₦airaland Forum

A picture from NW Calgary... it's been beautiful weather over the past week....

Temidewale:
@ Eddycross, I know it is possible to leave naira in your Gtb account in Nigeria, then get to Canny and get naija forex agents there who can exchange dollar for you while you transfer to their naira account in Naija. That is what we intend to do as we will be landing Ontario next week. However, with this post, I am wondering if this transfer method saves more money than our own plan. Please advise.

@ Temidewale: Please advise their exchange rate when you do find out. It would be worth comparing against the bank transfer, as there would be less or no bank fees for the transfer?

eddycross:
Can you share the cost of transferring USD from GTB to Canada? Thanks

I've sent them mails a few times, haven't got a response.

Nwandy218:
What percentage of money transferred was bank charges? Did you also have to pay any transfer fees?
Is there any fixed charges or they are based on the amount being transferred? Thanks. Just trying to know how much it costs to move large sums of money from a gtb dom acct to a cad acct. 0

@ nwandy218 & eddycross: I haven't reviewed how other banks process this transaction, and it is possible some other banks may have better or cheaper arrangements. However, the following is excerpted from the Gtbank internet banking page, fx transfers to Other banks link -

" Please Note: Request received before 2pm will be treated same day, while those received after 2pm will be treated next working day. Processing of any request is subject to compliance with local regulations.

Details of Charges per (transaction) - Commission: 0.5% of Transaction Amount (if source of funds is inflow) or 2% of Transaction Amount (if source of funds is through cash deposit) (subject to a minimum of 10 dollars), VAT: 5% of Commission, Telex: 4000 Naira (or its equivalent in the currency being transferred). Off Shore Charges: USD: $25, GBP: £12, Euro: EUR20. "

So for a transfer of about $10k, charges would be $200 (commission) + $10 (VAT on commission) + NGN4000 (for some reason i was last charged 6k for the telex) + $25 (offshore charges), altogether less than $250, and you can run all charges through your naira acct.

The big issue here is how you sourced the forex in your account, and I have done the estimate above based on how most people get forex from mallams paying cash into your account. I guess some people would baulk at paying NGN80k in charges, but note this is 2.5% of the money transferred.

However, if you are able to get the mallam or other sources to do a transfer into your account, the charges drop significantly per the bolded above with commission now at $50, VAT $2.50 and when you include telex and offshore charges, it would be less than $100.

primeson1:
Oh thanks for this, so how did you move the money from your GTB DOM to canny USD? Through internet banking or your GTworld app?

Is it possible to move money from GT dom to Canny CAD account?

I used the internet banking option. I'm not sure fx transfer function is available on the GTWorld app. I looked a while (without trying to hard), and just went to the internet banking portal because I had a clearer idea where to find the transfer option.

It is possible to move from a GT dom account to any other currency account in the world. I have done it with AUD in the past. So expect it will be the same with CAD. However, the transfer will be done on the basis of the exchange rate at the time the transaction is put through. There is probably no real advantage to watching the forex prices trying to save an extra few cents, but if you want to manage your USD to CAD conversions by yourself, for the extra few dollars from forex fluctuations, then best to go into a USD account.

damidamsel:
Good day all....

Please I'll like to find out, for those who travelled with more than 10kCAD, please how did you go about it. For those who didn't go with much cash, how did you move your funds please?.

Also please i have been reading about getting valuations fir jewelries. Does this include beads and costume jewelries or strictly gold. Does it include like wedding bands and earrings we have on please?

Sorry if i am asking questions that has been overflogged, if this be the case, Kindly direct me to the page(s) it is. Thanks

Changed USD into my Gtbank domiciliary account before i left. I travelled with USD$5k only because of the size of my family, honestly I don't even like travelling with that much money. On arrival, got my SIN next day, then proceeded to open bank accounts same day(I went with RBC). Requested a USD account as well as the CAD accounts, then I transferred from my Nigerian dom account to the USD account. Cash was credited into my account within 24hrs. When you consider the time difference it could be up to 48hrs if you miss the window to initiate the transfer in Nigerian time. I had to be careful to initiate the transfer before the GTbank closed their fx transactions for the day or it gets carried over to the next day and extends by a further day or so. And you can move between your CAD and USD accounts as easily as moving cash between your current and savings accounts in Nigeria.

.

