₦airaland Forum

TempusQ:
For those traveling soon...
Don't forget CBN banned use of MasterCard for ATM withdrawals, you can only use it on POS.
Please, those on ground in Canada should confirm this info, abeg o

Not sure this is true, how will cbn ban use of atm cards abroad, they only placed a limit of withdrawals abroad.

charles316:
Hi,I am also in the same situation. I have been given admission to go for civil engineering technology (advanced diploma) in seneca and construction project management (post graduate diploma) in Conestoga college.My questions are
1. Can I get to do masters afterwards with the advanced diploma because that is my preferred option. I prefer this because it is a two year course.

2. From your replies here,it seem that it will easier to get visa with the pgd. What if the embassy ask me to pay for school fees ?

Cc thebae
GboyegaD
Ayooluwatoni
Thesoj

The issue is, every of those VOs has been trained to believe that everybody seeking entry into their country (through whatever means) does not intend to return, irrespective of who you are. So your work is to convince them by whatever means you can that you will leave their country after your short stay there (even though I know so well that you won't return), if you're able to convince them, then you will be issued your TRV, but if not, no show! So it is not solely about the program, tuition or funds (which is the mistake most people make), but a very good combination of everything you think would make the VO believe you. You can just act the drama yourself, make yourself the VO and view the documents you intend to submit, if they are convincing enough!
So I want to say that your choice of program (PGD/masters) does not really follow, but since you already have an admission for pgd, then you can go ahead and apply with the pgd. Like Thebae said, payment of tuition is completely optional, in fact CIC advises no one should make any financial commitment until visa is granted as it is not a condition for granting TRV (it may only show some level commitment), in fact their are a number of people who were refused visa despite paying tuition fees.
These will boost your chances of getting TRV:
1. A very short gap between when you finished your undergrad and now that you wanna apply for study permit. If there's a wide gap, the VO may question your purpose of visit!
2. Relationship between your O'level + Undergrad and the course you want to study in canada. Although that of O'level is not a barrier, but I feel it will be an advantage. E.g. you want to have a master's degree in Economics, you had an A in your waec, and you studied economics in undergrad...... but like I said, it is not a barrier, I just think it should be a +
3. Your travel record is also important, it tells the VO you're not a first time traveler who might get to his country, get carried away or be excited and then abscond, especially if you've been to countries rated higher than Canada. This is not a barrier too, but it is a very good +
4. Your ties to your country: what will make you leave Canada after a short stay? Sometimes travel history helps to clear country ties issue. But I believe this home tie issue is just an excuse for a VO who normally doesn't wanna grant a visa to deny it.
5. Financial sufficiency/family situation:if you have enough finance to conveniently cover your cost of study and living expenses without working in Canada. This will help clear the doubt that you're going to Canada to study and not to work, hiding under the canopy of study.
6. Your ties to the country you're going sometimes may reduce or boost ones chances of getting VISA. I don't know so much about how Canada treat this though, but sometimes I think it's just good to declare you don't have anyone in that country, except if the person you have there is your sponsor, or your parents and they have a very good financial situation, else VO might thing they will facilitate your abscondment. But please note that I'm not certain about this last point!

7. A comprehensive letter of sponsorship is good too. Not just a letter where the sponsor agrees he would sponsor you, but something very real and convincing. Your sponsor should be able to write about you, why he wanna sponsor you, what he does, his dependent family members, how much he has budgeted for your trip, how much he's giving you, how he intend to send the money to you etc......

I'm not inferring that having all I stated above guarantee a TRV, but I think if they are well combined and the applications + supporting documents are properly arranged, the VO should be convinced!
Just what I think sha.....the gurus in the house can add/remove

cconcept:
and what will the proof be claiming his church member is uncle/aunt etc?

