₦airaland Forum

Thanks a lot dear

superdoll:
Hello bestdiddy,

I attached my degree result to the email i sent them (containing the application form, intl ppt, my degre and othee relevant docs)
If the school is sending ur degree result den u may not need to worry, however attaching a soft copy to ur application doesnt cost anything so i tink u shuld still so dt.
As per the proper seal stuff, the school already knw how they package transcripts. Usually the envelope is sealed, stamped and signed across the seal before dispatch.
Just ensure you give them proper details of who to address to.

Hello Superdoll, I trust you're doing great. Someone directed me to you dear concerning your experience with ICES. Its so good to know you're also an alumni of IMSU.

My questions are as follows:

1. Document Requirement: Based on what I read on the website, they didn't explicitly state that a copy of my degree certificate should be sent, they stated as follows

"In most cases an official transcript is sufficient as long as the completion of the award is noted within. If confirmation of the award is not present in the academic transcript, this information can arrive in letter form from the appropriate authority accompanying the official transcript of records"

Now, in my transcript, there's no confirmation of award but the school will send a clear copy of my degree certificate. So am I required to get the letter they stated above along with my transcript? . . . or is the degree certificate and the transcript all that is required?


2. Document Characteristics: "for a document to be considered official, it must bear proper seals, signatures and postal markings"

Please, what do they mean by postal markings?

Thanks and kind regards.

superdoll:
Hmmm! I just pmed u . Kindly also help me with the womans number. Have u successfully gotten ur eca from wes?

Thanks alot

Good morning All,

Please can anyone who used ICES as an ECA signify to me?

1. Document Requirement: Based on what I read on the website, they didn't explicitly state that a copy of my degree certificate should be sent, they stated as follows

"In most cases an official transcript is sufficient as long as the completion of the award is noted within. If confirmation of the award is not present in the academic transcript, this information can arrive in letter form from the appropriate authority accompanying the official transcript of records"

Now, in my transcript, there's no confirmation of award but the school will send a clear copy of my degree certificate. So am I required to get the letter they stated above along with my transcript? . . . or is the degree certificate and the transcript all that is required?


2. Document Characteristics: "for a document to be considered official, it must bear proper seals, signatures and postal markings"

Please, what do they mean by postal markings?


Thanks and kind regards.

Thanks a lot dear, I'm truly grateful

cochtrane:
1. PCC is issued only at Alagbon in Nigeria. Even if you make a request in Abuja, they've still got to do it at Alagbon and then mail it to you. CIC expects the PCC they get from Nigeria to be of a particular format, so if they get something else or something weird, it'll surely constitute grounds for suspicion. About verification, I'd say it's hard to verify every PCC they get. But VOs know what to look for in documents they see everyday. Just do your own part.

2. CIC actually doesn't specifically require a 6-month bank statement. Adding it is completely at your own discretion and is evidently to shed more favorable light on your financial situation. This means there are no specific requirements for a 6-month bank statement. What you've got is good enough, that is, your fixed deposit certificate. You could add whatever back statement you've got to it and it certainly doesn't matter that it's less than 6 months.

3. For WES, they allow you to send your transcripts directly to them as long as it meets their requirements of being sealed and stamped. It don't matter one bit if you send it from Potiskum. Credential evaluation bodies know what to look for when they receive a transcript. I would think they care much less about who sent the transcripts or from where exactly they come. Even if your school sends the transcripts and it doesn't meet the requirements (maybe the seal is broken?), they won't accept it. I think some people here have sent transcripts by themselves.
For other ECA bodies like IQAS, etc. I think this also follows. You might need to verify this though.

4. Without doubt, your wife can use her teaching experience to claim points. CIC definitely uses more than "Google" in their verification processes. They have access to several Nigerian databases, including information from previous applicants with similar histories. If they aren't too certain, they'll reach out to the contacts on her work reference letter. That's why they require that this carries phone numbers, email ad and person responsible.
They've got a whole lot of choices in verifying her employment history. That the school is not known should definitely not matter. They look for consistency; it's their job, it's what they are trained to do. They'd only entertain suspicion only if the stories don't stand the test of scrutiny (if they scrutinize).