MummyJaygirls:
We used Ethiopia airline, Flight was scheduled for 1.10pm out of naija. We left the house at 8.30am and got there in good time, we had 11 check in bags (paid for 1 extra bag), 5 hand luggages, 2 laptop bags and 3 children trolley bags, hehehe, me sef tire for the load(family of 5).

All our bags were 30kg except 1 which was 20kg cos customs removed my palm oil (nonsense) my palm kernel and coconut oil made it thru, (maybe cos they were in smaller bottles)

Flight was on time, children were excited to be moving to a country with snow and made out plans of how they would play in d snow (too much cartoon) lol. Inflight entertainment was ok, food (rice) was saltless but we chop am like that, before hunger go kill purzon above sea level.

We got to Ethiopia on time, waited like for 2-3 hours before proceeding to Dublin (they changed crew and some other “minene” we didn’t leave d plane) after like 40 minutes we were off again to Toronto, got there in good time but the queue at d airport for all d registration (stamping of copr and getting of sin) made us miss our connecting flight to Edmonton but we were fixed for the next one and the attendant was nice to check in all our hand luggages (free at last)

Flight from Toronto to Edmonton is 4-5 hours inside one country.
I had read someone’s post somewhere where he/she said no free food on air Canada so I wasn’t expecting anything as I no get money to buy, I positioned myself well to sleep then someone tapped me and asked what I’d like to eat, first thing I said was I don’t want to buy, (I no Dey for gbese o) then she said, your ticket comes with a meal, o boy see as I asked for big sandwich, hehehe.

We got to Toronto, went to baggage pickup and only 4 made the trip with us, we went to complain and our details was taken and told they would give us a call when they arrive, all bags came in later that night.

I noticed one of my bags had been opened and a nylon containing detergent was torn open, I guess they thought it was hard drugs (so those of u planning to transport those things be careful o, dem go catch u)

We arrived the day snow decided to start falling again. As at today it’s -29

We got home to already cooked food, yippie!!!

All in all the journey was ok, the children behaved themselves especially my 2 year old that I was really concerned about.

This is the end of my story, thank you.

Why would anyone travel with detergent?! Just curious....

einsteino:
how did you get to do canprep from here?

Once you get your COPR, you can apply for pre arrival services.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/before-services.asp

revlane:
Please for those who have landed, to get a job can you use your WES and Academic Degree Certificate or one needs to do IQAS again.
Thanks

I believe these are probably never requested for, however, for some regulated professions, the professional body may request for your credentials (or credentials assessment for Canadian equivalency) as part of the registration process. For these professions, being registered can be a big part of being shortlisted for an opportunity. Again, there are exceptions.

revlane:
Guys, please I booked ticket to Edmonton for Saturday via Ethiopian Airline but I want to change the date on the ticket. Any idea how much it cost and when to initiate the change please. Its my first time abeg

It depends on the specific ticket you've purchased. The ethiopian airlines semi flexible ticket charges $200 per person for changes. For most airlines, if the date you switch to has a ticket available at the price you initially paid or cheaper, you will only need to pay this $200. However, if the tickets available on your new date are more expensive, you will need to pay the difference as well. This often happens if the new flight details route you through different carriers and/or intermediary airports. It also sometimes happens if the carriers and airports don't change but if the new date is on a busier day or season for the airline, when they typically charge higher prices.

Santino1:
Hi XX01 and boldinc,

Thanks. When I spoke to the lady, she made me realise that the 60 days starts counting the day I become a PR (i.e my first landing). Thus, short landing won't work. Thanks all the same.

What they are saying is that you can come in before your medicals are past due. Stay for a month or so to get your PR card then return to Switzerland for a few months to ensure you have a full 2+ years before you return to Canada permanently and then swap your license for a local license.

Ehrnie:
Hi - WES sends ALL your academic documents (including transcripts) to APEGA.

@Ehrnie: Thanks. I was actually planning on asking you specifically, but you've been quiet for a few weeks and I wondered if you'd moved on to another thread.

erhnie:
Hi - I got my passport + CoPR back before I started my apega Registration. I don't recall any question on citizenship but I know there was a question on PR status (can't recall how it was worded though). Someone on this thread said he/she called apega and they confirmed that YES, you can start your registration outside CAN. I think that's the best thing to do because the application process can take up to 9 months. The last thing you want is to get to CAN and not be able to get a job related to your discipline because you are waiting on apega to come through.

I have just skimmed through the apega guide for P. Eng & Licensee and I see the citizenship question was asked. Perhaps this is what you are looking at instead of the Member-In-Training form....

