application status weekly until received
Ongoing
English Language Test
Register for IELTS General Training (not Academic) or CELPIP
Target: CLB 9+ in all four bands (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Urgent
Complete at least 2 full IELTS practice tests before exam day
Free resources: IELTS.org, British Council YouTube
Important
Take the IELTS exam and receive your results
Results valid for 2 years. If score is below CLB 9, re-sit.
Urgent
NOC Code — Work Experience Documentation
Look up NOC 21234 (Web designers and developers) on the IRCC website
Read the "main duties" list carefully — your work must match these
Urgent
Write a detailed job description for your Bluhaus role using NOC 21234 language
Include: UI/UX design, web design, client projects, tools used (Figma, Adobe XD, etc)
Important
Gather proof of self-employment: contracts, invoices, bank statements, client emails, CAC registration
You need at least 12 continuous months of qualifying work experience
Important
Get a reference letter from a client on their letterhead confirming your design work
Should include: your role, dates, duties, their contact info
Important
Phase 2
French — Your Secret Weapon
Month 1 → Month 9
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Why French?
A strong French score (CLB 7+) adds up to 50 CRS points — that's the difference between being stuck in the pool forever and getting an Invitation to Apply. Almost no Nigerian applicant does this. It is your biggest competitive edge.
Getting Started (Month 1–2)
Download Duolingo and start French — 15 mins every day, no exceptions
This is just to build the habit. Not sufficient alone but builds momentum.
Start Today
Subscribe to a structured French course: Alliance Française Abuja or an online course (Babbel, Pimsleur, or Dreyfus)
Alliance Française Abuja is on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2. Enroll in A1 level.
Urgent
Watch 1 French YouTube video daily (French with Alexa, Français avec Pierre)
Immersion is key. Change your phone language to French.
Ongoing
Intermediate Push (Month 3–6)
Hire a French tutor on iTalki.com — 2 sessions per week (conversational practice)
~$15–$25 per session. Speaking is your weakest area on the exam — drill it.
Important
Complete A2 level and begin B1 French coursework
B1 roughly maps to CLB 6–7 which is your minimum target
Important
Download the TEF Canada sample tests from the official site and complete one
Understand the format: Comprehension Écrite, Expression Écrite, Compréhension Orale, Expression Orale
Important
Exam Prep & Booking (Month 7–9)
Do 3 full TEF Canada mock tests under timed exam conditions
Score yourself. You need to consistently hit CLB 7 before booking the real exam.
Important
Book the TEF Canada exam (available at Alliance Française Abuja)
Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance. Cost ~$300 USD equivalent.
Urgent
Take the TEF Canada exam — target CLB 7 minimum, CLB 9 if possible
CLB 7 = ~50 bonus CRS points. CLB 9 = even higher. Re-sit if needed.
Urgent
Phase 3
Express Entry Profile
Month 3 → Month 6
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When to create your profile
Only create your Express Entry profile after you have your ECA result AND your English test score. Creating it without these means you can't claim the right points.
Build Your Profile
Create your IRCC My Account at ircc.canada.ca
Urgent
Use the official CRS calculator to estimate your score before creating your profile
ircc.canada.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp
Important
Create your Express Entry profile — enter all details accurately (education, work experience, language scores)
Double-check every field. Errors can result in misrepresentation flags.
Urgent
Enter your pool and note your CRS score
If your score is below 480, don't panic — the next phases will boost it
Important
Monitor & Improve
Check Express Entry draw results every 2 weeks at canadavisa.com/express-entry-draw-history
Watch the cut-off CRS score trends over time
Ongoing
Update your profile immediately after getting your French test results
Your CRS score will jump once French scores are added
Important
Research Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) linked to Express Entry — especially Ontario & British Columbia
Ontario HCP and BC Tech stream target skilled tech workers. A nomination = +600 CRS points.
