Hello house,

Question for fresh application!!!
Please I have a bothering question about the US Visa process.
My brother is currently a citizen and he moved from Nigeria many years ago. He wants to send me an invitation letter but recently discovered the age on my passport is different from the age he filled when making his own applications to/in the US (the part on siblings details).
Does this truly matter or do I have to change my own passport details?
Thank you!

Hello guys,
Please has anyone travelled to Frankfurt/Germany using Ethiopian airlines recently? Kindly share your experience.

Danke

Get the newly launched Galaxy A12 for just 72k. Spec - 4/128GB.
Tbh that's the best bet in that price segment in the Nigerian market and don't worry about the screen cost, this is Tft display and not Amoled so it's way cheaper to repair.

Hi All,
What exchange rate can I use to calculate my expenses for the Visa application process. Bank rate (299) or Black market (385)?

Whizqueen!!!
When I firstly saw the moniker I thought "Oh I know someone" then I found out it was the real Whizqueen. Honestly, it's good to see you've done well for yourself and your sis. God will continue to strengthen you.
Stay safe, Your YT subscriber (btw your "Landing in Canada" vlog is the realest i've seen so far! )

whizqueen:
The gods will not be pleased with me if I don't post an update.
STUDY PERMIT APPROVAL TIMELINE AND APPLICATION DETAILS

TL SUMMARY
First-time applicant for Fall 2020, undergraduate (17 yr old at application date), the program is Bachelors of Comm, Institution is MUN.
School admission applied - Dec 20th, 2019
Admission letter received - Feb 10th, 2020
Applications Submitted - May 22th
Biometrics Request - May 23rd
Upfront medicals at IOM Lagos - May 26th
Medicals passed - June 16
AIP - Aug 6th
Registered for online courses - Aug 15th
Biometrics completed - Aug 25th
Started classes online in Nigeria - Sept 9th
Ordered GCMS - Sept 9th
Delivered - Oct 9th
BVL - Nov 2nd
PPR - Nov 3rd
Passport sent thru VFS Lagos - Nov 4th
Passport delivered - Dec 16th
Counterfoil and LOI - Dec 18th
Applicant traveled Dec 21st (LOS - YYZ) arrived Dec 22nd.
Study permit & co-op work permit issued Dec 22nd

DETAILED TIMELINE **Warning Super long post ahead**

After arriving in Canada as a PR in Sept 2019, I remember promising my kid sister at the airport on my departure not to worry that she would join me in a year. It was my 2020 mission to secure a study permit for her. Thankfully it happened.

I applied for admissions to 3 schools in Ontario (UOttawa, Carleton, and Uwindsor), my mistake at this point was not confirming the tuition fees first before applying. Applied on Oct 7th, 2019 on OUAC to all 3 schools and paid 323.25 CAD. About 2 weeks later we got an admission letter from UOttawa, she didn't get the french Immersion program which means she would have to pay full tuition as an international student. Tuition was over 18k per term whaaaaaaaat!!!! Who's gonna pay that? Defintely not me Windsor sent admission and Tuition per term was equally high. Never heard from Carleton and didn't follow up either.

Mission two was to find a more affordable institution. Research started and landed on Memorial University. I connected with a friend schooling there and he assured me it was a good institution. I later found that the school was subsidized by their provincial govt hence the cheap tuition. About 12k per year which was fine by me. The admission requirements were IELTS, WAEC transcript, and identification docs. We sent an email stating she was a Nigerian student and the medium of instruction was English requesting to waive the English assessment requirement. We were offered two options, write the test now and get admission or push the test to your first year in school and do an English prerequisite course. We chose the former. So she registered for IELTS academic Nov 23rd, results came out 11 days later and uploaded to the MUN admissions portal. Went to WAEC office where my bro was nicely scammed 20k by touts outside the building , this was cos it was almost Christmas of 2019 and all the offices were about to be closed. We waited till 2020 and paid again to get the confirmation of results sent to MUN in January. Gained admission for B-comm a 5 yr program Feb 10th, 2020.

I wanted a University and not a college for two reasons. 1. She was a teenager, never had a post-secondary education at the time (she eventually got admitted to unilorin tho) 2. I wanted a professional course, she sole aim wasn't just to Japa. Also ensured to find a program with co-op so that she can get work experience while schooling.

She was still in that dead school (unilorin) even tho I'm an alumnae of that institution, the fact that they joined ASUU makes it dead to me. So we couldn't apply for her Visa as she needed to be home for biometrics.

