North America offers two very different work visa landscapes. Canada has multiple structured, predictable routes with clear requirements and a direct path to permanent residence. The USA has the H-1B lottery - unpredictable, oversubscribed, and not a reliable migration strategy for most African professionals.
This post covers what official sources confirm for both countries.
Canada — Multiple routes, clear requirements
Route 1: Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
Express Entry is Canada's primary skilled immigration system. You create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a draw.
Minimum requirements to enter the pool:
- 67 points on the Federal Skilled Worker six-factor grid (education, language, experience, age, arranged employment, adaptability)
- At least 1 year of continuous full-time skilled work experience in the past 10 years
- Language test (IELTS or CELPIP for English, TEF for French)
Settlement funds required (family size 1): CAD 14,690 (approximately NGN 8.2M at current rates)
CRS score and draws: Reaching 67 points qualifies you for the pool. Your CRS score determines when you receive an ITA. General draws have had cut-offs ranging from 470 to 550+ CRS points. Category-based draws (healthcare, STEM, French language, trades) have had lower cut-offs.
Primary source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry
Route 2: LMIA-Based Work Permit
An employer who cannot find a Canadian or permanent resident for a role can apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Once approved, they can offer you a job and you apply for a work permit.
What this means for you:
- The employer does the heavy lifting - they apply for the LMIA, not you
- LMIA approval is not guaranteed - ESDC assesses whether the employer genuinely tried to hire locally
- Once you have an LMIA-backed job offer, you apply for a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) work permit
- LMIA work permits are temporary - they do not directly lead to permanent residence, but the Canadian work experience can improve your Express Entry CRS score
The agent market: "Canada working permit, 15 slots available for sponsorship" - this framing is misleading. LMIA permits are not issued in "slots" by agents. They are issued by ESDC to specific employers for specific roles. If an agent is selling "Canada work sponsorship", ask for the employer's name, the LMIA number, and the job description.
Primary source: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html
Route 3: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Each Canadian province has its own immigration streams. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and other provinces have streams for skilled workers, international graduates, and semi-skilled workers in specific sectors.
Why PNPs matter: A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile - effectively guaranteeing an ITA in the next draw. PNPs are often more accessible than the general Express Entry pool for applicants with lower CRS scores.
Primary source: Check the immigration website of the specific province you are targeting.
USA — H-1B and the lottery reality
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The H-1B is the primary US work visa for professionals in specialty occupations (typically requiring a bachelor's degree or higher). It is employer-sponsored and subject to an annual cap.
The lottery: USCIS receives 3-5 times more H-1B applications than the 85,000 annual cap. Applications are selected by random lottery in April each year. If you are not selected, you cannot apply again until the following year.
What this means: The H-1B is not a reliable migration strategy for most African professionals. Your qualifications, your employer's size, and your salary do not improve your lottery odds. Selection is random.
If you are selected: Your employer files a full H-1B petition. Processing takes 3-6 months (or 15 business days with premium processing). The visa is valid for 3 years, renewable for another 3 years.
Primary source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations
More reliable US routes
L-1 Intracompany Transfer: If you work for a multinational company with a US office, you may be eligible for an L-1 visa to transfer to the US office. No lottery. Requires at least 1 year of employment with the company outside the US.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability: For individuals with extraordinary ability in their field - demonstrated by awards, publications, high salary, or critical role in a distinguished organisation. No lottery. High bar.
TN Status (USMCA): For Canadian and Mexican nationals only - not applicable to African passport holders.
The honest comparison
| Route | Country | Job offer required | Lottery | Path to PR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Entry (FSW) | Canada | No (helps) | No | Yes | 6-12 months from ITA |
| LMIA Work Permit | Canada | Yes | No | Indirect | Varies |
| Provincial Nominee | Canada | Varies | No | Yes | 12-24 months |
| H-1B | USA | Yes | Yes (random) | Indirect | 3-6 years |
| L-1 | USA | Yes (internal) | No | Yes | 5-7 years |
Canada is the more accessible and predictable option for most African professionals. The USA is viable for those already employed by multinationals or with extraordinary credentials.
Evidence note
All figures sourced from IRCC (canada.ca) and USCIS (uscis.gov), retrieved October 2026. CRS cut-offs change with each draw - check the IRCC website for the most recent draw results. Verify current requirements before taking any action.