₦airaland Forum

This is encouraging.

Eddy4400:
I applied on August 29th for my mum & dad, no response. Reapplied (reuniting with immediate family member) on Oct 19th via new portal, got a PPR request for them today.....6 business days

Nothing stops one from doing that. Besides some tourist visa applications have been pending for almost 2 years.

I think it is advisable to state that you have a pending visit visa application somewhere in the new application.

I have also seen student visa applications refused on the basis that applicant has pending PR application which presupposes that the applicant has intention to stay. However, I think there is allowance for dual intention so you may also see some successful applicants under similar circumstances. Besides some people visit first as tourists to see if they will like to study in Canada or other alternative countries.

4realwoman:
Please can someone with pending tourist visa application be able to apply for study visa?

Thanks for sharing. Missed this as I thought portal simply meant applying through the online portal. The statement about using "this new portal" should have been bolded and in red with a finger pointing towards the link!

Submitted a new application again. Hopefully one will see some movement as it has been all quiet since the recent submission almost a month ago! The initial application was not withdrawn and I received no response to my webform enquiry.

Thanks for expressly stating that there is a "New Application Portal"
.

Beginning to feel like JAMB and WAEC English compression or better still like IELTS exam.

Lastly, it seems you need to qualify under one of the initial radio button list options before you can have access to the new portal else, it will default to option of choosing either old online portal or paper based application.

Back to waiting mode.

afrobrown2000:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/apply-visitor-visa.html

Download first, then open with Adobe as advised.

Ovywils:
Please how do I fill the immigration forms for visit visa.
They aren't opening

It's just the date by which you must have entered Canada.

Your Study permit will be issued at Point of Entry.

The TRV allows you to travel out and back into Canada as long as it has not expired.

It is advisable that your first entry coincides with period of your start of study since the main purpose is to study unlike a visit visa application which isn't tied to a particular event.

You may be advised by others here to send update your file by sending webform with an updated admission letter or deferral approval. Not too sure about that part.

Ketima:
Hello My seniors,

I just got an application/profile update in my GCKey. logging it was a counterfoil update. Please I need clarification on the following;

1). I keep hearing about LOI and co. Please what does that mean how will I get it?

2). Due to the decision coming late, I was given a deadline of a certain day in September to defer, if not I won't receive a full refund. so had to defer which is only 1 intake in a year. new LOA sent via webform. Now my counterfoil update is saying it will expire in Nov 2023, by then I will just be concluding the first year. So will it be easy to extend from inside canada?

Just need your input so that we all can learn. Thanks in advance

It's now 150 days... Feels like motion without movement! How is this possible?

Viking07:
The processing time is now 224 days. It’s been 295 days since my application yet no update.

Ha! Which new portal again?

Biometrics is done once in 10 years or so and it will be the same number on all further applications for same applicants.

Please enlighten me as the rules keep changing. Now I see 150 days for processing TRV from Nigeria down from 500 days at a point but I don't see the correlation with situation on ground except if they are actually finalising lots of applications that we are not aware of or if 2020 applications have been excluded from the data set.

gbawee:
I applied for tourist visa for my mum (after September 17) and got Biometrics request the very next day. Now, i am seeing there is a dedicated portal for that... Would i need to start all over?

Images below may guide you.

If your brother is not PR or Citizen, you fall under relatives of those temporarily in Canada and siblings do not qualify under that rule.

On the other hand, siblings qualify if the person in Canada is PR, Citizen or ..(. Indian something..).

It's good you tried because you never know. It may be to keep waiting for now as I know someone who applied in February too without news to date and I applied in March, 2020 and no news.

Sometimes, I wonder if the applications have mostly been treated and kept aside on "waiting to release" queue.

timmyfg:
Dear House,
Below is the message I got 2 days after I submitted a web form. My application has been pending since February 2020. It is a visiting visa to visit my younger brother in Canada who currently resides there with a work visa. What should I do This is getting close to 2 years? Advice please



Thank you for contacting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

In order to respond to the high volume of enquiries related to the situation in Afghanistan we have shifted resources in our Client Support Centre and are responding to priority enquiries only.
....
....
We strongly invite you to use the available self-serve options that might be helpful to you on IRCC’s website including:

Mine has been 579 days and I know people who were on the queue before me with no update till now.

