₦airaland Forum

To get good advice, what have you being doing over the 15 years? That will guide in saying if your choice of a diploma program in a whole different field from your undergraduate program will have an impact on your visa application or not.

Social work is very different from Economics and Accounting. They may be in the same faculty in some schools, they are very different.

Afritop:
Its more than 15 years ago that I have a bachelor's degree in Economics and ACCA diploma in accounting and business. I have gotten admission for a diploma in social service worker in a Canadian college. As I am above 40 years can my visa application be denied at the embassy given my choice for a diploma program

Congratulations. May Canada continue to favour you.

I'm modifying my responds for you to remove the link to your Linkedin, please.

You telling people you are now a Canadian must be paining some people already.

ditha:
I wanted to come here today to motivate someone who is just getting started..
Don’t give up!
This was my very first post on NL in 2019 and yesterday I took my oath of Canadian citizenship!
Still feels surreal.
This dream is valid and achievable!

Many people forget something with Canada and many other countries. Once you start with a lie, you will be punished for that lie when the lie is discovered. I don't think confessing will help in this case. Most likely, the applicant didn't submit the use of representative form, which is a ground for misrepresentation and a 5 year ban. A genuine agent will tell him that. The best bet is to forget Canada for now and focus on other countries.

AbelAbdul:
I don’t know anyone with this experience. One of the reasons I kick against agents is mixing up things. The agent might have done it by mistake but mostly intentional.

If I was in your shoes I would apply for the study permit without any agent even if the person want to offer his service for free.

I would reference my previous application and tell the IRCC the whole truth with evidence. Let them know I paid an agent to apply for me and he was the one who messed up my application.
Includes chats I had with the agent and prove of payment to the agent.

This time around I would submit genuine papers.

I dislike agents I swear. It’s because of an agent Cubans Chief Priest can never enter US.

Are they really giving away interests? With inflation rate of more than 10% the interest rate has to be higher than in a place where inflation rate is around 3%.

Predator188:
Note: hope you are on a student account better check if not they will charge you upto 16 dollar monthly fee service charge for opening that account in Canada 🇨🇦
If you have multiple accounts here you will be paying multiple services charges all over,not like Nigeria where one person can have upto 5 different bank accounts and receive interest,In canada bank inerest is peanut compare to Nigeria..
Nigeria banks are doing give away on interests.

I can assure you you will meet many good Nigerians with time. In my time here, I have interacted with more good Nigerians than the not so good one. Please, the smile can be very misleading. Lots of Canadians try to be polite so, it's common for them to smile even when they are angry seeing you around.

Again, welcome to Canada. May you be part of the success stories.

AbelAbdul:
I am talking my experience. The few Nigerians I met no give me face. The whites I have come across were helpful. Even the girl I met in the Nigerian store I tried talking to her to ask where I could get eggs as there were no eggs in that store she was not even entertaining my greetings sef. I greeted oyibo girl she smiles and answered. It was an oyigbo that told me where I can get eggs. It's my experience I have had so far. I don't need to live for 10 years to know that the Nigerians I met weren't kind to me.

Modified: The only Nigerian that has been so kind to me since I came is my AirBnB host. He is always checking up on me to know that I am fine.

The guy laughed because there are some people that come to Canada basically to do hookups.

AbelAbdul:
Wait let me snap my study permit and show you.

My study permit says I cannot accept job offers in strip clubs and massage parlors.

I’m like. Who would leave his country to come and work in a strip club.

I remembered I told the immigration officer I was like, my permit says I cannot work in strip clubs or do escorts (hookup). Like who’s gonna leave his country and come work in a strip club as a stripper the Chinese guy laughed.

Welcome to Canada. May you achieve your reasons for coming to Canada and be part of the success story. I have no reason to believe you are not currently in Canada. I don't encourage people to use agents. I have lots of bad ones including those with the regulated ones. They have misled so many people just like some that know nothing about Canada and giving wrong information about Canada. All the best in your studies.

AbelAbdul:
If after watching this video una no believe I am in Canada then una need serious help.
I don't even expect much from an agent who claims that Canada issues Permanent Study Permit (PSP) lol. An agent who said no Canadian school gives admission within a week expect the school is owned by Indians and Chinese. An agent who claimed is was impossible to submit passport for stamp and collect it within 5 business days. An agent who said you must book a return ticket so border officers will know you intend going home after studies. Don't worry na me go spoil that work. agent of darkeness.
Na becos of u I created this youtube channel. I thought u deactivated. agent my foottt.

cc lanresz
cc amnotapervert
cc Mavor
cc Kaczynski know where I belong ok. Canada is not a do or die affair.
cc dsureguy
cc Labisi08
cc abimonile97

I go create thread soon about the struggle make I first face wetin carry me come.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hO2sgbz9dzo

Welcome to Canada. May the country favor you. Please, try and obtain your driver's license as soon as possible. This will help with your auto insurance costs down the road.

