₦airaland Forum

gbemmyusuf:
I hail o my people and I give respect to my elders. I also remain loyal and humble.

I need all your assistance and advises. I have a step sister (the same father but different mothers) who is a citizen of Canada which we got to know each other 3 years ago. This means my details are not in her records of siblings in Canada because she was not aware I existed as at the time she became a citizen and now I'm about to dive into the express entry pool.

The question is what other documents will I need to submit to show the proof of relationship asides from our birth certificates and my step sister's prove of citizenship?

Please help me sirs and mas.

Thanks.

Hmmmn

Owo wa leko. Awon kan wa okay...

Gshun:
Pls how long does it take from submssion to collection of passport at lagos vfs

One month or less....

PPR GIST (LONG POST ALERT!!!!!)

Timeline:

NOC: 4112 (Lawyers and Quebec Notaries)
ECA:
P:A- WES (January 2019). Later Cancelled
IQAS: (Paid January 2019, Completed June 2019)
Wifey: ICES (Paid March 2019, Completed July 2019)
IELTS (3 Attempts)
BC: L 8.5, R 6.5, W 6.0, S 7:5
BC (Computer Based): L 8.5, R 8.0, W 6.5, S 8.0
MOD: L 9.0, R 8.0, W 7.0, S 7.5
Wifey’s IELTS: L 8.0, R 9.0, W 6.5, S, 7.5
CRS Score: 467
ITA: September 4, 2018
AOR: October 16, 2019
Medical Passed/BIL: November 1, 2019
CSE Raised December 2019 to know Visa Office
RPRF Request: January 16, 2020 (Paid same day)
GU: January 22, 2020
PPR: January 24, 2020
Passport Submitted: January 29, 2020
COPR: February 19, 2020
Passports collected: February 26, 2020
Visa Office: Ottawa
Days: About 100 days
Mood: Ecstatic

“If you have faith,
You’ll move mountains…”- Majek Fashek (A Little Patience)

Decision to Relocate
To be honest, I have never been the traveling type; as I have always liked the simple things of life. I liked my job (I mean, Lawyer and not earning too badly), lots of friends I hung out with time after time, all the cheap beer, the looking out for the other person, Ileya, The December Holidays waka, and so on. Still, I wanted to do my Masters in the UK. Got many admissions but one thing or the other happened and I ended up not going (My worst decision ever). I faced my job and shelved the plan.

Things were looking good until some events happened which then shook my faith in this place;

Sometime in 2015, I was robbed in traffic, my car vandalized and I almost got stabbed. Over what? A Blackberry phone. To make things worse, Bubu won and things became tighter. Money started losing value, I was becoming tired of my job and all these got me wondering if staying in this country was all worth it. Then in 2018, I was robbed on my way to work, and the ‘boys’ were going to stab me ontop iPhone 6 (Had to beg for my life with no dignity) . There and then, I knew it was time. To make it worse, one of my bestfriends who is in the US called me sometime in December telling me all about the Express Entry program, and the need to leave the ‘shithole’. December 30, 2018 was the day. By January 2, 2019 my mind was made up and I made my move without looking back.

ECA
JANUARY: So, on January 2, I woke up feeling up for it. Did a little Twitter search and saw that WES was the ECA of choice- no wahala, i immediately paid the $285 or so. Wifey wasn’t so optimistic… Next day, I was chatting up a friend who is a Lawyer in the Ontario Province and he told me I’ll be better off with IQAS due to that ‘Professional Degree thing’. Sharply, I paid another $285 ish on January 3, 2019… no be play o.

FEBRUARY: I immediately sent the application package to IQAS while I mobilized UI to send my LLB certificate. Sent my application in January 2019 while UI sent my transcript in February 2019. Omo, I felt it was going to be a walk in the park, but what did I know? Waited and waited, yet I didn’t get any update from IQAS; not even a mail acknowledging the documents sent, and I was fast running out of patience.

MARCH-MAY: Remembering I paid WES too, immediately mobilized UI and the Nigerian Law School to send my transcript. Oh, not to forget paying WAEC too (chai, I spent sha). Also in March, I paid ICES for my wife’s ECA. Got someone at Lead City University to process her transcript and it was a walk in the park (Private Universities are better sha).

