🇨🇦 Canada tourist visa for Nigerians 2026
Tourism, visiting family and friends, conferences and business trips. Facts verified against Canada's official pages; see the source at the end.
Yes. Nigerians need a visa before a short visit to Canada. Nigerian citizens need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for any visit to Canada, whether for tourism, visiting family, business meetings or a conference; Nigeria has no eTA option.
Quick facts
- Visa
- Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa)
- Maximum stay
- up to 6 months
- Government fee
- about $133
- Processing time
- 10–16 weeks
- Paid work
- Not allowed
- Business or conference
- Covered
Where Nigerians apply
You apply online through your IRCC secure account, pay CAN$100 plus CAN$85 for biometrics (about USD 133), then give fingerprints and a photo at a VFS Global centre in Lagos or Abuja within 30 days of the instruction letter.
Fee and processing time
Processing from Nigeria is among the slowest for visitor visas: the IRCC tool showed roughly 103 days in October 2026, up from 84 to 87 days a few weeks earlier, so apply at least 4 months before travel and expect close scrutiny of funds, travel history and ties to Nigeria.
That is about $133 in US dollars at the time of verification; the official fee is set in local currency.
Travelling for business or a conference?
Invitation from the Canadian host or organiser, employer letter, and the IRCC event code if registered.
Documents and steps
- Check your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond travelPassport valid 6+ months past travel; renew early if under a year remains.
- Create an IRCC secure account and start the online TRV applicationOnline only; start 4+ months ahead because Nigerian processing ran about 100 days in late 2026.
- Prepare a digital photo to IRCC specificationRecent photo, plain background, 35x45 mm proportions, at least 420x540 px.
- Gather strong proof of funds and employment tiesSix months of stamped bank statements with no sudden deposits, plus an employer letter under 3 months old.
- Document your travel history and ties to NigeriaPrior visas and stamps plus proof of family, property or employment in Nigeria carry real weight.
- Set out your itinerary, accommodation and any family invitationTravel plan and accommodation; a host invitation must come with proof of the host's Canadian status.
- If travelling for business or a conference: add the invitation letterInvitation from the Canadian host or organiser, employer letter, and the IRCC event code if registered.
- Pay CAN$100 visa fee and CAN$85 biometrics feeCAN$100 visa plus CAN$85 biometrics, paid by card at submission.
- Give biometrics at VFS Global in Lagos or Abuja within 30 daysWithin 30 days of the instruction letter at VFS Lagos or Abuja; biometrics last 10 years.
- Submit your passport on request, collect the visa, check your stayVisa expiry is your last arrival date; the officer normally grants up to 6 months per entry.
The full checklist with timing, dependencies and personalised due dates is part of the paid plan. Start with the free quiz and pick “Visit” as your purpose.
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Plan my visitFrequently asked questions
- Do Nigerians need a visa for Canada?
- Yes. Nigerians need a visa before a short visit to Canada. Nigerian citizens need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for any visit to Canada, whether for tourism, visiting family, business meetings or a conference; Nigeria has no eTA option.
- How long can Nigerians stay in Canada as a visitor?
- Up to 6 months under the Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa). Paid work is not allowed on a visitor stay.
- How much does the Canada Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) cost for Nigerians?
- You apply online through your IRCC secure account, pay CAN$100 plus CAN$85 for biometrics (about USD 133), then give fingerprints and a photo at a VFS Global centre in Lagos or Abuja within 30 days of the instruction letter.
- How long does the Canada Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) take for Nigerians?
- Processing from Nigeria is among the slowest for visitor visas: the IRCC tool showed roughly 103 days in October 2026, up from 84 to 87 days a few weeks earlier, so apply at least 4 months before travel and expect close scrutiny of funds, travel history and ties to Nigeria.
- Can Nigerians attend a conference or business meeting in Canada on this visa?
- Invitation from the Canadian host or organiser, employer letter, and the IRCC event code if registered.
- Can Nigerians work in Canada on a visitor stay?
- No. Visitor entry covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and conferences only. To take a job, study or settle, Nigerians need one of the longer-stay routes compared in our Canada visa guide for Nigerians.
Thinking of staying longer?
A visitor stay never allows paid work. Nigerians who want to work, study or settle in Canada have 2 main routes, compared in the Canada visa guide for Nigerians.
Canada for Nigerians, in depth
Visiting other countries as Nigerians
Visiting Canada from elsewhere
Always confirm entry rules with the official government source. Fees and stay limits change; this guide is general information, not legal advice.