Returning to Nigeria from Canada could strengthen an applicant’s permanent residency (PR) application.
This move back to one’s homeland, caused by the expiration of status, paradoxically opens the door to a stronger PR application after work experience has been gained under the foreign work experience skill transferability factor.
This ‘foreign work’ refers to working in a country other than Canada, like Nigeria, for instance.
Under the under the foreign work experience skill transferability factor, an applicant can potentially boost his/her chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a PR, as long as the foreign work experience is similar to those in Canada’s skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) list.
This will earn the applicant up to 50 CRS points under this category, potentially boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a PR.
How the CRS points could boost scores under this category
To secure the full 50 points, an applicant must have accumulated at least three years of skilled work experience overseas.
This must be combined with either a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 9 score across all four language abilities or at least two years of work experience in Canada.
The number of points granted varies depending on how foreign work experience is combined with other qualifications. If combined with language proficiency, an applicant with one to two years of overseas work experience can earn 13 points by achieving a minimum of CLB 7 in all four language abilities.
Those reaching CLB 9 or higher across all competencies can secure 25 points. Meanwhile, candidates with three or more years of foreign work experience receive 25 points if their language score falls between CLB 7 and 9, but can obtain the full 50 points if they attain CLB 9 or above in all areas.
Using the Canadian Experience Class route
According to the Government of Canada website, applicants who worked in Canada but need to return to Nigeria will be prioritised under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
These applicants must also demonstrate at least one year of Canadian work experience, which is equivalent to 1,560 hours gained within the past three years, before applying.
Earning these additional points could enable the applicant to surpass the cut-off threshold required in Express Entry draws.
This is particularly crucial for foreign nationals who are yet to reach the maximum points within the skill transferability category.
How the extra CRS points could boost scores for the CEC route
A similar point structure applies when foreign work experience is combined with Canadian work experience. Candidates with up to two years of foreign work experience can gain 13 points if they have worked in Canada for at least one year. This increases to 25 points for those with two or more years of Canadian work experience. Meanwhile, individuals with three or more years of foreign experience earn 25 points for one year of Canadian work experience and the full 50 points for two or more years.
Despite meeting multiple criteria, no candidate can receive more than 50 points under the CRS for foreign work experience.
This cap ensures a balanced evaluation of applicants competing for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry system.