Please, whats the meaning of ADR people keep quoting here. smiles

MrsBee:
Congratulations my fellow Londoner. Finally moved to IP2 today after 120 days on NA2. God be praised. I got a very comprehensive ADR on the 20th.

Good morning everyone. I am indeed pleased to be part of this thread. Thanks to all contributors here.

Okay . . . I have read a lot of pages at the beginning of the thread, but I have few enquiries for which I haven't seen answers to in the thread yet:

1. PCC: Since I and my family have not traveled out of the country yet, we would be getting Police Clearance Certificates from Nigeria here. I'd just like to know if IRCC also verifies the PCCs from whatever police station that issues it.


2. Proof of Funds: I understand that IRCC will require a 6months bank account statement showing funds availability. What if my funds are in a Fixed Deposit Account which was just opened this November when I started preparing for this process. As such, by the time ITA comes out, the statement will still be less than 6months . . . Although the Bank can issue a Fixed Deposit Advice/Certificate.


3. ECA Validation: In sending my transcripts for validation, can I process the transcript at my school and personally courier (DHL) the documents to the ECA body from a location different from the school's location? While sending it, I will make sure I specify that the documents are being sent by a staff of the school. The school is in Owerri but I am in Lagos, but they are cool with handing the documents to me for onward dispatch. I really don't trust that school in sending sensitive documents before my transcripts will land in Thailand.

The question is will the ECA have an issue with the fact that the school is in Owerri, but the documents were dispatched from Lagos?


Finally . . .

4. My wife has over 4years work experience. She's a Nutritionist too. She taught in a Secondary school for 3years (2011 - 2014), 1year housemanship in a hospital (2014 - 2015), Masters in Nutrition (2015 - 2017) and currently working in a food processing company (Feb 2017 till Date).

Since she hasn't garnered much work experience in her field of Nutrition, we are considering using her teaching experience for EE/FSW purposes. The challenge is the secondary school is mid-sized, they dont have a website and not a popular school, but they have a physical location and its fully incorporated. Our fears is that during verification of her employment, will IRCC have issues that she's using her teaching work experience and are we sure they will not try to google the school to find out if it truly exists? Yes, the school will issue work reference letters.

By the way, my wife is the primary applicant.


Sorry about my plenty write-up, but I really need the advice of gurus in the house, so I and my family will have a sense of what to work with.

Thanks

Could you give me your email address? I'd be happy to share my SOP with you for your review

zeemo2007:
Sorry bro. Sometimes life toss us around even when we giving it our best shot.

It wasn't meant to be and better days ahead.

You submitted a whole lot of evidences and documents.

Most times our SOP are badly worded and discouraging and these might cast doubts on all the numerous documents and evidences submitted for visa applications.

Can you send me your SOP to see ?

Naahh bro . . . I dont think that is the case.

while you have mentioned that you have strong reasons for choosing Australia over other countries, you are not restricted from making a choice with other countries. Infact, when you take the decision to seek a foreign degree to enhance your career, these officers actually expect that you must have researched an applied to a host of other countries that are of similar or better economic stance to Australia. It helps them understand that you're after academic excellence and interested in getting same at countries with top quality of education including Australia.

Also, remember that since I applied in June, they had not given me any feedback or requested for any documentation until i sent that email with my UK offer. At that point, they requested for my updated employment letter and pay slips. So if I had not sent that email, they wouldn't have taken me serious and started fast tracking my application.

cheekynero:
On second thought after reading your story again. You said "October 18th . . . I sent a mail informing the DIPB that I had been admitted to a University in the UK for an MBA program and I would appreciate a more detailed update on the application as I still prefer studying in the OZ."

I'm sure this must have pissed them off because I can remember when writing the SOP, they asked if you have done a research into other study options in other countries and why you decided to take Australia instead. These guys are looking for the slightest excuse to deny you visa and you made it easy for them.

Thanks Joe

joephemzyz:
@bestdiddy the best is yet bro.... Keep your head up...
God will make all things right.

Thanks for your feedback dear. I don't think that was the issue. They dont expect me to do a masters in my BSc field, because if I had done that, then study gap will be an issue. I had my BSc in 2008, I've been working as an analyst since 2011, is it not reasonable or rational that I get a masters degree that is in line with my current job, especially when I have a study leave.

foreverkind1:
Sorry to hear this bro, but I think the main problem is you going for an msc that's not related in any way to your previous bsc ,please do get refund of your tuition and apply into another university, with a course that's very related to your bsc .