Viking07:
The processing time is now 224 days. It’s been 295 days since my application yet no update.

Thanks a lot for your detailed feedback.

I actually sent a request for Travel Exemption Authorization yesterday as it began to dawn on me that being too much of a gentleman may not help. Better to ask and receive feedback that you do not need something (or not even receive feedback at all), than to sit and fold your arms till the train leaves you behind (with people that arrived the station after you on board), simply because you thought they'll invite you to come on board as you had a ticket in hand.

After seeing the screenshot, I sent a webform to inform them of the error I made as per "Others/ Covid-19" and said I can re-apply depending on their response otherwise grateful if they can update accordingly.

I thereafter continued searching their website extensively for the instruction using phrases from your screenshot without success. It was quite frustrating but made sense instantaneously when I read that you screen munched since July. I was about to give up my search and ask you for the link because I wanted to make sure it applied to my individual situation. Most likely no longer on their website as they update it regularly (If by chance you happen to come across it again, please send me the link).

Thanks for accommodating so many questions from me. We have a saying that "People that ask fairly reasonable questions don't get lost".

You've been of immense assistance and the information you have provided is appreciated.

It has become eerily quiet again after a short burst of positive energy and excitement. We hope to hear some encouraging noise as yuletide approaches.

Motheexplorer:
Can’t really answer a lot of these questions as I just shared what worked for my husband and I. This was submitting the webform along side a request for authorization and necessary documents (this worked for my husband), submitting a new application + webform along side request for authorization and necessary documents (this worked for me). Also worked for a friend and her brother.

Re not seeing anywhere, it was there in July and I remember munching it and sharing with a friend. If it’s no longer there then rules could have changed.

Re not sending web form, entirely up to you. Again I just shared what worked for me. My application had been pending since November 2020 and when I submitted the webform I got an email saying “we have received your webform and will contact you within 14-30 business days”. This action I believe prompts them to look at your application and prioritize it but again, it’s entirely up to you. Everyone on this thread that got a response submitted a webform. Read from Sept/Oct 2020 to get better insight.


Yes re discretionary travel now allowed but your family member does not have an approved visa yet. How does the IRCC distinguish your application from the pool of others pending since February 2020 (or even longer) if there’s nothing to prompt them? Discretionary or non discretionary travel is irrelevant to your current situation at the moment, you worry about that when your application has been approved. Figuring out how to get them to take a look at your application should be your primary goal the rest is secondary. In my opinion it’s via submitting that webform.

Again, just shared what worked for me based on what I read extensively on this forum. Best thing will be to read & tailor your application based on the rule changes & your needs.

I think it's normal as I received my daughter's biometrics request within 24 hours as well.

She didn't do biometrics before as she was below the age threshold when we applied initially.

gbawee:
I submitted the Application on October 6 and by October 7, had received Biometrics request. seems fast

For now, I plan to wait for about 2 weeks to see if there is any feedback from them (e.g. A message from them to say my old application has been withdrawn).

If I do not get any signal, then I will send a webform.

Meanwhile, since you selected "others" and typed "Covid-19", please let me know if you get any signal from them early. This will guide me on what to do next as I may then need to send a web form to correct my purpose (if you hear from them earlier than me as I submitted a week before you). Anyway, I have not found anywhere on their website where they expressly told people to enter Others/ Covid-19 which is why I decided to keep observing for now.

P.S. After waiting for a week, I decided to apply for ETA.

gbawee:
Thank you! submitted now. Is there any other thing i have to do (like submit a webform or something)?

That's where I might have made a mistake myself. Someone replied to my recent inquiry to say the purpose should be "Others" and then you type in "Covid-19" in the text box.

I had already submitted my application before receiving feedback to this same question. However, I am keeping my fingers crossed as I have not been able to find where they expressly stated on their website that it is the procedure.

