₦airaland Forum

Dampops:
Sorry @CheersToLife…lost my sister last week, so I’m still not at my best mood yet

So sorry to hear this, can't be easy at all. Praying for comfort and strength for you and your family as you walk through this difficult period.

stacey1994:
for the timing on how long to drop thr passport....same average time as pickup from DHL because it was same queue at least for the DHL office in muri okunola.

Thanks so much stacey1994, you've saved my mom so much stress with your response. God bless you real good!

stacey1994:
You are right...she can send back the passport photograph and passport through DHL. In the letter I received...they listed the specific DHL office that I should use to mail back the passport photograph and passport.

DHL also attached the 221G letter I initially received that showed this request.

I have some more questions please. Anyone that has experienced this can also chip in.

1. How long did it take to drop off your documents at the DHL office?
2. Does my mom have to go in person or can someone else drop it off at the DHL office for her?
3. Will passport pickup be at the same DHL drop off location or can she choose where to pick up?
4. How long did it take to get your passport back?

Thanks in advance. Your responses will help in determining whether mom has to travel all the way to Lagos a second time or if we can just send someone.

stacey1994:
You are right...she can send back the passport photograph and passport through DHL. In the letter I received...they listed the specific DHL office that I should use to mail back the passport photograph and passport.

DHL also attached the 221G letter I initially received that showed this request.

FURTHER UPDATE: I mailed them asking if we can drop off her passport photo and international passport at DHL in Benin where she picked up. They responded by sending a generic refusal letter (they didn't select which option applies to her but based on your experience, I'm guessing the "additional documentation" option) and the drop off locations are only Lagos or Abuja. Sadly, she has to travel to Lagos again but I can't complain, just glad it wasn't an outright refusal. Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my ish

[quote author=Newsolutions post=111276265]Check page 150 of this thread. Someone has had similar experience. Good luck

Thank you! It was actually @stacey1994, that had this same experience and she has responded already

stacey1994:
You are right...she can send back the passport photograph and passport through DHL. In the letter I received...they listed the specific DHL office that I should use to mail back the passport photograph and passport.

DHL also attached the 221G letter I initially received that showed this request.

Appreciate this, thank you!

Blessedluvdfavd:
Hi everyone! My mom just picked up her passport yesterday only to find no visa and no slip. We're all confused as to what happened. She qualifies for IW and her appointment was on March 9th. She says she wasn't asked any questions, just dropped off her documents. I checked online now only to see it was refused. She has never overstayed on any of her visas, never used healthcare/needed medical attention and has been travelling since 2013. Her DS-160 was completed February this year and payment made the same month.

Anyone know what steps I can take next please? Thanks!

UPDATE: I sent them an email and they said she was sent a letter requesting a recent passport photograph and they can proceed once they receive the photo! Yay! She wasnt given this letter at DHL Benin, she was only given her passport book. Anyone that has done this, I'm assuming she can send the photo along with her passport through the DHL office she picked her passport from. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks!

[quote author=Tilda25 post=111120761]Sorry about this, I suggest you share the content of the white paper here so we have an idea why she refused, then we can help out. Thankfully, a refusal is not a final decision.


Thanks but that's the problem, she says she didn't receive any paper. We only knew it was refused when she couldn't find a visa stamp on her passport and we checked online.

[quote author=Newsolutions post=111123414]Either you mail the embassy or you book follow up appointment.

Thanks, I sent them a mail already. Unable to book any appointments because that option is no longer available on the scheduling website.

Hi everyone! My mom just picked up her passport yesterday only to find no visa and no slip. We're all confused as to what happened. She qualifies for IW and her appointment was on March 9th. She says she wasn't asked any questions, just dropped off her documents. I checked online now only to see it was refused. She has never overstayed on any of her visas, never used healthcare/needed medical attention and has been travelling since 2013. Her DS-160 was completed February this year and payment made the same month.

Anyone know what steps I can take next please? Thanks!

Tested and trusted!

modath:
Still valid.

