₦airaland Forum

Dynamitehimself:
Plz guys I want to find out something.started my my visa application 25th yesterday paid for ihs but when I got to the stage of visa payment the card says could not be complete.early this morning I went to the bank and I was told the transaction exceeded the limit of $1000.And I have received a msg also that the appointment i bookeis cancelled because of failed payment. What i want to confirm is if the embassy will use oando rate for yesterday for me or that of today. Because I intend using someone else card to complete the transaction now.Though on my application page I see application started 25th August.

Cc justwise, olowo, fizzle etal

The rate of the day you submitted and paid for the application and not the day you started applying

kisstaye:
Bro, I listed two alternatives. the UK pgd depends on the uni. most of them do it for a year like you said. my friend did his for 6months at univ of Brighton UK although UKBA gave him a visa for 8months

Which year and what course?

kisstaye:
nah man, you have been making sense but I don't buy that last comment. if you want to advice be specific and not generic. improving cgpa how?? he/she cannot go for an undergrad again na! my two cents would be to do a PDG in a reputable uni here..UNILAG,IBADAN etc or if the person has funds go for 6months PGD in the UK like a friend of mine did before crossing over to Canada. all hope can never be lost. there is always a specific solution

PGD is one year course in the UK with almost the same course structure as masters program and it will cost you atleast 5M naira a year to achieve that.

So you are suggesting that one should spend that much a year just to get a certificate course then spend another millions to travel to Canada to get masters?

opeyeminas:
I accept anything u say even if u say my CGPA won't allow me be a Nigerian citizen. Just dat I think wen u are telling people not to go one way u should try and be showing dem another way not telling dem to just turn back. And wat do u mean by improving CGPA?? Will d person av to go for another degree or wat??

Dude its very difficult to accept opposite opinion when you mind is made up and programmed to expect motivational answer.

You have 3 options..

1. Do another degree (depending on your age now) and come out with a good result then apply for masters in Canada

2. Seek for masters program in Nigeria and come out with a good result before trying Canada.

3. Apply for Canadian study permit with what you have now and see how it goes.

bikat:
M.Sc from Nigeria will also give you THE SAME high score when applying for Australia and Canada . How many people are lucky to move to other countries from the UK after their studies? 1 in 1000. But if you study in Canada, you are given an automatic work visa of 2 years on graduation which gives you a very high chance of getting a job. After the 2 years visa, they give you a permanent residency. UK M.Sc is worth it but people should just be aware that they are required to leave after graduation. That's all.

Should we take that as a bad joke?

ashala:
Na lie ooo. The decision to grant visa lies solely in the hands of the person interviewing you. They give at their discretion. Once they don't like your face, forget it!. I have seen so many people that had even more than the required qualifications but still were denied.
While walking up to them, they look at you and form their impressions. That is why your gait, confidence and the way you answer their questions matters. They are Psychologists.

How do you know that?

bikat:
I AM IN THE UK SO I CAN SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE, PLEASE CHOOSE CANADA AND USA BEFORE CONSIDERING THE UK. REASON - THE UK IS NO LONGERIMMIGRATION FRIENDLY BUT IT IS STILL BETTER THAN MOST RACIST COUNTRIES, THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THE UK IS THAT YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY AS SOON AS YOU GRADUATE. HENCE, CANADA AND USA ARE MUCH MORE BETTER

Please pay attention to rule number 11

opeyeminas:
@justwise are u saying people with 3rd class or CGPA that cant get Masters admission should just forget about applying for visa?? Just asking

Yes.

You have a chance to improve your CGPA then apply for a course at appropriate level that gives you much much better chance of getting study permit

Yes you have 3rd class today but that is not the end of life for you, you don't have to apply for Canadian study permit now.

kisstaye:
hahahahahaha.. bros na wah Oo give d guy small hope na. Oo boy u dey yarn Oo take am easy abeg

Its very wrong to give people false hope, for the fact that you dreamed and wishes to study in Canada does not mean that you must apply even when you don't have what it takes.

MrsDaniels:
@justwise is it proper that if one deposited one's money in bank july 1st, and due to rate been higher than the initial rate used to multiply the money, and the next day the rate reduces can one say u started counting from july 2nd.