I just made sure to include the previous application details (Applicants Name, UCI, Application Number and Application Date) in the cover letter or letter of explanation.

You will find the answer I received for same inquiry as yours within 3 pages behind on this thread.

Teeeee89:
please what should be the purpose of visit if you fall under this rules. I'm trying to figure out what to do to get a fast response and show that my mum is allowed to enter Canada.
I was thinking of just applying for visiting visa but it looks like we have to do something different so they can response to the application faster

When did you get this response?

Was it before the travel restriction pause was lifted?

TheExalted:
Guru in the house,

My son is a student in Canada. My wife had applied for visit visa since June, 2020 that was before my son travelled. Do we need to reapply for my wife since her situation has changed?

Her request for travel authorization was declined:
"Based on our assessment of your recent enquiry, we cannot process your request as you have not provided sufficient evidence that you meet an exemption criterion and/or that your travel to Canada is non-discretionary, per the travel restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID‑19) in Canada.
Even though you do not meet an exemption criterion and/or your travel has not been deemed non-discretionary, your application will now be put on hold until after the travel restriction pause has been lifted."

I'm not sure what to do at this point. Kindly help!

I am confused myself as suggested by my last post. I think she qualifies as immediate family member. I do not know if they still require authorization to travel since they have opened up the border to visitors who don't even have family in Canada. I may be wrong but I have the impression that's what the whole September 7th further lifting of restrictions at the borders was all about (with individual quarantine requirements subject to vaccination status).

Frankly, I don't know if visitors still need authorization from IRCC officers after September 7 to enter. People who entered recently may be in better position to guide us.

I think you can send an inquiry via tweeter.

Teeeee89:
hi
my mum wants to come visit does she need an authorization From ircc officer I am on study permit btw

Firstly, it may be useful to determine if your were qualified for Covid-19 Exemption.

If you are qualified and didn't inform them before September 7 and your circumstances have changed, then they encourage you to reapply.

They mentioned immediate family of temporary residents and I have attached the scope of "immediate family" as mentioned on their website.

Lastly, even if you do not qualify as immediate family, eventually they may get to your file as travel restrictions have been relaxed. The decision to re-apply is left up to you (i.e. if you want to take a chance) as their modus operandi seems to be unpredictable which may be intentional else an agent or someone may lay claim to a winning formula (which is why 2 applications that sufficiently mirror one another may lead to very different outcomes).

timmyfg:
Dear House.

I earlier mentioned that I submitted a visitor visa since February 27, 2020 to visit my younger brother in Canada but the status is still showing pending
I know that due to the covid19 pandemic the visitor visa was suspended which am aware they just resumed this September 2021
Please I want to find out if I need to resubmit a web form or I should still hold on?
Although my brother is not yet a PR. He is currently using a work Visa and resides there for over 6years

Regards

Thanks for your response.

Unfortunately, I already submitted. I changed it to family visit as tourism that was selected in the previous application.

I don't know whether to reapply or send a webform. However, I didn't see anywhere in the guidance notes where they specifically mentioned that we should write covid-19 although it feels like déjà vu. The only thing I saw was to make sure to include previous application details which were all stated in the submission letter.

Can you please help pin point where where it was mentioned on CIC website if any? This will help me decide my next line of action.

I have not sent the webform. I don't even know whether to request for authorization as the impression I have is that the request is implied upon re-applying. In fact, discretionary travel is now allowed and as such, what is the need for the letter of authorization? It appears to be at best, a key to signify the travel is non-discretionary (i.e. distinguish non-discretionary travelers from others). Now everyone with visa seems to be able to travel although there always seem to be a disconnect as the airlines may still be asking for the letter. I may send a webform after waiting a while with no movement or updates.

Lastly, now that visitors are allowed to enter, is the letter of authorization still required? I thought the essence of the September 7 further opening was to allow visitors as usual with quarantine requirements subject to covid-19 immunization status.

Please seeking your opinion on the issues observed. The more I read, the more confused I become.

