₦airaland Forum

I think you should write to IRCC Nairobi office to inquire why your child’s VV validity is only 6 months. Under normal circumstances he should get 2 years validity same as yours.

This is my experience...In early 2020 applied for a VV for my family of 3. After PPR, my Passport and that of my spouse was stamped with 10 months visa even though our passport was still valid till Jan & Dec 2023 respectively. But our toddler daughter got her VV up till her passport expiry date (her VV was valid for 44 months). Weird right!

I wrote an email to IRCC Nairobi asking why our visa was not given until passport expiry date as the norm and citing the case for our daughter. I mentioned this might have been an oversight error or typo and requested if they could review the visa validity.
I got a response back after a few days to resubmit our passports for the changes. We had to pay transmission fee again for 2 passports. I got back the passports with visa validity extended up till passport expiry date. Note, old visa counter foil was cancelled and a new one was issued.

All the best.

quin9:
My people…
I just got my passport back today and I noticed my son’s visa is only for 6months while my studies is for 2years,has anyone experienced this?
I weak for IRCC oh,please anyone with such experience should share coz me I still intend to come to Nigeria during breaks.

Check the @senecaafrica IG page…they currently have a link to apply for application fee waiver code.

PasqualO:
Boss please any Seneca application fee waiver code available?
Please help a brother..���

You can travel up to the end of 34 weeks pregnant on Ethiopian airlines while other airlines allow up to 36 weeks. My wife travelled at 34 weeks on Ethiopian airlines and no issue at all. Just get a fit to fly from your doctor and then take it to their office and they will give you a small document signed by Ethiopian airline that you a okay to fly.

FYI, our flight originated from Addis Ababa and not from Lagos or Abuja so procedure might be different. I will advise that you go to their sales office for proper clarification.

Lhezy:
On their website u are not allowed to travel.

I need someone who broke that protocol to travel and she went about it

If you don’t want to declare your money then you can only carry 10k CAD equivalent in USD. You can carry more than 10k CAD but you will have to declare it at customs. If you have more than 10k CAD/USD just declare it and you should be fine.

Calmdancer21:
I really appreciate you all for taking time and answering my questions please how much USD maximum can I travel with me without breaking any rules considering USD to CAD conversation rate.
Please is urgent thank you

Yeah, don’t exchange at the airport. The rates are not good. You can try https://www.interchangefinancial.com/ if you are in Toronto. Walk in to any of their offices for swift exchange.

FYI, I have no affiliation with them.

Donkunxex:
10k cad in usd. I travelled with more by mistake ( didn’t do the math well) but please Travel with less. I didn’t declare it so. I don’t know about others though. And Again, do not exchange it at the airport. The rate I got at Toronto airport is a ripoff. I only converted a few.

If you don’t want to declare your money then you can only carry 10k CAD equivalent in USD. You can carry more than 10k CAD but you will have to declare it at customs. If you have more than 10k CAD/USD just declare it and you should be fine.

Obibaby:
I think you can carry upto $10k... Someone that gave a landing gist not long said he/she had upto 10kusd and declared it at the POE.

I was concerned about this too. Thanks for the clarity.
What about for a 1+1 program, is it also counted as 2 yrs? I applied for a bundled 1+1 PGCs running concurrently and the LOA states study duration is going to be 2 years…does IRCC also expect that I show funds for the second PGC even though I could decide not to do it after completion of the first PGC?

Frankrobbn1:
You're absolutely right!, this is one of the mistakes most individuals make in their respective applications. I remember I have addressed this question long time ago in 2016/2017 when we had to argue it amongst ourselves on this platform, the thread was bubbling then LOL .

For clarity purposes and for future readers:

"If you're self-sponsored, you're expected to show proof of funds for the entire duration of your program in Canada. Only on the account are you being sponsored by someone can you declare proof of funds for the first academic year". Please ladies and gentlemen on this platform take note of this and make the most of this advice in your application.



It will end in praise

It is the time your flight is expected to arrive in Canada. Use the time on your ticket.

Semtu:
Please, is the 72 hours to fill ArriveCAN calculated as to when I board my flight in Nigeria or the time I arrive at the port of entry in Canada?

Yes, you can just make sure you declare it. I did recently on a visiting visa and no issues at all in YYZ. They didn’t even ask to see it.

Scott99tish:
Hi all,

Quick question…
Partner want me to bring some powdered milk for her.

I know I’ve seen it somewhere from some people that milk is not allowed and some said they carried.

