Good morning all,

I have decided to dedicate this week to harass VFS Lagos so that I can get back my passport. Those we submitted together either have their passports or are already in Canada. In fact, some who submitted after me have also got theirs back. I will be using phone calls and emails or even twitter if necessary.

Please if you have confirmed details of any of these contact modes that have proofed successful, kindly share with me. For instance, which phone numbers or email addresses are most reliable and what specific auto-redial app for android have you used?

Thanks.

I will tell you what I think about such "optional" requirements especially as it relates to UBC. The school is perhaps Canadian numero uno safe for UT and McGills so competition is sure to be high.

Also, the way some admission committee work is that they review all the compulsory requirements then rate everyone in the pool. Some clear cut decisions may be made and offers made. But they don't make final decisions on all applicants yet however a shortlist that is higher than the admission quota is selected. They usually do second and even third rounds of offers. There will be ties at this point so they need tie breakers and that is where the optional submissions may come in. They will likely make final decisions based off those things that set certain applicants apart. If you have GRE submit it since it was listed as an optional item. It could become helpful when you need that extra point to set you apart.

Although it won't matter if your applicant is stellar (without GRE) and you were already in the first batch of offers to be made. UBC is highly competitive and so you need to throw all you got at it. Best wishes!

Iffylove:
Good evening to everyone
Please I want to inquire if anyone has gotten admission to UBC for a graduate program without the submission of GRE.... The course I am applying for states that GRE is optional...
Since they said it is optional, I want to know if the submission of GRE by other applicants can give them more advantage in the assessment of their applications for admission.
Thank you all.

ok

Siobhanle:
Hi, please check your email, I sent you one.

I just dey enter house since morning. I don reply your mail

Blavkmaann:


Abeg reply my email make we work abeg

@Blavkmaann, my fellow Concordian! If my assumptions are correct, I think the reason Concordia won't issue you an enrollment letter yet is because you have not registered for courses. Once you do that in the Winter 2021 term, you will have a right to request one even if it is just a paragraph letter saying so. Your course registration print out will be very useful to have along too. But please make sure to enroll for classes from Nigeria online before you travel. I have just started my own process yesterday and will brief you when I get responses to my questions. Thanks.

Blavkmaann:
The only thing I don’t have here is the ENROLLMENT LETTER...... my school kuku day DEM no Dey give!

Who is in this lorry abeg!

Rebecca, Wa bo khian! Welcome
Ahn ahn, see Trips! We were fasting and praying, holing it down here for you, I said “father, if I be a man of the most high, you will reach and be tired” lo and behold, God show e sef.....

Ehhhh, please by March or April when I will be coming na you go come pick me for airport then drive me to Montreal... Fratermathy, na ur house I go sleep for that week...:::. Let’s start building relationships now.... with the way I’m looking at it sef.... I no go pay anything for this Canada, every body Wey I need know don dey here!

Ehen also, I Dey find work, IM A COMEDIAN AND HYPE MAN, I don’t need big work, just help me find Canada yahoo boys, make I go dey hype dem for club! Thank you


Congrats Rebecca!

The day I’ll share my own landing story!
Oh Jesus!

Oh Jesus!!

Oh Jesus!!!

2021 - My Year of Japaa!!

In God we trust

You are already eligible for a confirmation of enrollment by virtue of registering for Winter 2021 courses. Email your departmental coordinator with proof indicating the importance of the document at both the Nigerian and Canadian border ends. They will issue one or direct you to where you can download it. Your course registration print out is also a very important document which may substitute for the enrollment letter should be unable to get a letter. But I would insist you get one, it is a very specific requirement.

Siobhanle:
Congratulations!

Please how do I get a ‘Student Status letter (enrollment letter)‘?
Is this only available for students who have commenced studies? Because I’m starting in winter 2021 and I’ve already registered my courses.

Again, does anyone know someone who flew Turkish Airline recently from Lagos to Canada and required Covd-19 test. I spoke with their customer service line and they confirmed it is not required. But I just want report of a first hand experience if any. Thanks.

