₦airaland Forum

I have a quick tip for those of us that are landing this winter.
Especially if you will be using the public transport, either temporarily or on a regular basis.
This tip is borne from my personal experience.

1. Understand Google Map
Download it on your phone if you don't have it already. Learn how to use and interpret the map. It is one of the most essential tools to waka for here.

2. Understand the Transit system
If you are going to a place and you use google map to ask for direction, you will be given a range of options for your transit. For those of us that will be using the bus, you will be given walking direction to the nearest bus stop and also the bus(es) ID/Number you need to take.
For example you can be told to take 40 Northbound - 40N bus. Please don't take 40 Sounthbound - 40S bus o. I did this a few times before getting used to it. It is also advisable to note the bus stop you are going to stop because the buses no get reverse.
In fact, also note the bus stop before the one you are going, so that you will have ample time to pull the rope.

Also, at the bus stops/stations, always make sure to check that you are at the right spot. Sometimes you will have many stops around same area or different platforms in the same station. Imagine waiting for a bus for several minutes only to see it going in a different direction. It is painful o. Sometimes you will have to wait another 30 minutes or more for the next bus.

3. Planning / Management
Planning is a survival skill here o. No one wants to spend 30 minutes in a -35c temperature waiting for a bus. I have been there. No matter how much khaki you put for body, it is never pleasant. It is essential that you plan your route. Before leaving the house, check with google map the available options for your transit. Consider the travel time, the number of buses you need to take and also the range of bus choices for each option. I would advise that no matter which option you choose, don't get to the bus stop/terminal earlier than 5 minutes to bus arrival time.
It is best in most cases to choose the option with the least number of buses so that your lay-over time will be minimal. You should also consider your bus choices. This means that for a single route, google can tell you that you can take bus A or bus B or bus C, this should be your favorite choice especially if that is for a connecting route, because that means that if A doesn't show up in time, you can take B or C.

4. Capping it all
We have come from a tropical weather condition, it is normal that our body will not be suited to the condition at first. Always dress as warm as possible. Don't copy some other people o. Wear winter socks, if possible double it. Wear thermal underwear especially for the legs, get a long john. If you don't have long john, wear at least 2 trousers. Wear winter shoes, winter jacket, head warmer, and good winter gloves. Also, be careful when walking on snow. Avoid the black/dirty ones, walk on the white snows. Stay safe. It will end in praise.

Nobody gree gimme xmas rice chop. No wahala. The chill wind here sef no be play.

Merry Xmas

sleekchic:
Any question that has been on my mind to ask is if anyone has experienced any form of racism since you landed. Please share your experience.

Maybe I am not in the best position to contribute, but in the 19 days I have spent here, I can say I have never seen so many different cultures being so integrated. For all I have experienced, no one cares about your color or even your ascent(lol) so far you can be understood. Not only in workplaces but also on the street, in the bus, and so on.

In the spirit of christmas.

Mississauga / Brampton peeps. Anyone here ready to host me?

yokus:
Very Nice bro. Makes sense. You will definitely get what you are looking for after this contract ends. See you in Missisauga.

Alright. Waiting for you to touchdown.

ray78:
Thanks for your reply.Yea i figured landlords will be expecting the teneants to already be in canada before renting.Did you get your room from Nigeria or when you were already in Canada?How many months rent did you pay upfront?or just the initial month?I'm looking for friends in Toronto to put up with for a week or 2 when i land,before renting a room.

I booked a room on airbnb from Nigeria. Then got a permanent one after landing.
Yeah. First n last month pay is usually required upfront. Thats what I paid.

salford1:
Maybe cos its telco. In the electrical industry, field tech roles pay like crazy with a massive amount of overtime (double pay). Electrician, electrical eng or elec eng tech.

I am thinking of switching careers or bridging.
Telco Engineers here do the design, planning and stuffs.
Telco field guys here are not paid well.
Any telco person here? Lets brainstorm together.

vcole:
@salford1, i was a lil surprised to see that it didn't snow in Regina as we are buried in the white stuff on this end.
@datechman, i admire your spirit. It is actually worth considering the weather while deciding to take on jobs. This winter is not for the faint hearted. I had to go for a meeting today at a place that's usually a 35-40 min drive from where I live but with the snow accumulation, I chose not to drive and took the transit. It took me an hour and a half. Let's just say winter is very different when you have to stand waiting for a bus or the c train. I can't even imagine how it would be if one has to work a job that involves being outside in the cold.

I can relate.
Been taking 2 buses to my workplace. Let someone not come and die. Lol

Thank you guys.

I have finally sought out the SIN issue.

The latest is that I moved from my airbnb room to a new place I found on kijiji here in Mississauga.