[b]JUNE-JULY: [/b]Got home one Friday night drinking cold beer when I got a Mail from IQAS acknowledging receipt of my Transcript and I think I jubilated more than when I received the PPR mail. Later in June, I got my ECA (Professional/Masters Degree) and Wifey’s (Bachelor’s Degree). I should say getting the ECA reports are the hardest part of the journey.


IELTS
Showed me small pepper (even though I was thinking I’ll easily ace it as a Lawyer). Wrote the first one on March 23, 2019 at the Podium Lekki. To be fair, I only got a whiff as to how people wanted to leave this country after seeing the crowd there. Didn’t prepare well for the particular test cos I had big issues at work and it showed- Failed it badly. Not deterred, I immediately registered to write the Computer Based Test on May 25, 2019 at Workforce Group. This time around, I was so ready for the exam and actually felt I smashed it. Was watching tennis 7 days after when I got the results and I was distraught as I smashed every other part except writing. Not one to take no for an answer, I immediately registered to write with MOD on June 29, 2019. Used Liz, E2 and so on for this particular test. Felt good afterwards and went home. As expected, I got my desired 7 in writing while maxing the rest out. I was starting to become confident.

PLOT TWIST- STEP MOTHER FACTOR

I have a blood sister (Same father, different mothers) who is a Permanent Resident of Canada and I saw that adding her would take me above board and ensure my wife doesn’t write the exam. Called my Step Mum to seek her permission (She isolates her kids, so no way I could reach her) and to my shock, she said NO; I was perplexed. I wondered why people took life so seriously…

Anyways, I immediately registered my wife to write MOD Ielts asap. She didn’t prepare much and aced everything but the writing.

With CRS score at 467, I dived into the pool!

ITA
With my score at 467, I was almost certain to get ITA the next draw date and sure, it came on September 4, 2019. I celebrated so hard even while not sure how to proceed. Celebrate every little victory, uno!

Village people however reared their ugly heads when it was time to renew my International passport and it was noticed first name on my NIN slip and Expired passports were different. I had to get the NIMC people to help rectify it and it took me almost one month (no exaggeration). Last last sha, I was able to get it done and subsequently got my International passport.

PCC AND MEDICAL
The moment I got my passport by the end of September, I immediately mailed IOM and booked the nearest available date (ignored the fact that it’s more expensive than QLife). We got there by 7am and my boy co-operated like he knew we were doing all that for his sake, ended by 3pm, we went to Yellow Chillis for a nice meal and returned home.

For PCC, I called ASP Nwachukwu and booked a session. Paid 10k for my wife and I and that was a breeze!

WORK EXPERIENCE
Worked with one of Nigeria’s best Law firms for almost a decade, so this wasn’t difficult. A Partner drafted my Reference Letter and added his NBA seal. I uploaded my Employment letter, last promotion letter and last pay review letter (NO PAY STUBS). The Partner also added his NBA seal to the Reference letter.

UPLOADED: Reference Letter, Employment Letter, Last Promotion Letter, Last Pay Review Letter.

POF
My Dad had already kept money aside for my Masters, so when I told him about Canada, he promised to provide all the funds I needed. I sent all the money to my Stanbic Mutual Fund Account. His Lawyer drafted a sweet Deed of Gift showing Dad’s earlier positions (Company Secretary of a Bank, Rotary President and Notable Legal Practitioner), as well as the fact that he had set the funds aside for my Masters. He deposed to an Affidavit at the Federal High Court while I did same. NOTE: Added his professional background so the Visa Officer wont have doubts about whether he can afford the money.

UPLOADED: Stanbic Asset Management’s Reference Letter stating that I had unfettered access to the funds, 6 months statement of Investment, Deed of Gift (With his Lawyer’s NBA Seal affixed), Affidavits, GTB Transfer slip showing the transfer to me, Stanbic IBTC slip showing the money getting to my account (Narration was “Gift”), and Stanbic IBTC slips evidencing me sending the money to my Mutual Fund. Also added a very detailed Letter of Explanation which I signed and converted into PDF.

POST AOR

The Devil: I had this stupid urge to decline my application just so to brag I submitted immediately after ITA. Heard that sweet voice and I was certain it was of the devil. Asked it to get the Bleep out and I proceeding with submitting. Would have regretted declining that invitation as my birthday was close and I certainly may never have gotten ITA again (Considering recent trends).