Shortly after she returned home for inter-semester break we applied. The number one of frustration was getting my bank to do their freaaaaking job SMH . I wanted to pay tuition from my Nigerian bank and was to send the funds using Form A. Emailed my account officer severally, no response. I finally got in touch with a friend from the bank who told me in all honesty that form A may never work. So I had to pay the tuition from Canada. Also sent 2M to applicants bank as proof of living expenses.

We were to use two sponsors. A parent and sister.

POF documents included sponsor bank statement, fully paid proof of Tuition, applicant proof of living expenses, Sponsor biz account statement, Biz registration docs, Sponsor Money market fund statement, co-sponsor salary bank statement, co-sponsor PFA, and letter of sponsorship from both. All documents were merged for FINANCIAL DOC

Statement of purpose took almost 3 weeks to complete (2 pages). I got about 5 people to review with me via google docs **yeah, I'm extra like that** Note we never mentioned she was enrolled in a school in Naija. Please ensure you take your SOP very seriously. TBH If everything else about your application is perfect, if your SOP is crappy you may get a refusal. I wonder how people even consider submitting a visa application without SOP sef.

CLIENT INFO included - SOP, Birth cert, Int'l PP, WAEC result, applicant bank statement, IELTS results (not needed but since we had it, why not), NIN slip. All docs compressed and merged.

My number one fear was ties to Canada. In the family info, we had mentioned myself as a PR living in Canada, I was concerned about providing bank and biz docs for Nigeria whilst living in Canada. Also paid Tuition from there so my bank statement never reflected an outflow of Tuition payment. But none of that mattered I guess or maybe we got lucky. I didn't add my PR card as proof of relationship for this reason. I used my Passport instead. No further ADR was requested so I guess that was okay.

The application was submitted May 23rd and medicals done May 26th. Bio requested (next day after application was submitted) but due to lockdown could not go for Bio till Aug 25th, Biometrics was completed on profile same date.

Another wait started. I just had a strong conviction that she was gonna get approved so I encouraged online school against Sept. So we registered for the fall 2020 courses. Got AIP Aug 4th.

I requested GCMS even tho we had received AIP, I just needed assurance I guess GCMS was delivered Oct 9th (exactly a month later) No much details on the notes except "Elig Passed. Pending Biometics".

No further updates on the application whole of Sept and oct but online school was going just fine. In fact we registered for Jan 2021 winter courses without approval yet. Lo and Behold... Nov 2nd, got donotreply email... BVL . Nov 3rd got PPR. Finaallly!!! We sent passport the next day to VFS Lagos thru DHL. Included return label (which they never used, they claimed they couldn't find it)

Everything in Nigeria is somehow made to frustrate you for some reasons. Imagine how VFS Stressed us before we could get back the passport. It took over 6 weeks. Even tho we called and did several follow ups. To connect to that their useless phone line you may have to dial about 30 times. A lot of instances I had to wake up at midnight EST to connect to an agent. They didn't find the return label so we had to pay for UPS delivery which took another 3 days plus for them to confirm payment and an additional one week to send the passport after receiving payment. OMG!!! These guys have just one job and they never did it right.

We hoped she could come to Canada to do her exams due to power and internet situation in Nigeria but no thanks to VFS that never happened.

Eventually, she did the exams in Nigeria and managed all thru.

We had booked several flights and had to cancel hoping passport would come but it never did and we gave up traveling this yr. The passport was finally delivered Dec 16th . I saw how people had waited for several weeks for LOI so we took the bull by the horn and headed for Canada High commission Lagos, day after to request for LOI. Meanwhile, I had sent several emails 2 weeks even before passport came to no avail. LOI was sent same day we went to HC lagos, Dec 18th.

We booked one-way trip via Ethiopian airlines finally for Dec 21st *didn't have to cancel this time* Tho her school is in NL, she landed in Toronto. It was her first time traveling by air and also by herself. I told her to always ask questions if she ever got confused. Travel wasn't' so bad. The immigration checks was a breeze.

Docs asked the airport in Lagos were Passport, proof of tuition, admission letter. Immigration in Canada asked for Enrolment letter, Bank statement (POF), Passport and ArriveCAN code. Officer asked "your school is in NL, why are you here" she responded, "my sister lives here and has made provision for my Quarantine plans". He asked when she resumes for winter term and she responded. That was it.

I picked her up at the airport and finallyyyy, yeeeeeeyyyy I have a family in Canada Halleluyaaaaah!!!

