₦airaland Forum

My dear, the best thing to do is to get all your referees to print their reference letters on an official letterhead and sign, then sealed in separate envelops and sign across the sealed envelop, then mail to the school through DHL, NIPOST, UPS, or any Currier company, that will make the reference letters official and acceptable.

BTW. Sending the printed letter through scanning may still be considered as unofficial, so the best bet is to mail the hard copy.

NwanyiOkpa:
I am very sad right now.


I was looking through the application procedure for MUN. I discovered that MUN requires recommendation to be submitted via email and using an institution email address.

My issue is that most of my lecturers are not techy and they are not good with using emails and d rest. They find it stressful.



Secondly, my school's lecturers don't have institution emails. They have yahoomail and gmail. I am confused as to how i can make my application successful.

Hi Dear Sillysassysally,
It's wonderful to hear from you again and am happy to know you are settling in alright despite the unforseen challenges, we really missed you here. Again I want to say thank you for the heads up and I do appreciate the way you present your posts, well organized and structured making it very easy for even a layman to understand. I wish you all the best in Canada as I pray and hope to join you in Canada as well. Cheers

sillysassysally:
Hi Everyone,

I want to start by sincerely apologizing for going MIA since I got here. Life happened so fast and it didn't help that I didn't have a laptop. I have only just started settling down after all the hassle.

Landing gist...
It was pretty straightforward and didn't take time. The only question I remember the border official asking me was which school I was going to and what program. Then, of course, I was asked to show my correspondence letter and CAQ.

Canada...
I am currently attending McGill University so I'm quite comfortable speaking about Montreal.
1. French everywhere! I was so surprised - even my youtube ads changed to french! Better to start learning french to optimize your experience but if you don't speak French, it's still fine because most people are bilingual.
2. Beautiful city... people say its the best city to jaiye in Canada because things are always happening! I think last week was about Real Madrid (they are in Canada for a tour), then the week before that was jazz festival week... Needless to say, its a really fun city!

Myths people have about Canada
1. People tend to believe that once they leave Naija, they'll begin to live their best lives... It's not really true - especially if you don't have money. Since I got here, I've actually battled depression because my school work is so tedious, i don't even think I'll be able to work part-time to cover my living expenses. If you are doing a one-year program, it's possible that your schedule would be as rigorous because for most masters in Canada, its usually two years so you can imagine the "rushing" they do for one-year programs. So with no time to work, and with steady expenses, you can imagine the stress I've been going through just merely thinking about my situation. Here's my advice to those planning to come to Canada, if you cannot afford living expenses and you plan to work part-time to cover your living costs, please do a two-year program. That way, you'll have more time to spare to work and it'll be reasonable for you to work and still have enough time to commit to your academics.
2. Taxes here in Montreal are a freaking 15%! I bought my laptop and paid taxes of $114! Needless to say, buy your laptop before coming.

Things i'm grateful i did before coming here
1. I'm grateful I packed garri, indomie, etc because when you come here, expenses and bills would hit you like a hurricane - especially in the first few weeks where you have to start paying for a phone plan, rent, bus pass, feeding, etc. Im grateful for the many things i didn't have to buy because i already brought them from Nigeria - I even carried toothpaste, cream, perfume, etc. Once you come here, you'll have a lot of expenses to make that you'd be super grateful if you already have some little things sorted out.

I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has for me.

Goodluck to all TRV hopefuls, University admission hopefuls and GRE/GMAT hopefuls

My dear, I have being reading up about your posts and advises given by some gurus in the house. However, my questions to you are these;
1. What exactly is your academic goal? To obtain a PhD? At what age or set-time? Is getting a second master's before proceeding for a PhD a possible delay for you?

2. What is the global value of a qualification obtained in Germany compared to a qualification obtained in Canada? What is the depth of expected knowledge acquisition in your academic field considering the research and other learning facilities in Germany compared to Canada?

3. Is available funding/Sponsorship a big attraction to you? Is this funding the major decision factor or the only decision factor for you? Have you researched on possible funding/scholarship after enrollment in school even when the admission offer didn't come with funding for both Germany and Canada?