AbelAbdul:
what documents to back it up? Before I left Nigeria I went to Road Safety office to get my driver's abstract

I won't be surprised if they cut down the duration. It used to be only 1 year with a requirement that you get a job in your field within 3 months after you graduate.

Predator188:
if funds are genuinely available to the applicant without working in Canada but officers has been using this as grounds for refusal if they are not satisfied,so what exactly has changed! They required four months bank statements in the past but now 6 months,am sure majority who got visa approved here used more than four months statements, I actually used upto 8 months Bank statements for visa approved,so what exactly has changed!
Check the students that protested in July and check the country,you'll understand why IRCC is changing rules!!their protest was favouring them in the past like work permit extensions after pgwp expires but they are still protesting at the time when IRCC is cutting temporary residents and now it is backfiring.

Am sure there will be a time when IRCC will cut down pgwp duration that time is still coming!

Congratulations. May Canada favor you.

Prettyprecious2:
College: Seneca
2 years diploma program
First time applicant.
No agent.


PPR: 27TH of July
Counterfoil: 4th of August
Corresponding letter: 5th of August.
Good luck, everyone.

Your profile looks good. Hopefully you get your visa very soon. You don't have to worry so much about it. It's easier said than done though.

Mavor:
Yes. All 3 checks out for me. I paid my 2 years tuition upfront. Over $40k CAD and I still have a substantial USD savings plus my Naira savings to more than cover travel and Canadian living expenses including rent. Single, no kids and self-sponsored.

Please, this is derailing the thread. You are doing well in giving good advice on student visa but please and please no need in mentioning any other forum members when giving advice. No need proving to anyone where you are residing at the moment.

amnotapervert:
Hahaha, I have already gone through the entire process documented my struggle from 2017 on Nairaland

Student Visa → Co-op Work Permit → Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) → Permanent Residency (PR) → Canadian Citizenship.

So what exactly do I have to prove to you?

How is the marriage of convenience going ?

Uncle, your epistle will not convince such a person. It's best to leave them alone. We can all agree that he wins. It's only left for Nairaland to present him with his gold trophy. I'm so happy that @sirabbey is not responding to him.

GraciousWords2:
So after this my epistle this is your summary? Chai!

I give up...you win!

The passport is a prize we're happy to live with.

In retirement in 20 to 40 years depending on age, we're hoping that we've have paid off our mortgages and built equity, downscale and buy a smaller place and have money left over. If that doesn't work, our kids will pick up the bill of looking after us and if that fails, CPP, OAS and work pension, bro.

That really explains it. I reread his post and just shook my head. The comment on financial freedom sounds like those so called digital marketing promotions.

Kenn55:
No wonder. He shouldn't push the bitterness to other people

Congratulations on your journey so far in Canada, and thank you for sharing your experience. I hope many people can learn from and be inspired by your story.

While you may not yet be where you ultimately want to be, take time to celebrate the small victories and milestones that are moving you closer to your goals.

My hope is that, five years from now, you will look back and see just how far you have come, and realize that you are much closer to where you want to be than you are today.

sirabbey:
Caution: Long read

From PPR to Citizenship: The Traumas, the Triumphs, and the Testimony

The first time I heard the phrase, “May your road be rough,” was in the late 1990s. Our Chemistry teacher said it to us as graduating students while we celebrated the completion of our WAEC examinations and the end of secondary school. At the time, it sounded almost like a curse. Why would anyone wish a rough road on another person? Life, however, has taught me otherwise.
What appeared to be a curse was, in fact, an unconventional blessing. A rough road develops resilience. It builds character, strengthens resolve, and teaches lessons that smooth paths never can. Looking back on our journey from Permanent Residence (PPR) to Canadian Citizenship, I can confidently say that our road was indeed rough, but it was also transformative.

A New Beginning
After completing our landing formalities in December 2021, I spent the next 4 weeks helping my family settle into our new life in Canada. We moved out of our Airbnb, rented and modestly furnished an apartment, and began adapting to our new environment.
By the last week of January 2022, I returned to Nigeria to tie up unfinished business. I formally resigned from my job, disposed of some of our belongings, and arranged for someone else to take over our apartment. While there, I also attempted to renew my Nigerian passport, which was due to expire later that year.

Unfortunately, I encountered the frustrating realities of Nigerian bureaucracy again. Despite paying ₦70,000 for the renewal process on Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal, I was unable to obtain a new passport because I was informed at the point of capturing that my National Identification Number (NIN), which I had obtained more than three years earlier, had not yet appeared on the NIS system. The money was lost, the renewal failed, and I eventually returned to Canada in April 2022 without a renewed passport.