Dreams really come true, if you want something. Go for it, fight for it. Don't give up for whatever reasons. It never occurred to me that this whole thing took over a year till now. Some people advised me to just give up and have her focus on her school in Nigeria. Others asked me to not pressure myself to bring a sibling less than one yr after my arrival and focus on settling but I just wanted a better opportunity for my sis. One I never had. The thought that I have to pay so much in tuition yearly whilst getting still getting my shiitss together in this country, freaks me out sometimes. But I know in 5-10 yrs time, (God's willing) I will look back and be glad I made that decision.

End of story
If you'd like to see a video version kindly check out my YouTube channel and Subscribe link in Signature.

Congratulations to the successful applicants! Please don't forget to share your profile so we can learn one or two from your success.
Btw, Please I need advice on how viable a study loan from a small micro finance in Nigeria is for POF.

Morning All,
Please can I make use of a 5mil study loan from a small MFB here in NG as POF?

#386 to 1 CAD or 1 USD?

NairaLuck:

i paid through western union buineess solutions, i was charged N386 / $, it took 3 working days but he max i have seen is 5 working days.

Thanks a lot

jonosas:
Hi AyoitsMub,

Let me share my chat with CIBC so it can be even clearer. It contains links and answers to many FAQs.

Cheers.

Why are you not considering deferment? At least you'll have more time be less pressured.

Toluchenko:
My people...good evening...

Mehn NSE has put things on hold o...I'm waiting till the one-month window closes shaar (Dec. 25)

So, I have a question and I'll appreciate your opinions.

My lectures are starting January 11. Considering the little time left and the stage my Visa application is in, I will most likely have to opt for online classes (that is, observe the winter semester remotely), then when the Visa drops I'll continue the online classes in Canada for the first semester.

Now, remember the AIP (September) season where people were given AIPs due to the international flight restrictions. The AIP was used to begin online classes. Now that there are no flight restrictions and AIPs are not being issued again, what will I have to tender to begin the Winter semester remotely??

Please I need your opinions.

I wasn't aware, thanks a lot!

deepwater:


Nigerians are eligible for this
Check with CIBC
Just that it must be a minimum of 10k CAD
they will send you form and wire instructions and your bank account details
Funds must be by wire
You would get your GIC in few days.
When doing GIC make sure to your local bank fill the form accurately as specified.
Get your TELEX/ SWIFT copy from them as well (charges apply)

I believe i've seen something about 30days on this thread.

Babyboy2020:
Pls how long can a bank statement spend in your hands after collecting it from the bank before submitting for study permit

Hi Jonosas,
I'm sure the gurus will have better advice for you but, but I'm just curious on how you got the GIC. The last time I inquired, it was just for some selected countries (Excluding NG), is there a way for Nigerians now? Please enlighten us while you wait for advice. Thanks!

jonosas:
Hello House,

I'm new to this, but here goes:

I need advice on POF, please. My profile is as follows:

* University of Windsor offer letter accepted; deposit of $4,000 paid
* Start date: InterSummer (May) 2021
* Program: Mechanical Engineering (MEng)
* Current degree: B.Sc Mech Engr
* Work Experience: 9+ years engineering experience; currently working
* Intending home ties: family and land

For POF, thing is, I don't have millions saved away for months. What I do have is a GIC for $10,000 (covers LE) and a loan from GTB for N10m (got this only yesterday). Out of this, I have locked away N6m---I had some emergencies--but I expect to have about N10.5m saved before month end. Also, having been promoted this month, I will have even more in my savings by January ending - so, probably 15 to 20m.

My concern is, with school starting in May 2021, do I have enough time to satisfy the VO about my POF? I know there's the option of deferring admission, but I rather wouldn't if I can avoid it.

Many thanks to @Insanity for all the advice he has given me so far. He was the one who actually suggested I post this here, so gurus like @Frankrobbin1 and @Justmellow and others can further guide me.

Your opinions and advice would be highly appreciated!

You do not need to evaluate your transcript for UofM. You can upload the unofficial one for the admission process but you have to send the official transcript from your school (By post) upon approval of admission. Their website is really informative though.

CuteCandy90:
Hello guys. I want to apply for ma economics at the University of Manitoba and I would like to know if I have to send my transcript to WES or I can just upload my unofficial transcript directly to the school. Responses would be appreciated. Thank you

But you can do your IELTS without the medicals or am I missing something?

JosephYemsol:
hey guys.

i wanna do my upfront medicals before commencing my visa application. is that fine?...

i wanna do my ielts first before commencing the application thats why...