4. Are you married? Is your family accompanying you for the duration of your study? Have you considered the impact of language barrier on your family members?

5. Do you have the intention to settle outside Nigeria after study? Have you considered the ease of migration to Germany compared to Canada?

Answers to these questions will help you come to a decision on the next step to take, and these answers lies within you only and nobody esle. Ask yourself, "What do I really want to achieve in life?" And your answers will come to you. Otherwise, you will only get confused the more and the clock is ticking.....

Ibitowaoa:
Yes I prayed!!!!!
Now I need your advice;
Conditions
1. I have withdrawn my deposited tuition fees paid to the University
2. My background is still under review ( not yet mark)
3. What if after going for the medical the realize I have withdrawn my deposited money is that not a lie on document submitted.
4. If I go for this medical and then request for passport would you advice I drop my passport with the current situation of things that passport release takes time.
I really want to have the visa of Canada at hand even if it means not going, as it boost my chances of going next.
Advice me if you are in my shoe what decision will you take knowing that Germany is on its way.
Plus Germany is for a PhD while Canada is second masters as I wrote and explained in my LOE.

I humbly awaits your reply.
Thank you.

Congratulations! Am happy for you. Please share your timeline and documents submitted so we can learn from yours.

MsJu:
Approval Alart........
See what HE has done for me!!!!!

Matured applicant
College diploma
Change of career
Family application

Indeed there's a God that hears and answers prayers.

Wow, congratulations to you! And I say Amen to that prayer....

Ymin:
A P P R O V A L A L E R T !!!
Program: MSc Biosystem Engineering, University Of Manitoba(Fall,2019)

This is my 3rd Application after 2 previous refusals and I have been a silent reader on this forum:

Application timeline
Route – Paper, processed in Nairobi Kenya
Applied 15th May 2019
Biometrics not required as the previous one is valid. I was able to link it online on the 26th May and then Background check already running.
Eligibility review 12th June
Medical Request 14th June
Medical Done 17th June at IOM Ikeja
Medical Passed 20th June
BVL-July 9th
Approval- July 10th
Then I got a text message late evening on Thursday 11th July from VFS Lagos that Passport is ready for pick up.
Passport pick up 12th July 2019(Within 2mins at VFS counter in Lekki, which was the fastest of all the waiting process from the beginning of the application)


Documents submitted:

Academic Qualification

B.Eng Degree in Agricultural Engineering
Msc Admission letter
Transcript from the University
CV
O Level Cert

Proof of Financial Support

Personal statement of account comprising current account balance of N3M and Fixed deposit of N3M
Reference Letter from the Bank to support SOA
Letter of Sponsorship as Postgraduate research assistant with funding of CAD18,000 for each year of my study.
Tuition is CAD12, 400 but also got an IGSES Scholarship of CAD5, 400 which is usually applied on the Tuition to effectively reduce it to CAD7, 000


Other documents

IMM Forms
Passport photo
Police Clearance Certificate was submitted during the first application so didn’t bother doing it again.
NYSC certificate
A work ID, Promotion letters and introduction letter from work
Landed property with Survey and Deed Of Assignment
Marriage cert and kids birth cert
Wife's passport biodata page
SOP and LOE address previous refusals in details

A few of my success stories and testimonies:

I first applied for a study visa to Canada in April 2018 and was refused June same year with Purpose of Visit.
Second Application was in Feb 2019 and was refused the same month with Purpose of visit and travel history.

In both cases, I used the services of an agent and I applied with the M.eng (One year course based) admission letter
Shortly before my second application, I contacted Frankrobbn to assist proofread my SOP. Despite his kind assistance then with every effort put in place, I was still delayed. Then after my second refusal, I contacted Bracha who encouraged me not to give up and assisted with part of my SOP correction.

Sometimes in Jan this year, I had thought of switching from the Meng to Msc but getting supervisor was the issue. After a series of emails with usual "no funding, no space" responses, God finally came through for me and that marks the turning point in my Canada journey. I got a Prof willing to supervise me and provided the Stipend that fully covers my study around April and then I decided to reapply for the 3rd time in May 2019.

