Canada: Federal Skilled Worker through Express Entry
A Federal Skilled Worker candidate needs at least 67 points on the IRCC eligibility grid and language results of at least CLB 7; a job offer can add points but is not required. Candidates must also show enough money to settle in Canada unless an exemption applies. Eligibility only places you in the Express Entry pool: IRCC invites candidates in rounds, choosing them by Comprehensive Ranking System points.
IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker
The Skilled Worker visa requires a job with an employer approved by the Home Office and usually a salary of at least £41,700 a year or the going rate, whichever is higher; it can be lower in listed cases. The Health and Care Worker visa covers eligible health and adult social care jobs with an approved employer, and applicants on it do not pay the immigration healthcare surcharge.
GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — your job GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa
Germany: Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Under section 20a of the Residence Act, the Opportunity Card is a residence permit to look for work or for measures to recognise foreign qualifications. It allows employment averaging up to 20 hours a week and trial work of up to two weeks, and requires secured means of living. Applicants qualify as skilled workers or through the points table with a state-recognised qualification and at least basic German or B2 English.
United States: Diversity Visa eligibility
The previous version said Nigeria is eligible for the Diversity Visa lottery. The DV-2026 instructions list Nigeria among the countries whose natives were not eligible to apply. Check the official instructions for each programme year before relying on this route.
Questions before acting
Can Nigerians enter the DV lottery?
Natives of Nigeria were not eligible for DV-2026. Check each programme year’s official instructions.
Do I need a job offer for Canada?
Not for Federal Skilled Worker eligibility, but you need 67 grid points, CLB 7 and settlement funds unless exempt, and then an invitation.
Corrections in this revision
The previous version included statements without sufficient direct support. This revision removes or corrects:
- Nigeria described as eligible for the US Diversity Visa lottery
- Country ranking, diaspora sizes, H-1B odds, first-year costs and processing ranges without dated official sources
- Credential-evaluation, passport and police-certificate fees and timelines not verified in this review
Review scope: legal and financial statements in this revised article. Recheck on a provider, professional, immigration or tax-rule change; reuse of dated figures requires a new check.
See recorded sources
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility — Canada — federal. Date modified 2026-09-24; read 28 September 2026 via rendered-page readback (the former /eligibility/ URL redirects here)
- IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations — Canada — federal. Date modified 2026-07-10; read 28 September 2026 via rendered-page readback
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa — your job — United Kingdom. Current guidance read 28 September 2026; lower rates apply in listed cases
- GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa — United Kingdom. Current guidance read 28 September 2026
- Residence Act section 20a (Opportunity Card) — Germany — federal. Current consolidated text read 28 September 2026
- U.S. Embassy: DV-2026 instructions — United States — federal. DV-2026 program year; later program years must be checked separately
These primary references have the jurisdiction, product and scope stated above. A source link is not proof of personalised eligibility.
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About the author
António Mira is the founder of whereTOemigrate. For over a decade he has worked at the intersection of Portuguese real estate and overseas business, helping international clients navigate the cross-border decisions that come with relocating. He sits on the board of CCIAP (Portuguese-Arab Chamber of Commerce), the Portuguese-Saudi Business Council, and the Portugal-Hong Kong Business Association — always with one focus: enabling overseas business and human mobility into and out of Portugal.
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