Living on Hope....and Proof of Funds
Upon returning to Canada, my wife and I embarked on what would become a long and exhausting search for employment.
At that point, we were surviving primarily on the Proof of Funds (POF) we had brought from Nigeria, and our savings were steadily shrinking. Although the government had begun paying us Canada Child Care Benefits, we made a deliberate decision not to spend the money. Instead, we invested it in Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP) for our children's education.

The decision proved to be one of the wisest financial choices we made. Not only did it help secure our children's educational future, but it also allowed us to benefit from the accompanying government grants. Today, that RESP portfolio has grown into a substantial education fund.
Meanwhile, we attended newcomer programs, career workshops, and government-sponsored integration initiatives. We applied for countless jobs, but neither of us received an offer.

Then, in June 2022, I was awarded a provincial government scholarship for an Information Technology training program valued at $20,000. The training would have opened the door to a career as a junior Network Administrator. Just as I was preparing to begin the program, one of the many engineering applications I had submitted resulted in an interview invitation.
By God's grace, I passed the interview and received an offer the very next day to work as a Project Engineer on a renewable energy project.

The Importance of Professional Credentials
Let me backtrack a little: earlier in the Japa journey, immediately after receiving my PPR, I had begun the process of obtaining professional engineering recognition in Canada.

As a COREN-registered engineer in Nigeria, I used my portfolios and experience to apply for Professional licensure but was only granted Engineer-in-Training (EIT) status by the regulators. They remarked that I lacked Canadian engineering experience. I was advised to reapply after gaining one year of local experience.
At the time, I viewed the EIT designation as a disappointment. Later, I discovered that it played a significant role in helping me secure my first engineering position in Canada.

A Season of Stability
Although the project site was located two hours away from my city of residence, I gladly accepted the opportunity.
After completing the required drug and alcohol screening, the company provided accommodation near the project site as well as a company-maintained truck for my use. For the first time since arriving in Canada, life felt stable. Income exceeded expenses. We began saving. Hope returned.
Eventually, my wife suggested we explore homeownership. We met with one of Canada's major banks to determine our mortgage eligibility based on my employment and our credit profile. The advisors crunch out the numbers and gave us the amount we qualified for based on our circumstances.
The following week, we visited several builders' show homes. It did not take long to realize that while my job was good, that single income would not qualify us for the type of home we envisioned for our family.
The realization weighed heavily on my wife. She felt frustrated that her inability to secure employment might be holding back our family's aspirations. I encouraged her to remain hopeful and continue applying.

The Breaking Point
By December 2022, after nearly a year in Canada without any employment, my wife had reached her limit.
She told me she was tired of submitting applications without success and wanted to return to Nigeria with the children. The prospect of family separation devastated me, but I understood the emotional and psychological toll she had endured.
I asked her for one final extension, 3 more months. If nothing changed by the end of March 2023, I promised I would support whatever decision she made. Unwilling to remain idle while waiting, she got her Class 4 driving license and began driving for UBER using our family vehicle.
Then, on March 16, 2023, 2 weeks before the deadline, everything changed. She received a job offer.
What could have become a family separated by circumstances instead became a family strengthened by perseverance.

Chasing the Canadian Dream
Two weeks after she started work, we returned to the bank for a mortgage reassessment. This time, with two incomes, the numbers worked.
We obtained a 12-month mortgage pre-approval and proceeded to sign a pre-construction home purchase agreement. The plan was straightforward: make an initial 10% down payment from savings, accumulate another 10% during construction, and finance the remaining 80% with a mortgage while avoiding mortgage insurance costs.
By April 2023, the dream was in motion, but life had other plans.

Employment Earthquake: When the Ground Shifted Beneath Us
House construction began in June 2023 and was expected to be completed by April 2024.
As we diligently saved toward the second portion of the down payment, a major policy shift occurred.
In October 2023, the provincial government suspended approvals for new renewable energy projects. The impact on the renewable industry was immediate and severe. By December 2023, after the company's project I was on got completed, my employer laid off approximately 80% of project personnel, including me.
In an instant, the foundation of our carefully crafted plan disappeared. The future of our home purchase suddenly seemed impossible, but God’s Mercy says no!

Grace in Difficult Seasons
In the midst of this uncertainty, once again, God showed up and made a way.
My wife secured an even better job, while Employment Insurance (EI) payments kicked in for me and helped bridged the gap. Although the EI payments represented only a small fraction of my previous income, it was enough to keep us afloat.
Together, we pushed through. By April 2024, we successfully completed the home purchase and moved into our new house. The victory, however, came with new realities.
Our expenses exploded. Mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, homeowners' fees, garbage collection charges, and allied costs quickly replaced the simplicity of apartment living.
The financial pressure was intense; still, I continued applying for engineering roles.