Then reapply for visa, you will surely get it, just tackle those reasons bro, it's well

I thank God dear, and I thank you very much too . . . OKay

sistaj:
Well everything happens for good in the end.I understand how you feel but brace up.You will still realize your dreams one way or the other.will pm you

I thank God . . . I have a B.Sc in Industrial Chemistry, intending to do a Masters in Business Analytics and I have been an Analyst with the Project Finance Group of the bank since 2011.

Omooloriredade:
Sorry about your denial. Please what's your qualification, your intended course of study and your role in the bank?

Honestly its just crazy . . . I dont understand this their preference for married people

cheekynero:
It looks like if you are not married, above the age of 30 and you are not working in a well known company in Nigeria, you won't be granted visa. They probably don't want young, single Nigerian men in their country. E be like say na to marry then apply again oh... so they know you have a wife in Nigerian to come back to.

These people no get joy.... If you like submit heaven and earth documents, they just don't like young single men. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be given a visa from all that you have said

Good morning my people

I trust we're all doing well.

Well, i've been pained and terribly heartbroken in recent days. Its really been tough since I got the disappointing news last week, But God has seen me through.

A few of you will probably know me from some of my comments and contributions made here. I just felt I should let you guys in on what has happened so far . . . it may be of help to someone.

Okay . . . I got admission to Deakin University (AL1) for a Masters in Business Analytics program to resume July 31, 2017.

I applied for the visa on June 15, 2017. Documents submitted are as follows:

1. Medicals submitted on June 22, 2017.
2. Academic documents including BSc certificate, WAEC, IELTS.
3. Resume
4. Employment letter dated Dec 15, 2011 evidencing my employment to one of the commercial banks in Nigeria.
5. Promotion letter.
6. Birth Certificate
7. Study Leave letter issued by my Bank
8. Registered Survey and Title documents of my land somewhere here in Lagos.
9. Salary Pay slips.
10. My Tax clearance letter showing my tax payments since I was employed.
11. Sworn Affidavit of sponsorship of my mom
12. My mom's school bank account statement, showing annual inflows of school fees payments.

My mom was my sponsor and she's the owner of a school here in Lagos. I provided incorporation documents, school fees receipts, notarised management account documents showing the revenue and expense profile of the school.

13. Title documents to a property owned by my mom which is rented out as well.
13. Rental receipts and account statement showing receipt of the rent annually.
14. Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Statement.

If I can remember any other one, I will mention.

After the application on June 15th, the following occured.

July 15th . . . . No response yet from DIPB

August 15th . . . . No response. Sent an email and they replied saying the application was still under assessment.

At this point, I and my agent had to defer the admission. Deakin deferred the admission to November 6, 2017 and the new COE was uploaded on the IMMI portal.

September 15th . . . still no positive response. I sent an email and called to speak with the Case Officer. Case Officer said they were still carrying out internal checks.

October 15th . . . Still no response. Application still under assessment.

October 18th . . . I sent a mail informing the DIPB that I had been admitted to a University in the UK for an MBA program and I would appreciate a more detailed update on the application as I still prefer studying in the OZ.

October 20th . . . I got an email asking me to urgently provide a 3months updated employment letter and 3months updated salary payslips.

I immediately obtained the employment letter and payslips from the HR team in my Bank and uploaded same on October 22nd.

October 26th . . . I got an email asking me to provide my bank account statement. The statement was uploaded 4days later.

And Finally, on November 9, 2017 . . . I got a Student Visa Denied Decision Letter via mail. The reasons were stressed in the paragraphs below:

"while you have personal ties in Nigeria in the form of your immediate family, I find that these ties do not, of themselves, constitute a strong incentive to return home when considered against the fact that you are single and lacking strong employment or economic circumstances in Nigeria."

“I find that the course you are seeking to undertake seems inconsistent with your previous academics, but consistent with your employment background. However, as we cannot verify the existence of your employer and employment, I am unable to ascertain your position and cannot determine whether your intended studies will be of benefit to your future employment.



