mcobex:
A recent SOA will do

whizqueen:
The gods will not be pleased with me if I don't post an update.
STUDY PERMIT APPROVAL TIMELINE AND APPLICATION DETAILS

TL SUMMARY
First-time applicant for Fall 2020, undergraduate (17 yr old at application date), the program is Bachelors of Comm, Institution is MUN.
School admission applied - Dec 20th, 2019
Admission letter received - Feb 10th, 2020
Applications Submitted - May 22th
Biometrics Request - May 23rd
Upfront medicals at IOM Lagos - May 26th
Medicals passed - June 16
AIP - Aug 6th
Registered for online courses - Aug 15th
Biometrics completed - Aug 25th
Started classes online in Nigeria - Sept 9th
Ordered GCMS - Sept 9th
Delivered - Oct 9th
BVL - Nov 2nd
PPR - Nov 3rd
Passport sent thru VFS Lagos - Nov 4th
Passport delivered - Dec 16th
Counterfoil and LOI - Dec 18th
Applicant traveled Dec 21st (LOS - YYZ) arrived Dec 22nd.
Study permit & co-op work permit issued Dec 22nd

DETAILED TIMELINE **Warning Super long post ahead**

After arriving in Canada as a PR in Sept 2019, I remember promising my kid sister at the airport on my departure not to worry that she would join me in a year. It was my 2020 mission to secure a study permit for her. Thankfully it happened.

I applied for admissions to 3 schools in Ontario (UOttawa, Carleton, and Uwindsor), my mistake at this point was not confirming the tuition fees first before applying. Applied on Oct 7th, 2019 on OUAC to all 3 schools and paid 323.25 CAD. About 2 weeks later we got an admission letter from UOttawa, she didn't get the french Immersion program which means she would have to pay full tuition as an international student. Tuition was over 18k per term whaaaaaaaat!!!! Who's gonna pay that? Defintely not me Windsor sent admission and Tuition per term was equally high. Never heard from Carleton and didn't follow up either.

Mission two was to find a more affordable institution. Research started and landed on Memorial University. I connected with a friend schooling there and he assured me it was a good institution. I later found that the school was subsidized by their provincial govt hence the cheap tuition. About 12k per year which was fine by me. The admission requirements were IELTS, WAEC transcript, and identification docs. We sent an email stating she was a Nigerian student and the medium of instruction was English requesting to waive the English assessment requirement. We were offered two options, write the test now and get admission or push the test to your first year in school and do an English prerequisite course. We chose the former. So she registered for IELTS academic Nov 23rd, results came out 11 days later and uploaded to the MUN admissions portal. Went to WAEC office where my bro was nicely scammed 20k by touts outside the building , this was cos it was almost Christmas of 2019 and all the offices were about to be closed. We waited till 2020 and paid again to get the confirmation of results sent to MUN in January. Gained admission for B-comm a 5 yr program Feb 10th, 2020.

I wanted a University and not a college for two reasons. 1. She was a teenager, never had a post-secondary education at the time (she eventually got admitted to unilorin tho) 2. I wanted a professional course, she sole aim wasn't just to Japa. Also ensured to find a program with co-op so that she can get work experience while schooling.

She was still in that dead school (unilorin) even tho I'm an alumnae of that institution, the fact that they joined ASUU makes it dead to me. So we couldn't apply for her Visa as she needed to be home for biometrics.

Shortly after she returned home for inter-semester break we applied. The number one of frustration was getting my bank to do their freaaaaking job SMH . I wanted to pay tuition from my Nigerian bank and was to send the funds using Form A. Emailed my account officer severally, no response. I finally got in touch with a friend from the bank who told me in all honesty that form A may never work. So I had to pay the tuition from Canada. Also sent 2M to applicants bank as proof of living expenses.

We were to use two sponsors. A parent and sister.

POF documents included sponsor bank statement, fully paid proof of Tuition, applicant proof of living expenses, Sponsor biz account statement, Biz registration docs, Sponsor Money market fund statement, co-sponsor salary bank statement, co-sponsor PFA, and letter of sponsorship from both. All documents were merged for FINANCIAL DOC

Statement of purpose took almost 3 weeks to complete (2 pages). I got about 5 people to review with me via google docs **yeah, I'm extra like that** Note we never mentioned she was enrolled in a school in Naija. Please ensure you take your SOP very seriously. TBH If everything else about your application is perfect, if your SOP is crappy you may get a refusal. I wonder how people even consider submitting a visa application without SOP sef.

