₦airaland Forum

skull4eva:
Congrats once again. When did you enter canada? Asking because some of us are of the opinion that one has to have don atleast a semester especially when one initially indicated family will stay behind and now situation has chnaged just to kind of understand IRCC trend to some extent

August.

PrinceAdeAde:
Congrats jonosas,Did u indicate ur family as non accompanying in your original SP application and if yes,how did u specifically address change of intention

Yes, I indicated my family as non-accompanying during SP. During SOWP and VV, situation had changed; my wife and kids were missing me.

skull4eva:
Wow very fast ooo brother. I felicitate with you on this good news I pray ours that are still waiting come quick. Its been 8months plus now 35weeks sowp and VV for 2kids. What and what documents did you submit? Working on gathering documents for a VV application for all three of them.
Atleast with this ur news it show they are still issuing SOWP visa.

Thanks, skull4eva.

SOWP:
* Kids' passports and birth certs
* Spouse's degree certificates
* Spouse's home ties (family and business)
* Upfront medicals (for all 3)
* POF (business acct, personal acct, my GIC, student acct statement)
* Proof of relationship (wedding pictures, wedding certificate)
* My docs (letter of authorization, student ID, enrolment letter, SIN, study permit
* Spouse's IELTS (was available, so why not)
* Spouse's police cert
* Spouse's SOP
* Covid 19 vaccination

VV:
Basically the same as SOWP, but the SOP was phrased differently and travel consent for the kids.

Please, who knows the procedure for sending passports for a parent and 2 kids to Abuja?

PPR, baby!!!!

Oh, wow. What a ride.

Applied for SOWP for my wife and VV for my 2 kids on Nov 17, 2021.

Then applied for VV on the new portal for all three on Dec 30, 2021.

Received GCMS notes 2 days ago, mentioning home ties. Then today, messages about both applications appeared in wifey's inbox. When I saw them, my heart sank. I felt, this is it. E don finish.

I opened the VV on the new portal first. It said "withdrawn because a visa has been issued for your SOWP". It's still like a dream! In short, PPR for SOWP on the old portal (VV for kids withdrawn) and PPR for kids on the new portal.

I have to mention @Lianna2020 for all her help and support. You're absolutely awesome!!!

To anyone still anticipating, please don't lose hope.

Cheers!!!

Bhyy:
Actually visit visa has a higher degree of approval than SOWP. I had SOWP since August and no nothing up till now. However, I applied for visiting visa and before we open eyes it was approved.

Thanks, Bhyy.

Akannitommy:
Your spouse does not need travel exemption if they applied for and are using SOWP visa. I don't think you should withdraw your existing application. All you need is a thick skin and patience. If you want to try the visitor route then you can submit a visitor application along with the SOWP but there is a caveat. Your SOWP has a higher chance of success than a visitor visa application at this time of limited travel to Canada. But all cases are different.

Thanks, @Akannitommy

Biko, I don't fully understand this new travel exemption method. Someone, please help: as a student that has applied for SOWP for my spouse, can I go ahead and apply for the exemption? Or should I withdraw the application and apply for a visitor visa then the exemption? Or the SOWP and visitor visa and exemption should run concurrently? Please advise.

Spectro:
Yeah, I'm great. Just got PPR.

It's a nice feeling.

Congrats, Spectro.

Hi, fam! Hope everyone is doing ok.

For those yet to write their SOP, I have attached a template that you may wish to make use of.

Of course, not all headings will be applicable and there may be a need for additional headings, based on individual stories. However, this is the template I used and was given a PPR, so hopefully it will be useful to someone else out there.

Also, I think using a template, as opposed to reviewing submitted ones, reduces the chances of plagiarism and helps the writer focus on the uniqueness of his/her journey; this makes convincing the VO a lot easier.

Lastly, it's always a good idea to have someone else review your SOP. I believe GCMSWriters would do justice to this.

Cheers.

CC: Justmellow

Jenge:
Congratulations... I’m also resuming at windsor for fall 2021... please was it abuja you sent your passport to?

Thanks, Jenge. Yes, I sent my passport to Abuja and got it back in about a week.

perez0007:
Please can we talk as I am in the same category with you as per studied mechanical engineering and I am married

Please help, I want to put up a good application. Thank you

Sure, please dm.

Stephblues:
This is amazing. Congratulations once again. I am going to University of Windsor as well, MSc Actuarial Science, Fall 2021. I am waiting for my own PPR which will come by God’s grace. Indeed happy for you.

Amen to that! Thanks.

jonosas:
***OMO!!!! PPR WEY WEAR VERSACE!!!*** SO THIS IS HOW IT FEELS! JUST GOT THE MAIL AT 4.05AM. TIMELINE UPLOADING SOON! SO EXCITED!!

TIMELINE
First-time applicant

*Masters (MENG) Mechanical Engineering, University of Windsor, Fall 2021 (deferred from InterSummer 2021)

*Background: B.Sc Mech Engr; 10 years’ relevant work experience; home-ties: family, land, pension.