A comprehensive sponsorship letter which will state reasons for sponsoring you and as well give some info about you should be fine. You can also get an affidavit to better support the claims.

soji0509:
No!
What you are suggesting is good in the interim / short run ONLY.
Please process the transcript now even if it takes forever. You may need it else where later where they are very strict.
Having applied for it once will make your academic record in full in on the Transcript server of LAUTECH , hence subsequent request will be faster.
In fact, you may further optionally go ahead to send it to WES (World Education Service).
There, it will be accessed and stored for you to request to any school in the world in future with 3 working days.
In this way, you are completely mobile in respect of the academic records and free for life from Nigerian system that hardly work fast.

Thank you, someone already suggested the same thing to me. I will request for it later, then update my academic record at MUN when it's ready! It's just annoying and discouraging...... But thank you anyway!

JJCE:
can u guide me through in my app?

Their are lots of people here that can and are willing to help you. Just let us know your profile!

Aigbogun01:
Yes. It was unconditional till I send a certified copy of my certificate. I did that and it was changed to decision made: Accepted.
I want to apply for my TRV and I really need guides. What kind of hometie and travel history do they require. Also how much are they expecting to cover you?

I will strongly advise you read through some pages of these thread, as you would see the submissions some people on this thread have made.
Home ties simply mean what is tying you to your Country. What will make you return to your Country after your short stay abroad. Could be family, fixed assets, good family situation (which would be evidenced by statement of account) etc. But to be honest with you, I don't know how those VO's measure the strength of one's home ties; because someone with assets (landed properties, fat bank acct bal. etc) still get refused, while another with no declared asset may be approved. So don't get discouraged.
Travel history as it sounds, history of your past foreign trips. This is an advantage too, but not a barrier.
Your statement of account bal will depend on your tuition fees, accommodation cost and other living expenses, so I cant really say how much is ideal except I knw how much ur tuition is. Just take things cool, don't get desperate or be under unnecessary pressure or fear, else you'll start making mistakes and may get refused.

Aigbogun01:
I have been accepted in Electronics Systems Engineering for an MENG program.

Congrats. So do you have your original unconditional admission/acceptance letter

Aigbogun01:
I am going to University of Regina. MSc.

Have you been accepted by the school? Or you just wanna apply? What course ?

dahjor:
Thanks.. you perfectly answered my question. I don't have a Diamond account and i was told you must have run the account for minimum of 6 months. Fidelity as at today was 199.50 to $1

That's not bad, what about their own charges? Because bank will also charge a % of the transaction and may in addition deduct tax! You have to be sure of all the deductions before you get into it. Someone posted on this thread couple of days back that fcmb is also good with exchange rates....you can check with them too

2grozz:
Thank you very much....
Am trying to reapply for jan 2016....
I was delayed early this month....
Part of the reason was travel history....
Am trying to as it were "cover the loose ends"
So was just asking what could be done as to that issue ....

We're saying the same thing sir/ma. Travel history means, your previous trips outside the Country, if you have any, how you conducted yourself in the country/countries you visited, if you overstayed or were deported and stuff like that. So travel history is not something you can get overnight, if you've traveled out of the country before, then it's good (but mind you the country you traveled too also matters), you'll just look for how to package it well. The first time I applied for a UK visa, I was refused because the VO was not sure I would return: so I reapplied, and in my sponsorship letter I emphasized I had traveled to Russia before and in fact had a stop over in Qatar.......so I in a way used style to tell the VO, though I have just Russian visa on my passport, I have also visited Qatar (even when I didnt pass the four walls of the airport in Doha). It's all packaging!!! And that's the difference between plantain chips of N100 and Ipekere of N20.
But if you have no travel record, it still doesn't mean you will not get TRV! Their are countless people who got it on a virgin passport even at their first attempt! Sometimes you just wonder what an ideal application is....... so leave what you dont have and cant get, then focus on the things you can get!

