₦airaland Forum

My visa must arrive early in this thread!

Who has a medical date at IOM later this month? I have mine for tomorrow, but I wouldn't be able to make it. So I would like a date swap. Pls reply if you are interested or know someone who is. Thanks

Help please ⬇

Josade69:
Hello house, my online application status has been reading "We are processing your application. We will send you a message when there is an update or if we need more information from you" for over a month. Please what exactly does this mean?

Secondly, can I go for my medicals even when they haven't requested for it yet?

Hello house, my online application status has been reading "We are processing your application. We will send you a message when there is an update or if we need more information from you" for over a month. Please what exactly does this mean?

Secondly, can I go for my medicals even when they haven't requested for it yet?

cryptik:
I need help o

I applied March 20th,
Biometrics March 22nd,

BCM 14th may
Refusal correspondence 17th may

Refusal based on purpose of visit
...I feel shattered. .
.
please what's the next line to follow
How do I address this purpose of visit stuff
And get my GCMS notes

This means the VO is not convinced you are going there to study. You might have to prove that using career progression in your SOP, or some other method.

See esaay ...congrats sillysassysally, big ups.

sillysassysally:
Nairaland Fam!
Thank you all for the congratulatory messages
The past couple of weeks has been an emotional rollercoaster! But knowing that we were all on a similar journey - each one at a different stage - was some sort of comfort.

My Timeline
Applied with upfront medicals – April 14th
Medical Request – May 6th (I was surprised when I got this medical request because I did upfront medicals, so I was wondering why they were still telling me to do medicals). I sent a web form with my e-medical slip attached and I also sent emails to Lagos, London, and Kenya. On May 7th (the day after receiving upfront medicals), I went to the hospital to see the doctor who attended to me and doctor told me that he sent IRCC a message to link my upfront medical ID to my medical request ID.
Medicals passed – May 8th
Correspondence letter and Passport request – May 9th
Overall, my study permit took less than a month to be approved! Specifically, it took 25 days!

Things I believe that worked in my favour
1. The Grace of God that covered all my errors and colored all my efforts.
2. My resumption date (June 17th). I sort of feel that they give priority to people with nearer resumption dates. If you look at the timeline we have, you’d all notice that people resuming closer tend to get their decisions quickly – this does not mean that you should intentionally delay your application. At the end of the day, no one really knows the minds of these VO’s.
3. I have a strong international travel history (USA, UK, Brazil, South Africa, etc)
4. I made my submissions as organized as possible. Infact, I did a table of content for each pdf I merged so that whoever was working on my application would easily understand it.
5. I explained all lump sums with proof… (Sometimes, I see people saying things like “they’ll increase the money in their account from 5 million to 10 million” and I feel this raises eyebrows as it would question whether those funds are really available to the applicant.
6. I wrote a banging SOP… details below
7. I was truthful in my application. I have like 5 half-siblings (one living in the US and one living in the UK). I mentioned all of them in my family information form even though I was scared that it could potentially weaken my home ties.

Things I believe were the weak points of my application and how I addressed them
1. This was what I perceived to be the main weakness of my application. I was using student loans as proof of funds for my tuition. Mind you, these loans were from a reputable and internationally recognized company called Prodigy Finance. I addressed this perceived weakness by using a sponsor who was financially capable of paying off all my loans (even though most of her asset were illiquid (land and truck). Also, I believe I was able to show a strong academic and professional track record that indicated that I was financially capable of personally paying off the loans on an installment basis.
2. The name of my sponsor across all her documents was not consistent because she is a divorcee. I addressed this by submitting an affidavit of change of name with a newspaper publication

My advice to prospective PO’s
The truth is that you have to do the hard work yourself... Even though you can easily get guidance here, you still have a lot of homework to do yourself... Understand your profile – its weakness and its strengths and address them.

Documents I submitted
CAQ (Mandatory for students schooling in Quebec)
CIC Forms
Digital Photo
My passport showing all previous visas and stamps
Proof of upfront medical exam
Evidence of work requirement in study (my program comes with co-op)
Letter of Acceptance (Unconditional – though I sent the conditional one via a web form. I also begged them to process my application speedily considering my close resumption. However, my web form was never acknowledged). The other documents I merged with my Letter of Acceptance includes; acceptance deposit receipt, academic qualification documents (such as my certificate, transcript, WAEC certificate and TOEFL results), professional qualification documents (such as my CFA level 1 badge, letter of introduction from current employer, my bio page on my company’s website, work ID, and letters of employment from internships I had done in the past), then other documents (such as my NYSC certificate and my birth certificate).
Proof of financial support – Prodigy Finance loan of about CAD 36k (30K for school fees and 6k for living expenses), Paid acceptance deposit of CAD 5K, Scholarship of CAD 8.5K, Dorm account statement with living expenses of CAD 11K… These were the funds that were budgeted for my studies. Apart from the aforementioned, I had about NGN 1m in stocks, NGN 100k naira in T-bills, NGN 250k in RSA, and NGN 70K in my salary account – all of which I showed. In addition, my sponsor (who was my mother) also had NGN 1.9m in her account, NGN 5m in T-bills and NGN 4 m in RSA. I also showed my sponsors illiquid assets such as landed property with valuation worth NGN 40m and sponsors business asset ownership (trucks) worth NGN 20m. The essence of all of these other funds and documents was just to show that my sponsor could actually pay off my loan. Someone (an Indian) told me that if I was using loans as proof of funds, it was important to use a sponsor whose financial situation showed that they could handle the loan.
Finally, under client information, I included the birth certificates of my siblings, as well as the international passport data page of my sponsor (mother). I also included a letter and affidavit of sponsorship, Sponsors business certificate of incorporation and memorandum of association, and sponsors affidavit of change of name with newspaper publication. Finally, my “banging” SOP was in this section.