Upfront medicals (IOM Abj) – 1st April
IELTS exam (in preparation for NSE request), General CBT – 3rd April
Application submitted - 14th April
Biometrics - 16th April
NSE (IELTS and MBS) request – 26th April
IELTS and MBS submitted – 28th April
Eligibility review started - 4th May
Medicals updated to pass - 19th May
BVL & PPR (3 minutes apart) – 16th June

Documents Submitted
*IMM 1294, 5257, 5645
*Letter of acceptance
*Digital photo
*International passport (including old passports, though they only contained 2 other African countries)
*IOM e-medical sheet
*IELTS TRF (LRWS 8.5,8.0,8.5,7.5; avg 8.0)
* CLIENT INFORMATION
- SOP – Resume – Pension & Gratuity – Family Tree (cause I felt it would help explain better) – Marriage certificate – International passport of family members –A few pictures –Land survey and architectural plans –Police character certificate -2 professional body certificates –NYSC cert –Bachelors degree cert and transcript
* PROOF OF FUNDS
- GIC ($10,000) and MBS (N11m in account for 4 months with an account that had been opened for 10 months) –Wife’s business CAC certificate –Tuition deposit receipt –Reference letters from present and past employer –Payslips for past 3 months –Appointment letters

I would like to thank God first and foremost for making all things possible! And my wife for encouraging me and prompting us to fast and pray (tho I chop small during the fasting period o; I no go lie). Many thanks to the guru himself @Justmellow for the guidance; the email exchanges were and are invaluable! You’re too much! @Insanity – the very first person I reached out to and who still helps me to this day! @Klianud @Spectro you guys are wonderful. Special thanks to everyone on this platform; your questions and answers shine the light for so many.

Lastly I would like to thank myself. For the perseverance, for painstakingly reading through previous threads just to get a good idea of the whole process, for convincing myself that my age (37) is not a factor, for writing a stellar SOP (though it took weeks, lol) and for “noogling” (using the searchbox in Nairaland) when I was totally lost.

Truly, it has ended in praise.

God bless!

***OMO!!!! PPR WEY WEAR VERSACE!!!*** SO THIS IS HOW IT FEELS! JUST GOT THE MAIL AT 4.05AM. TIMELINE UPLOADING SOON! SO EXCITED!!

Spectro:
I got a refusal though, for home ties both in Canada and Nigeria. Apparently, my ties in Canada are way more than those in Nigeria. I will order GCMS note. I may reapply or opt for the US. But US is priority right now.

I wish you all a delightful outcome in your applications. We learn every day, and some experiences are worthwhile, even though they are a bit sad. But we move!

I applied on March 11 by the way.

March folks will be getting decisions. Stay blessed.

It's all good, bro. We move.

Erica661:
Guys please I did my upfront medicals in iom Abuja on 27th April and on 6th May they called me that I passed my medicals and that I should be able to see the update on my dashboard but since then I’ve not seen the update yet..what could be the issue?

I also did upfront in IOM Abuja (on 1st April). I was called on 7th April that I passed. Since then my status wasn't updated until 2 days ago (May 19th) to passed. That was 6 weeks' wait. Yours has been 2 weeks. Perhaps wait a little? Just a suggestion.

LadyBlaq:
Good morning house.

I got a call from IOM Abj that test result is ready and they would be sending it to IRCC soon. They said it was ok. I asked if I could also get a copy of the result and the lady at the end of the line said NO. She said they don't send a copy of the result to applicant.

Same with me. After the tests at IOM Abj, I got a call from a lady that the results were ok and have been forwarded to IRCC. No e-mail.

Ibukun2000:
Morning all
Pls is it ok to open domiciliary account with GTBANK
Help a sister
Thanks in advance

Sure, it's fine. I opened mine via internet banking. I believe you would need a current account first though, as the dom account would be linked to it. It's a hassle visiting the bank to do this so try online - it's super easy; barely an inconvenience

Mideyo234:
I think you can go ahead and submit all you have, including the LOE.

Thanks.

Good morning house!

NSE request received this morning (my biometrics was updated 16th April, same day I did it).

Concerning MBS, instead of 6 months' funds for an account of 12 months, I have 4 months and 10 months respectively. Is it advisable I submit all the same, perhaps including an LOE? Considering also that I have a GIC since November 2020.

Kindly advise.

Klianud:
God has finally done it. First time applicant, am so grateful for the information gotten from this platform, it really helped me.

See timeline below:

Timeline
1. Submitted application online-8th Jan
2. Confirmation of submission-9th Jan
3. Biometrics request-9th Jan
4. Biometrics done and updated-11th Jan
5. NSE request - 12th Jan
6. Background checks started- 17th Jan
7. NSE request provided- 23rd Jan
8. NSE request updated -25th Jan
9. Eligibility review started -27th Jan
10. Submission confirmation from IRCC- 7th Feb
11. Medical request-22nd Feb
12. Medicals done- 4th March
13. Medicals updated to passed- 6th March
14. PPR and BVL dropped - March 15th

This is the week of PPRs, Amen!