The counting starts from the very day you have the complete amount in your account.

shinarambo1:
pgc and pgdip are usually designed for international student by the schools in ontario. Its a source of income for ontario colleges. it does not lead to msc prog.When one moves outside ontario, it becomes almost useless. Even someone said it in a post above..i think onyeama, that most grads of diploma find it hard to get pr.. the cutoff score released yesterday for express entry was over 500. most msc grads wont even qualify with such high score . Some pgc and pgdip have been fortunate to get good jobs due to their years of experience in IT from back home(if in an IT career). Pgc and pgdip in canada can be related to msc from low rated uni in the uk. Atleast, uk msc leads to phd but pgc n pgdip does not.

In Canada, the natural progession is high school, diploma(2 or 3 years), degree, masters and phd.

That is always the case which why they are quick to dish out admission to foreign students just to increase revenue but the embassy sees things differently.

thesoj:
Justwise, I'll have to partially disagree with you here and agree with @zeongeon. Where I agree with you is that a course that shows no progression would likely lead to a visa denial because it shows that the applicant is probably not a genuine student but just an intending immigrant.

Where I would disagree with you is your point that college programs (e.g. PGD/PGC) are not a progression after a bachelors degree. I think you reach this conclusion because you are looking from a UK/US perspective. Canadian college programs at the PGC/PGD levels are specifically geared towards applicants already with a degree (or a previous diploma in some cases) and they teach different skillsets than masters or PhD programs.

Additionally, they provide an opportunity for the student (who already has a bachelors degree) to obtain practical skills and training that s/he may not obtain from a masters program. Keep in mind that masters programs are generally more focused on concepts and theory as opposed to college programs which spin out candidates that are probably job-ready from day one. The advantage of masters programs is that they make the student more adaptable to any job (in his/her general field of study) because they provide the student a very strong theoretical, conceptual, and (sometimes) research background.

Personally I have no "emotional investment" in this topic because I am more of a BSc/MSc/PhD kind of guy (and I think they are in general more marketable/valuable), but with the right course PGC/PGD programs are certainly a progression from a BSc. Having said all these, visa officers are probably automatically suspicious of college applicants in general because admission to these programs is generally very easy unlike masters programs which usually require letters of recommendations, mailed transcripts, a good statement of purpose, etc. Masters programs also take months before issuing an admission, whereas college programs admit in days! Nonetheless, the ease of admission doesn't mean that the programs are not a valuable progression of study for many applicants.

This is certainly not the case. PGD/PGC means post-graduate so you can only be admitted to such courses if you have a bachelors degree or HND (and OND in some cases). These requirements are clearly spelled out on the websites of most/all colleges.

I have two siblings in Canada, one in a MSc program and another in a PGD program (both of whom got to Canada this January). The one in the PGD program already has a co-op and an interview for a full-time job. Three of us agree that the PGD was the better fit for him, given his skills and immediate interests. Of course, the one in the MSc program is also learning a whole lot and it is the best fit for her.

I don't think you read my post properly or understand the arguments here.

Courses are not designed only for Nigerians or other African countries who will require a visa to enter Canada, immigration-wise.. degree to PGD/PGC is not a natural progression, its a shortcut to immigration.

You don't need PGD/PGC to get into Msc when you have a degree and you will struggle to convince Canadian embassy that of all the courses offered by universities and colleges that you only see PGD/PGC ones.

You choose a course and at a level that shows natural progression and gives you a better chance of getting a study permit

chuksbenin:
So if I book my appointment 15 working days after my application date , that means my visa will come out on my interview date according to Justwise. Lol.

That can only happen in your own world.

spikesC:
@justwise; seems like it is safe to assume that VO understands currency fluctuations

That has always been the case because it will be so unfair to penalize an applicant for something out of his or her hands

MrsDaniels:
Justwise means me wey use 403 calculate mine from start when the money was deposited can still go ahead and not worry abt the oanda thing now right? Used it to calculate maintanance and some few pounds left for my tuition. And shud i write the rate i used to calculate it on my application form. As my 28days is ending on sunday. Applying nextweek.

My view about exchange rate issue still remain the same and i can't possibly add anything else.

nwugon:
justwise please I need your help.my admission letter carries my father's name and I intend renewing my passport next month with my husbands name.Hope this is not going to cause any problem when I go for my study permit.what do you advice and between uni Regina and Manitoba which one can you go for?

