Canada to Process Study Permit Applications for Nigerians within 20 Days

Canada has reportedly launched a new pilot program whose aim is to speed up the study permit application process for students from Nigeria.

Dubbed the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) pilot, the program targets Nigerians who have been accepted to post-secondary institutions in Canada, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said through Twitter.

Under the program, Nigerians who have been accepted to a post-graduate diploma course, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree program will have their study applications processed within 20 days.

 “Nigeria Student Express is a pilot initiative at our Visa Office (VO) in Lagos aimed at improving processing times for study permit applicants in Nigeria who are planning to study at the university level in Canada,” IRCC wrote.

“It was introduced to prospective students and their parents at EduCanada fairs in Abuja and Lagos in January 2020.”

Canada has recorded a tremendous increase in the number of Nigerian immigrants in the past few years. Nigerian was in position four among new permanent residents in Canada last year.

11,985 Nigerians received study permits from Canada in 2019, making it the ninth highest source for international students.