Submission: I submitted on October 16, 2019 and felt relieved. Decided against paying Right of Permanent Residency Fee (RPRF) as a way of gauging my application’s progress. Stayed back at work one day, went through everything over and over and over and over. Only prayer I said when hitting the ‘submit’ button was for my application not to go to Accra Visa Office.

Med Passed/BIL: Was at the Law Dinner of the Lagos Branch of the NBA (In November) when I saw I had passed medical and also got the Biometric request. Was having a good time, yet rejoiced so hard (Never forget to celebrate every little victory). Wifey and I went to VFS the following week for Biometrics.

Raising CSE: Sometime in December, someone on my October AOR Whatsapp group announced he found out the dreaded AVO was his VISA office. Sharp sharp, I raised CSE it was OTTAWA. I remember tell my wife “You can start dreaming now”.

Anxiety: To be fair, I expected one or two ADRs from Ottawa. Even read somewhere how Files get transferred to Local Visa offices after R10 (Completedness), so I was almost certain I’ll end up at Accra and wasn’t expecting PPR in at least 7 months. Nevertheless, I checked my Account every day. Like EVERY 5 HOURS lol. I was at least expecting to get the RPRF Request to be sure my file was at least moving.

On my boy’s birthday (January 16, 2020), I woke up to a mail notification from IRCC and I was sure it’s an ADR. Lo and behold, it was the RPRF request. Read the wordings and so “Your admissibility review is underway” and I was certain PPR was very close. Paid that same day.

The following week, I was checking randomly and saw the Additional Document Review thing in my GCKey read “Not Applicable” and I showed the wife. At this point, I was very positive PPR was close. I woke up the next day to a Ghost Update and showed my wife. Madam was still a bit coy (Proper Yoruba woman, lol), while I was expectant already.

PPR: For some stupid reason, I raised a CSR on January 20 and the response was bad (lol). They told me everything was just about to get started. Anyways, Friday January 24 came and I don’t know where the positivity came from. I noticed I couldn’t log in to my account from like 7PM. I got drunk that night and went to bed.

2am, our Inverter and solar system went off and everywhere was hot. Wifey woke up to check what was happening while I randomly checked my email and there it was “READY FOR VISA”. I almost wept and wifey leapt up for joy. Our boy woke up smiling that day and madam and I looked at ourselves like “What does he know”? lol.

POST PPR: I submitted our passports and all that at VFS Lekki on January 29. I was still wondering if one could get rejected after PPR (checked CanadaVisa forum and saw some Indian boys saying something like that.) I checked and checked until I saw ‘Approved’ on February 19. Ecstatic, Madam and I now started talking about booking flights. I have our passports now and words cant describe how excited I am.

We got to know we have a Canadian Baby in the Oven after PPR and our joy still know no bounds!

WORDS OF ADVICE
No one knows everything. Always ask questions when in doubt, ask for help and tell people when necessary (No one is going to jinx shit), read widely about how to go about arranging your application, check this page religiously, make your application as SIMPLE as possible.

Also, THINK POSITIVE!!!

See y’all in Canada. If you are coming to Edmonton or are in Edmonton already, holla at your boy!..

NubianQueen87:
Thank you so much for this. I should expect courier delivery to ph latest Monday, then.

Thanks again.

UPDATE:Ready for collection now!

MamaHeaven:
Hello guys, good afternoon. I want to open a mutual fund for my proof of funds. Please which mutual funds is very good in Nigeria and which do you advise? Thanks

I used Stanbic Mutual fund.... Their Reference Letters are the best, lol. Recommended

NubianQueen87:
Oh, alright! Please let me know how it goes. Thank you!

Called. They're expecting the 'package' today and was told to check back tomorrow morning.

zorodninja:
Hello House,
I am awaiting PPR which I believe will come soon by His grace.My concern goes thus:Amongst the documents uploaded for my POF is a 1-year Treasury Bill certificate.My AOR was September 12,2019.The TB matured on January 31,2020 although has been rebooked also with a 1 year tenor.

Do I send the updated certificate to IRCC indicating the new tenor and details or I await until a request is made for this?

Regards.

"If it aint broken, don't fix it".

I think you should leave it, or at best, Order GCMS note, to see if the agents are concerned with your POF

NubianQueen87:
Last Thursday.

Mine got approved last Wednesday. called VFS (Lagos) this morning, nothing yet. Said to call back by Tomorrow

Uchboggy:
sorry for too much questions, how does an investment statement look like, I’m just hearing that for the first time.