Pls do you have idea if I can carry powdered milk ?
I don’t want trouble from first day…

Yes, you are required to have a quarantine plan even if you are fully vaccinated. That info is required on when you are filling the ArriveCAN data. You need a place you can quarantine for 14 days in case it is required due to covid19 exposure during your flight to Canada. You are most likely not going to be asked to quarantine unless someone on the flight you arrive in test positive on arrival in Canada. That’s the main reason why they ask you plan for it and report the address you will be staying.

Danikcm:
Please guys, is it mandatory to have a quarantine plan if your fully vaccinated and test negative for covid. Do they border officers ask about your quarantine plan?

Ethiopia Airlines is not bad. I have flown with them many times in the last 5 years. And if travelling to Canada it is the most direct route option with short connecting time. You can check Lufthansa too.

Be careful with United Airlines, unless you have a U.S. visitor or transit visa. You cannot connect/transit through the U.S. to another country without a transit or visitor visa.

Quick tip when searching for flight...the more you or people search a particular flight option the airline knows from their backend data that people are planning to travel to these destinations and they start to increase their flight fare. Best thing to do is to always clear your browser cache/history and all cookies, as that is what they use to track your search activities on their websites. It's all about data and web search analytics.

Peace and safe journey.

Scott99tish:
Safe trip brother.
Peace mass, lol

Ethiopian Airline that I checked and saw 700k on their website. Probably some error, I will look again.

I’m seeing United Airline everywhere. Any rating ?

Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope your son is going great. Could you please share more details how you were able to book an appointment with Dr Ted before your arrival in Canada? Any contact details for his office? Please help as we are due to arrival in Canada in 2 weeks.

Anyone with past experience in this area can also share info. Thanks at lot.

makylove101:
BIRTH STORY..Long Post alert:

VISA HISTORY:

My hubby and I got our TRV from VFS Abuja office via online application in 2019(4yrs and 10yrs visas respectively due to the validity of our passports). I posted about documents submitted and timeline in the Canada TRV thread. I wasn’t pregnant back then and had planned to use it for tourism in 2020 but then I lost my mum feb 2020 and COVID hit.

POE EXPERIENCE:

Got pregnant early this year and decided to give birth in Canada (we had our first son in the United States in 2018. We tried but couldn’t get a visa appointment date to renew our US visas which expired last year).

I am fully vaccinated so I travelled with my vaccination card and didn’t encounter any issues (From Sept 7th, foreign nationals are allowed to enter Canada if fully vaccinated and aren’t expected to quarantine either). I did my Covid test at Medicaid (N35k) and filled the Arrivecan form via the app 48hrs before my trip.

I landed in Toronto Pearson Airport, Canada from Abuja via British Airways on the 4th of Oct at exactly 32wks plus 6 days pregnant while visibly showing. Proceeded to fill the automated entry kiosk (filled in no of days to stay in Canada,Food items I came with etc) and then headed to immigration.
First officer asked my reason for being there, I told her that I came to give birth and for vacation. The immigration officer didn’t seem to know the questions to ask me and I was sent for secondary inspection.

The interview went like this;

Officer: Why are you here?

Me: For childbirth and vacation. Proceeds to give him my email appointment confirmation with a family doctor.

Officer: why would you risk traveling especially since blood clot at this stage of your pregnancy can kill you?. I know this cause my wife is pregnant and our doctor told her not to think of any long distance traveling as she is prone to having blood clots at this stage of her pregnancy.

Me: Well I have no history of blood clots during pregnancy and my doctor wasn’t worried about that being a problem for me hence my “fit to fly” letter

Officer: I am aware you have a fit to fly letter obviously cause you wouldn’t have been able to travel otherwise but still “blood clot” is a general thing for all pregnant women. Everyone knows this.

Me: I still insist it isn’t a problem for me. I am here and no issues obviously as you can see.

Officer: Okay so why give birth in Canada, why not in Nigeria?

Me: Better healthcare for baby and I and also cause I can afford it. Given how long it took me to have my first baby, I make it a point to get the best in terms of healthcare to avoid any stories.

Officer: But there is good healthcare in Nigeria too. Once you have money you should be able to get good healthcare.

Me: Sorry Sir, have you been to Nigeria before?

Officer: I have been to India and it’s the same thing with Nigeria. Same criteria applies to healthcare if you have money.

Me: India is not the same with Nigeria. Again I ask, have you been to Nigeria Sir?