I have discovered that my profession( Field Maintenance Engineer [Telco]) is most similar to Field technician roles here. That is a bad news because most of the Field technician jobs here are low paying jobs. The jobs seem to be available but wtf. I attended Bell interview just this last week and I was disappointed when the pay was discussed. Even though I failed the interview due to driving test, I appreciate the experience. I was asked to come back for the driving test again when I have my Ontario G2 Licence. Lol
After Bell, I got about 2 more interviews. I skipped 1 of them because although it's Field Technician role, the pay to me, is not worth it.
May be it's ego, maybe it's not. I didn't take those jobs because I cannot be doing outdoor field work in this cryogenic weather for such pay. I cannot come and kill myself.
Well, I started working in a company this Monday. To me it's more of a survival job. The pay is $13.50/hr. The work is an 100% indoor job and it is not totally parallel with my field. What I do on most days on my new job is to check if the Returned products (phones+tabs) are working fine. It's a 3 month contract job, so I am still looking.
I am still brainstorming on my Canadian professional career. It will end in praises.

God Bless

You should be able to get within $500 - $600. A good room in a shared apartment. I got my place for $550, here in Westwood area Mississauga.

Try kijij.ca.

But to be honest with you it is easier to find a temp accomodation of $20-30 per night on airbnb from Nigeria than to get a room on Kijiji. Calling the landlord or texting seems to work best. Unless you have someone that can help you to do that. Most of the landlords will usually have loads of questions. Some will even want to see your face . I am not trying to discourage you though.

ray78:
Hello guys,i'm due to arrive Canada(Toronto) by January ending/early February.I'm also just registering with CanPrep for assitance in my job prep and search.I'm choosing Toronto because of its opportunities especially in financial services which i hope to work in.However,i'm trying to get accomodation either in Toronto or its outskirts-Missisiauga,Brampton etc most prefarably a spare room going for between $450-600 per month.Does anyone here have any contacts that can offer me such?Regards

I am sorry guys for my absence.

Settling in Canada during this winter after all, may not be one of the best decisions I have ever made.
If anyone must come here in winter, make sure you gather enough liver o.
It takes time to get used to it. It's -10c today. It could be worse.

czaratwork:
The story behind the name is part of my testimony which is still loading.

The embolded got me sha. Even God gan is rooting for my success. My experience at Meadowvale bus terminal got me crying. My testimony is loading.

Sis. I was at the Meadowvale Center Bus station twice yesterday. Had to connect a 45 with a 43 bus. I had to go check out an apartment on Airport Road (Malton) from my Wniston Churchill base.

Mama why you dey cry na?

#Corrected

Chaii.

So yesterday I went to the Fido office at Sheridan Center to get a voucher for the Prepaid SIM I bought earlier.
Base plan = $15.75
Data Addon = $20
Sim Card = $10
Tax = $5 or thereabout.

After I called IRCC for 16 minutes, I was cut-off. Credit exhausted. I don't think I can even receive calls.
Strange enough, it seems you need credit to even receive calls. . Note that IRCC number is supposed to be toll free

This Canada hustle no be joke o

Good day my people.

I am having a mixed feeling right now.

I landed on the 5th December in Canada. Glory be to God.

I am having a serious challenge. I am putting it here to get your advice and also so that others may learn.

During landing formalities at the Border Agency, I signed both copies of my COPR and the officer handed back to me my passport without giving back my copy of the COPR.

Now, I can't process my SIN because I need a copy of the COPR for it. I was told to go back to the airport when I got to Service Canada office to process the SIN. I went back to the airport and went to the CBSA office to lodge my complaint. I was told there is nothing they could do as the documents have been signed and it has been transferred to IRCC. I was then advise to file a Replacement of Document for my COPR at IRCC.
The greatest blow here is that the average waiting period for this application is 30 days.

The implications include inability to work and getting a phone.

I would appreciate your guidance.

Officially following...

honey86:
I don't know if you meant to be insultive or not. I only asked a question.

Mr/Mrs honey86
I don't know which one of my words came out as being insulting. In fairness to the lexis/grammar of English, and my innocuous intentions, you have only succeeded in being condescending.

alwaysvik:
I have not heard that WES accepts Statement of Result. The certificate remains your best bet. Make effort to obtain it if you can. Good luck.

Just saying, but questions like this stand a better chance of getting answers quickly on the FSW/EE thread.

Not only does WES accept Statement of Result for its credential evaluation(ECA), even CIC also accepts it for your e-APR.

I am speaking from experience.

honey86:
If FRSC discovers your license is fake, are they going to issue the letter?.

NO.
You would provide a license number which will be used to pull your record. Its a no brainer.
If you are confused with what I said about fake license, I was referring to the license I was holding before 2016

Medal007:
Please reading through some pages now I stumbled on a page where someone wrote about POF using the valuation from an agent to secure UK visa. In my case I have a building valued at 7m some parcels of land which can go for 4m and planning to buy into Tbills with abt 2m to my questions please can valuation of this said properties be enough to scale through or must I show evidences of on going sales?
Please just trying to understand how this works so as to get prep ahead

Yes, valuation is acceptable. You don't have to sell the property. However this has some difficulties.
According to word on the street, you need 3 independent valuers for the valuation to be acceptable. consult CIC website for more info

SlowlybtSurely:
Why are you not getting rooms on kijiji? Landlord's employment/credit history requirement?