TheBae:
Some schools accept scanned copies and give you conditional admission so you can just email the school to ask if they can accept a scanned copy of your transcript. If they say no, then you have to send it via courier

@ malaoluolateju:

This was what I did when I was to apply to MUN: I graduated from LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, and getting transcript there takes like forever, so I didn't bother going to request at all. I just packed my results from 100 level to 500 level, took them to a notary public, and I got them notarized, did same for my statement of result too, so I enveloped it and sent it to the school (But please note: MUN stated in their application guide that they accept notarized results, so you need to be sure your school accepts notarized results). Best of luck!

Aigbogun01:
Good for me oo. I am applying for January 2016. I need guide cos I hear people talking of hometie and travel history. I don't understand.

Now I'm laughing in Ibadan dialect. ..... please read through a few pages of this thread, you should understand some of these things. Have you applied to any school yet? What program are you going for? Masters or undergrad?

rolandy22:
hi peeps, some forms for paper route are not applicable to me..... don't know if am going to attach it

Download all the forms in the application kit! I think You should have 3 in all: Family information, study permit and Temporary Resident Visa. You will also need to fill study permit questionnaire, this unlike others will be filled with ink, and it's the last 3 or 4 pages of the study permit Guide there on CIC site.

2grozz:
Ehen.....
@ teedboy.....
So you were saying that I shouldnt bother my head about the "travel history" thingy abi?
Just want to be sure

What would you do if you're to bother your head about it? You will only think and think and think......yet nothing will happen.
Bros, what you can't do, you commit it to God and do that which you can very well! Would have been good if you have, but you don't and that is not gonna stop you from getting that TRV! So focus on other areas......let your Strength overcome your Weakness and use your Opportunities to fight your Threats (SWOT). Finish!!!
You will testify, by God's grace!

Aigbogun01:
Anyone applying for TRV for January 2016?

What do you need?

dahjor:
Hello Everyone,
I visited 3 banks today to inquire about the use on Naira Master Card abroad and thought I should share this.
FCMB
I was told the daily limit on ATM withdrawal is $100, while on POS and web is $300. N240 is charged on withdrawal.
Fidelity
Daily limit on ATM is the Equivalent of N150,000, while on POS & web is N500,000. $4 is charged on withdrawal.
First Bank
Daily limit on ATM is the Equivalent of N150,000 while on POS & web is N500,000. N420 is charged on withdrawal.

I stand to be corrected if i'm wrong and your contribution is also welcome.

Please check Diamond bank too, the yeye reform cbn is doing must have caused this. Think they're kinda reducing export of naira abroad.....

Omonjoe:
I am also in the same situation. Should I leave d spaces blank or write not applicable?

Of course you won't fill in details of your unborn children na? Leave it blank, there should be a space underneath it where you would sign and date to confirm you dont have kids, the same thing goes for common law partner/wife! That's for paper route though, I don't know if it's the same with online

favour0011:
So guys.... has any1 done this before.. add a pic of u and ur fiancee to your app and caption it. Won't stuff like that help your home ties? Lol.. I mean what ties could be stronger than love?? Just thinking out loud tho....
ur thoughts?

If married people could be denied on the grounds of home ties......I wonder what would happen to people in love! It's not all about picture(s)!

dahjor:
Please Quick questions on the PTA.
Can I get it from two or more banks at the same time?
I was told it will be given to me in cash and I don’t want to travel with such amount, do I need to open a pre-funded dollar account or a Domiciliary account?
Finally, how do I transfer such amount on my pre-funded dollar account or a Domiciliary account to the Canada account?

The last time I did it, I was told I could change only 4000 usd or it's equivalent in Pounds, and could only be done once in a quarter, that is once in four months. My passport was stamped by the bank, and it was processed online. So if the same procedure is still in place, you cannot get more than 4000 usd, whether you go to 10 banks, or just a bank, you may not get more than a total of 4000 usd, as your passport would be stamped by whichever bank is doing it for you, as well as at the amount and the rate. You can just get to the nearest diamond bank to you.....I guess they still have the best rate.....

TheBae:
I swear I saw this on travelstart and then it disappeared completely! Thank God you mentioned it, it's the best option for me coos I can quickly enter UK to shop! Went to Virgin office in Maryland but it's like they're no longer there. Which of these sites exactly did you book on?