Not much of an issue as long as you explain that in your application form or in a paper and attach it to your application package.

adebayoolatunji:
studied physics and going for advanced diploma in instrumentation and control engineering technology

At what level?

Tarry:
That's the reason why many PGC/PGD get refused, to the vo it does not line up. You need to really convince them before you can get a TRV

Applying for PGC/PGD with WAEC or GCE and at early 20s will make sense but planning to spend millions a year to do certificate course is like an asylum application

zeongeon:
Let me answer your question since you don't know.

Firstly, canada isn't like the UK that has a masters degree programme for virtually all courses. Some courses in Canada can't be found at Masters level rather you find them at diploma, certificates, Bsc, PGD or PGC levels.

Secondly, its not every Bsc holder that graduates out of school with a second class upper as we know that most schools in canada take mostly second class upper grades for Masters level.

Thirdly, all fingers are not equal some people are within a budget and can afford the PGC or PGD fees but can't afford the masters.

Fourthly, some people need PGD or PGC to advance into a Masters programme. A PGD or PGC for some people is what they need to start there career or set themselves on a right track and its worth every million they spend.


Fifth, PGD, PGC, Diploma for some courses provides the necessary hands on experience for one to excel in the competitive labour market. I have heard stories from friends who are working in canada and they said they where picked by employers cause of the technical and practical experience the employers believed they must have picked up while studying in institutions like NAIT and SAIT.

Everyone has various reasons for going for masters or Pgc, pgd, diploma or certificate courses and some times such reasons transcends their Bsc, work experience and amount of money they will spend.

My question was rhetorical but your answers above shows why many are still getting refused because they failed to see the issue here.

Applying for TRV with a course that shows no progression is basically risking your money and time.

The natural progression for degree holders and sometimes work experience is Msc then Phd or another degree in another filed completely.

When you have a degree with work experience, married and probably approaching 30s and you are going for certificate course then you are a potential immigrant and not a genuine student.

You choose a course and at a level that gives you the best chance of getting TRV

yomiselmer:
lol... @justwise the person is not clueless (the mail was sent by [b]VISAINFO.SHEFO@fco.gov.uk acknowledging receipt of application), it is just @chucksbenin who interpreted it wrongly. this is an extract of the mail for everybody to make their own Judgement.
[/b]
Please note that UKVI aims to complete all Visit Visa applications within 15 working days and all Settlement Visa applications within 12 weeks of the application date. If it is not possible to complete your application within this timeframe a member of our team will contact you to explain why.

Have a niceday everyone. @zaty and @mcstar, please don't forget to inform the house if you get your decision mail today. Have a wonderful day.

That is clearly obvious.

MrsF:
My baby finally picked up his visa today!! Yaaayyyy!!!! Guys the headache of the oanda rate of using naira to buy pounds or vice versa is unnecessary cos all i did was multiple the tuition fees by the rate i wanted to calculate it by eg £5000*N400. Cos the rate isnt stable anyway all this naira side and pound side i didnt use it it was just this week i read on the forum and saw the headache it was causing its simple maths.
So i used N400 to calculate but by the time i was submitting the rate was N419 but as justwise advised i submitted it like that cos we all really dont have control over the market. So i was about N40,000 short or there about
Also my UK bank didnt give me a bank statement as they dont issue monthly bank statements for savings account so they gave me a letter stating how much was in there and how long it had been there for wt the account name and number.
Submitted at VAC 15/09
Decision mail received 22/09
Collected 25/09
Thanks guys

Congratulations!

chuksbenin:
Sorry to prove Justwise wrong, but I spoke with the home office and they made it clear over the phone that it's 15 days from the day your documents were received and acknowledged by the UKVI. Haba! They even confirmed what I said before that TLS and VACs are all partners not UKVI workers. If your application exceeds 15 days from that point, they will definitely email you to explain. That's the confusion. This last guy that just got his visa here is a proof. Calculate his timing. Others too. No one has exceeded 15 days. But if you calculate with the day of application, almost nobody got his or her own before 15 days. Another funny thing is this, what if you extended ur appointment date maybe a week or more from the day of application, while another person selects a day after his application as his interview date, will both of u get ur visa the same time because u applied the same day? Funny.