Use a USD dominated card.

Most of the landlords are not even getting back. Calling them with a Naija number also seems to be ineffective.
Note that I was looking for 1-room shared apartment.

MysteryBud:
Hi all,
Pls I know this is not the most appropriate thread, but I haven't gotten a response that answers my question on the express entry thread. Those who did their ECA with WES, pls, were you guys requested to submit your degree certificate or was a statement of result adequate for the process (I only have statement of result available). Also, is IQAS ECA accepted by employers in Ontario? Or better still, do employers request ECA before u can be offered a job

I am sure the Express Entry thread is better place to get the answer you need.
I used Statement of result for my WES ECA and even also my e-APR. I don't even have my certificate yet and I am on my way to Canada already.
Employers don't normally require ECA for your certificates. ECA are mostly required for Professional bodies registration such as APEGA etc. This may be unavoidable if you fall into a regulated profession.

Hello fam,

I have been trying to get a room on kijiji.ca with no luck. I have decided to go with airbnb. I am planning to book for 1-2 weeks then try to get a permanent accommodation after I have landed.
However, I am having issues effecting payment on airbnb. Anyone had any luck? Please help, I need to book urgently.

How much to fix Samsung note 3 back camera?

vcole:
No i meant that you shouldn't commence the process for obtaining a canadian license until end of february next year. It is the date you apply for n pass the knowledge test that your foreign license would be collected for the purpose of assessing you for an exemption from the 2yrs gdl prog you are allowed to drive witj your foreign license as a pr for 90 days after landing.

Thank you vcole. Thats what I intend to do.

koonlay5:
Please explain further

It probably means that the one that I was using before was fake, hence why the Date of 1st issue is 02/2016.

If I get to Canada now and wait till February to request for the letter, is it still going to work out?

Java47:
Hello from the other side....

Hello Y'all,

Landed in Toronto yesterday morning,

Went through the whole process within 20mins, these includes going through immigration, customs and waiting times on both queues.

Wasn't asked for POF, only asked how much I was bringing in and some other basic questions for travelers.

I provided an address for my card to be sent to.
That's pretty much it I think.

It's ending in praise....

Congrats bro. May God be with you all the way as you start a new chapter of your life. Receive Favor

I will be joining you in Ontario pretty soon.

God Bless

vcole:
Have you landed? You should simply wait till 02.18. It's barely 3 months away. By then you'll have the 2yrs experience to qualify you for gdl exemption.

I already booked a flight. Are you suggesting I should leave naija in February? Can't I be in Canny and request still request for it?

Saintp:
I thought all drivers license will have date of first issue. Check the new license well, they date of first issue should be written on it.

Date of 1st issue is 02/2016. I remember the woman that helped my process it told me I had to do new one from scratch since the license I had was the old type. I was told it cannot be renewed.
Chaii. What can be done?

Hello house,
On the issue of driver's license. My license was issued in 02/2016. That means my driving experience would be less 2 years.
Prior to getting this new license, I used to have the old license. It has since been trashed because it expired long before I got the new one.
I need a way out because many job ads in my field require Driving License. How can I sort this so as to avoid License wait period?

detomilayo:
Hello everyone,

Nice and very informative thread.
Please I have an issue I would like anyone who can help me out to please do.
I am 24 years,have my b.sc and m.sc but my work experience is not up to a year. I served in a school during NYSC tho. Can I use that as my one year work experience?
Hubby is 33 year, b.sc no masters but has 8 years work experience.
Please who should be the principal applicant here?
Thanks in anticipation.

You can use your NYSC. Teaching is a qualified NOC.
Since your hubby has no Masters, you should be the PA.
You and your spouse need to score a min. of LRSW8777 in ielts to stand a chance.
I would also advise he evaluates his BSc.

Use this tool to get an idea what your crs score could be http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp

TEECANN:
OK bro, thanks for the heads up. Will I have to purchase the Foxit Pro online or can I get a free download version on the internet?

God bless.

These software are not free (except afew. Check sourceforge). I am not an advocate of piracy.
You can put your signature on a white paper, scan/snap it and crop.
Adobe Reader / Foxit Reader can be used to fill pdf forms. Note that in this case only editable fields can be edited. CIC forms can be filled this way.

If you need to make pdf from a set of pictures/documents. My preferred method is to use MS word to arrange everything and then save as pdf.

From experience, you may not need those pdf editing tools afterall. You can merge pdf online if needed.

maternal:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-recent-immigrants-2016-census-data-1.4370779

https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/occupations-in-alberta/occupation-profiles/correctional-peace-officer/

http://www.joineps.ca/WhyEPS/Salary.aspx

I believed such jobs are for citizens.

InOtherNews
Got approval today, still waiting for PUM.
I think Barrie, ON is the destination.

Bless you all