10 Things to Expect in Canada as a Nigerian Immigrant/Visitor

As a Nigerian, preparing to travel to Canada, it is necessary and important to know how life is like in Canada you are about traveling to. How are Nigerians surviving in Canada? See the 10 Things to Expect in Canada as a Nigerian Immigrant/Visitor.

You should expect that life over there may be different from what you used to know while in Nigeria.

In this article, l will try my possible way to help in setting you on the right track so that you can integrate yourself into the Canadian lifestyle, should you want to travel to Canada as a Nigerian immigrant or visitor.

Are you planning to travel to Canada from Nigeria? If yes, this information will help you integrate yourself to Canada’s culture and lifestyle.

10 Things to Expect in Canada as a Nigerian Immigrant/Visitor

There is how life is in Canada, then as a Nigerian immigrant or a Nigerian visitor in Canada, below are the things you are to expect in Canada.

1. Colder Weather Conditions:

In Canada, especially parts of the Southern Ontario, it is certain that in this place, you are bound to experience cold, and snowy winters, as well as, hot summers, with transitional seasons, which most of the case, are short.

Coming from Nigeria, where the climate may be warm in some parts of the country, or mild in other parts, in Canadian, you are bound to be surprised with cold winter.

Canada can be very cold to about -25°C, but it is not something to fear about because you can always go out with the right clothing and as well by exhibiting the right attitude.

2. Diversity (multiculturalism):

Generations of immigrants are said to have been recieved into Canada. In other words, multiculturalism is found in Canada, and this is central to the Canadian national policy.

According to record, about 40 sitting Members in the Canadian Parliament were those born abroad. That is why you will always find in many major cities in the country, even in the rural communities for example, where people are being identified by a myriad of languages, and religions, as well as, cultures.

Most Nigerians will find it easy to get going because Nigeria as a country also has people from ethnic groups.

3. Tipping (additional wage):

The newly approved minimum wage in Nigeria is N30,000. This is about CAD$130. This is far too low compared to earnings for workers in Canada.

However, when in Canada, you must understand that, tipping is a part of the culture over there. That is why you have to become accustomed to tipping practices in Canada.

It may seem strange to you, but sometimes those serving you do that by paying out of their pockets just to satisfy you, so you have to tip them.

4. The job hunting:

Finding or looking for a job in Canada, and even applying for jobs in the country can actually take a longer period of time, before you can secure one.

This is serious, in fact, it can be much longer than what your experience is in Nigeria when searching for a job.

Few months may be passing before you can actually secure one job, and that can be a professional position.

That is why you have to plan accordingly in order to make sure that your visit to Canada is worthwhile.

5. Higher Cost Of Living:

The cost of living in Canada is higher than that of Nigeria. Things are a bit expensive. The mortgage are expensive.

It is important to know more about the cost of living in Canada before you make a move since this will help avert any harsh condition you may likely experience in Canada out of ignorance.

If you know the Canadian basic cost of living in any city you wish to live in Canada, you will be well prepared for.

That is why it is important for you to make findings, for example, cities like, Toronto and Vancouver, are in downtown areas, and the cost of living there is somehow expensive.

6. Healthcare is Great but not Cheap:

Unilike the Nigerian healthcare system, Canada is known as one of the countries in the world that has an excellent healthcare system, and this is why many visit the country.

Healthcare in this country, although it is paid for throug federal funds, the sydtem is managed by different provinces.

To access healthcare here, you have to be issued healthcare card by the Canadian Provincial Ministry of Health. Those having permanent residents permit do have provincial cover, but you are likely to wait for a few months in some provinces.

7. You can’t Drive in Canada with Nigeria Driving Licenses:

Your Nigerian driver license may not be valid in Canada. For examle, the tests and the examinations you may have done in Nigeria may not be honoured in Canada.

In Canada, driving licenses are considered as a minefield for just two reasons. Number one, they are to be awarded by the provinces, and not the central government. Number two, there are particular agreements some countries are having with the providences in Canada.

8. Yo need to be aware of the Canadian Tax System:

Unlike the Nigerian tax system, the Canadia uses a decentralised federal system in Canada, multiple levels are used in taxation.

According to the decentralised federal system in Canada, multiple levels are used in taxation. Income taxes, for example, are allowed to be collected by both the federal government and also the provincial governments.

And in most cases, your status and sometimes your terms of employment may allow for a tax refund at the fiscal year ending.

But please note that sales taxes in Canada vary between the different provinces. For example, in Alberta is about 5 per cent, while in Quebec, it is about 14.975 per cent.

9. Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

When wanting to visit Canada, you have to find out what are your rights once you arrived in the country, and throughout your staying period.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the country guarantees visitors some certain political rights. Everyone in the country, including citizens have civil rights.

Through the Charter, the Canadian government will outline political, and civil as well as, social society rights to every newcomer.

10. Living As Law Abiding Residents:

Everyone visisting Canada is expected to live in the country as law abiding resident when arriving in the country.

There are law and regulations in the country binding every action and activity of every immigrant and/or vistior in Canada, and you are not expected to violet these rules.

Failure to meet these requirements may invoke the full weight of the law on you. You may be either punished or being deported from the country.

Read Also: Cost of Flight from Nigeria to Canada

Conclusion:

When wanting to visit Canada, you should expect that life over there may be different from what you used to know while in Nigeria. Hence, you have to source for information about Canada first. In this article l have met those expectations.

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