Below from their website:

"Travel restriction exemptions for those departing from the U.S. or countries other than the U.S.
Fully vaccinated foreign nationals
Foreign nationals do not need to be travelling for a non-discretionary purpose if they have proof that they are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated travellers do not need written authorization from IRCC. Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated still need to be travelling for a non-discretionary purpose or meet an exemption."

Meanwhile I read so many conflicting messages (One line, they say you need don't need travel authorization and then the next line they say you do!) from IRCC here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/travel-restrictions.html.

See from same page below (September 9 Release):

Recommended documentation for travel
Documentation showing their immediate family member’s temporary resident status and their relationship to that family member, and written authorization from IRCC:

Copy of the immediate family member’s work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit, or visitor record (please note that a visitor record may not be suitable to meet an exemption in all circumstances)
Documentation showing the foreign national’s relationship to the family member in Canada
Written authorization from an IRCC officer.

Let me rest my head. The IRCC staff may become confused with all these rules as I am which may lead to subjectivity and varied interpretation as they have to push files off their desk.

Anyway, I've submitted again and the bullet has left the gun barrel again!

Thanks a lot.

Motheexplorer:
Sorry just getting to this. Hopefully not too late.

Honestly, my first application mirrored my second. The only difference was my travel dates. I didn’t change anything. I was going to visit my brother with my family. The only additional difference was my husband had been issued a Canadian visa and I hadn’t. So change in travel dates and a copy of my husbands visa, that’s all.

You don’t “write” exemption anywhere you just put that in your letter of explanation/cover letter. Make sure you use words like family reunion etc.

Yes the webform was filled and submitted separately.

Authorization is not a separate request it comes along side your visa approval.

Honestly I feel whatever you have in your cover letter is what will work along side other documentation you are uploading on the webform. For example our had a birth certificates to prove we were siblings and a detailed quarantine plan too.

Yes on the application form IMM5257 there is “purpose of my visit”, you chose “other” and then write/type “COVID-19” in the other column.

Back again!

Please how do I distinguish this application from the previous one? Where do I write exemption, etc. Will the web form be filled and submitted separately?

How do I request authorisation. They said they may issue it simultaneously if your application is approved. Is there any specific trigger I need to put in the application to ensure it goes into the intended pool?

I started the application but quite confused as it's looking like my previous application. Plan to fill the application forms tomorrow.

Thanks.

I've been going through their website and it seems to be taking me round and round in circles. I might be missing something.

Is there a place in the TRV form where one will put Covid-19 exemption now? Or by looking at your application, will they know from the letter of invitation, evidence of relationship, etc?

Thanks.

Motheexplorer:
I actually think you should re webform cos I feel they look at that to expedite your process. You put in “COVID-19” as your purpose in her visa application form yes?

I think fill the webform and upload all the required documents except the notarized authorization & statutory declaration (which you don’t need).

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll try to resubmit before the end of this week.

At least it will make them have a look at their file.

Motheexplorer:
Makes sense, I definitely missed that. You are right re humans being behind these applications. My husband and I had the same exact application. His sister signed his extended family application, my brother signed mine...He got his in 24 working days & it took me reapplying to get mine! Everything is just weird tbh & all over the place.

All the best with yours as well.

I think students are allowed to have their immediate families unite with them per the second option in the final group of listings (i.e to be reunited with an immediate family member who is in Canada temporarily ).

"you’re travelling for one of the following reasons:
to be reunited with an immediate family member who is a Canadian citizen, a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada
to be reunited with an immediate family member who is in Canada temporarily
to be reunited with an extended family member who is a Canadian citizen, a person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or a permanent resident of Canada."

Thanks for your quick response. I've been procrastinating. I sent a web form to UK office even though I don't even know where their applications are being processed. It seems the whole thing is haphazard because the second condition was if your situation has changed. A computer will throw your new application out if it hasn't changed but I guess they're all human

Congratulations and wish you a safe trip. Eventually it may not be of any harm to reapply again even if it is to encourage the to look at the old application.

Let me see if I get any response per the webform. I hope the UK office will forward it to the actual processing office. I may have to make time to call their office here tough I hear you may spend hours waiting on the phone.