Roger that sir! Help me beg VFS Lagos to release my passport. Because I no like their lies and refused to call them they have been skipping over my package. There is God oh!

fratermathy:


How are you coping with the timezone thing? It's 1:35am in Montreal and I'm awake. I slept using Nigeria time and I can't even force myself to sleep again.


Just to add to the items Rebecausoro listed, if you are destined to Montreal, please make sure you print your CAQ approval letter.

Shoutout to Obanidavid and Akannitommy .

Thanks for the update and congratulations once again.

rebecausoro:
Complete landing gist

I flew from Uyo to Lagos on Tuesday evening and I stayed with a family friend for the night. I arrived the airport around 10am for a flight of 1.40pm. I thought I was early until I saw the queue. Quick tip: even if your flight is for 6pm, get to the airport around 12pm and stay there till they are ready for you .

Ethiopian airlines usually do manual verifications of all students travelling to Canada. You really need to be there on time for this because the man doing it is slow and doesn't care about your time. He asked for proof of enrollment, admission letter, ArriveCAN slip, and visa page. Please make at least two copies of all of these too. After showing him, he'll snap and then send to someone via WhatsApp to verify. Once confirmed, your passport will be given a number and you'll then proceed to where it will be scanned again for secondary verification. After this stage, you will then go to where you can get a boarding pass.

The plane left Lagos around 2pm. I was seated at the back and had space to stretch legs . We got to Addis Ababa around 7pm (Nigeria time) and then we entered a long queue for onward movement. From Addis Ababa, we went to Dublin for refueling and then to Toronto. Upon arrival, we talk a long walk (very long o) and got to immigration people. The woman that attended to me asked for these (in the following order):
1. Declaration slip (will be given to you in the airplane)
2. Passport
3. LOI
4. Student Status letter (enrolment letter)
5. School fees receipt
6. ArriveCAN page (apparently, I didn't even fill my own well and was delayed for a while. Make sure you fill yours well)
7. POF

She asked me the following:
Which department were you admitted into?
Why did you choose MUN?
What is your name?

Then she took my finger prints and issued me a Study Permit for 3 years (my program is for 2 years but I don't know why it was issued in excess).

I went to wait board a St John's flight after a long wait at the airport. Got to St. John without qualms. Reach my apartment, checked in and slept off.


Exams start on Monday. Canada is beautiful and nice. I love the place. Good luck to all who are applying or will soon come.

It has ended in praises.

Thank you for the update and thank God for journey mercies. Awaiting your full gist when you are well rested!

rebecausoro:
I'm in St. John's now after 20 hours of flight from Lagos to St John's via Addis Ababa, Dublin, and Toronto. I was so tired that I just entered my room and slept off. I couldn't even celebrate my landing. Gist is loading soon...

I suggest you read through the last 10-pages and see example of someone who had crossed that hurdle.

FifthTribe:

Thank very very much for your reply.....I didn’t see my bank(first bank in the list of banks available for the “MYSTATEMENT” ....what do I do? Walk into my bank and request it?

I didn't get the mail because I applied in August and am almost done with the process before they started sending out the NSE letter. From the flurry of info we get here about NSE in the past 1 month or thereabout, I want to think most SP applicant since November (who meet certain criteria - we do not know yet) will get the NSE letter/request but they can opt out by not responding to it.

FifthTribe:

Please is the mail of Nigeria student express for all applicant or a selected few...

Don't stress yourself. Both dates are still within 2 years expiry until 3 more days from now (for the 15th Dec 2018). So go ahead and send now. Don't delay. I hope the bank statement part s ready too so you can do both together now. But even if the bank statement is not ready, I think you should update that immediately while you wait to send the bank statement before the window is over. My own foolish opinion though!

FifthTribe:
Please I just got a mail that I qualify for nigeria student express that I should provide ielts Nd bank statement....pls what does it mean....then my ielts result shows 2 dates dec 15 2018 exam date and feb 1st 2019 date remark was issued...which of the date does it expire after 2 years....help please

Yes, I think so. I have read about this process on this platform several months back when folks were still hustling admissions etc. Any Guru to confirm?

gentlejin:
Good day my Honourables in the house,
I want to thank all that have taken time to address issues that concerns our study in Canada dream.

