iaatmguy:
einsteino, hope you are doing good ? happy new year to you. you are in my thought, i pray your good heart desires come to pass soon enough.

kwado87, how is edmonton? may grace continue to be with you
keep enjoying our new country

Cold and Great...... Amen and Thank you

That's what it feels like now in Edmonton. ....

Some things I've learned so far (Edmonton, Alberta)...

1. Research, Research and research before you leave for Canada, trust me every "little" info you can gather will help.

2. Charities function well... Ask questions and don't be shy to ask again.... I called a that charity almost completely furnished the 2 bed I rented from bed, to sofa to dining table & chairs to plates, iron, toaster etc saved me more than 2k. Major things I bought was just TV ($100) & microwave ($15).

3. Contact a settlement group like Bredin, EMCN, they're really useful and give you loads of info. Also there lots of benefits you could benefit from before you start working like cheaper bus pass etc.

4. Look @ some bridging programs being sponsored by the govt, like I know of 1 with CCIS in Calgary for power engineering and another with EMCN for project management, they are mainly for un/under employed imigrants. They might also have other courses that might relate to your previous/ desired field of work. The government will pay you for upkeep while the training is on-going as the trainings are like full time work.

6. Start preparing for your class 7 knowledge test, even if you don't plan to drive immediately as this will serve as an easy means of identification instead of carrying intl passport or even PR card around.

7. In my opinion, if you're already driving in naija, uber is a good side biz. So instead of me doing survival jobs while waiting to get licensed or to get a job in my desired field, I could just do uber (if possible). You'll need a Class 4 drivers license and a car not more than 10yrs old from production date.

8. I believe employers value soft skills more than tech skills ( almost any grad with work exp will possess the later, but few have the former)

9. IELTS (RLS) will come in handy..... lol. You'll experience it daily,

10. it can be sunny outside but the temp is -18. That was my experience this morning, didn't go out with gloves, thought I'll loose my fingers. The cold is biting and REALLY COLD..

11. Have a clear cut career plan both 2months and 3 yrs plan BUT KEEP AN OPEN MIND...

My 2 cents...........

Just thought I should drop this here.

Brethren the hustle is real here, as in I mean they're scamers too.

So I received a call and as I picked it was an automated machine voice that said I had to call that number back, that its from the canadian revenue agency and that I have some tax issues that need to be clarified else after some days an arrest warrant would be issued for me. I just paused and told myself say na scam. I just landed wetin join me join tax. Nevertheless I called the number back and the person said he's a tax detective for the CRA and would to know who he's speaking with. Asked my first name which I gave him, asked my second name which I gave him but purposely misspleed it and he said he's bringing up my details. Some seconds later he said yes my details are up so I should verify my post code... And I was like if you have my details with you there why ask me for my post code again. After much ado, he just hung up the phone and the line didn't connect again. I knew the main thing he wanted was my SIN number.

Lessons.... Be smart and don't drop your guard.... Fraudsteres are everywhere not just in naija....

It's Thanksgiving..
It's White....
It's Edmonton.....

Grace Found Me....

Landed Edmonton yesterday night...

Left for Abuja airport by 9.30am, my flight was by 1.27pm via Ethiopian Airline. 2 adults, 2 infants.... Planned to carry 5 luggage of 23kg each and the rest as hand luggage, although I was entitled to 4 pics of 23kg and 2 pcs of 10kg... Already weighed my luggage with a gas sellers scale (those guys dey reap people off) and all my bags were overweight almost 28kg... Just said I'll take them like that and see how it goes at the airport.. At the airport discovered that none of my luggages was even up to 23kg!! Had to include some of my hand luggage as check-in. So in total 6 bags of all twenty-something kg.

The flight from Abuja to Ethiopia was good, not great food but twas constant... Had an empty seat by our side so we maximized the space... In-flight Entertainment was good, just that my son (1yr 11months) was a hands full... Dreaded the takeoff & landing and was running temp....

Arrived Ethiopia and boarded the one that's bound for Toronto via Dublin... The crew were very nice, changed my seat to one where I could use a bassinet (twas a life saver) they provided . Didn't know what a bassinet was but just responded positive when asked if I'll like to have one..lol. my 5 months infant was placed there so at least my wife had some space and that made the entire space in front of us ours, so we just converted it to a bed, na so my wife and 1st son lie down for ground there like say we dey "economic bizness class". After boarding, the flight was about to take off but just didn't go, we were later told there were some technical issues, na so we dey inside for more than 2 hrs for a flight that we will spend more than 15hrs on....