LOI - Letter of Introduction: Received after the approval of your visa and should be presented at Point of Entry (POE - Canadian Airport)
BVL - Biometric Validation Letter: This just tells you that your biometrics have been received and is valid for so and so years (actually 10). Most times if received after a medical request its good news and if it drops before a medical request then that application is toast (Most times o!) Ire o!

Babyboy2020:
whats LOI AND BVL CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN PLS

Good thing you have your phone business registered. Are the funds in the account used for the phone business (Non-lump sum deposit)? If Yes, you can use that as your 'company' account. Attach SOA, CAC, tax clearance (If available), screenshots of your business page and maybe some business receipts. Just my opinion, Ire o!

Hassan19:
I want to apply for my study permit but I don't know what to present as my source of income. I'm sponsoring myself. I'm into phones selling but it's totally done online. I don't have a physical shop and most of these phones are gotten from a friend that owns a phone shop so it's more like I'm a middleman.

My main source of income is cryptocurrency trading, I buy and sell Bitcoin and other altcoins. I'm an investor and trader in cryptocurrency, is it good if I mention this in my SOP.

I got this money from cryptocurrency, and I have proof of trading and all.

Or should I just emphasize on the phone alone but I don't have a shop yet and I don't have much to prove on that except for my CAC Business Certificate or is there any other way to present this better.

I don't know if the VO would find cryptocurrency cool in my SOP as a source of income.

I have registered my business with CAC ( Thebest gadgets and exchange) though.

Please I need your urgent advice.

Thank you as you reach out.

Congratulations to all the winter students! Once again, please don't forget to share your application profile so the hopefuls can learn one or two from your success. Ire o!

I'm sure anyone that reads this will like to know why the applicant has an 8 year study gap just at the age of 21. Have you been working at your mom's company ever since? and now you need to go for B.Sc. so upon return you'll take up a managerial role? You might need to do that kind of explanation. Ire O!

Motun667:
Hello everyone I am about to submit my application next week I need an advice

I’m 21 years becoming 22 January 7
My mother is my sponsor
My mother cac document
My mother company account
Mother personal account 11million.
Regina asked tution deposit (500) paid
Admitted for a bachelors degree in economics
Affidavit of support stamped stating she would sponsor me throughout my stay in the university and said she would make sure I come back
Attached document saying she will use the document as collateral if to sort out any financial need needed By me in schoool
Letter of introduction from her company saying I’m part of thier director
Cac paruculars staying I’m part of the board of director
Study gap 8 years ( staying I was 13 years when I finished secondary school computer certification and internship done with evidence
I’m her first son

That friend is a keeper... Please take note!

Basalt:
Goodmorning Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am Basalt by name and I came to Germany last year(2019) October for my MSc studies with a little amount of Money and a partially borrowed block account from my inlaw (his money and my money).
On arrival in Germany, I took only a few courses and got a job outside my city and also got a mini-job. I did all my monthly expenses from my Mini job and used my main job to completely pay back my debt within a few months of arrival.

Now, that's not the discussion at hand.
I need advice especially from people who have lived abroad or have many years of experience in life.
My visa still counts till 2022 and I can even extend it if I don't finish my studies by then.
According to German policy, once you graduate from the University, you will be given 18 months to get a professional job or return back to your country.
Returning back to Nigeria is totally out of my plan at least for now because I came from a very poor family without any job connection and I am really enjoying Europe.
I plan to buy land or start building a house (I saved millions of naira and will even save more as time goes) but my friend who is also a student here discouraged me against that saying that my root is not yet fixed abroad that I should wait and continue investing in myself and undergoing professional training until I get permanent residency before investing. That I should always keep saving because it is not certain that I will get a professional job after graduation since my course is not in Information Technology which is currently booming in Germany. That even if I don't get a job, I can use the money to migrate to Canada or any other country of my choice.
He asked What if you invest the money now and don't get a job after graduation, what will you do after the 18 months of post graduation visa since you don't have any backup from home who will help you out financially.

What do you guys think. I need opinions

Beekay854:
Hello guys. Please your help is needed.

Can someone who was denied entry into the US (tourist visa)at the POE 3 years ago (with a 5 years ban) apply for a study permit in Canada?

P.S passport was seized,so application will be on a new passport (with old passport number on it)

There's a possibility of getting approved but note that your application will be highly scrutinized due to immigration history with the US. However, I'll advise that the person wait out the 5 years and in that period, maintain solid home ties to home country and visit other visa required countries to reduce the image of 'desperation'. Ire o!