Please I want to ask, I understand that 2 years Post graduate program gives one enough time to process PR. The course I am going for is 1year and I will like to process PR also.

Is it possible for me to enrol to another 1year program immediately I finish the first, and can I use the combination of the 2 program which will now be 2years to process my PR.

Thanks as your inputs are highly needed.

Do 2-way courier. That's my own advice so you don't pay 12,000 for the same thing you can pay 2,000 for. It can be painful!

goingforward:
Hi Gurus in the house,

I've been a follower here for a long time.
My hubby's visa just got approved, please what is the fastest means to send his passport to Abuja VFS Office? ( I've been following and it seems Abuja VFS office is faster than Lagos right?)

Please also advise on what to be included in the package going to the VFS Abuja office.

Thanks

goingforward

Hi all,

I have situation need advice from those who have used Turkish Airline to Montreal or any other Canadian airport recently. Wakanow has boxed me into a corner to use Turkish although after lots of trouble I think they will do date change because my passport is still with VFS. Payments for ticket and passport return done.

I initially paid for Covid-19 test because Wakanow said all airlines (except British Airways) require a test result. They have now cancelled it because I mentioned that I know other folks who traveled on other airlines and didn't have to do the test.

I have to use Turkish as things are but I want to know if there is anyone who has recently traveled from Lagos on Turkish and didn't have to do the test. Is it a requirement of this airline or will immigration make trouble if I don't have it even though Canada does not require it?

Thanks.

No, you don't if Germany is the only country you are stopping (and I think) if you are flying a German based airline like Lufthansa but like someone mentioned this is true for US/UK visa holder but I am not sure if the same applies to Canadian visa holders. Please ask the airline (not the travel agent) - very important.

Dee4Doyinsola:
Please do I need a transit Visa to go through Germany? Please any suggestion of flight for next week? I'm going to Halifax

Study permit travelers (international students) are exempted from these restrictions.

evergold:
Anyone got this?

Did you use 2-way courier or paid for VFS in-house courier service?

FEMIBALLHARD:

Congratulations, it shall End in Praises����


FINALLY!! I received my Stamped Passport from VFS this morning!

Next up is getting IRCC to update my profile as I'm yet to get Counterfoil or LOI till now.
Anyone have any advise on what to do? I've sent multiple webforms and emails to Lagos, Abuja, Nairobi, Beijing but nothing yet.


TIMELINE: First Time Applicant

Applied: 21 September 2020
Biometric Collection Letter: 22 September
Medical Request: 23 September

Biometric done: 30 September
Medical Passed: 28 October

BVL: 02 November
PPR: 03 November

Passport Sent to VFS Lagos: 6th November............ then came VFS Lagos Wahala for One Month and The Eagle Landed Today!

So nah IRCC update remain now!

ITS ALL PRAISES FROM HERE!

Passport renewal is a major thing and you seem to have trivialized this fact. It is very possible if your profile has not been correctly updated. Ideally, your renewed passport should have been sent via webform and adequately updated before you use the new passport for a medical. I think this is a big deal and will make for a delay in processing.

I saw that you got BVL after Medical, then my question is if your medicals was processed using the new passport, have you passed the medical before BVL?

Fabtee1:


Thank you for your advice. I renewed my passport just before my medical. The new passport page was scanned to my profile at the hospital. Someone said I need to scan the data page via webform. Could this be the reason for the delay?

Got it!

Dampops:
I meant there’s a discount of 10% on the 12,570 which comes to about 11,310 payment request.

5% for what? If there is a 5% charge on the courier amount (N11,310), there is already more than 11% extra on the amount I paid relative to the amount being requested. Hence, they owe me and not the other way round. BTW, they are scammers because we are being charged up to 600% of the real value of courier service. I would have paid N1,600 to get it back through DHL if I did 2-ways courier option from start. Bunch of thieves!