CLIENT INFO included - SOP, Birth cert, Int'l PP, WAEC result, applicant bank statement, IELTS results (not needed but since we had it, why not), NIN slip. All docs compressed and merged.

My number one fear was ties to Canada. In the family info, we had mentioned myself as a PR living in Canada, I was concerned about providing bank and biz docs for Nigeria whilst living in Canada. Also paid Tuition from there so my bank statement never reflected an outflow of Tuition payment. But none of that mattered I guess or maybe we got lucky. I didn't add my PR card as proof of relationship for this reason. I used my Passport instead. No further ADR was requested so I guess that was okay.

The application was submitted May 23rd and medicals done May 26th. Bio requested (next day after application was submitted) but due to lockdown could not go for Bio till Aug 25th, Biometrics was completed on profile same date.

Another wait started. I just had a strong conviction that she was gonna get approved so I encouraged online school against Sept. So we registered for the fall 2020 courses. Got AIP Aug 4th.

I requested GCMS even tho we had received AIP, I just needed assurance I guess GCMS was delivered Oct 9th (exactly a month later) No much details on the notes except "Elig Passed. Pending Biometics".

No further updates on the application whole of Sept and oct but online school was going just fine. In fact we registered for Jan 2021 winter courses without approval yet. Lo and Behold... Nov 2nd, got donotreply email... BVL . Nov 3rd got PPR. Finaallly!!! We sent passport the next day to VFS Lagos thru DHL. Included return label (which they never used, they claimed they couldn't find it)

Everything in Nigeria is somehow made to frustrate you for some reasons. Imagine how VFS Stressed us before we could get back the passport. It took over 6 weeks. Even tho we called and did several follow ups. To connect to that their useless phone line you may have to dial about 30 times. A lot of instances I had to wake up at midnight EST to connect to an agent. They didn't find the return label so we had to pay for UPS delivery which took another 3 days plus for them to confirm payment and an additional one week to send the passport after receiving payment. OMG!!! These guys have just one job and they never did it right.

We hoped she could come to Canada to do her exams due to power and internet situation in Nigeria but no thanks to VFS that never happened.

Eventually, she did the exams in Nigeria and managed all thru.

We had booked several flights and had to cancel hoping passport would come but it never did and we gave up traveling this yr. The passport was finally delivered Dec 16th . I saw how people had waited for several weeks for LOI so we took the bull by the horn and headed for Canada High commission Lagos, day after to request for LOI. Meanwhile, I had sent several emails 2 weeks even before passport came to no avail. LOI was sent same day we went to HC lagos, Dec 18th.

We booked one-way trip via Ethiopian airlines finally for Dec 21st *didn't have to cancel this time* Tho her school is in NL, she landed in Toronto. It was her first time traveling by air and also by herself. I told her to always ask questions if she ever got confused. Travel wasn't' so bad. The immigration checks was a breeze.

Docs asked the airport in Lagos were Passport, proof of tuition, admission letter. Immigration in Canada asked for Enrolment letter, Bank statement (POF), Passport and ArriveCAN code. Officer asked "your school is in NL, why are you here" she responded, "my sister lives here and has made provision for my Quarantine plans". He asked when she resumes for winter term and she responded. That was it.

I picked her up at the airport and finallyyyy, yeeeeeeyyyy I have a family in Canada Halleluyaaaaah!!!

Dreams really come true, if you want something. Go for it, fight for it. Don't give up for whatever reasons. It never occurred to me that this whole thing took over a year till now. Some people advised me to just give up and have her focus on her school in Nigeria. Others asked me to not pressure myself to bring a sibling less than one yr after my arrival and focus on settling but I just wanted a better opportunity for my sis. One I never had. The thought that I have to pay so much in tuition yearly whilst getting still getting my shiitss together in this country, freaks me out sometimes. But I know in 5-10 yrs time, (God's willing) I will look back and be glad I made that decision.