Officer: I don’t have to be in Nigeria to know. It’s the same thing with India

Me: Yeah but the question is have you been to Nigeria?

Officer: * Pauses for a bit* Ok, so how much do you have with you?

Me: I came in with 9k US dollars cash. Do you want to see?

Officer: No, it’s fine. Generally it costs about 10k CAD to give birth in Canada but you are atleast expected to have minimum of 20k CAD in case of an emergency with the baby (not that we are praying for one)

Me: The estimate I was given is definitely less than 20k CAD. However, we are prepared in case of an emergency

Officer: Do you have proof of other funds just in case of an emergency?

Me: Yes. Logged into my USD domiciliary account in Naija and also showed him my husband’s BOA account statement.

Officer: Ok, I can see you have the funds in case of an emergency but do you have other funds or you are using all your savings for this childbirth?

Me: Yeah ofcourse. My husband and I work and earn monthly plus I have funds in money market investment and my hubby also has other savings. Do you want to see?

Officer; Yes please.

Me: Proceeds to login to my money market investment mobile app. He sees the amount in Naira and does a quick conversion.

Officer: OK, I see you have more than enough. Where will you be staying in Canada?

Me: Proceeds to give him the letter from my host with her phone no and the address I will be staying in and also stating that I paid her for a full basement apartment for a period of 2 months.

Officer: How did you get this apartment?

Me: It was a referral from a contact in Nigeria

Officer: Ok. Do have a lovely time in Canada, I wish you all the best and pray there is no complications with the baby. Congratulations in advance. Stamps me in.

Me: Thank you very much.

ACCOMODATION:

I got a two bedroom basement apartment to stay in for 62 days at Brampton Ontario. (I used a birth service company for this). Hired them to help with accommodation and doctor’s appointment but I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM. Crappy service to say the least!. Canada is a new turf for us and we barely have family or friends here. I was just tired after trying AirBnB and seeing some crazy rates. Our rent was a bit expensive ($1,900 per month plus cleaning fee $100 but better than what I got from Airbnb) plus the apartment was great and well situated. Most stores were within a walking distance so we were really good.

I bought my SIM card from Chatr mobile. See the link below for their data plans. It’s advisable to get one cause you will need to make calls, book appointments, use Uber etc.

https://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse

*My hubby and son joined me in Canada on the 5th of Nov, exactly one month after. Hubby stated that he was coming in to welcome his new baby as wifey was in Canada to give birth when asked at POE.

HOSPITAL:

My first appointment was at Humber River Hospital with Dr Ted on the 19th of Oct at exactly 35 weeks. I eventually found out I didn’t need a referral from a family doctor to see him even though I could have gotten one from my appointment with a family doctor if they wanted.
Dr Ted was super nice, I liked him right away and he is quite familiar with Nigerian patients.

First Appointment fee: 120 CAD
Subsequent(went twice again): 60 CAD per visit. Overall total 240 CAD
Doctor: 2,500 CAD
Assistant: 500 CAD
Hospital (mum & baby): 0 CAD. Apparently due to COVID 19, some hospitals here in Ontario is free for all patients till the end of Nov 2021. I tried but they aren’t accepting payments even for Intl patients.
Peadetrician: 500 CAD
Epidural: 1,000 CAD
Lab: 99.03 CAD (I used Dyna care, it was just a walking distance from where I stayed in Brampton)
Scan: 82 CAD
Pediatric visit: 100 CAD (We used Dr Wise. subsequent visit 50 CAD. We went twice so a total of 150 CAD)

Ps: I am a CS mama.

*Baby boy was born on the 10th of Nov. I stayed at the hospital for about 36hrs before I was discharged.

Circumcision: We will be doing this in Naija as we did for our first son.

BABY DOCUMENTATION:

Birth certificate (Long & short): 60 CAD
We requested and registered baby’s birth online and paid for birth certificate on the 13th of Nov. It took 7 working days to arrive.
Baby’s Passport photo (4 copies): 33 CAD.
Intl Passport: 107 CAD. It took two days before we could pick up
Visa on arrival: $195 and N30k processing fee. It took two days.
BA ticket for baby: 355 CAD


SUMMARY:

Accommodation for Two months: 3,900 CAD
Doctor’s Appointment fee: 240CAD
Doctor’s fee: 3,000 CAD
Hospital Peadetrician: 500 CAD
Hospital fee: 0 CAD
Scan: 82 CAD
Lab: 99.03 CAD
Epidural: 1000 CAD
Pediatric visit: 150 CAD
Long & short Birth certificate: 60 CAD
Passport Photo for baby: 30 CAD
Intl passport (expedited): 107 CAD
Visa on Arrival: $195 and N30k processing fee
BA ticket for baby: 355 CAD

We are leaving for Abuja in 5 days time.