Dampops:
I gathered that there’s a 5% on the 12,570. Jokers

I got the same email just a few minutes after sending a DM to their twitter handle @vfsglobalcare. Mind you, I already made payments proactively since last weekend and sent my transaction receipt plus courier form since Monday. I simply replied their email with the same details. NB: I paid N12,570 instead of N11,310. Let's wait and see how this episode evolves.

Kimkalash:
Hi guys, remember i said i didnt get the fourth mail and i havent gotten a mail that says VFS has received my passport. After many calls, a request to do a physical check on my passport at VFS and sending multiple e-mails, feedback just sent me a mail titled PASSPORT COURIER PAYMENT PROCESS. Na Ogun go kill these people!!!!

We that submitted since November 3rd are yet to get 4th email talk less of passport return. Please send it to Germany if you can

Beamer007:


Congratulations olasubomy
Pls don't submit your Passport to VFS Lagos.

Congrats!

I like when people take unconventional initiative to get results especially when they cover all bases. Great job! This another advantage of being on this platform; your knowledge of this journey to "North" increases daily. Once again, congratulations and it is well deserved. We give God almighty the glory as usual.

It shall end in more praises!

olasubomy:


Yes i got request for NSE to submit mybankstatement certificate but my sponsor bank (Standard Chartered) which had the major fund is not on the mybankstatement platform.

What i did was to get another printed copy of the statement showing transaction for 1 year and got the bank to stamp all the pages and was able to convince the bank to send the statement via courier to the Canadian embassy in Lagos and quote my applicaton and UCI no on the waybill.

So i uploaded a one page letter of explanation ( notifying the VO that Standard Chartered is not on mybankstatement platform) reason this was sent by courier. + uploaded the waybill tracking sheet (UPS) + stamped soft copy of that same bank statement +mybank statement certificate ( for my own salary account - Stanbic IBTC) and submitted.

That was the initiative i took.

No you don't need a transit visa if that is your only stop on KLM/Airfrance.

However, if you are stopping over in 2 Schengen countries (on the same trip) or in the USA, you need a transit visa. I learned the 2 countries thing first hand at the airport in 2011. I had to buy another ticket at MMA in Lagos, that showed my direct connection from Frankfurt to Montreal (instead of Frankfurt to Albania to Montreal), before they could allow me board.

The longer flight schedule or many stopovers often are cheaper compared to direct flights but don't fall into the trap where you will learn at the last minute that a transit visa is required for the seemingly cheaper routes.

It will end in praise!

JayLaw2:
Hello house, does a Nigerian require a transit visa when having a layover of 8 hours at Amsterdam (Schiphol) airport please? I'm looking at booking my flight to Toronto with KLM.

Wow! I would take that over Lagos VFS anytime any day. Passport sent 3rd Nov then LOI and Counterfoil since 30th November but no single change even on the tracking platform.

I can bet that if I had sent to Ghana on 3rd of November, I should be typing this post from Montreal

SKEPTA:


yeah sure
but like they are a lot organized, they even called me to confirm that they had received it

Please, is the issue of Academic Vs. General Test Type for NSE requirement resolved? What is the correct position please?

DCNM:
The instruction says: You must submit a proof of: your International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Submit a language test result that shows a score of 6.0 or higher in each skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Fellow Concordian, how far?

Blavkmaann:


Dora I sent a message, please reply, I need to know how to get my ups tracking ID

You won't get CAD in Nigeria black market - very unlikely - except directly from a Canadian returnee. However, if you have Canada based contacts, they may need Naira and able to get you CAD offshore. I did at N340/CAD 2 days ago.

Caveat: I am not a moneychanger or BDC. Please don't send mail to ask for contacts to do CAD. I can't vouch for someone that is not me oh!

Sirromey:
Guys what's the black market rate for CAD?

Yes bro. That's your LOI. Same here VFS has not contacted me and my tracking status still says passport sent to Lagos Visa Office on 16th November

Kimkalash:
I dont know if it's LOI o but a correspondence letter has dropped and i got two mails from do not reply. Nothing from VFS.

I got mine in Ikoyi, Lagos - in February 2020. Okay I saw your private chat.

MadeMan01:


Have they started to issue passport with 10year validity. Please can I have your immigration contact spouse and brother use