This time around,Qudkom came to my rescue. We talk extensively, exchange emails and I had to even travel to a neighboring city to meet this wonderful and kind guy that I didn't know from anywhere just to ensure I get it right this time. Anyway, no more agent as I am prepared to take all the advice of the gurus to do it by myself.

Few days to my submission date, I had to literally go through all of Franks past post to ensure all my T's have been crossed and I's dotted.

My special appreciation thus goes to Frankrobbn, Bracha and Qudkom who positively influenced my application in a way or the other
Every other guru: Makano, Justmellow and so many Monikers I may not mention. God bless your selfless efforts on this thread.

I need to also mention that I am advanced in age and I have never traveled outside Nigeria before and I also graduated university in 2006 with about 11 years working experience. Married with 2 kids but I decided to apply alone first.
This is to encourage someone not to really give up.

Nevertheless all human efforts, IT IS NOT OF HIM THAT WILLS, NOR OF HIM WHO RUNS, BUT OF GOD WHO SHOWS MERCY....


More Success stories to every applicant awaiting feedback from Schools or the Embassy!!!

@Justwise,
The ball is now in your court to do the needful so the house can enjoy some peace.

jessyeve:
With all due respect, I'm not advocating for agents, i only asked someone to get professional help if he doesn't want to risk it, I ddnt refer anyone in particular, all I have been trying to do here is to give my sincere help...... What I meant by no co-sponsor is that two people can't sponsor, i Said that because I haven't seen anyone so far giving testimony with two sponsors, if I read well, she said elder brother and hubby will sponsor, I said choose one and the other should pay into ur account as his support then u mention it and show his source..... If some of u ain't so eager to attack, u would have seen we all saying the same thing or u would have asked and be clarified, stop hating on who u don't even no, I say things bluntly and that's how I prefer to receive it, don't have time to start massaging the truth but if u think u don't want me here, feel free to do ur mind, I personally don't believe anyone on earth is holding key to anyone success, thanks.

@jessyeve

My dear, calm down and take things easy with the way you respond to issue. If truly you believe that advice and suggestions given on this platform is from amateur and that agents have more professional advice and solutions, then I think you are in the wrong place. I have seen several questions and advice you seeked from members here and it makes me wonder why seek for such advice here if all you see and grade is amateur. Please we are all here to learn and guide one another out of our own free will and not bound on anyone to act on the advice or suggestions given here, no one is above error and once a suggestion or attention is drawn to such an error we should learn to look at it objectively and not in an offensive manner. I have also given some suggestions in an error but appreciated the moniker that drew my attention to the fact. So, please let's be calm and look at issues objectively before dish out knowledgeable advice or suggestions. Let Peace reign......

Tvickie:
Passport request/Approval right now !
I’ll post details when I get home ��������������

Congratulations!

From experience here, after medical request done and changed to passed, then followed by BVL, your approval is near if all your documents are genuine. Just keep praying for it shall end in praise!

Gbemms9:
Hi Everyone,
I applied for SP via paper, I got a medical request from CIC, which has been updated that I passed, now I just got a validity of biometric letter from cic.

What can I expect soon ?
Is this good ?

makano:
What kinda advice is dis @bolded? In case u dont know, the purpose of this thread is for applicants to get relevant information on how they can do their visa application themselves and get their Visa and not to fall into the wrong hands of these people called agents.. We have seen several cases here of applicants falling victims of CIC ban just cos of the unprofessionalism of these desperate people called agents that are only after your money and nothing else.. If you know u dont have the adequate knowledge to dish out to peeps here, I will advise u keep mute, read up the thread from previous parts, gain relevant knowledge and come back here and dish out what u have gained via the information u would have gotten here..I cant still believe someone can still advise Peeps to use an agent.. Please lets do the right thing. Peace

It baffles me too.

Qudkom:
Yep September decided to come in earlier. 2 months out max is fine and you should have a convincing reason. It comes with advantages and Con's

Please what's is advantages and con's?
But in your own case, you were not asked to explain your reason for early arrival, right?