Congratulation guys!
Please don't forget to share details on timeline and document submitted to help the remaining hopefuls. Ire o!

willbeck:



Hello guys,

Pls any ideas how this application can be re-submit red based on gcms notes?

Please what program is the applicant going for?

Congratulations on your PPR!
Please did the debit of tuition payment reflect in any of your banks statements? I'm just curious if its possible to attach tuition fee receipt from your DLI without showing the debit from your bank account.

adeenzo:
This is a full thread of my application, i would make it as concise as possible.
Application date: Sept 7th (with previous biometrics)
School: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
course: Electronics Engineering (Diploma)

Forms submitted :
ALL IMM forms, Int passport, Passport photograph etc

Client Information:
SOP -one page (I made 2 typo errors I wanted to cry when I found out)
Letter of guardianship from my siblings in Canada (i encourage anybody that has a sibling in Canada to do this, whether you are above 21 or below)
Letter of recommendation from my place of work (didn't include employment letter and paystub)- IT Systems Administrator for 3 years
Waec certificate year 2009, I forgot to include my Bsc and I didn't include my NYSC as well

Proof of funds:
sponsorship letter from my parents
Receipt of Full first year tuition payment
Mother bank statement (Canadian bank) showing 10k cad
Dad's bank statement showing 1.3m naira

Took the leap of faith by doing upfront medicals when I waited for over 2 months and no response.
Med passed in 5 days
6 days later BVL and PPR..

I thank God for this, and also I am highly grateful for everybody that contributed one way or the other.
There isn't any method to the Canada application, just do your due diligence, be patient, and pray.

Bohye84:
Good day guys,
Please does anyone has someone in University of Manitoba, and does anyone know if UM do collect school fees before travelling or before receiving scholarships

If you mean paying upfront tuition, you don't need to know anybody. I believe there are two options; GlobalPay and PayMyTuition for payments from outside Canada. Just ensure to follow the procedures as written on the site.

Kinzeerichy:
Good Morning. LOI has dropped after sending e-mail and raising the web form yesterday. Thank you for all your support.

Congratulations on your success bro!
Please I have a question regarding your timeline. I observed that you previously wanted to use your uncle as your sponsor but later on changed it to your father. I'll just like to understand the reason behind that because i'm currently in that phase and I'll like to represent my profile as best as possible. Gracias!

brovaSketch:
Hello house,

Pls must a student have a sponsor? Everyone here seems to have one sponsor or the other. Doesn't self sponsoring work for study visa?

Of course there is an option to self sponsor. You have to show financial proof for all the expenses during the total length of your proposed study.

Genevach:
Any university of Manitoba student applied for Visa already?

Not yet o

Aydindon123:
First time applicant


Finished University 2019
NYSC August 2019-August 2020


My timeline is below

Application: June 25th, 2020
Biometrics request : June 26th, 2020
Medical request : August 27th, 2020
Medical passed: October 8, 2020
Biometrics updated: September 4th, 2020
Biometrics Validity Letter: October 20th, 2020
Passport request: October 21th, 2020

I differed my classes online for Fall 2020 till Fall 2021

Document submitted

1. imm1294e.pdf
2. Letter of Acceptance.pdf
3. Passport data page.pdf
4. Proof of financial support_compressed.pdf
5. Photo.pdf
6. IMM 5645.pdf
7. Personal Documents.pdf


-All 3 IMME form required
-SOP
- Statement of account
- Affidavit of support
- Letter of sponsorship
- Degree(s) Certificate
- Statement of result
- Letter of recommendation I received from the school i did my Nysc
- Letter of support from my mother.
- Sponsors land documents as ties to home country
- Sponsors identity card
- Birth certificate

Tip:
- pray
- Arrange your documents properly.
- Prayer and fasting


Thank you everyone in this forum


You can ask your question on here if you have any. I will respond as soon as possible.

Thank y'all

Wow...Congratulations on your feat.
Is your sponsor based abroad or in Nigeria? We seem to have similar profile and I'll like a one on one talk with you. Please check your mail.
Danke!

Are appointment dates available for Cat A? Or the AD drought is affecting all Categories?

Please who can help explain what a DHS related course is? I'm a bit lost.

Good evening all,
I am a newbie in the house and i'll like to connect with y'all. Please is there anyone that studied or is currently studying at the universitat of Wuppertal (BUW)? How did you do the preliminary check process and how long did it take? Their website navigation has been quite difficult for me.
Please help me, I need guidance!