Amen! Congratulations!!!

khosen:
Counterfoil and LOI has dropped���

Although I'm a jjc here, I found this link after I had submitted my application. Below is my timeline

- Applied December 28th
- NSE request January 4th. I got a request to submit only ielts because I submitted my bank statement while applying.
- NSE request submitted February 1st
- Medical Request February 25th
- Medical Passed March 2nd
- PPR Request March 5th. Submitted same day to DHL because I live in Abuja.
- Counterfoil and LOI dropped March 12th.
- I'm yet to get my passport back


Thanks to all the gurus and everyone here, I know I didn't find this thread on time but I know I will gain alot in the future.

I intend to quarantine and stay a little in Ontario before going to Vancouver as lectures are still online. Advise and suggestions will be appreciated.

It has finally ended in praise, I give God all the glory.

Congrats, Khosen! Please did you include a quarantine plan in your SOP?

Congrats in advance @Klianud. Did you submit police character certificate and IELTS with your original online application (before NSE)?

Klianud:
This is the timeline so far
Timeline
1. Submitted application online-8th Jan
2. Confirmation of submission-9th Jan
3. Biometrics request-9th Jan
4. Biometrics done and updated-11th Jan
5. NSE request - 12th Jan
6. Background checks started- 17th Jan
7. NSE request uploaded- 23rd Jan
8. NSE request updated -25th Jan
9. Eligibility review started -27th Jan
10. Submission confirmation from IRCC- 7th Feb
11. Medical request-22nd Feb
12. Medicals done- 4th March
13. IOM Abuja call confirmation - 5th March.

Just praying fervently now.

Spectro:
Very true. May 2021 is very close.

My resumption date is actually September 9, 2021. So, I guess I can wait for a while.

Congratulations on getting admission. I believe another great news (Visa approval) is approaching.

It will end in praise by God's grace.

Congrats, Spectro. My resumption is also September. Planning on applying online this month.

Hi JustMellow,

Thanks a mil for your advice! I opened the GIC account 3 weeks ago (November 26).

Like you've said, I will ask the bank for a letter that says "Student Loan". All our correspondences up until now have only said "Loan". Fingers crossed.

My plan is to offset the debt when I resign (I will be eligible for some funds from the company on resignation). I don't know if I should mention this, as I don't know how to prove this.

Thanks again!

JustMellow:
Hello Jonosas,

For the above stated, what you need are evidence /documentations to back the available funds at your disposal. When did you open the GIC account?!

You still have time to justify and balance your books in regards to your POF. As it is, your funds seems all clear but ensure to demonstrate how you intend to offset the loan.

It may be advised to approach the concerned bank that granted the load and get an authenticated letter to the effect. Endeavour the letter states clearly "Study Loan" not just "Loan."

Since it has been liquidated to your BA, more better and this gives good credibility to the purpose of the course.

In your letter, ensure to have a section talk about the breakdown of your funds if feasible, have a separate letter to briefly but yet clear enough to address your funds and situation surrounding it.

Reiterating again, get a letter or any authenticated evidence from the concerned financial instituation station relevant details like when the study loan was granted, date of liquidation, receiving account and other useful details that can be helpful to your application.

Study loan has an advantage in the sense of using it as a solid form of HT which indicates your return back home to repay back the study loan in order to relieve your family and guarantor off pressure.

You're standing on a goldmine but depending how well you're able to structure your ideas in your letter. However, don't make it too obvious, try to also demonstrate your economic level of establishment too.

All the best

Hi AyoitsMub,

Let me share my chat with CIBC so it can be even clearer. It contains links and answers to many FAQs.

Cheers.

AyoitsMub:
Hi Jonosas,
I'm sure the gurus will have better advice for you but, but I'm just curious on how you got the GIC. The last time I inquired, it was just for some selected countries (Excluding NG), is there a way for Nigerians now? Please enlighten us while you wait for advice. Thanks!

deepwater:
Nigerians are eligible for this
Check with CIBC
Just that it must be a minimum of 10k CAD
they will send you form and wire instructions and your bank account details
Funds must be by wire
You would get your GIC in few days.
When doing GIC make sure to your local bank fill the form accurately as specified.
Get your TELEX/ SWIFT copy from them as well (charges apply)

On point.

Hello House,

I'm new to this, but here goes:

I need advice on POF, please. My profile is as follows:

* University of Windsor offer letter accepted; deposit of $4,000 paid
* Start date: InterSummer (May) 2021
* Program: Mechanical Engineering (MEng)
* Current degree: B.Sc Mech Engr
* Work Experience: 9+ years engineering experience; currently working
* Intending home ties: family and land

For POF, thing is, I don't have millions saved away for months. What I do have is a GIC for $10,000 (covers LE) and a loan from GTB for N10m (got this only yesterday). Out of this, I have locked away N6m---I had some emergencies--but I expect to have about N10.5m saved before month end. Also, having been promoted this month, I will have even more in my savings by January ending - so, probably 15 to 20m.

My concern is, with school starting in May 2021, do I have enough time to satisfy the VO about my POF? I know there's the option of deferring admission, but I rather wouldn't if I can avoid it.

Many thanks to @Insanity for all the advice he has given me so far. He was the one who actually suggested I post this here, so gurus like @Frankrobbin1 and @Justmellow and others can further guide me.

Your opinions and advice would be highly appreciated!