Travelling To Canada

@nedureg01; congrats, what extra thing do you think you did? I know @ least 3 other people with good jobs offered scholarships who were rejected. Could u state for example the Uni in Nigeria u attended,what University in Canada you are going to, if u re married? If u submitted any special document? Are u aware if they called your office or your school? Kindly give us some idea please. God bless u.

@Ned,
Congrats. Hopefully your medicals go well. This means they are probably satisfied with your application and na only you fit screw up anything. The interviews are centered around the questions Ezin posted. Basically, they want to get a feel of you and be convinced that you are coming to Canada to study and you'd return to Nigeria. So make sure your "story" makes sense to you. You should be able to prove that you have VERY strong ties to Nigeria. . .perhaps, you have a job waiting for you, etc. Make sure you have an answer why you chose Canada.

@AY,
A scholarship doesnt guarantee you a Visa (I thought I already made that point to you). I dont know the reasons why they denied your pals (perhaps you should ask them and post it here to help your comrades with their future applications); however, two basic points people tend to overlook apart from the usual requirements  (admission, etc) for a study visa is that you have to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your studies and you have strong ties to your home country (meaning you'd be returning immediately you complete your studies). The onus is on the applicant. Since Ned got his letter last week and you submitted your applications around same time, then yours is probably on the way.

@delta,
@AY,

A scholarship doesnt guarantee you a Visa (I thought I already made that point to you). I don't know the reasons why they denied your pals (perhaps you should ask them and post it here to help your comrades with their future applications); however, two basic points people tend to overlook apart from the usual requirements  (admission, etc) for a study visa is that you have to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your studies and you have strong ties to your home country (meaning you'd be returning immediately you complete your studies). The onus is on the applicant. Since Ned got his letter last week and you submitted your applications around same time, then yours is probably on the way.

I agree with you generally, but I would like to fill the gaps in your analysis. you said:

"two basic points people tend to overlook apart from the usual requirements  (admission, etc) for a study visa is that you have to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your studies and you have strong ties to your home country (meaning you'd be returning immediately you complete your studies)".

on enough funds: why would a person on full scholarship or say $40,000 need to prove apart from that scholarship any other financial capacity or capability? The institution granting you the scholarship is just saying we are taken the burden off you! isnt it?

on strong ties: I think a good job; marriage and siblings should be enough ties. If the Canadian Visa offers were to prove ties to Canada for example, need they do more than this? Do you think my friend who works with accenture and has a good car, investments, a mortgage and earns a reasonable pay check need prove more than these. I am so confident of these facts because we prepared his application together.

My view is that they are racist and arbitrary. well most importantly it is the grace or mercy of God. Or maybe God feels you would do better elsewhere. Shikena.

 

@ goldcircle.
My neice that works for a canadian firm here in lagos came home some months ago with a long drawn face. When i enquired from her the reason for her dejected stance, she informed me that her canadian oga was bringing in some canadians to take over some sensitive positions in the firm, and that if that happens, she will either be demoted or maybe asked to resign. After the usual assurances I told her to keep the faith and maybe start looking for another job.

Four months later she was promoted. Ah Ah I was amazed. I asked her whats up. She gleefully told me that the entire crew of canadians were denied visas from the Nigerian embassy in  ottawa. They applied again and the ten of them were denied yet again. whats good for the goose is also good for the gander. The government of Canada is also aware of this visa issue raging between both countries.

yeah! U'll always be referred to your home country if they sense that you just relocated to the country from where you are applying for a study permit. In my friend's case, his dad is a Nigerian business man in North America and he has business ties in Ghana. I assume he used his business links with associates to make it look like his daughter had been resident in Ghana for a while before applying for the student visa.

Are u considering going to Ghana to apply?? it aint worth the stress bro especially if you've got a good job here. You may as well arrange the Botswana citizenship thing and fly visa free from Ghana. i know cos that's what some desperadoes are doing now. But if U ask me again, I just think it not worth it!!

Cheerio!

@AY,
Most universities award Tuition scholarships, whether it's $10k or $100k (some give you "extra") . It goes towards your tuition. However, you still have to prove that you have enough money to sustain your upkeep and living expenses. You aint gonna be sleeping under the bridge and eating sand. You have to pay rent, buy food, books, utilities, etc. Just cos you got a scholarship doesnt guarantee you a visa. I have a good friend who had full tuition scholarship and planned to live with his brother's family (Naija style) when he moved to Canada. Guess what? He was denied. True, the denials are sometimes very irrational and I cant explain it all, but the onus is on you to prove your case and make your application idiot-proof; it doesnt matter whether you are a lawyer, doctor or Yardy's aide. Dont expect the IO to add 2 and 2 for for you. As for the strong ties, well, I havent been able to fully grasp that aspect. A family, house, and perhaps job at home could be strong ties my books but I'm not an IO.