AyoPrudence:
LINKING YOUR PAPER APPLICATION ONLINE

Steps to link your Study permit paper application online;


1) Go to this link
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/mycic.asp
2) Select: continue to Gckey
3)Select: Sign up on next page and create your username, password and security questions.
4)After creating my cic account, click link application to this account.
5)Then select category as Temporary residence and subcategory as Study permit and extension.
6)Then select Family name,given name and date of birth option.
7) Fill your family name(surname), given name and date of birth.
Next in applicant personal info fill passport information only and DO NOT FILL CITY AND COUNTRY OF BIRTH.
9) Fill program start and end date as well as DLI number of the institution (found in offer letter)
10) Your application will be found and can be linked.
11) You can get real time updates on your paper application.

Well done

Juleskiki:
Long Post Alert....
Wow, I crafted this testimony a long time ago to inspire someone.
My admission process was not an easy one, but when it was time God showed up. I applied to 2 schools late last year against fall 2019. By March 2019 they both sent me a refusal letter. I felt really bad, after the whole struggle of getting a supervisor and all. So I started looking for another supervisor, luckily one got back to me and after the interview and all. He offered me a spot in his lab. And in less than 3 weeks I was admitted with full funding.


Background:

BSc Applied Microbiology

Msc Environmental Science

Going for a PhD in Environmental Engineering


My Timeline:
Upfront medical-23rd May 2019
Submitted: 30th May 2019 (Paper route)

Biometrics: The same day
Upfront Medical updated to passed:13th June 2019
BVL: 20th June 2019
Approval:8th July 2019

Documents submitted

Admission letter
BSc Certificate
Bsc Transcript
Msc Certificate
Msc Transcript

Travel Docs with previous visas and exit stamps

Financial Docs
Detailed financial breakdown (This was a 2-page document extracted from my SOP, I felt I needed to explain my finance properly regardless of the funding)

1. Scholarship/Funding Letter (Full funding)

2. Letter of Support from Mum ( she noted she will be supporting with 11k per year regardless of the scholarships and assistantships)

3. Affidavit of support

4. SOA (Mum)

5. Employment details (Pay slips, Employment letter , Promotion letters)

6. My SOA (1.8M)- part of this money was from my husband as support funds

7. My employment letter

8. My confirmation letter

9. Letter of support from husband

10. Employment letter from husband

11. Letter of Introduction from my Institution (this letter also shows I was granted a paid study leave for 4 years since I could not wait for the official letter from my institution)-

12. Personal Car document

Others
1.SOP (well detailed -4Pages) Reason: My academic background was not straightforward, so I needed to explain every bit well.
2. Academic CV ( this Cv just shows different research, conference, publications, and relevant work experience) barely 2 pages
3.Marriage docs
4.Childbirth certificate
5.Husbands and child international passports
6.Mums international with travel history
7.My company CAC
8.Abstract of Publication and paper presentation



Special thanks to God Almighty…

Now this would not have been possible without the help of Frankrobbn1, Qudkom, schenobaby, 4evaco, Justmellow, Ticive Thanks so much guys… I am super grateful…

Congratulations Madam

Ayodeji787:
Yes you need to fill IMM1294E AND IMM5707E(if you're married) or IMM5645( IF YOU'RE Single).

The form imm5483e depends if you're using online or paper route. But if you're using online route you don't need it as it is not compulsory but it is compulsory for paper route applicants.

If you would be applying online you don't need to stress yourself as during your online account creation you will be asked some questionnaires and once you're done, it will list the documents you're to submit for your application.

I hope this helps, all the best.

Thanks but I have been trying figure out what the form IMM 5832e is meant for.

Hello good people in the house,
Please for study visa application, are we required to fill the CIC form IMM 5832E?
Or are we only required to fill forms IMM 1294E, IMM 5483E, & IMM 5707E?
Thanks for your response

zsuby:
PppppppppRrrrrrrrr

Congratulations bro, God has answered your call.

MsJu:
I just got informed that my application is being processed in Paris. Abeg any success story from there?

This is a new one, please was your application online or paper route?