When I saw the above stated reasons, I was shocked and amazed. Tears rolled out of my eyes and I just couldn't comprehend what I was reading. I was at my desk in my office and didnt want to cause a scene, but people around me knew something was wrong. I cried and in my heart, I asked God . . . "but Oh Lord, you know I am employed. I am a full staff of a top commercial bank in Nigeria, and I never lied about my employment . . . neither did I fake any of my documents provided"

Immediately, my mind went to the verification part which made me contact my HR Team to confirm if they received a mail from DIPB and they didnt verify. HR said that they received a mail from the Internal Control of the Bank asking to confirm the authenticity of the updated employment letter which I uploaded on October 20th. They confirmed within 1hour to Internal Control.

I contacted Internal Control and Control said they received the mail from DIPB asking to verify the authenticity of the Updated Employment Letter and the Bank Account Statement. They received the mail by 12.45pm and verified and confirmed to DIPB by 4.30pm same day. I actually saw a copy of the mail . . . The words were . . . "Both the employment letter and account statement are hereby verified authentic and issued by us".

So what went wrong . . . where did I go wrong? . . . why was I denied on the basis of lack of verification of my employment and employer. My employer is a top bank with international presence that Google could easily confirm to them that this bank exists.

Internal Control subsequently sent them a mail attaching my denial letter stating that "our staff just informed us that he was denied on the grounds that he is not a GTE because his employment and employer could not be verified . . . But we confirmed his employment to you on Nov 3, 2017 in the attached mail".

DIPB responded that they acknowledge the mail and a processing officer will take this up, and advised that the applicant contacts his case officer.

I sent a mail subsequently to my case officer, highlighting the reasons and calmly pleaded that they review the decisison because when I got the letter, I had to take it up with my employers thinking they didnt verify my employment to DIPB, but I was informed that indeed my employers did.

I just got a response yesterday from DIPB stating that once a decision is taken, they cant revisit it. They added that they understand how frustrating it is, but they believe no error was made and they suggested that I can always re-apply if I choose to.

Reapplication however involves starting the entire process again because i would have to obtain another COE for a semester next year. Since school fees will increase, Deakin stated I have to provide another Bank account statement and that means the N13million in my account has to sit untouched in the account.

I really cannot go through that pain and stress again because of some other things I cant reveal here.

. . . And there goes my efforts to do my masters in Australia. Funny enough and in all honesty, I actually intended to use the qualifications to get a promotion in my bank but majorly to improve my chances of joining the likes of Mckinsey & Company or Bain & Company. Top consulting firms that recently entered the Nigerian business space. Its always been my dream to consult in such companies and why I will always come back is because I'm an Igbo man and I dabble into a lot of side businesses which I always enjoy doing. So even though there are better opportunities in OZ, I would always come back after my studies to strike deals or set up cross border trades between Nigeria and Oz.

Who am I even trying to convince here sef . . .

Anyways, its happened, I gave it my best shot, I suffered, I toiled and I spent a lot of money, but all I can say is that

. . . the race is not to the swift . . . time and chance happeneth to all men.

Thanks a lot my people, you guys have been awesome and I pray you hopefuls never experience what I went through last week. All the best.

Hello Guys

Hmmmnnn . . . My thought is that the Exemption Letter option is better ooo.

So many corporations in Nigeria take note of Youth Service as a statutory requirement upon graduation, and DIPB may as well have started looking at the NYSC that way too.

Meanwhile how did you pay school fees with Form M without NYSC or Exemption Letter. I understand its a required doc to process Form M for a masters degree seeking student . . . unless ofcourse you're not going for masters.

Anyways, i think exemption letter is preferable. I stand corrected.

Same thing we're saying.

Now that you understand the implications, work with your agent, look around your family and identify a more suitable sponsor than your inlaw, okay?

peteredo:
i get what you are saying... i gave my agent my sponsor soa wit an acct of ova 14m, His employment confirmation, his property document, tax clearance my sister marriage cert wit birth cert to show relationship.. but my agent is assuming that they will reject cos of my brother in law sponsoring me because of visa been strict nw th

Okay . . . that's where your agent got it wrong. They should have advised you better from the onset (about your brother inlaw) and shouldn't have gone ahead to submit that brother inlaw SOA.