@Igbo and the rest,
You may call the embassy or Canadians racist, but it doesnt change the fact that our next door neighbours obtain visas to Canada relatively easier than Nigerians. Someone even mentioned Botswana; yeah, it's true, you'd get a Canadian Visa easily with a Botswanan passport. Arent they Africans and Blacks too? So where does racism come into play? Why is it different for Nigerians? We tend to blame everyone but ourselves. In the whole of Nigeria, there's only one hospital that the Canadian govt trusts to carry out medical examinations (and it's run by a foreigner). In small Ghana, there are a few more hospitals and they are owned and run by Ghanaian doctors. Why? On this same forum, there's an existing thread with Nigerians using fake bank statements to obtain British visas; while genuine applicants are denied cos of "inconsistencies". Who do you blame? Racism? Even in this day and age, some f00ls use fake bank drafts to apply for Visas; does that make sense to you? A friend of mine applied for a visitors visa in Lagos and was denied. Travelled to Austria and applied there and got it. He didnt make any significant changes; same Nigerian passport, same everything, same reasons he gave in Lagos. Racism?

Lastly, on the issue of racism, let me just point out that as an African and Nigerian, I've been quite fortunate to be around the world; I can confidently say that Racism (open and subtle) exists but one that that cannot or will hardly be discriminated against, is talent. Those of you that end up in Canada or wherever, keep that at the back of your skull and strive to succeed in your endeavours, otherwise you'd be back here blaming your woes on racism.

Well on my part, there is a new development. Someone from my undergraduate University called and told me that the cnadian embassy sent a form/ letter etc to confirm my result.

Incidentally, this person who called me was a student offcer in the faculty of law before being transferred to exams and records and that person gave me the info.

Any views on this state of affairs?

I strongly believe that the delay you are experiencing is due to snail pace of response from all those contacted by the Canadian embassy for the confirmation of your documents.
You can imagine how Nigerian Police respond to Police Clearance Certificate verification request from embassies!

God help us.

nedureg01:

funnily I attended the Lagos State University too. They just called me from school that the embassy just sent a form asking about my grades/ confirmation of my result. I was honest too. I got a full scholarship to Calgary, LL.M. I work in a very reputable company. A place would know if I were to mention it. I graduated in 2004 and then went to the law skol. I made 2(1) bpoth in Uni & law school.

U know LASU has got a good Faculty of Law. Do you know charles Odunaya?. Well I have travelled to the UK and Madrid in Spain before now. My G.P for school no too far from 4.5.

Nice to meet you on this forum,

@Ezin:

God bless you. I am now more positive and optimistic. To think that I was already beginning to consider Dundee/ Aberdeen where I already have admission for September, well that's how things change. I pray the good lord finishes what he has started in our lives in Jesus name.

I must however say that a number of good people I can vouch for, have had their applications rejected and wish there was a medium for appeals.

@cjay_00 , start 4rom page one of this thread and all da answers 2 your questions are dere.
@Aydewale, that they got rejected does not mean its your portion. What is urs will be granted 2 u nomatter what. "The last shall become da 1st",

bless u 2 hun

lol, itz true, da delay can be 4rom da uni. he attended, Nigerians can delay ehhhhhh, "enemy of progress", lol

Delta,

I don't think the law is from my alma mater, as I was there a forthnight ago and the exams and records officials checked through their files and confirmed there was nothing from the Canadian Embassy.

They however promised to call me, if anything came up.

I stii called the elderly lady in charge on Monday and said there was nothing. She called me around 3 2day to tell me there was something from the embassy.

@delta, I wonder y they would be suspicious about my result?

Anyways, I guess this moves me a step closer. May God grant us all our heart desires.

Tanx to evryone so far, God bless u.

@ All
Yes I agree that some Nigerians behave in ways that are not expected.  The IO officers also behave in ways not expected of them. Some denials just dont make sense. I will leave it at that.

I think the canadian office is more disposed to fresh gradsuates especially females. at least thats the trend cos all the people that have gotten so far are young graduates.