Let’s be honest—many Nigerians dream of visiting Canada. Whether it’s to see family, attend a wedding, go on vacation, or even attend a business event, the idea of stepping foot in one of the world’s most beautiful countries is exciting.
But here’s the truth: a lot of Canada visitor visa applications from Nigeria get refused, and most times, it’s not because the person isn’t qualified. It’s usually because of small, avoidable mistakes.
At Loft Immigration, we’ve seen this happen too many times. As licensed Canadian immigration consultants based in Toronto, we’ve helped hundreds of Nigerians successfully get their Canada visitor visas approved over the past 10 years. So, we know exactly what goes wrong—and how to fix it.
If you’re planning to apply for a Canada visitor visa, take a few minutes to read this carefully. It could save you months of delay and disappointment.
Let’s go through the top 6 common mistakes Nigerians make on Canada visitor visa application and how you can avoid them.
1. Submitting Weak or Incomplete Documents
This is probably the biggest mistake people make. Many Nigerians rush their Canada visitor visa application or rely on unlicensed “agents” who just fill forms and upload random documents.
But here’s what most people don’t realize: your documents are your voice. The visa officer doesn’t know you personally; they only see your papers. If your documents don’t tell a clear, convincing story, your chances of approval drop immediately.
We’ve seen people submit bank statements that don’t match their income, or letters that are missing important details. Some even submit fake or altered documents—please don’t ever do that. It can lead to a 5-year ban from Canada.
What you should do instead is make sure your documents clearly show:
Who you are
Why you’re visiting
How you’ll pay for the trip
Why you’ll return to Nigeria after your visit
And everything must match. If your job title on your employment letter is “Manager,” but your bank statement shows ₦30,000 monthly salary, that’s a red flag.
If you’re not sure what documents you really need, check out our detailed guide on the Top 6 Documents Required for Successful Canadian Immigration — it explains exactly what makes your file strong and credible.
You can also talk to a licensed immigration consultant who can review your case and guide you.
Book an Evaluation Call with Loft Immigration. We’ll check your documents, explain your best visa options, and make sure your application is solid before you apply.
2. Not Showing Strong Ties to Nigeria
This is another major reason for Canada visitor visa refusals.
The Canadian government wants to be sure you’ll return home after your trip. So, when they review your application, one big question they’re asking is:
“Will this person return to Nigeria after their visit?”
If your application doesn’t answer that clearly, it’s a problem.
Showing strong ties means proving that you have genuine reasons to come back home after your trip—like a stable job, a business, family responsibilities, property, or even school.
For example, if you own a business, include your CAC certificate, tax records, and proof of income. If you’re employed, show your employment letter, approved leave, and recent payslips.
Your goal is to show that your life is rooted in Nigeria, and Canada is just a temporary visit.
If your bigger goal is to eventually move to Canada permanently through investment or entrepreneurship, you can also explore 7 Business Immigration Options for Nigerians Who Want to Move to Canada — it highlights legitimate pathways that allow you to start a business and later qualify for permanent residency.
3. Writing a Weak Purpose of Visit
This is one of the most common mistakes Nigerians make on Canada visitor visa application.
Many applicants simply write, “I want to visit Canada for vacation” or “to see a friend.” That’s too vague. You need to clearly explain why you’re going, what you’ll be doing, and when you’ll return.
If you’re visiting family, mention their name, your relationship, and provide an invitation letter from them along with proof of their legal status in Canada.
If it’s for tourism, outline your travel plan—cities you’ll visit, activities you plan to do, how long you’ll stay, and where you’ll stay.
If it’s for business or a conference, include the event details, invitation, or registration documents.
A strong, well-written Letter of Purpose can make a big difference. It helps the visa officer understand your intention and see that you’ve planned your trip carefully.
If you’d like to see how other successful applicants have done it, read our article Getting Your Canadian Visa: This Is What Our Successful Clients Do — you’ll learn practical tips from real-life visa success stories.
4. Not Showing Enough Financial Capacity
Money matters—a lot.
A major reason for refusal is when applicants can’t show they have enough money to cover their trip and return home comfortably.
When applying for a Canada visitor visa, the visa officer needs to see proof that you can pay for your flight, accommodation, feeding, transportation, and any emergencies.
Where many people go wrong is by showing a bank statement that doesn’t make sense—like suddenly “loading” the account with big deposits a few days before applying.
Your financial proof should show steady income over time, not sudden transfers.
If someone else (like a relative or sponsor) is funding your trip, make sure you attach a proper sponsorship letter, proof of relationship, and their financial documents.
At Loft Immigration, we help clients review their financial documents to ensure they look credible and meet IRCC’s expectations for the Canada visitor visa process.
You can Book an Evaluation Call today so we can check if your financial proof is strong enough before you apply.
5. Giving Inconsistent or Contradictory Information
This one is serious. Immigration officers are trained to spot even small inconsistencies in your story.
If your information doesn’t match across your forms and documents, it raises suspicion.
For example, your employment letter says “Supervisor,” but your application form says “Manager.” Or your invitation letter says you’ll stay for 2 weeks, but your travel form says 3 months. These small inconsistencies can lead to refusal.
Always make sure that everything in your application lines up perfectly—your personal details, travel plans, employment info, and family background.
And please, never lie or forge anything. If IRCC finds out (and they often do), you could get a 5-year ban from applying for any Canada visitor visa again. It’s not worth it.
You can also learn from our article 5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing a Canadian Immigration Consultant — it helps you identify unlicensed agents who often cause these kinds of mistakes.
6. Applying Without Professional Guidance
Many Nigerians believe applying for a Canada visitor visa is easy—they just fill a few forms, upload some documents, and click “submit.” But visa approval isn’t luck; it’s about strategy and presentation.
That’s why working with a licensed professional is so important. Only Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Canadian lawyers are authorized to represent you before IRCC.
At Loft Immigration Services Inc., we’ve helped hundreds of Nigerians successfully get their visitor visas approved. We know what the visa officers look for and how to help you avoid the common mistakes Nigerians make on Canada visitor visa application.
To understand why our clients trust us, read 5 Lessons from Our 10 Years of Providing Successful Canadian Immigration Services — it reveals what we’ve learned from a decade of helping clients achieve their Canadian dreams.
Book an Evaluation Call today to speak with one of our licensed consultants. We’ll assess your situation and guide you step-by-step until you’re confident and ready to apply.
Reapplying After a Refusal Without Fixing the Problem
If you’ve been refused before, don’t rush to reapply without understanding why.
You can request your GCMS notes (the official notes from the visa officer) to see exactly why your Canada visitor visa was refused. Once you know the reason, you can rebuild your case properly.
At Loft Immigration, we help clients analyze their GCMS notes, correct their weak points, and reapply with stronger documentation. Many of our clients who were refused before now have their visas approved.
If you’ve faced repeated refusals and are exploring more permanent pathways, you might also want to read 4 Recommended Ways to Move from Nigeria to Canada in 2025 — it breaks down the most reliable immigration routes you can take.
Getting a Canada visitor visa isn’t just about filling forms; it’s about understanding what the visa officer wants to see.
If you avoid these six common mistakes Nigerians make on Canada visitor visa application, you’ll be far ahead of most applicants.
At Loft Immigration Services Inc., we’ve been helping Nigerians and other Africans successfully migrate, visit, and settle in Canada for over a decade. Our licensed consultants in Toronto are always ready to guide you through your application and make the process smooth and stress-free.
If you’re serious about getting it right this time, don’t leave your Canada visitor visa to chance.
Let’s help you prepare a visitor visa application that stands out and gets approved.