However, lets give them the benefit of doubt that they knew better later on, you have COE, what remains is visa application.

You're quite right that the DIPB does not request for SOA from most applicants to AL1 schools. But that is situational and not entirely a certainty. I have also seen someone who they asked for SOA as additional doc. It varies.

But the issue here is not even if DIPB will ask for your sponsor's SOA. Part of the documents your agent will need to push your visa application are your sponsorship documents. These include sponsor's letters, SOA if necessary, documents showing your relationship to the sponsor, documents showing that your sponsor has capacity to keep generating that tuition and living expenses money all year round (this is where things like his employment letter, salary pay slips e.t.c will be presented if he's an employee, or company documents if he's a business owner).

Now, when all these sponsorship documents are available, your agent will upload them all on your DIPB Immi account.

But your agent has just realised that your brother inlaw as a sponsor is not considered acceptable by DIPB, which means there's every likelihood that the visa will be denied . . . That is what your agent is avoiding by not applying yet.

So yeah, you have COE, DIPB will say you've scaled all the hurdles to get admitted, now you've got to scale the hurdle of getting a visa and as this thread has advised severally, it is best that your sponsor is your direct relative (mother, father, brother, sister, or spouse). Even uncles sef don dey get K-leg.

So, i think you should take your agent's advice. Look for someone else as stated above to sponsor you and you should be fine.

All the best Peter

peteredo:
its is my brother inlaw own nd he is d 1 sponsoring

That brings us to the 3rd question the lady asked you.

The Statement of account you submitted to Deakin before COE issuance, is it that of your brother inlaw?

peteredo:
i submitted my sponsor statement of account to the school and paid my fees of which my coe was sent to my agent i have passed d school issue i have even done medical but at d point of submission for my visa my agent is saying i ve to change sponsor bcause embassy will refuse my application bcause i am using my brother inlaw

Peter, you've not answered her question. She asked you, did you submit a sponsor's statement of account before your COE was issued to you?

Furthermore, take note

1. You said Deakin does not require sponsorship . . . How did you verify this? Did you speak to the school directly? I presume your agent talks to Deakin and not you.

2. Secondly, i've not seen any school that will not request for sponsorship or your sponsor's statement of account. Really, how would you prove to them that you have funds to pay your fees?

Lastly, I know so many Deakin applicants and current Deakin students. Before the COE is issued to you, you have to provide SOA and all related sponsorship documentation.

Like @imoge said, i think her issue is which sponsor to present.

If i'm correct, then her scenario goes thus:

She has personal savings of N3million.

Shes expecting N10m from two other sources soon who cannot be accepted as sponsors. But all funds available will amount to N13million which is suitable.

Her salary is N64k per month, so she may not be able to present her own account statement because it doesnt justify the total sum of N13m.

Her husband who is very acceptable as a sponsor could be presented as the one who transferred all that N13m to her personal account. Alternatively, the entire N13m could sit in her Husband's account while hubby is presented as the sponsor.

Her question now is this . . . if her husband is presented as sponsor (money in his account or transfers the money), must the husband's account statement also need to justify the total sum of N13m?

So my dear poster, i would like to ask . . . does oga's current engagement (business or job) have the capacity to raise N13m (after expenses) in 1year?

Essentially, whichever sponsor is presented, he/she needs to demonstrate that apart from having that N13m in his/her account now, he/she is currently engaged in something that generates funds that can finance the student's tuition and living expenses for one year.


In my own case, my mom was my sponsor, she moved the funds into my account with her sponsorship statement stressing that. But we also had to present documentary evidence showing that she generates more than the required sum necessary for tuition and upkeep. we presented audited financial reports of her company showing the profit shes been making for the past four years, tax renditions, CAC docs and others.

So my dear, lets address your husband's financial capacity to justify N13m annually. If he doesnt have such capacity, then we'll have to look at what our options are.

My contribution is open to comments from others ooo. If i am not in order, you can gracefully comment or point out your opinions.

EMMAACHILE:
Does she have enough to cover for tuition? If its true, then she should ignore my earlier statement

Furthermore, if you're gonna be self sponsored, it will be important to show proof on how you got those funds.