SOP
Unfortunately, I cannot share my SOP on this forum because I don’t want a case of copy and paste. My SOP also contains personal information… Nonetheless, I can share the structure.
- I started out with an Intro about myself, as well as my academic and professional trajectory.
- Then I moved to another paragraph I called “my purpose” where I spoke about my motivation for the course I wanted to do
- Then I moved to another paragraph I called “Why I chose McGill University” where I spoke about why I decided to opt for Mcgill as opposed to other options in Nigeria and in other countries.
- Then I moved to another paragraph called “Justifying the cost of my program”. This was important for me to do because – as I mentioned earlier, I was using student loans to finance my education and my school fees is freaking expensive (CAD $ 47,500) so it was important for me to “justify” the cost of my studies to the VO.
- Then I moved to another paragraph called “Family & Economic ties to Nigeria” where I spoke about my home ties being all my family in Nigeria. I also explained things that would make me return to my home country such as the amazing career I had started in Nigeria (evidenced by all the documents I submitted in my Letter of acceptance. I also spoke about specific things I wanted to use the Msc to achieve in Nigeria.
- Then I moved to another paragraph called “Funds available” where I showed a table of funds I had available.
- Finally, I finished with a section called “My responsibilities as a student” where I explained that I fully understood my responsibilities as an international student in Canada – bounded by the conditions of my student visa and by McGill University. I also wholeheartedly committed to abiding by all the rules and responsibilities that would apply to me as an International student in Canada and at McGill University.
- Then I ended SOP by telling them that their support is very essential to my dreams. I also humbly requested for the issuance of a study permit that was effective on or before the 1st of June 2019, as I wanted to travel to Canada by the 10th of June 2019 to acclimatize and get ready for my schools’ orientation on the 17th of June.

I have gotten so many emails today alone and I’m afraid that I may not be able to reply all in due time, but I would encourage us to share the questions here. There are so many amazing people on this forum that are committed to helping people! Special shout out to all the people doing this! Cc JustMellow, Bracha, etc. I can’t mention you all, but it gives me great joy when I see how selfless you all are to helping out willingly! Only God can reward you all!
On this note, I want to especially thank Frankrobbn1 - this guy is so amazing! He was so interested and committed to helping me that I started to think he was working for IRCC as a spy… I want to also specially thank AAO7 – amazing person! First time I sent her an email, we moved to WhatsApp and chatted all through the night to about 1 am. It was nice having someone to gist with and to both share all the frustrations we faced with the entire process.

Finally, I want to say a word of prayer to all TRV hopefuls…
Dear God,
You are in control of every situation of our lives and you know every one of our needs, as well as the dear desires of our heart.
I pray that in your grace, mercy, favour, and love, you would allow the application of the hopefuls of this thread to be approved quickly and without delay.
Thank You because you are a God who hears and answers the prayers of your children when we come to You with open hands and a humble heart.
I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

IT SHALL END IN PRAISE!

wealthmiq:
I just tried to. I think you need to accept the message that's like an invitation before i can send you emails.

I've replied you.

wealthmiq:
Please guys does anyone have any idea of the process of doing property valuation in Benin City?

Pm me

Congratulations to schonebaby and oluwaseunbd

Can I book an appointment for medicals with IOM/Qlife just after my biometrics? I have submitted my online application already and completed my biometrics. I need you help please.

Hello house, please can I book an appointment for medicals just after my biometrics? I don't want to wait till when the mail instructing me to do my medicals arrives, as it will take longer for me to get an appointment.

chromatic:
Hi Guys, i need a clarification on upfront medical. I sent a mail for appointment to IOM Ikeja and they responded requesting for information like this below which i have responded to.

Case Number: IME/UCI/UMI number/Upfront (please indicate)
Visa type:
Full names: (as it Appears in your International Passport)
Sex:
Date of birth:
Age:
Passport number:
Issued date of Passport
Expiring date of Passport
suitable date(Monday to Thursday).

My issue now is that they did not respond to my mail or any confirmation for the date i chose. Should i just show up on my suitable date or how does it work for the guys that have tested at IOM in the past?

Pls what's their email address?