No qualms about the questions... we are all here to help each other.

The investment statement looks like a normal Bank statement of account showing your deposits, redemptions and interests accrued.

Uchboggy:
exactly o, I don’t know where he or she got that conclusion from ooo


Meanwhile, did you just submit a reference letter from stanbic mutual fund or you also included the investment certificate(s) ?

I used Reference Letter and Investment statement for 6 months. No Investment certificate

Berle:
I'm aware that mutual funds can be used as pof but recently I've read stories of people who almost had their application rejected because their pof was in a mutual fund account(even after attaching notes to explain).

Is it advisable to move my money to a fixed deposit account to avoid any issues? Also how long should the money be in the fixed deposit after I move from mutual funds? Lastly, at what point can I move the money from FD back to mutual funds, after submitting application or after PPR?

No issues putting money in Mutual fund accounts. Put all my money in Stanbic Mutual fund and i have PPR already. No ADR for updated POF, nothing.

Cutoff is 470!

AOR: October 16, 2019
PPR: January 24, 2020
COPR: February 19, 2020.
Family of 3.

Oya, let me go compose my story. Brace up, for it is going to be long!!!

Ife2022:
Pls how can I join groups that will benefit me in this journey?..have been staying on this immigration process for long.

You don't need to join any group.... This forum is sufficient for you and should be your Bible going forward

Icicles:
Please how do I find out who my VO is?

You can do that by raising a webform

https://secure.cic.gc.ca/enquiries-renseignements/canada-case-cas-eng.aspx

eryosa0:
Please question for the lawyers in the house. I want to start this NCA thing but I'm confused on the transcript part. Is it bot uni and law sch transcript I'm to send to NCA people or just law school transcript?

Interested in the responses...

Obiaj28:
Hello house, please urgent. I don’t have payslips for a job I’m getting points for, is reference letter enough? Or what other docs can I add to it. My current job is not up to a year but I have payslips for it.

.

I don't think the pay slips are necessary. For my application, i only uploaded Letter of Employment, Last Promotion letter, Last pay review letter and Recommendation letter.

If you can lay your hands on any of the first three documents alongside the recommendation letter, you should be fine .

Mamaroon:
Lawyers ECA - IQAS vs WES

Pls see below from Ramj in 2018. I have not read a PPR story where they used WES, claimed professional, and VO didn't adjust CRS downwards....still searching.

See n it from one of the very old threads. Infact, the person claimed to have tweeted at the IRCC Twitter account...

Mummychichi:
Why is reading an issue all of a sudden? It used to be writing.

Maybe they are underrating that 'True/False/Not Given' section of the exam. The hardest, if you ask me

dCounsel:
Hello to everyone,

Anyone with an idea as to when the next draw could take place?

I appreciate the responses I got to my queries. Now in the pool with 476 score.

You are getting ITA next Wednesday. Start gathering your documents, because 60 days is really short...

adeptonlin:
Is it compulsory to upload degree certificate together with ECA report? Because I never did that?

You should. This can still be remedied by raising a CSE. Do so asap

NubianQueen87:
I paid N11280 courier for each applicant's passport, N760 SMS charge and N8190 passport transmission for my baby (since she didn't do biometrics).

Make photocopies of your passport page(s), bring 2passport photographs (same requirements as the one you submitted post ITA) and 2copies of your PPR mail.

Come with cash, or you can withdraw at Sterling Bank ATM there.

Wow, much cheaper in Lagos. I didn't pay jack for my wife and I... just our son.

PLSHELEP:
Timeline:
ITA - August 16
AOR - Aug 30
ADR - NIL
CSE - 3 (Update of documents & VO)
CALLS - 2 (18 Dec and 24 Dec)
Ghost Update - 1 (post MEP), another 27 Dec
PPR - 27 Dec
Family of me, myself and I
To God be the glory!!!
It ended in praise...

Where do I start from? Cause this Canada journey has started from as far back as 2011.

I finished NYSC and decided to go for masters in Canada with my 2.2, went to PFL (Preparation for Life - an education consultant) and they did their normal normal, paid for all and was advised to just go for a diploma. Money wasted with PFL, started my application for PGD by myself and got offers from Seneca, Humber and Cetennial. Oya Mumsy come and drop money for this Canada something o, na so story enter... long story short, she had other plans for me to join my siblings in the UK. This was already end of 2012, and the UK has just scrapped their post-study work visa (why I do not like Theresa May till date and was happy how she was treated with all this brexit nonsense, I digress)

Congratulations man! May Cannyland favour you!! Waiting for my COPR to land so I can come tell my own story in full.

uche13:
Hello everyone. I just feel so happy.