For me, I am also self sponsored too, but I had to prove to them that i have been working in a bank for the past 7years, and that the funds in my account has been personal savings since inception of my career. Also, i got my Treasury dept. to come up with a statement showing that i have been saving and investing N2m every year out of my salary . . . I also provided my salary slips and tax renditions to back up my annual income.

Better still dear, if you can't go through these hassles, let your close relative sponsor you (a relative that has a workable source of income). Even though the funds are in your account, let the sponsor write his/her convincing sponsorship letter and stress that to enable ease of access of my "daughter" (you) to the funds, your sponsor had transferred the funds to your account. My cousin did that and it was very sufficient.

bestdiddy:
Sure, one can sponsor him/herself. Once you have several boxes ticked off, such as enough funds to cover tuition and living expenses, direct relationship between your intended course of study and what you're currently doing, and enough justifications to prove that you're actually a genuine temporary entrant, then you're good to fly.

If you're self sponsored, the tax clearance is not entirely compulsory. work related documents (employment letter, confirmation letter, promotion letter, e.t.c) is very okay. If you're sponsored by someone else, it will be nice to include the sponsor's tax clearance.

Sure, one can sponsor him/herself. Once you have several boxes ticked off, such as enough funds to cover tuition and living expenses, direct relationship between your intended course of study and what you're currently doing, and enough justifications to prove that you're actually a genuine temporary entrant, then you're good to fly.

If you're self sponsored, the tax clearance is not entirely compulsory. work related documents (employment letter, confirmation letter, promotion letter, e.t.c) is very okay. If you're sponsored by someone else, it will be nice to include the sponsor's tax clearance.

iomoge2:
Pls someone should respond to this

Jiggsbaby dear . . . Howfar your own naww? Any update?

Jiggsbaby:
My friend got her visa yesterday she applied to torrents university and applied for her visa on the 23rdnof June and got her grant yesterday..no statement of account was requested by the dibp but the school requested a statement..i helped her out with that one..additional information was requested on august for a letter from her previous employer and that was it

Congrats dear . . . By God's grace, i will be joining you at Deakin too in November. Keep the chats flowing dear

cassareknow:
Transcript
Sponsorship letter
SOA
Waec cert
Degree Cert
Birth Cert
Dads Mode of identification
landed property
utility bill

that's all I can remember for now

Congrats deawiee.

Pls dear, is it a student visa you applied for or Spousal/Partner visa?

cuteytohbad:
First application was in April 2015, refusal came in May reason for the refusal was because of a hand written letter that i attatched to my application stating that i did my traditional marriage in June 21 the case officer said my husband already had a student visa then that he didnt indicate it he was married in his application.
Second application was refused in September 2015, reason for refusal was because of a mistake the court made on my marriage certificate. Date of marriage 10/1/2014 date celebrated 10/1/2015. Bt we got married n it was celebrated on 10/1/2015.
Third application was in May. I applied May 10, Biometrics May 15
Medicals July 25
Additional documents. August 4
More documents August 11
Grant August 25.
I hope my story will inspire anyone who was refused, it is sad n heart breaking but it is not the end. Try again n make sure ur application is tight. No statement of account was asked.

June 19th . . . Deakin University

daniel152:
@bestdiddy when did your friend apply and what school pls?

Guys, i just got a disturbing call from a friend of mine . . . He was denied his study grant.

He has a background in Biology and got admission into an AL1 school for masters in Health and Human Services Mgt. He also has experience working with a medical NGO.

Reason for denial: That the course he's going to study would be very expensive for him and there are cheaper options here in Nigeria . . . as a result, they cannot ascertain that he would return after studies.

Omo . . . i'm so weak here right now

What about submission of Transcripts . . . Would he have to provide the NCE and BSc transcripts?

Steven7:
n

Yes u can go ahead and apply to the school, because it is assumed in our schooling system that u have spent part of ur 4 years in NCE and going through direct entry and summing ur total years spent in school make it 4 years.... Go ahead it's a win case for u.

Chief, i'm due to join you in same school . . . sent you a PM too.

What course are you going in for?

dotter8:
I have recieved an updated offer letter from the school and my visa still covers for the duration of study.
Would request for a new coe soon before travelling.
Hoping to make it to aussie by August