Qudkom:
GENERAL GUIDELINES ON FILLING IMM FORMS

Applicants sometimes get worried about issue generated in the process of filling immforms and to avoid a rather costly mistake they hesitate and search for possible guidelines to troubleshoot their concerns. Right from validating forms, To filling the dli numbers accurately, funds available for stay in canada etc. The following is been provided to the best of my knowledge:

1. CIC requires the default use of Adobe reader (Latest version) in filling forms.

2. Avoid asking for copies of imm forms rather download it directly from cic website. This is because this forms are updated regularly and what an applicant used in January might be different from what another will use in May.
For example, thw family immform excluded siblings information initially only to change it around March-April last year.

3. Dont be scammed by Agents the forms are free and can be downloaded anytime.

4. If you are submitting your application online then you don't need to sign. And if you are using the paper route print the forms with the barcodes and sign the forms.

5. The section for( funds available, room and board and tuition) is one of the most confusing part for Applicants. CIC states that you only need to show figures or proof of funds for the duration of the first year. If you are going for a 2year program you are only required to show proof of funds for the first year (however there is nothing wrong with showing prood beyond the first year).
Therefore;
Tuition*- this figure should be the total roundup of your entire tuition fees for the duration of your program. In case you don't have the figure then provide the first year only.

Room&Board*- This should show expense for the first year. The default amount in this category is 10kcad however some province requires more I.e Quebec.

Total funds available for stay in Canada*- first year in consideration. The sum total of tuition, living expenses, books and supply etc. Should be filled here. Most times the school gives you a comprehensive breakdown

Others*- any non tuition fees will be recorded in this category. For example Medical insurance.

6. When filling DLI (Designated learning Institution) number #***********. Always remember that the first character in that field starts with letter "O" not number "0"

7. Triple check forms before submitting. I have seen cases of people filling yes for military involvement simply because they served(Nysc) Or Yes for political involvements simply because a relative is actively involved.

I think this are the common errors. Feel free to add to the list.

Thanks boss

@Qudkom I need your help to review my sop

Is form i20 needed for student visa application.

sillysassysally:
Hey,

Regarding your second question, It is up to you to decide if taking the loan is worth it...You need to genuinely justify the cost to yourself;

Here are 2 key questions you may want to ask yourself;
1. What's the placement/employment prospect of the program you're taking this loan for like
2. What's the reputation of the school and the program

Regarding your first question, you must show the VO proof of funds for (tuition + CAD10K/CAD 11K if you're schooling in Quebec). If the loan doesn't cover the total cost, you need to account for the balance with savings or sponsorship.

What program are you looking at?

1. MBA
2. Informatics

Hello bosses, I secured a loan from prodigy finance for my masters program. However the loan could only cover my tuition and part of my living expenses. I am scared of applying for a visa with just part of living cost (5000CAD) left to be accounted for.

Secondly, is it worth taking a loan from them for 10 years? The loan is worth almost 80% of the actual loaned amount over 10 years. Thanks for your usual and swift responses.

DexterousOne:
Nice one


Moderation is key

Requirements for social security should be more stringent

Capitalism has made pple rich

But has impoverished many as well

So the question is

Are more people better off or worse off under capitalism?

I would say people are doing better off under capitalism. Capitalism has created the richest middle class the world has ever seen. Capitalism has made even the lower class to love better loves than that of richer counterparts in previous centuries. Most people don't understand that capotalosm has also led to the proces of things being lowered. It happens because capitalism breeds competition in the market place and consumers will like to get the best products at cheaper prices. This causes capitalists to improve on their products while also reducing its costs. Lets take for example cars, which were at the beginning considered as luxury for the wealthy have become so cheap that even high school students have them. There is no great country on earth that isn't capitalist.

lonelydude:
Please, if you are interested in the SOP, kindly send me a PM so that I can respond directly through mail.


You are blessed.

I've sent you a PM boss, I'm interested in the SOP. Thanks my mail is josade69@gmail.com

DexterousOne:
You blame leftists for the destruction of the black family unit? Due to section 8 and all


Typical black nigga

Humans have choices, and black folks being black folks pressed the self destruct button themselves and should blame themselves and no one else

Welfare is good, tho I believe in moderation and limits

The same conservatives that hate welfare support corporate greed and defense contractors

So the right are not any better

I can't be a typical black nigga as you stated and still blame leftists. I would rather blame the so called capitalists. I also believe on moderations in creating a welfare state which would have a minimalist social safety net. But i would like you to know that walfare doesn't bring people out of poverty, capitalism has done that for decades now.

042viber12:
Pls kindly start reading from the 1st page of the thread...as for the unbolded, u have a standard amount of hours u are meant to work as an international student with a study visa...

Thanks boss. Its 20hrs p/w, i just wanted to find out if it cpuld be done with the normal study visa.

AAO7:
I can only answer this bit because my programme has a co-op semester as well.
If you're applying online, somewhere in the questioner you will be asked if your programme requires you to work?; Select "Yes".
You will be asked to provide proof of this (my school included it in my LOA) and it should be issued alongside your study permit at no extra cost.

Thanks a lot.

Hello house,
Please how can one apply for the study permit and coop permit together. I'll like to do so as my master's course has a coop semester attached to it.

I would also like to find out if one can do additional work (not coop) while you are a student using your normal study permit, and how soon after arrival can you start work (the work is in the u university's health facility, so it's not a graduate assistant ship). Thanks guys for your expected responses.