With regards to the years of work experience I think I have a bit of clarity on that now after speaking with a friend who is an Engineer in Alberta. So, if you indicate your work experience (which is over 4 years), you can be eligible for Engineering Licensee. An Engineering Licensee is someone that would have been eligible for P. Eng status but just lacks Canadian experience. So, the same rules apply where one still must work under a PEng to gain the 1-year experience.

Note that if you go for the Licensee option, you will have to write the NPPE exam and fill in a logbook outlining your work experience. In my opinion starting with EIT is a better option since you’ve not written the NPPE yet and once you write it and all your experience is logged in and accounted for, you’ll get your PEng automatically.

The choice is yours -all the best!

Hello everyone. For those that have completed the APEGA registration (P. Eng, licensee or EIT), does one need to submit foreign transcripts to APEGA in addition to the WES report please?

yimiton:
Maybe that will depend on where your final destination is. I have only one stop, which is Addis, then, directly to Toronto.

I believe the flight to Toronto includes a short stop over in Dublin where you don't get off the plane.

Can anyone share a draft authorisation letter for DHL pick up please? Does it need to be addressed to the AVO?

yimiton:
Yes, I got the email address of the lady that attended to me when I went to send the passports and forwarded the mail to her. She had earlier told to me do an authorization letter, so, I typed a letter, signed, scanned and attached it to the pick up email and sent both to the dhl lady.

Planning to leave in January. Got some loose knots to tighten before we pack up and leave.

Do you mind sharing your draft authorization letter please?

Ehrnie:
I like the sound of that ...making lots of money!

Thanks for your response.

Yes to all 3 questions - EIT is Engineer-In-Training, I have satisfied the academic requirements and I require CAN work experience.

No, I'm not yet in CAN. I'm just trying to get all the groundwork going prior to when I relocate. I presume it's not advisable to complete the First Aid and H2S Alive trainings from outside CAN...is that correct?

@Ehrnie: Do I have to wait till I get my passport back from the VO before I start the EIT application? I'm guessing you did yours from outside Canada. I'm particularly looking at the question on citizenship, and want to be careful not to misrepresent myself all for the wont to wait an additional couple of weeks, if that's required.

Also, did you indicate 0 years of experience or 3 years, so it takes you to the Member-In-Training option? I've got 10+ years but all non canadian.

salford1:
Haha..The cold feet we are talking about is leaving UK when you are settled. Why would anyone want to stay in naija except you are a politician or work in the oil industry like my one of our neighbours who moved his family to Calgary, bought a house in Aspen, and he relocated back to his upstream oil industry job back in naija.

@salford: How difficult would it be to make the cross into a similar role in Canada?

salford1:
The market is still doing okay. Lots of jobs in designs/PM. Nothing is built or constructed without a design from very simple ones to large complex ones. Designs and PM go hand in hand as one takes ownership from the start till project is completed.

To get into this space, you need to know the popular software used in your industry in Canada in addition to your license to practice or EIT. Once you get into more senior roles, then you become more of a people manager plus checking and stamping of designs.

Your job of course would not be solely designs. You would also be required to complete quotations/estimations, conduct site visits, obtain permits, agreements, liase with contractors/stakeholders and attends lots and lots of meetings depending on size of project.

@Salford: Thanks. What you've described is pretty much what my job has entailed over the past 10+ years, excluding stamping of designs in Canada of course . Started off as a process (chemical) discipline engineer, so I've got good working knowledge of the industry wide software, except for CFD specific applications. I am still process biased, but I've been required to evolve into more PM based functions. Looks like I really just need to get my EIT sorted? I'm planning on arrival in Calgary by Jan '18 at the latest. Do you know if the EIT registration process can be started offshore? A quick look shows "current phone number and mailing address" are required, and I wonder if it needs to be local details. Can I start with my Nigerian contact details and change on arrival as required?

salford1:
Never worked in the patch even when Alberta was on full steam. I worked office roles(design) in Red deer/Calgary.
When all was good in alberta, you could get your advanced class 5 drivers license, safety certifications from enform in calgary or ndt/power/process operator classes at sait or nait, and that would keep some change in your pocket. You could still research those options as you never can tell. You might still be able to break it in with some certifications.

As per licensing...i gave some info on my earlier post. Much also depends on your discipline. Civil guys without their license are still doing alright if you can break into material testing(not met/mat)...still lots of road maintenance going on with lots of OT.

@Salford: What's the current market for opportunities in design or project management? How does a new arrival get into this space?