Are you going to St John's too? The prices on travelstart are killing. Tried kayak.com too but not satisfied. Then I tried trip advisor, which directed me to priceline.com there I got the one for 280k. Momondos.com also directed me to flyfar.ca, which is the same too, just currency exchange rates, and I think I'll go with that of flyfar.ca, cos they charge in CAD, online priceline.com that charges in USD, cad is kinda cheaper......just being iJEBU!

Godymn:
Ok, i get your point. Give them what you have + evidence. I will work on that as well.

Thanks man.

Between, what school, course and level are you heading for?

***Appreciate***

Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), Economics, Masters

GboyegaD:
Like I said, I'm keeping it to track calls from my friends in Nigeria I don't want to give my number. I can't make calls with it however, I get calls coming through (I don't pick them though) and text messages. I use Rogers here.

Oh! Sorry, I missed that part.....was just curious! So you basically dont use it for anything apart from keeping track with home? But you may need to occasionally recharge it, so it doesn't get recycled!

yetunde84:
Sorry dis might be impossible...you cannot get more dan 2 connecting flight...you either get to toronto and den get anoda flight to st. John's

Doubting Thomas! I've taken the pain to make an updated search on TripAdvisor, www.priceline.com and www.flyfar.ca and I'm attaching their screen shots.

senarthor:
Am not doubting you but can you tell me which airline because am on all airline price GDS right now and the cheapest I got was Sept 4 and return Dec 31 with virgin Atlantic for 303k... To buttress my fact and figure, I will attached the screen shot now...

It tool me so much time before I got this too. In fact 303k is better compared to what I got the first time. Got abt 400+k when I checked travelstart.com
I will also attach a screen shot now, got that just this evening on www.momondos.com, virgin atlantic + Air Canada, you should get the same combo on priceline.com and flyfar.ca . You should also know that price drops at mid night tooo, so try and search btw 12am and 5am

Godymn:
Naah, i'm not idle. Other aspect of the visa requirement is the least of my problem. My major concern is on the financial aspect. Thanks for your concern.

When you say 5M, is it the minimum SOA he/she should have then state like 2M that would be readily available for me or the amount he/she should state (all 5M) in the sponsorship letter that would be available for me?

***Appreciate***

See, I'm not gonna assume the position of Mr. Know all, or VO's younger brother who knows how they think always...... just kinda familiar with a couple of embassies. With recent happenings no one can say a particular amount is the ideal amount. Their are people who applied with a balance of over 10M and yet got denied on the grounds of insufficient funds. What I do personally is this, I make my letter of sponsorship a bit comprehensive, such that it does not only talk about "the sponsor sponsoring me....bla bla", I make my sponsor(s) give brief info about me (to show they know me so well), my past academic achievements, what I do at the moment etc. So my achievements would be a basic reason why my sponsor will be sponsoring me. Then I go further to state how much has been budgeted for my trip/study, and how/when they would be giving me the money. Finally, my sponsor would vouchsafe on my behalf that I will neither abscond nor be a liability to the VO's country, and conclude by asking the VO to contact him/them via phone, email or address (they often dont make such contact) should he/she need more clarifications.
I dont assume those VOs know anything about me, I take my time to tell them every bit of information, even if it is so obvious, and I try my best to evidence any claim I make.
So if your co-sponsor will be giving you 2m annually, he/she should be able to show proof that he/she has what it takes to give you such huge sum of money!

senarthor:
Please are you heading to MUN? and which airline and date that you saw 280k?

Yes o, going to MUN! I'm guessing you're also going to MUN! Check www.flyfar.ca or www.momondos.com or www.priceline.com or use TripAdvisor app. It's a connecting flight (Virgin Atlantic and Air Canada) with abt a 20hrs stop at Heathrow (UK).

thesoj:
I don't have too strong an opinion on your strategy, but it sounds fishy even if truly genuine. You need to think like a VO!