Ps: Please note that this is exclusive of money spent shopping for food, Uber and other essentials. We used a lot of Uber rides which didn’t come cheap. Hubby tried to rent a car but they kept insisting on a Canadian driving license and a Canadian credit card so it was Uber all the way for transportation.

I hope this helps someone...the thread has been quite dry for a long while.

It’s a shame that there is a ban against Nigeria due to the new covid 19 variant but hopefully that changes soon enough.

Gurus in the house, abeg any suggestion or advise. Thanks

KC23:
Hello and respect to all the gurus in the house. I have been a silent reader for quite some time now. The info here is worth more than gold. Brothers and sisters sharing knowledge and advise selflessly. I dove my cap to you all.

I am about to apply for my study permit for Jan 2023 intake and not quite sure which portal to use - old or new portal. Any particular advantage of selecting one over the other? Also, I am not currently based in Nigeria for the last 3 yrs…currently a temporary residence in one of the East African countries (work things). I’m thinking to apply using the NSE route but not sure if Nigerians residing outside Nigeria qualifies to use this option. Or should I just apply from here through the normal route stating my current residence?

PS: I currently hold a Canada visitor visa which I applied for from here and got approved in 4 weeks…though this will expire in Jan 2023 along side my Int’l passport. Should I wait to renew my passport in July before submitting my application? I read that IRCC recommends to have a valid passport up to the study permit request timeframe.

I need comments and advise pls.

Hello and respect to all the gurus in the house. I have been a silent reader for quite some time now. The info here is worth more than gold. Brothers and sisters sharing knowledge and advise selflessly. I dove my cap to you all.

I am about to apply for my study permit for Jan 2023 intake and not quite sure which portal to use - old or new portal. Any particular advantage of selecting one over the other? Also, I am not currently based in Nigeria for the last 3 yrs…currently a temporary residence in one of the East African countries (work things). I’m thinking to apply using the NSE route but not sure if Nigerians residing outside Nigeria qualifies to use this option. Or should I just apply from here through the normal route stating my current residence?

PS: I currently hold a Canada visitor visa which I applied for from here and got approved in 4 weeks…though this will expire in Jan 2023 along side my Int’l passport. Should I wait to renew my passport in July before submitting my application? I read that IRCC recommends to have a valid passport up to the study permit request timeframe.

I need comments and advise pls.

Congratulations!!! Your approval was really fast. I guess showing enough POF is always a huge plus. Did you make any tuition deposit before you applied?

I am in the process of applying for my study permit. I am also self sponsored and can conveniently show POF to cover the tuition and living expenses for 2yrs but just worried how to convince the VO about the 2 years PGC (1+1 option) after completing a UK Masters in 2019. Could you be so kind to share your SOP (I specifically want to see how you drafted the section about defending your program choice of 2yrs PGC).

Thanks.

Stburnish2:
PPR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! � � � �
✅ ✅ ✅

Good morn beautiful pple.
I just came across this page yesterday and was able to read through. As a tradition I saw on the group, lemme join by sharing my timeline


First time applicant

Portal type: Old portal

Application submitted - 11 Feb 22

Biometric done and updated- 17 Feb

Medical Request - 4 March

Medicals - 17 March

Medicals Passed - 22 March

BVL————- 24 March ✔️
PPR ————-24 March ✔️

For all those waiting,,, It shall end in praise

Please, I’m ready to share any more info that might be needed from me

I still have haven’t received mine yet. I called but no response. I thought the were not working because of the Muslim holiday. Can you pls share which number you are able to reach them on?

Olafisoyem:
Yes after so many calls and then they gave me ticket to Abuja instead of lagos

Thanks.

modash:
Grace at flyairpeace

Can you please confirm the email address that was used to send the ticket? Need to be on the lookout, just in case it goes to my junk mail.
Thanks.

modash:
Guys i just received my ticket.