End of story
If you'd like to see a video version kindly check out my YouTube channel and Subscribe link in Signature.

fratermathy:


Send a mail to lagos-immigration@international.gc.ca. Copy to abuja@international.gc.ca

fratermathy:


Send a mail to lagos-immigration@international.gc.ca. Copy to abuja@international.gc.ca

Obanidavid:


I received mine yesterday after I got a DO NOT REPLY message in my email.

MOKENN:


I want to confirm to us that VFS Lagos is honouring return envelopes. I just got an update from DHL that they've picked up my parcel for delivery. I am expecting it before the end of tomorrow.

Tenianu:
VFS abuja received passport 2nd Nov,i did not get any email or update.or tracking ID.....called severally and was given the tracking ID via phone.I submitted with Prepaid 2 way courier from UPS.... as at wednesday 11th, Counterfoil was updated on GC account,Letter of Introduction was updated next day Thursday. By thursday..VFS sent the passport back via UPS using my prepaid envelope....no communication.... VFS Abuja seems to be working quietly and efficiently.

This is to give update to those not receiving any feedback. Hope this helps

bebzo:


Abuja or Lagos?

bebzo:

1. Did you receive mail for the update

2. Has your application status changed to approved

rebecausoro:


When did you submit?

Dampops:



Very good then. Next is to get the email from VFS or try to get them on phone tomorrow...

Dampops:
You’re skipping the first step. Have you received any message from IRCC in your GC key account stating the details on your counterfoil??

Dampops:
Follow the instructions in their mail. Simples

Dampops:



Obviously

Dampops:
Hello bro,
The process has been haphazard and it seems VFS Abuja and Lagos are on the different service wavelengths. However, what has been established so far are:
1. The process of passport return takes minimum of 2 weeks from when you send to VFS till they send a notification that your package has been received back from IRCC
2. Once you get that notification, try to reach them on phone to prompt a follow up email from them which contains the consent form and payment details. It seems the new fare of N12,750 was effective November 1, 2020. So for those who sent their passports this month, they are likely to pay that amount. Please note that this mail could drop in your junk or spam box, so always check that. The new consent form has a space for inputting the address you want your documents sent to...

Therefore, if you just sent your passport under two weeks, you’ll have to calm down and wait for the notification/message from VFS/IRCC. In fact, once you get the ‘do not reply’ message from IRCC which shows details of your counter foil, then it means the TRV has been stamped and passport about to be sent back to VFS.

Hope this helps...

P.S: Pardon any typos...had to rush this...

Dampops:
I am sure that the 12,750 or 11,310 isn’t just courier fees alone...perhaps, it includes payment to VFS for being the conduit between applicants and IRCC. In any case, it’s important to get the email from VFS detailing the amount to pay. I’ll advise people to check their spam boxes.

Dear Bleep

The decision envelope for your application, tracking ID No. xxxx has been received from the IRCC Office on 11/12/2020 11:09:35 AM and will be dispatched to the Canada Visa Application Centre where you applied or at the courier address provided by you at the time of submission of your application. Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. Please do not reply to this email.

Your decision envelope will be returned to you via the courier service offered by the VAC. Collection of decision envelopes in-person at the VAC is not permitted until further notice. Please refer to the “Buy Services” page of the VAC website for further information on courier services offered by the VAC
Regards,

VFS Global

Does this mean I will have to pay the 12k regardless of the 2-way courier that I paid to DHL? I haven’t received the form yet from Vfs and payment instruction, what should I do?

Japh11:

Track your return parcel to check if they have received it. I also paid for two way courier and I have been tracking it . It showed that they've collected my passport and it's on transit to me. They do honour two way courier dont pay any extra in-house fee if you did a two way courier. If peradventure your passport is ready and it hasn't been picked up. Do well to contact the courier service you used.

Jermaineayo:
Thanks chocs,

Please do you know any DHL office around Ajah or Lekki plus apart from my international passport,

What other document(s) am I to include...your response will be highly appreciated.

blinn007:


It was same for me, I applied early March, there was no response, until I raised a web webform concerning the delay late last month, within 2 days they sent an update concerning the application, so I wud suggest u send a webform concerning the issue.

Mobi22:
I pray for this for everyone here
Not mine tho but by the grace of God
Happy Sunday.

Kinzeerichy:
Greeting All. Please who knows if the vfs office in Lagos is opened for biometrics?