If I were the VO, here are the doubts in my mind:
1. why should I allow this applicant into Canada for the same exact program & degree he/she already did in his/her country?
2. why did this applicant not apply to a PGD program in Canada instead?
3. why should i believe that this applicant is truly going to study given the above questions?

You would need to convince the VO in your SOP why you are going this unusual route. If I were the VO, I would need an extremely cogent argument in order to eliminate my doubts about the intent of your visa application. I think you may be able to convince the VO, but the burden of proof on you is very high.

Why are you not considering doing a PGD and then a masters thereafter? With this route, it would be easier to make a case to the VO. Your current approach seems very risky (but not impossible) to me, especially because you will be studying the exact same course and degree.

I support!

GboyegaD:
Mine does perfectly. Here is my account balance since January.

Of course it will work, but would be roaming right? Do you make and receive calls with it? How is the roaming charges like? What about data too? And if I may ask, why do you still use MTN? Are there no better network plans there?

senarthor:
You are free to get a one way ticket as a student or Permanent Resident and expecially when your visa is like one year valid..... I work with travel agency and am talking with experience.....so go and get your one way ticket if you have gotten your TRV...

Thank you bro! Really appreciate! !! But the latest development now is, the return tickets I've seen so far are cheaper than one way....sounds crazy but that's just what I saw! Got return ticket for abt 280k and one way for over 300k...... flying to St. John's (YYT) from Lagos date, 3 Sept, return date 30th Dec......U can just check! Tnx

Godymn:
Just trying to plan ahead and arrange myself. Plan on applying next year for Fall 2016 by God's grace. I'm looking at UNB or UFV going for UG in Computer Information System

Yeah, i dont plan on lying though, just random thoughts that came into my head but decided to shake them off.

The direction you gave about the letter of sponsorship from my dad, that was how i plan to arrange that. I plan on giving a realistic break-down.

I'l try to get a co-sponsor though.

If i eventually get one, like how much should the co-sponsor state that would make sense with what my dad has?

And yes, It is well Bro.

***Appreciate***.

Oh! So you've not applied to a UNI yet? Hmmm? So why do you wanna wait till fall 2016? I hope you're not idle? You need not be idle o, as it may stall your chances, or should I say give you extra work convincing the VO u're serious. Most schools admit 3 times a year for UG programs. As per the Co-Sponsor, would be good if you get someone with a minimum of 5m, so while your dad pay your tuition, he may be paying your living expenses.....stuff like dat sha

Godymn:
Yeah, i actually thought about that.

Since one of ma elder sibling will be done with school nxt year, that leaves me with 2 other siblings.
Was planning on filling the four of us then saying two other dependants since one will be done with school early next year.

My dad has about 3 landed properties though.

I still dont know if that would fly.

If i cant get a co-sponsor, my last resort will be applyin like that hoping for the best and God's favour.

When do you plan to apply for visa? What school are you going? What program are you going for? Try your best to get a co sponsor, then in the family information form, fill in all your members, don't lie abt that. But ensure your dad include in the letter of sponsorship that your elder bro has graduated and probably working (nysc), then you younger siblings are in the secondary school....stating their tuition fees (make sure it's a very cheap tuition), and no other dependent relation!
It shall be well!

Godymn:
Was just thinking....Whats the implication if you only state that your the only child or mayb you state you and one of your sibling?

The problem is not only with your siblings. The issue is your annual financial requirement is high! It's not as if the money in your dad's account is not sufficient, but the VO might assume you just wanna run to Canada and not return, except you can prove him/her wrong with your travel history! Else financial sustainability is another way to prove that, and that means a fat account and probably fixed assets.
I really wont advise you to lie about your siblings. Don't forget your information would be stored in their database, you cannot tell them you have no siblings now, and in say 3 years time after probably getting ur PR, now tell them your siblings wanna come visit. ...... if you'll lie, pls tell lies that won't backfire in the future!