Post-Graduation Work Permit processing time from Nigeria
Posted IRCC average: 60-130 days online. Times vary by visa office and case complexity — verify on canada.ca.
IRCC updates these figures monthly — verify on the canada.ca live tool before counting on dates.
About the Post-Graduation Work Permit
PGWP applications for graduates of eligible Canadian DLIs.
Nigeria-specific factors that affect timing
- Police certificate from Nigeria Police Force (NPF) HQ Alagbon, Lagos — known to be slow (4-12 weeks). CRC alternative via INTERPOL.
- WAEC/NECO results are sent directly to ECA bodies.
- Study permit refusal rates from Nigeria are among the highest globally — strong SOP, proof of funds, and ties to home are essential.
- Naira instability — proof of funds typically held in USD domiciliary accounts.
Police certificate from Nigeria: Issued by Nigeria Police Force HQ (Alagbon, Lagos). Allow 4-12 weeks. INTERPOL CRC is an alternative for some applications.
VAC locations in Nigeria
- Lagos
- Abuja
Embassy / High Commission: High Commission of Canada, 13 Bobo Street, Maitama, Abuja. Deputy in Lagos.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Post-Graduation Work Permit processing time from Nigeria?
IRCC's posted service standard for Post-Graduation Work Permit applications is 60-130 days online. Times vary by visa office and case complexity. Verify the current figure on canada.ca's processing-time tool before applying.
How does IRCC calculate the Post-Graduation Work Permit processing time?
IRCC publishes the 80th percentile of recently completed applications, meaning roughly 20% of cases take longer than the posted figure. Factors include visa office workload, security checks, and document completeness.
What can delay my Post-Graduation Work Permit application from Nigeria?
Common causes: incomplete documents, security background checks, medical exam follow-ups, biometrics scheduling, and IRCC procedural-fairness letters requesting more information. Nigeria-specific factors include availability of police certificates and biometrics enrolment at local VACs.
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