Razzo:
Finally TRV
Never been this patient in my life for anything

App. Date: 20-02-2019
Background passed: 20-02-2019
Medical Request: 12-04-2019
Medical passed: 24-04-2019
Eligibility review passed: 02-05-2019
Program: Masters
Course: Electrical and Computer Engineering
School: University of Windsor
Route of submissions: Paper

Documents submitted:
All CIC forms
Well detailed 3 paged SOP
Offer and Letter of Admission
Undergraduate Transcripts
B.Eng Certificate & other professionals certifications
WAEC Results
NYSC Certificate
Receipt of School Fees Deposit ($6,000)
Birth certificate and international passport data page of parents and siblings.
Police clearance certificate.
Employment letters
Pay slips
Resume/cv
SOA of sponsor, father ($30,000 & N29m)
Sponsor’s letter & affidavit
Parents landed documents
PLENTY OF PRAYERS

After my medical request, I got a mail stating that the naira account seems fraudulent and requested for “my bank statement ticket ID and password”. I won’t lie to you this rattled me despite using a genuine statement of account. I generated the requested using my internet banking and sent to them as requested.

After so much waiting and praying it finally came.
I really want to use this opportunity to thank one of the most selfless human beings I know @frankrobbn1. Right from SOP review till date you’ve been most helpful. You’re blessed and always will be.
Then @awuuga I met you in this forum, I’m so happy our paths crossed, your a friend turned brother. What excites me the most is that we are going to the same school and the same course. Also, you being a term ahead of me gives me someone to look up to for guidance in school.

To all helping out applicants here, you guys are awesome. More power.

My advice to newbies, try and read the threads. It might be tiring and nobody expects you to read all the pages but read enough.

Wow, congrats bro, I am very happy for you. OMG, I love the rain of approvals this week, God is awesome and he is doing awesome wonders in the life of his people.

jaybaby2017:
Long Approval Alert!

r.

Wow! Congratulations!!!

Schonebaby:
Thanks to all my beautiful people. I see you all. All our labour will not go unrewarded.
I really desired to go with my family cos they mean the world to me. So contrary to popular opinion that one cannot get visas for family while still in Nigeria, I decided to apply. I started preparing for the application immediately I submitted mine. First, we valued our property (about 12 million), we also booked upfront medicals. Fortunately my visa came before the date given.

So I got my study visa May 7th. And I used these documents from me:
My approval letter
My passport showing visa
My previous passport
My admission letter
Funding letter (showing I have over the required 10k cad for personal living expenses, apart from tuition)
Letter of invitation. I explained several subtopics *relationship history *why swop and visit visa for daughter (daughter is less than 2 years) *funding and budget * husband work expertise and designation *purpose of visit( to join mum for PhD)
I realised that unlike study permit application which is quite objective, sowp and family sponsorship application can be very subjective. ( I wrote the sop in a way that I appealed to the compassionate side of the VOs). I particularly capitalised on the fact that I don't want to leave my baby for 4 years + ,nor my husband.

Marriage documents:
Marriage certificate
Change of name
Newspaper publications

For my husband:
A letter of introduction introducing him and his relationship with me, his work designation ( he's an engineer). He talked a lot about his work achievements e.t.c since its a work permit application
Introduction letter from work
Appointment letter
Confirmation letter
Id card
Payslips

Hometie
Property receipts
Property document
Valuation
His Pension fund account. ( just about 1million plus)

Financial part
This was very tricky. After much deliberation. We decided to use what we have.
My husband had a million plus in his account. His father had earlier sent to him 1 million, 6 weeks before we applied. ( We explained it in our letters).
My mum gave us one of her fixed deposit monies (2 million). We included the fixed deposit certificate to show it has been fixed for 3 months and I stated in my letter the day it was terminated and sent to my account. It was sent just 2 days before I applied but I made sure I showed it has been fixed for a long time and thus, its available.
So basically our funds consisted entirely of 2 lump sums but it was explained with proof.
We included our parents ID cards , passport, sponsorship letter from them, and employment / retirement letter. We also included our birth certificatesto prove paternity.

Daughter:
Her birth certificate
Her immunization report
Little things like her church dedication certificate bearing our names.
We included photographs but vfs did not allow us to submit it. I later submitted it via webform.

We submitted May 14 exactly a week after I got my trv
May 23, medicals was passed
June 17 BVL came in for my husband
June 27 approval for them both.
My daughter was even given 5 years visa. More than my 4 years program.