I appreciate your timely response.

Motheexplorer:
Did you go through the link? I’m not sure people on the student status fall under the “Canadians” family members can reunite with. PR holders and citizens yes but students I don’t remember seeing them.

It’s a visitors visa so I definitely had/have a return date. My situation has still not changed, it’s for the same purpose, reuniting with my brother who is Canadian. The only thing that changed was my travel dates. If you remember correctly there have been at least 3 updates after September 7 and resubmitted my application after the first update.

Thanks for the information. I applied for my kids since March 2020.

I thought reuniting meant to come and be with me permanently.

If I don't hear from them till towards the end of the year, I may reapply. My children just resumed school back in Naija and as such any travel for now is on hold.

Lastly, did you have an intended return date on your visit visa application? I'm a bit lost as the summer holiday period has just ended.

I'm actually studying in Canada and my wife's visa expired while waiting for my children's visa to be processed. She used it to visit Canada for about 10 days. Now her own visa renewal is also in the queue since this February. In fact, my own TRV renewal application is also now in the queue since August after successfully extending my study permit in July (It was approved within 1 week).

What bothers me is the statement below..

....AND
If your situation has changed since you submitted your visitor visa application
...AND...

How did your situation change? Or how has mine changed since I last applied . Perhaps I analyse too much because I was looking at the first condition and (it was boldface) Condition 2 and then any of condition 3

Apologies for asking so many questions.... I like to ask a lot to avoid the parable of the masquerades.... One was showered with money in the market Square... Along came masquerade 2 with same dance step but it was flogged

Motheexplorer:
Yes I applied for a visit visa & no reuniting under Canadian laws does not mean travelling to be with someone permanently. I'll explain.

Ideally, if you apply for a Canadian visit visa, your wait time should be anything between 300-400 days (I have no idea what the current wait time is saying). However, the Canadian government has given concession to a certain group of people & are saying we can expedite your visa process if you fall under certain categories. The categories are listed in the link below and documentation you are required to upload as proof too. I fall under the category of extended family member of a Canadian citizen & I was able to get my visa faster that normal because of this. They are big on family and they understand a lot of us have probably not seen our siblings/spouses/kids/parents in over a year due to covid. What they are pretty much saying is if you call under any of these categories, then we will make your visa process faster and let you in.

Here's the link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors/immediate-family.html

If you don't fall under any of the categories then you'll have to wait like everyone else.

Hello,

Did you apply for a visit visa? The part about uniting with family member confuses me as I have the impression that to unite means to travel to be with someone more or less permanently.

Then how did your status change with respect to the second condition?

Thanks.

Motheexplorer:
Hi Everyone,

I literally just found out about this request for authorization to travel and a little bit of hope has been restored. I have a pending application since November 2020 and I fall under the extended family exempt category. My brother lives in Canada with his family and my daughter is also Canadian. I’ll be sending in my application this week using all the tips I’ve read here and will update on how it goes. I’ve seen that apart from the notarized statutory declaration, my birth certificate and my brothers & perhaps a quarantine plan will also help my application? Is there anything else I’m missing outside the usual (Biodata page, drivers license etc?) Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping they give a positive response.

I believe it's Temporary Resident Visa

VictoriaIsland:
Please what is the meaning of TRV?

THANKS

Timioguntuyaki:
Hello all, thank you for all the good job you are doing here.

I submitted a visiting application for my wife and it got approved on November 21. She submitted her passport as requested at the VFS global office on November 22. They sent an email after the submission that the passport is under processing at the IRCC Office in Lagos OC. Since then, there has not been an update on her application and when the passport was tracked, it showed 'No Records Found'.

We have sent emails to both the VFS and Lagos IRCC office, no response yet. Please has anybody had a similar experience before? what do we need to do, please?

I am in your situation. My spouse passport was submitted since December 6th. Her flight is December 26th. Confusion!

Minxi:
@galala123

Yes that's the email. Also copy Canadian Embassy kenya, London.