Finally we landed Toronto safely and I was completely EXHAUSTED.... I just couldn't fill all the forms I printed earlier to make the landing faster..... I just filled the declaration card we were given on the plane.... Traveling that distance with 2yrs old is enough stress on its own. Went straight to one of the officers I was directed to by one warri boy (he introduced himself and I said I be phc boy...lol) that works in the airport there, too exhausted to even know her position.. She asked if any accompanying goods, I said no, she just ruled my card and directed us to immigration.... Queue wast much, got to my turn and I just said I came for landing, presented our visas and copr, was asked how much cash I was with and I said 4000usd. We were asked to wait for our paperwork to be completed... After about 10mins we were called and asked some statoury questions like have you been convicted of any crime blah blah blah.... We provided our house address(already signed a 1yr lease for an apartment)., signed our copr, guess the agent was new cos she was asking her colleagues who should sign for the infants (PA or mother). After which we were told "welcome to Canada ". Purposely planned to miss my connecting flight cos twas another more than 4hr flight to Edmonton...so I went and processed our SIN numbers, claimed our luggages and proceeded to Air Canada where we we're rebooked, checked in our bags, grabbed something to bite....finally boarded after about 2hrs.... My son was still showing working by his constant crying.... Everybody around us offered assistance, they gave him color books, drinks, showed him cartoons on their phones, they were generally nice... Another grandparents loved the smaller boy (we couldn't get close seats) that stayed with us @ the airport when we arrived, introduced us to their children who we ended up having coffee with before they left... One of our bags was didn't come to Edmonton with us. They promised to deliver it to my house this morning, so I gave my sisters address instead since Im yet to move in......finally my in-law came and we drove home.

I remember reading landing gists on this thread, and wondering when I will write my own....

All in all, while leaving the airport,i just had a fear of this is for real, now the real WORK starts then it just dawned on me God's faithfulness to me and I realized that my AOR (JULY 3RD) to Landing (SEPT 28)was less than 3 months.....then I became confident again that that
GRACE WILL KEEP FINDING ME........
abeg make I sleep... IT HAS BEGUN IN PRAISE

amdman:


Applications from Nigeria (following the trends) usually take a much longer time than yours took, most likely due to the number of verifications that have to be done.

Again, the time-frame between your MEP and PPR is 7 days! Bros...Bros, that is another world record! If you have access to your account to be able to determine your MEP, why did you have to mail your agent to find out the status of your biometrics?

The bolded statement isn't correct...... My AOR to PPR was just 38 days.(July 3 - August ...... If you like the testimony claim it.... No need to dispute blindly..

Pipes1759:
If your infants are less than 2yo, they get just 10kg each in baggage, only above 2yo gets the full baggage allocation. If you are flying via abj, pls go early so that you can reason with them one on one, i upgraded my foodstuff baggage to 32 kg with 22k and the remaining bag were max 24kg

Thanks for your reply.....

Pipes1759:
VERY LONG LANDING GIST!!!!(Directed by kunle afolayan)
We ddnt finish until past twelve( shedding excesses and negotiating on how much to pay for bag upgrades). By this time, hunger don dey blow, we decided to go outside to goan greet out people based on byebye finally (bad bad bad idea). Na so we start to snap, who dey cry dey cry.. we shaa entered airport and realised that Edmonton should pls reach out as i will like to meet people and know as e dey go..thank you and wakanda forever

Congrats on your landing. I will be landing in Edmonton by month end via Ethiopian Airline... Please, how much did you pay for bag upgrades? What kg was the upgrade to? We'll be 2 adults, 2 infants, I believe we will be entitled to 6 bags of 23kg, is this correct?
Thanks. Congratulations once again on your successful landing.

sandman007:
please how was your travel history? was it very plenty or moderate?

Spent a year in the UK.... I think that's only travel history

joo2018:
@Kwado87, out of curiosity pls which NOC did you use for your application?

Petroleum Engineering

COPR & VISAS IN THE BAG!!!

Timeline :
DECISION TO TRAVEL: DECEMBER 2017
IELTS: DEC 2ND, JANUARY 5TH, APRIL 21
ITA :- May 23rd

FAMILY OF 4

AOR:- JULY 3RD
IP1/MEP:- JULY 17TH
IP2 :- AUGUST 7TH
PPR : AUGUST 8TH

PASSPORT RECIEVED @ VFS:- AUGUST 14TH
PASSPORT SENT BACK VIA DHL:- SEPTEMBER 10H
PASSPORT & COPR RECIEVED :- SEPTEMBER 13TH (MY BIRTHDAY)

LEAVING NAIJA.......THIS MONTH END

THANK YOU ALL. IT WILL END IN PRAISE FOR EVERYONE

GRACE FOUND ME.....

chigzie:
Hello Nairalanders...i am one of the SRANs on the forum and i would like to find out when the count for Medical validity starts...does the count start from the date of the actual physical medical examination or when your profile was updated with "You have passed your medical exams"?

My medical exams was carried out in Dec 2017 for my first application that was refused but i submitted a 2nd application in June 2018 with the same medical upfront...but i want to know when the medical certificate validity starts counting so as to inform my planning.

Thank you for in advance for your feedback...and thanks for all the good advise and encouragement received on this platform.

Your medical starts counting from the day you did the medical exam.... My PR visa expires exactly one year from the day I did the medical exam....

GlitteringStar:



Lol. I will share it one of these days.