I saw God's hand in this application. Honestly, I was so clueless. But, the Holy Spirit helped me every step of the way. Writing the letters, tackling the financial part e.t.c.
He made this possible.
I will like to answer questions more on the forum as suggested by Mods so everyone can learn instead of pms.
I return all glory to God o
My temporary lovestory with CIC has ended in praise

Your story is really touching, I celebrate with you.

Amahjosh:
Hello gurus

I just got a correspondence letter this morning. I applied via online route 7th of June and did biometric on the 11th and my upfront medical was updated to pass on the 13th of June. And today been the 27th of June I got a Correspondence Letter, I guess they have already reached a decision and it a refusal. Do I apply for my GCMS notes now before the final decision comes in to know how to tackle the points raised by the VO and also defer my admission to January intake 2020?

Why not exercise patient and wait for the outcome of the final decision before taking any action. Final decision could be in favour since your upfront medical was updated to passed, its a 50/50 chance.

Schonebaby:
Thanks everyone. I deeply appreciate this forum. He's going on SOWP. But I dunno if I can paste what we used here cos this is study thread.
Thanks

I think you should, so that any student in similar situation can learn from your spouse application.

Schonebaby:
Good morning my lovely people!
My husband and daughter just got approved.
God has done it again hmmmm....

Congratulations! What a joy, is your hubby going on SOWP?

Juli22:
Hello everyone

I would love to see some vital opinions concerning this issue below:


The Statement of account that I want to submit is ready but I have an issue here because the owner of this account has already used it last two month for his daughters travel pursuit to Canada and currently the young girl is already in Canada.

Would this affect mine because I'm about using the man's statement of account for my travel pursuit as well

Please I need your candid advice

This is a risky venture my dear, considering the same account was used for his daughter two months ago means the info is still fresh on their database and may negatively affect your application if the closing balance is not double of the one used for the daughter. I will suggest you get another sponsor to avoid the story that touch.

chichi93:
Hello house, please while doing the paper route, can we submit photocopies or are we expected to submit original? Please it's urgent.

You need to submit notarized photocopies only with the exception of your international passport, letters of introduction/recommendation addressed to cic, and bank statements. These ones has to be the original.

Shadypoza01:
Thanks alot, though my biometrics was done in Lagos but due to d back log of Passport collection, i decided i will submit mine in Abuja though i did my medicals here in Abuja as well.

Well, I don't know how that works, but just be financial prepared just in case.

guzenaira:
I had a TRV (visit) before I applied for studies and @omonoba1981 had the same experience.

Did you applied for the study permit within Canada or outside?

Shadypoza01:
Hello house, i finally got my passport request Mail today. Meanwhile, i would like to inquire if there's gonna be any charges incurred when submitting passport 4visa in Abuja. Thanks

Congrats dear, if it's the same place you did your biometrics, then there won't be any charges, just go with the ppr letter. All the best.

Danny7:
Hello guys, i recently got a letter from ircc requesting me to submit my passport, after 6 months of waiting, Praise God. Please i'll like to ask when will i get my passport back from the consulate.

I submitted it here in Abuja Nigeria.

Congratulations! No one can really say when you are likely going to get your passport back from CIC, we have seen different cases on that issue here where some took about 3weeks while others stayed more. Just be patient and wait in prayers.

OptimusPrime21:
Nooo.. a lot of us haven't and I heard about this fraudulent mails people are getting.. am yet to receive any.. though I got whispers that every passport request is now entering automatic secondary review..

Just keep faith bro, it will end in praise.

Austacus:
Best post Since I joined nairaland, I celebrate with you!

Trust me, its a huge motivation for a lot of people.

ralfudoh:
Don't be so quick to judge. I filled all my siblings and folks and niece with out attaching any single document from them and still got approved.

That is because u have other credentials to use as home ties, but for someone who intend to use his siblings as social ties to Nigeria will have to show some proof, the moniker was asking if he can go ahead without the siblings birth certificate, and i responded if he/she does not intend using them as home ties, then there is no need for the birth certificate. You can use ur siblings as social ties to Nigeria if you so chose, then there will be a need for the birth certificate.