Important
When your sister gets Canadian citizenship — explore sibling PNP streams immediately
Some PNPs give preference to applicants with Canadian citizen siblings. This is a bonus play.
Watch This
Phase 4
Canadian Job Hunt — Designer
Month 2 → Ongoing
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A job offer = +200 CRS points
One offer from a Canadian employer who gets you an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) can push your score past 550. This is the single highest-impact action you can take. Treat it like a second full-time job.
Portfolio — Make it World-Class
Redesign or build a new personal portfolio website — make it stunning, not standard
Canadians hire on portfolio quality. Show case studies with: Problem → Process → Outcome
Urgent
Select your best 4–6 Bluhaus projects and write detailed case studies for each
Include: client problem, your research approach, wireframes, final design, results/metrics
Urgent
Upload to Behance and Dribbble — optimize your profile bio for Canadian search
Bio: "Senior UI/UX & Brand Designer | Open to Canadian opportunities | Experienced in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite"
Important
LinkedIn — Your Most Important Tool
Optimize your LinkedIn profile completely — professional photo, strong headline, detailed experience
Headline idea: "Creative Director & UI/UX Designer | Founder @Bluhaus | Building brands that perform"
Urgent
Turn on "Open to Work" — set location preference to Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary)
Urgent
Connect with 10 Canadian Creative Directors, Design Leads, and Hiring Managers per week
Personalize every connection request. Comment genuinely on their posts first.
Ongoing
Post design work and insights on LinkedIn once a week — build your personal brand
Share Bluhaus projects, design thinking posts, process videos. Canadians research you online.
Ongoing
Direct Applications
Research and list 30 Canadian creative agencies in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa that do branding/UX
Good targets: Pound & Grain, Cossette, Sid Lee, Rethink, Huge, FCB, Grip
Important
Apply to 5 Canadian design roles per week on LinkedIn, Indeed.ca, and Glassdoor
Tailor each cover letter. Mention your openness to work permit sponsorship naturally.
Ongoing
Send 5 cold outreach messages per week directly to Creative Directors (not HR)
Template: "I've followed your work on [specific project]. I run Bluhaus, a design agency in Nigeria, and I'm exploring a move to Canada. I'd love 15 minutes to introduce myself."
Ongoing
Join Canadian design communities: Slack groups (Design Buddies), Facebook groups, ADC (Art Directors Club)
Important
If you get interviews: research LMIA process and be ready to discuss work permit sponsorship professionally
Framing: "I'm in the Express Entry pool and will need LMIA support — the process takes ~3 months and I'm happy to guide your HR team through it."
Important
Phase 5
Final Push & Arrival
Month 10 → Canada
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When you get your ITA (Invitation to Apply)
You have 60 days to submit a complete application. Everything you've been gathering comes together here. Don't be caught unprepared.
When ITA Arrives
Get a police clearance certificate from Nigeria Police Force
Takes 2–4 weeks. Get this early — even before your ITA if possible
Important
Complete your immigration medical exam with a IRCC-designated physician in Abuja
Check the IRCC website for the list of approved doctors in Abuja
Urgent on ITA
Gather all supporting documents: passport, ECA, language results, work experience proofs, reference letters
Urgent on ITA
Submit your complete PR application within 60 days of ITA
Pay the right of permanent residence fee (~$515 CAD). Double check EVERY document.
Critical
Pre-Arrival Preparation
Save a minimum of $10,000 CAD in proof-of-funds (or show it's accessible)
This proves you can support yourself on arrival
Important
Research neighborhoods in your target city — contact your sister for on-ground advice
Toronto: Scarborough, North York have strong Nigerian communities. Good starting base.
Important
Open a Canadian bank account before arrival (RBC, TD Bank offer pre-arrival programs for newcomers)
Important
Line up temporary accommodation for first 30 days (Airbnb or contact sister)
Important
🍁 Land in Canada. Activate your PR. Begin your new chapter.
You did the work. You deserve this.
The Goal