Dude i think you are now making things you.

The argument here is not about whether they will process it within 15 working days or not, i'm disputing your comment that the 15working days starts from the time HomeOffice receives the application, that is wrong, the counting starts from the very day you made your application and paid for it.

chuksbenin:
Baba Justwise no vex o. I was just interpreting what I saw from the mail sent by Sheffield to me and other applicants. They made it clear that the 15 working days are specifically for processing. And of course processing starts from the point of reception by the UKVI not the VAC. In fact the VAC guys can not even do anything about your application until they receive any instruction from the Home office. I stand to be corrected though and I still respect your wealth of experience in this field. Respect!

The person that sent you that email is clueless. Check UKBA website it stated clearly there.

chuksbenin:
Just to set the records straight, hope we all know that the 15 working days actually start counting from the day you receive that email from UKVI that they have received your documents and application, not from the day of your application or interview because that is where they will officially declare to you that the process will take 15 days. Besides they cannot process what they have not seen. Thanks guys

That is incorrect, it starts from the date you made your application and not the day they received it and send you and acknowledgement email

adebayoolatunji:
What if it's the person wants to change course and the person opt for an Advanced diploma

You change course at the same level or higher, postgraduate diploma is more or less a preparatory/entry course. Immigration-wise its hardly for somebody with degree and work experiences.

sugababe101:
Hi guys,
I must confess I have learnt a lot on this forum.
Pls kindly advise me on this. 
‎
I plan to study in canada and apply for PR afterwards.
I have a degree(second class upper) in business already, so the option is to go for a Post Graduate Diploma /certificate or a masters degree (mba)

OPTIONS:

1.I go for a 1 year pg Diploma /certificate program in colleges like George Brown,seneca, etc. ( from research I hear it's difficult to get PR as you are given only 1 year of pgwp which may be too short to process your PR)

2. Enrol in Humber on centennial for a 2 years pg diploma/certificate. (the question is why do a 2 years pg Diploma When you are qualified for a masters degree, which obviously seems better) 

3. Apply for a masters degree in any of the affordable universities. ( the problem here is, I'll have to wait till next September , as most of the universities only admit in fall semesters..

Questions:
Which among the three seems like the best option?

Is it a waste of time applying for a masters degree and then waiting till next year September? I feel like it's a long time to wait.

Has anyone ever gotten PR after 1 year of full time PG program?


Thanks a lot, pls help a sister, your advice will be well appreciated..

3 is your best bet.


I really want to ask this...

Why would anybody with Bsc and sometimes work experience spend millions traveling to Canada to do Postgraduate diplomas/certificates courses?

amh10:
Hi everyone,

I made a recent payment for the balance of my tuition and accommodation and I just submitted my tier 4 online visa application before receiving an updated CAS in anticipation that it will be updated before my appointment, only to realise it may have been the wrong way to go about it. I have not yet submitted my application in person as my appointment is in a few days. So what do you suggest I do? Should I print out the the updated CAS and attach to my application when receive it or should I cancel my application and start afresh? What should I do? Your advice will be appreciated, I'm freaking out at the moment. Thanks in advance

You have nothing to worry about, your school will update the CAS system to reflect the payment.

If your school sent you the updated CAS attach it to your application.

KaunisMomo:
Hello house and justwise, pls I have a question, can one be denied uk visa after been given 3 times previously? Cos tho I applied for the 3 in nigeria nd the renewals took maximum of 6 days for me to get back, but now m in Europe,applied with my baby here nd its 8 working days still haven't heard back from dem..I said I was sponsoring myself cos m on maternity leave nd I get paid by d government,I showed proof of d payment,acct statement,residence permit photocopy,childs birth certificate,letter from my hubby. My past visas,I never used more dan a month,I put my marriage certificate in,invitation letter of my host and passport page... or is dere something I should have added? Cos this one its taking long,I hope they are not typing my appeal letter so, or whats ur take?

Yes that is possible because every application is treated on its own merit though your previous immigration records helps as well

Mikelion:
Hello everyone,
- Is it mandatory for one to book a flight before applying for visit visa?

- If the visit visa is issued, will I be requested to visit VAC to collect or they will mail it back to me?
- How can I get to the VAC in VI from Oshodi?

Please advise.

No it's not, you can book after getting your visa