This isn't PPR story but feels like one. From updating profile he week b-b draw was done with the exact 457 point, it has all been so graceful.

I delayed the whole process because we are dealing with a medical condition that I feared would make us ineligible. So I felt " why bother?"


After ITA, we ( I and hubby) did medicals. I got a report from the hospital we are using which stated how much we have spent over the past three years, we also did a letter stating how the "condition" hasnt interfered with work and productivity, how we have never been out of job and all. Well articulated covering all points.


After the medicals, we got a call for one of us to come back and redo the chest xray . Ha! I checked, googled and all that night and couldn't sleep at all. It was almost like " I said it..."

That wasnt all. My passport was with the UK embassy when I had to do medicals. Qlife said they would indicate that I only came with a copy and I said go ahead because I didnt know how long my passport will be held. After that, I sought advice and i got many with some saying i should reject ITA. Haba! With my 457?

I sha did a letter explaining why i couldn't present my passport, the purpose for my trip and evidence of where it was. I also forgot to make a copy of my passport stamped pages. I sha decided to submit like that and as soon as i did, i got a message that my passport was ready for pick up. Lol


The next day, i got my passport back, raised a CSE with the stamped pages and mentioned that it would be willing to do another medical if required.



I just received MEP now. Cant express how I feel.

Timeline:

Submitted : 15th October, 2019
AOR: less than a minute after
MEP: 31st October


I know this isn't fool proof that I will get PPR in record time, but it is humbling. You dont know how long this health thing scared me.


Thank you

Gotten PPR now?

kingkhalil:
Morning seniors.

Got PPR and should be coming with my family by summer. Stuck between choosing Alberta and Ontario. I heard rents are cheaper in Alberta, the minimum wage is higher than ontario and they pay less taxes. However, I am concerned about job opportunities. Studied law and i don't know if there are readily available paralegal jobs in Alberta that i can do while i take steps to getting enrolled to their Bar. Wifey studied Economics, and is looking at Admin Roles whiles she gets additional qualifications.

So what do you advise? Ontario or Alberta?

Abeg o.A

bankyh1905:
It's IRCC's opinion that you must provide a letter (among others) which lists "outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans". Now, either you took loans or not, the bank needs to make that clear. See here for more details.

PS: GTBank has been known not to give such a letter (as was my experience). That's still okay as its reference letter (with its wordings) sufficed.

Didn't submit any letter of 'non indebtedness'. Gotten my PPR already

Thecannylady:
Good evening everyone. I am doing a gift deed for my POF(coming from my dad). I believe I need to show a proof of our relationship. I don't have a birth certificate. All I have is a declaration of age..will this be enough in addition to his International passport and my wedding certificate which carries his name as my father? Please help!

Did a deed of gift but didn't attach proof of relationship. I don't think you need it

Morning seniors.

Got PPR and should be coming with my family by summer. Stuck between choosing Alberta and Ontario. I heard rents are cheaper in Alberta, the minimum wage is higher than ontario and they pay less taxes. However, I am concerned about job opportunities. Studied law and i don't know if there are readily available paralegal jobs in Alberta that i can do while i take steps to getting enrolled to their Bar. Wifey studied Economics, and is looking at Admin Roles whiles she gets additional qualifications.

So what do you advise? Ontario or Alberta?

venorite:
Yes, what does it mean

Could mean they are on the last leg of reviewing your application, and that Eligibility is passed. I would say you should expect the golden mail soon. Congratulations are in order!

Hephzibah2018:
The clause on my RPRF request was "admissibility review is currently in process", did you have same? I received the request on Monday night last week and paid same day. Additional documents status currently reads "we are reviewing the additional documents you provided", it changed from "the additional documents you provided have been uploaded" on Thursday. I'm not sure what to expect. When did the status on yours change to "Not applicable" please?

Got mine on January 16, paid same day. Changed to NA a week later and i got PPR on January 24. Expect yours within 2 weeks MAX

opeoyek:
My dad will be providing the POF I need for this journey. I would like to know any other investment option I should consider asides treasury bills.

Stanbic IBTC money mark Mutual funds is fine