I wish you the best of success

Thanks. Actually the Correspondence letter came from their London Office. I think her application was treated in London.

Minxi:
Let me share my experience.

Our plan was to travel to Canada December 23

Today December 20, after waiting 97 days (3 months and 7 days) hubby goes to VAC and retrieves our passports. We were granted multiple entry visas for the validity of our passports. Mine is 2024. Hubby is 2021. Glory to God.

Guess what? VAC I.e VFS has not sent us email or text till this moment to come and collect our passports. These VFS people ehn.

Anyway, hope this helps someone. Cheers!

Congratulations!

Thanks for the info. We're confused at the moment having submitted passport in Abuja since December 6th upon request for Passport on the 5th (Online Application). We bought air ticket for my spouse and daughter to leave Nigeria on the 26th to visit me. Till now passport has not been received. We need to cancel the ticket tomorrow if no news. Ticket is non refundable but I believe they said it can be put on hold till we settle for a date and then pay fare difference.

Please what's the email address to DHC Lagos? Is it Lagos.immigration@international.gc.ca ?

I used web form last week to make an inquiry.

Lastly, I wonder if they'll be working between 26th to 31st December in case there's a chance the passport will be received before the new year.

AreaFada2:
If you read my post carefully the citizenship does not derive from birth in UK. But the fact that Ibori is a UK citizen.

FYI being convicted abroad is a right of passage for Nigerian politicians. Whether for narcotics, fraud, legal practice offence and others in Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, London, New York, etc.

Ibori and his ex-wife Nkoyo were convicted for shoplifting in UK in early 1990s. Also convicted for building materials theft in ABUJA after that.

Neither local nor international conviction can stop Nigerian politicians in our corrupt system. At most 10 years from now IBORI will be at the heart of a ruling political party. His boys like Ayiri are already in the ruling party.

I wonder why it is so difficult to appreciate your straightforward point... You can see our problem right?

AreaFada2:
If you read my post carefully the citizenship does not derive from birth in UK. But the fact that Ibori is a UK citizen.

FYI being convicted abroad is a right of passage for Nigerian politicians. Whether for narcotics, fraud, legal practice offence and others in Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, London, New York, etc.

Ibori and his ex-wife Nkoyo were convicted for shoplifting in UK in early 1990s. Also convicted for building materials theft in ABUJA after that.

Neither local nor international conviction can stop Nigerian politicians in our corrupt system. At most 10 years from now IBORI will be at the heart of a ruling political party. His boys like Ayiri are already in the ruling party.

I won't be surprised to see him in the Senate or even emerge as Senate President. There's something strange about Nigeria. When the time comes, history will be rewritten to make him a victim of persecution for daring to stand up for his people and the story will be so swallowed hook, line and sinker to the extent that the rest of us will begin to wonder if it is true. Is that what is referred to as Alternative facts ?. You lie so much about am issue until it becomes the truth of the matter.

oldtruth:
That is Sahara for you. Clear dissing. Honestly wasn't move a bit when he was arrested. The guy is a crook. Buhari and Tinubu made him. They gave him money to lie against Jonathan with highest degree of malicious reportage.

He should rot in jail as far as I am concern. His boys have started again. Tell me, is that a news or just blabbing?

The news was quoted from secretReporters .... Not Sahara Reporters. You might be doing what you are accusing Sahara reporters of! I went as far as doing a Google search and couldn't find the story in Sahara Reporters. Please try to cross check as well and advise. Thanks.

Henkubert:
AFTER 11 MONTHS.....Passport request drop
MEDICAL REQUEST WAS IN AUGUST 2018
PASSPORT REQUEST DROP APRIL 17 2018

I SAY BIG THANKS TO Austacus for your assistance.
Big thanks to you all.

Congrats Henkubert, your patience has been tested.... and it is strong!
All that ends well, is well!

thompson4real:
Please house, does Brandon University require initial deposit after you have been given admission?

The last time I checked, the answer to your question was NO. Though they recently reviewed their fees upwards from Next semester.

Page 100 already. 20% of part 15 exhausted. May good news continue to flow in before part 16.