Please share it ooo.... Ears dey itch.... Lol.
Favour will locate you.

sammyengr:
Finally my ppl, I got my immigrant visa stamped on my passport today

Congratulations.... Please when did you submit your passport? Thanks

mimikoko:
Good day everyone, i am looking to claim points from my sibling who has been notified of PR approval. The thing is she will not be able to submit her passport soon as she is currently out of the country. I will lose 5 points by mid September(birthday) and I was wondering if I could update my EE profile and wait for her COPR which will definitely be done b4 the end of the 60days in case I get ITA in the next draw.

Pls what are your views? Thanks.

I claimed points for sibling. I don't think it'll be possible by September as one of the requirements need to claim points for sibling is PR CARD. PROOF OF RESIDENCE (UTILITY BILL, MORTGAGE / LEASE CONTRACT) amongst others. Will your sibling have all these before end of September.?

Itsawonder:


Welcome back @kwado87. Still waiting for your response.
https://www.nairaland.com/4657743/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled/43#70121948

Apologies for the late reply.

It was a "To Whom it may concern " letter, stating when I joined the company and the position I'm currently holding. Didn't state roles and responsibilities. It was actually meant for another company but I just used it for my application.... NB: I also THINK that if your company has online presence and a reachable HR it's easier.

Mary121212:
Hello everyone! Congrats to my fellow August PPR! Have you guys submitted your Passport to VFS and how long does it take to get the passport and COPR back . I also need information on how to get an affordable flight from Nigeria to Toronto. I intend traveling last week of September or 1st week of October.

I submitted my passport to VFS on the 12th of August. Give&Take it might take a month or less to get your passports back. From my search for flights the cheapest I've seen so far is Ethiopian Airlines. I also plan to leave last week in September.

Ifeoma77:

Nope not necessary. If you want to, go to a high court and do it for 1.5k.
By the way, where/how is Fresty?

I think its IMPORTANT to notarize such document. I notarized even a sale agreement, how much more a deed.

DONT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF COMPLAINING.

For those that have been held down by either IELTS, WES, IQAS, ITA or any other chain....... See this period as your midnight season. The ONLY thing that will bring your morning when your joy will be full is PRAISE!! Ask Paul & Silas...... Praise is what qualifies you for more( 6.5 to 7, 7.5 to ...Acknowledge Him for your present scores and He will elevate you( either through remarking or rewriting)

Praise God for the scores you have today and suddenly the chains of IELTS will be broken.....
DONT GIVE UP..... DONT GIVE UP... DONT GIVE UP...

IF YOU QUIT NOW, EVEN GOD CANNOT HELP YOU....

NB
For it to end in praise, we must live and continue to praise irrespective of the ups and downs.

We shall all make it..... NOTHING WILL RESTRAIN US..

Thank you all. May God grant everyone the speed and grace they desire...

Please, do i have to fill the im0008 form, doh my family composition didn't change.?

I want to DHL our passports to vfs as I am based in phc, anyone with idea of the process?

Thanks

Please has anyone sent passport to vfs from Phc.....just received PPR. Family of 4.

Thanks for response

luffyhaki:


Congrats again..Do you have travel history?

Yes I do

GRACE FOUND ME
I will worship Him forever, Love Him forever, This God is too good oo (Nathaniel Bassey)

I discovered this family after I had already submitted my application......

This journey started in earnest December 2017. FAMILY OF 4
Got the magic IELTS score April 21 sitting LSWR. 8.5,7.5,7,8.5. Updated my profile May 13th, CRS 466.

ITA... MAY 23RD
AOR.....JULY 3RD
MEP/IP1.....JULY 18TH
IP2.......... AUGUST 7TH
PPR..... AUGUST 9TH

Before I submitted my application, I told God that my case MUST be different. What took others 6months will take me maximum 6 weeks( He even exceeded my expectations) cos my rent expires in September.
I stood on Jeremiah 1:11- 12 (I see a speedy ppr, and He will hasten His word and perform it.) & Luke 18:27...(my desire is possible with God)..... Focused on praying for God's kingdom alone while believing...Matt 6:33..
Pardon my sermon .....but JESUS IS LORD


POF:- I used a notarized copy of deed of sale agreement only, bank statement and reference letter. An LOE explaining one of the huge payment into my account......

WORK EXPERIENCE.....just used a general "to whom it may concern" reference letter from company not in "cic format". No payslip or any other document.

Lessons Learned...
1. FAITH WORKS!!
2. Make ur application as simple as possible
3. Your application is different.


GRACE FOUND ME!!

Pardon any typo.

OK all... PPR is here...
Timeline..
AOR......JULY 3RD
MEP/IP1.....JULY 18TH
IP2...... AUGUST 7TH
PPR...... AUGUST 9TH...


GRACE FOUND ME...... FULL GIST SOON

I'm July 3rd AOR, just entered IP2 today

tippex:
@wizean @vickyehi @dumprep @shinningqueen31 @olu21ola @kolabyk thank God I now know my people . I am June 14th and in ip1, was wondering if anyone has been promoted to the next class so I can start stalking you.

@wizean, you just abandoned your padi, you've forgotten that we battled WES together abi?

ArcUgo:
Good Evening Nairalanders, Please for those that sold a property (Virgin land or built up) to make-up POF. Please what documents did you provide to support your application. Thanks for your kind responses

I used a notarized copy of the deed/sale agreement