I haven't received mine too. But now there is hope since @modash received his. Fingers crossed

modash:
Mine came in like 10 mins ago. Im sure yours will drop as well

Do you know if they will accept covid test result done in another country and still within the 2 weeks validity timeframe?

modash:
I ordered the kit to be delivered to me. So hopefully it arrives tomorrow

I really don't know why it is taking so long to confirm payment and issue ticket. I sum it to unnecessary bureaucracy and incompetence. It would have been better if they made the tickets available on their website and allow us to book directly like it's done for USA evacuees. I'll try to contact them again tomorrow.

modash:
@Olafisoyem and @KC23. Its seems this people have failed to send the tickets again. Have you guys contacted them again??

No, it is was today. I am currently in a GMT+2 time zone. I will be in London early next week once I receive my ticket.

modash:
Did you receive this yesterday. The timestamp is reading 4pm

Abeg let’s know if you have gotten your ticket. Me I never receive my ticket o. But got WhatsApp msg that they in process of confirming payments and issuing tickets.

Olafisoyem:
Have you got your ticket �

Also I can ask from my sister about the covid test

Na wa o. And they didn’t even acknowledge receipt of the payment evidence sent to their email or WhatsApp.
Please anyone who has heard from air peace should be update us o.

Olafisoyem:
Nothing yet o

Have you heard anything yet from Air Peace? I also paid yesterday after and no feedback yet.
Honestly, the whole evacuation thing is just so tiring.

Olafisoyem:
Okay let’s hope we hear back soon!

Is this legit? Please share more info or contact details.

ebuka10box:
uae

Interested.

justwise:
If that is your problem then ask people who are interested to indicate here then when you have the number you need you can pm them your number to arrange how to meet physical to sort it out

I’m also interested in the Lomé or Cotonou option. I also checked overland airways website and nothing about flight to Lomé. I guess if they are flying it is not public knowledge and most likely arranged as a special or chartered flight. I think we should reach out to overland directly or even air peace to hear what they say.

Rynlesh:
I was told by someone that i can travel via overland airways to Lome nd from lome, i can get Ethiopian airline to Europe. She said her friend travelled back to London same way. But when i searched overland airline website to check for flight to Lome, there was none. So i also checked Togo news if there’s any news about their international airport. I confirmed that the international airport has started operating but land border is closed for tourist. I am confused on how to go about this journey cause I am stranded here nd i need to get back to my family so i have been looking for informations on how i can travel back since the airports are shut down for international.
Please if anybody has traveled back through any neighboring country should kindly help.
Thanks��

Please @ednut1 kindly share more info. It will help a whole lot. Thanks

dreddboy007:
Thanks for sharing this information. Please is there any way people can contact you for more information about this. It will help a lot of people and their family. You have no idea how people are battling with life threatening situations at the moment because they are stuck here. Hence why I created this thread.

Please can you share more details how you got to Cotonou from Nigeria? I have someone who have to travel out of Nigeria as soon as possible. There are flights leaving Lome or Cotonou to other parts of the world. Just need clear info how to get to Lome or Cotonou.

You can also share any challenges you faced on your way, so people can learn.

Thanks in advance for sharing �

Knight2:
on our way to cotonu airport

Thanks for sharing. I'm based in Ethiopia and also considering trying to get back to see my family and it seems the Cotonou option is the most viable option from Addis Ababa at the moment. I hear there's a mandatory covid-19 test to be done at Cotonou airport and it cost around €153. Passport will be retained and returned with test result within 48hrs. I don't mind the test but staying in Cotonou for 48hrs is my slight concern and also how safe is the route from Cotonou to seme border.

I also heard from someone who knows a person that went through Cotonou from Addis Ababa and had to sort down people at the airport and he didn't have to do the test and they let him go. *I can't confirm this but this is Africa*.

Hopefully, if I finally decide in the next few days to use Cotonou to get to Nigeria then I will likely PM you so we can catch up at the airport. They say two good heads are better than one, so I think if we are two or even more it will be much easier and possibly safer too.

Do you know how to get from Cotonou airport to seme border and onwards? Pardon my naive question I haven't used the West African land borders before.

Cheers

pharuk:
My Route is from UK to Nigeria not the other way.
I have just paid for a ticket for:

Heathrow => Adids Abab
Addis Ababa => Cotonou

Then road transport from Cotonou to Lagos

I also done a Covid Test in UK here just in case any one sees ho ha

Flight leaves next tuesday, so i would rather the person gets there safely and what lessons learnt, before i can share any details.

I am using this for the first time and cannot be responsible for anyone.

Even though i have paid the amount today, if i hear there is a direct flight from london to lagos today via the. evacuation route, i will pay again because i hate this cotonou route