Canada Expands Visa-Free Air Travel Policy and Can+ Visa Programme, Offering Opportunities to Nigerians

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, Canada is adapting to the changing landscape by expanding its visa-free air travel policy and Can+ Visa Programme, creating significant implications for countries in the Caribbean that offer Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs.

While the Caribbean nations have been the primary beneficiaries of these programs, a new horizon has emerged for Nigerians seeking global access. According to RIF Trust, a subsidiary of the Latitude Group, Nigerians can now leverage Canada’s new policy on visa-free air travel.

Citizenship-by-Investment and Residency-by-Investment programs have gained prominence as viable “Plan Bs” for Nigerians and their families. RIF Trust, a prominent international investment migration advisory firm, has enabled over 6,000 clients and their families to achieve global mobility through these programs.

RIF Trust has highlighted that Nigerians possessing second passports from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, or St. Lucia can now enjoy visa-free air travel to Canada via an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). However, individuals from these countries must have held a Canadian visa within the past decade or possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa to qualify. This enables them to apply for an eTA instead of a traditional visa when flying to Canada.

Additionally, Canada has extended the Can+ Visa program to citizens of Dominica and Grenada. This program expedites the visitor visa application process for short-term stays in Canada, reducing the typical waiting period from 14–21 days to a maximum of five days. Eligibility requires having held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or possessing a valid US visa.

The removal of barriers through Canada’s expanded visa policies not only beckons individuals for study, business, and leisure but also paves the way for increased trade, investment, and collaboration. RIF Trust noted that these policies foster dynamic collaborations, contributing to bilateral economic growth and cultural exchange.

RIF Trust, a global leader in the Residency and Citizenship-by-Investment (RCBI) industry, collaborates with governments worldwide to establish a range of investment migration programs for its clients. The firm facilitates second citizenship acquisition in Caribbean countries like Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Dominica, and Grenada, through non-refundable government contributions or qualified real estate investments.

Commenting on this development, Zuberu Kadiri, RIF Trust Nigeria Country Manager, emphasized Canada’s allure for Nigerians seeking educational, business, and leisure opportunities. He noted, “Securing any of these Citizenship-by-Investment programs streamlines and expedites the process for thousands of Nigerians.” Kadiri also highlighted the introduction of the Can+ visa program for Dominica and Grenada citizens, which accelerates the visitor visa processing for short-term stays in Canada.

With its global perspective and local focus, RIF Trust empowers clients to diversify their investment portfolios, access quality education and healthcare options, and enhance security abroad while maintaining their connection to their home countries. Canada’s initiatives towards visa-free air travel and the Can+ visa program are opening doors for Nigerians, offering broader global prospects.

RIF Trust, a part of the Latitude Group, stands as the largest Residency and Citizenship-by-Investment firm in the Middle East and Africa, with a widespread presence across more than 22 offices globally.