Saintp:
Waoo,interesting. Which part of Ontario are you? What did you now use for yourself and wife?Abi you bone am?Lol

Ottawa. Yes o, we dey kampe and thankfully we came in the summer so counting days now. And I'm the wife �

Saintp:
Plz Ontario people, which private health insurance company and plan will be best for a family of 4 for the 3 months before the main insurance kicks in on landing? Please I need suggestions

We use MANULIFE just for the baby. Got it through an insurance broker. Cost just under 300bucks for my baby for the 3 months, one time payment. Later found out that a community health center near me offers free visits for newcomers for the 3 month period. E come be like say I throway money�

modath:




Anyone in need of Canadian Dollars in CANADA

Is me be this

In other news, all thanks to the Almighty God, I went back to drive test Ottawa with my expired Nigerian drivers license and a new renewal of Nigerian license form that was sent to me from naija and my experience was added pronto! So glad this horror movie is over. Allèz le test routier!

[/b]ABOUT EXPIRED NIGERIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE[b].

My country people do your best to get your valid naija drivers license before you check out. Mine expired in March this year. I renewed it before I came even got an international drivers license thinking that could serve as my current license. I have been jumping up and down since cuz drive test keeps insisting I must present a current license. If yours will not expire within a week of when you land please respect yourself and bring it like that and go to drive test fast to register so you don't join this jumping dance that's no fun. Una doh!

THIS is for OTTAWA

So got a TV from factory direct but refurbished. Maybe check them out, that is if you don't mind buying refurbished items. Cheers!

So got a virgin 2 year contract unlimited Canada calls and texts with the Samsung A8 for $50 a month from the tech guys @ Wal-Mart and got $250 worth of walmart gift cards free! 0 down. Weekends always have more giveaways according to them.

Hello again good people of Nairaland! Any one with a contact in the Nigerian embassy Ottawa for the driving extract please share. Mine has an expiry date and drive test bounced it. Unfortunately I didn't come with the form We get in naija when we renew licenses. So looking for solutions. Suggestions highly welcomed!

Trikings2000:
Nice. How much did you eventually pay for the 3 bedroom?

$1800

Merovingian:
Congrats on securing an apartment.

1. Is the upfront payment made in cash or post dated cheque?
2. Can you sub lease or its part of the agreement not to? Asking incase one finds a better job out of city and have to leave.

Thanks!
1. Bank draft. Costs $8.50. Full amount has to be in the account.

2. Sublease with landlord's consent. Landlord must not withhold consent unreasonably.

Cheers!

[quote author=dtaminator post=69861530]I'm surprised this issue doesn't come up more often. From my experience, it is extremely difficult to find accomodation as a new immigrant. The best thing is to have family you canneither stay with when you arrive or to sort it out for you before you arrive.


Thanks, wish I had seen this before I got here. It was a shocking something. Most places we applied to already had lots of applications and we kept getting doors shut in our faces. But praise the living God, on Sunday I saw a listing on Kijiji contacted the guy and saw the place. The last applicants just withdrew so we applied and signed the lease today long story short. They took 4 months rent upfront and this was much better than the person requesting 12months upfront from us! Phew! Thank God the house phase is over. Thanks good people of nairaland that tried to help. All glory to the good shepherd who leads his own in the way they should go!

Trikings2000:
Check this out. Its 1485 for 3 bedroom. Available from now
https://www.rentfaster.ca/on/ottawa/rentals/parkwood-hills-fisher-glen/apartment/parkwood-hills-309708_1

Thank you Trikings, I called them but they don't have anything available. Oh well God will somehow work this for my good!

maternal:
This one is 1700. It's July 29, how do you expect to get a place for Aug 1 ?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-3-bedroom-apartments-condos/ottawa/3-bedroom-bungalow-ottawa-west-ikea-area-main-level-sept-1st/1372985709?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Thanks maternal, just checked it out and it's for September 1st I've been searching on kijiji and even contacted a realtor who has been searching since we got here. We've sent in several applications but none have come through so far. It doesn't have to be August 1st, but I would really prefer to get a place the first week of August.

Hello good people of naira land! Arrived in Ottawa last week, landed in 2016. Flew Royal air maroc and I'm shocked at the negative reviews I read online before I set out. Crew members were polite, plane was comfortable, didn't have the latest movies on their entertainment systems but too busy with the kids to even watch anything. Was a bit annoying that they kept seating hubby away from us but wasn't so bad ultimately. The layover at casablanca was just over 7 hours and they provided a nice lounge with free food. The only downside was the super stinky toilets! We ended up using the toilets near the cafeteria which were super clean.

Oh back in naija, Naija immigration threw out our palm oil then agriculture said it's now legally required that we pay 2k per bag for every bag containing foodstuff. We had 3 =6k. We gave them 4k.

Where was I? ... landed in montreal, RAM forgot one of our bags, filled a form, arrived the next day. We left montreal to ottawa by train, the luggage train was cancelled so we had to lug all 8 of our 23kg bags onto the train with our 3 kids - nightmare!

Okay so now in ottawa house hunting. Ottawa people what is happening with 3 bedroom rentals biko? Prices we are seeing are from $1900 to $2200 for 3 bed houses -townhouse, detached, terraced etc. Ogini? On top of that getting a place for August 1st has proved challenging so far. Many landlords say they have more than 1 application for a rental. I've checked kijiji ceaselessly, somebody, ANYBODY please help a sister on info on how to find an AFFORDABLE 3bed house in OTTAWA for AUGUST 1st.

Thanks!

Ethelia:
Thanks dear, God has been faithful.

Regarding the stress, I'm really trying not to think about it Want to use this time to find out as much info as possible so I'll be well prepared. I'm yet to read up on the experience of anyone who landed and had a baby soon after

I had my baby 2 days after landing. Went through the ER though so didn't get to find a doctor and all that. Just wanted to point out that if you're planning on birthing in Alberta there's some rule about being resident in Alberta at least 6months out of 12 months. Maybe look it up to clarify. Congrats and all the best!

There are barbers...

....
And there are barberrrrrrrs


Just saying

[quote author=kazchick post=67247625]Dear Team,
Please what are the pre-arrival agencies apart from ACCES that someone can contact for employment mentor-ship and employment connections. I want to maximize my pre-arrival opportunities that would help me land well and get a job in the shortest possible time.


I'm currently with SOPA , so far, I've had an online audio one on one meeting with a counselor to discuss generally. Next step is online prearrival courses. Cheers!

[quote author=TheCongo2 post=67083801]Thanks for this detailed response TheCongo2 ,very much appreciated!

Thanks Bsbabe and TheCongo2 for chipping in! I've actually pored over ottawa's catholic school board website countless times and they clearly stated non catholics can attend but only after all the Catholic applicants have been considered.

Thanks again!

Hi good people of naira land! I have a concern, please address if you can, thanks!

So initially planned to depart naija for ottawa in July but oga has a work thing and insists he can't leave until September . Thing is we have a 5year old we plan to enrol in the Catholic public school system and school resumes 4th or 5th September.

Question: Has anyone landed after resumption and gotten their kid(s) into public school hassle free? Considering we will have to get a house in the catchment area before we can apply to the relevant school (I think) Also worthy of note, we're not catholics and we are aware catholic families take priority.

Merci beaucoup!

Medical is free in Alberta[b], no waiting period[/b]. I gave birth 43days after landing in Calgary. The officer gave me my healthcare number without the card within 3days to be able to register at the hospital.the healthcare card came after 7days. All the lab tests , scans and delivery were free. No one asked how long I will be staying here.[/quote]Please did you stay back in Alberta afterwards? I'm asking because of this 183 days thing I'm seeing. I always thought you get Alberta health coverage instantly but apparently there's a condition to stay at least 6months in a 12 month period failing which a defaulter if found out, can be asked to reimburse Alberta health! I had my baby in 2016 and stayed just over 4 months then returned to naija and I've been here in naija ever since but plan to return to Canny this year but to Ontario. Your thoughts please and anyone else that has more information on this. Thanks!


@Geebaby10 with my third child,I had an
"uncomplicated" pregnancy as with my first 2 according to my naija clinic, only for me to get to Canny and give birth 2 days after landing prematurely and my baby had health issues that developed in the first term but were not detected in naija to the surprise of the canny doctors. Thank God my baby came out victorious but my baby spent a loooooong time in the hospital and had 3 separate surgical procedures. I kind of understand the whole need for family as I had my other kids in the US with family and also had to decide whether US/Canny but I thank God we chose Canny. But clarify the residency requirements for this Alberta health coverage just to be sure sha. I pray the good Shepherd leads you down the best paths for you in this instance, in Jesus name...Amen!