The Wilderness Long Wait
September 2024 arrived, and my EI benefits expired; still, no job was in sight. I remained unemployed.
To prevent financial hardship from overwhelming our family, I accepted a survival job. It helped pay bills, but the physical demands eventually became too strenuous and difficult to sustain.
Seeking an alternative, I enrolled in security training, passed the examinations, and qualified as a licensed security guard.
Then, just as I was preparing to pivot and begin a new chapter by seeking job roles as a security guard, another engineering opportunity emerged.
One of the many applications I had submitted months earlier resulted in an interview invitation. I attended the interview, and I got the job.
The offer came almost 18 months after being laid off from my first engineering position and 9 months after my EI benefits had ended.
The journey had been emotionally draining, financially exhausting, and mentally challenging, but it ended in testimony.

Lessons from the Storm
The hardships taught me lessons I could never have learned from success alone.
They deepened my appreciation for my wife and her unwavering support. They showed me the importance of partnership during adversity and helped me understand why many marriages struggle, and some crumble under the pressures of immigration and resettlement.
Challenges do not destroy relationships; often, they reveal whether two people are willing to carry life's burdens together. When vicissitudes of life come, couples can either grow together or fall apart.
I count myself very fortunate to be married to a good woman who chose perseverance over surrender.

The Final Milestone
In December 2024, my wife and children became eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
They submitted their applications and became Canadian citizens in May 2025.
I became eligible in March 2025, submitted my own application, and proudly became a Canadian citizen in October 2025.
The journey from PPR to Citizenship was anything but easy.
The road was rough, but that rough road built resilience. It strengthened our family. It deepened our faith. It taught us patience, perseverance, and gratitude.

Today, we are not yet where we ultimately hope to be. However, we are far ahead of where we stood when we arrived in Canada nearly five years ago. There are still dreams to pursue, goals to accomplish, and mountains yet to climb, but when I look back at where we started in December 2021, I am overwhelmed by gratitude.

If you're somewhere on your own rough road today, don't give up. The chapter you're in is not the whole story. Sometimes, the roughest roads lead to the most beautiful destinations.

The journey continues…………..Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.

Beside what if that is how the poster celebrates success, it is none of anybody's business. He has the right to celebrate whatever he wants to celebrate so far he is not committing crime.

Jezzzyyyyyyy:
Hello,

I’ve been a silent reader on this thread but I guess that changes today.

@walenden For someone who claims people aren’t logically countering your argument but using sentiment and personal insults, you’re doing the same; profiling and making personal jabs.

However, to your point, it appears you may have no case based on your quote:

“My point is that a passport and a heavily mortgaged house should not automatically be presented as the highest evidence of success.”

This was never the intention of the person who was clear about why and for what purpose it was written, and I quote:

“ Today, we are not yet where we ultimately hope to be. However, we are far ahead of where we stood when we arrived in Canada nearly five years ago. There are still dreams to pursue, goals to accomplish, and mountains yet to climb, but when I look back at where we started in December 2021, l am overwhelmed by gratitude.”

Absolutely nothing about this person’s writeup presents “highest evidence of success” at any point.

This all just seems like an attempt at damage control. It’s okay to not to want to celebrate someone, it’s also okay to be wrong, but there never was a case. Love and light.

NBCC and NSCC are publicly funded community colleges, and admission to many programs can be highly competitive. Be sure to review the entrance requirements carefully to determine whether you meet the qualifications.

Also, don't limit your options to just these two schools. Other colleges may offer similar programs with different admission requirements. For example, some schools may require high school Chemistry, while others may not. If you have credits in Math, English, and Biology, you may still be eligible for admission at certain institutions. Exploring a wider range of schools can increase your chances of finding a program that matches your qualifications.

Lolziks:
Good morning, everyone.

I am planning to begin my application to study in Canada and have been researching affordable colleges as well as programs with strong job prospects. After careful consideration, I am leaning towards pursuing a Pharmacy Technician diploma.

My concern, however, is that my academic background is in Accounting, and I do not have a science background. Before I proceed with my application, I would appreciate your advice on the following:

* Is it possible to gain admission into a Pharmacy Technician program without a science background?
* Are there any colleges you would recommend for someone transitioning from Accounting into the healthcare field?
* Based on my research, I am particularly interested in the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). Would you recommend either of these, or are there other public colleges I should consider?

I would be grateful for any guidance or recommendations from those who have gone through a similar process or have experience with studying in Canada.

Thank you very much.

Algoma University and Ontario Tech University are publicly universities. They are not new schools. The only school I won't advice someone to apply to right now is University of Niagara Falls because the history is very limited.

AbelAbdul:
These schools gave me admissions within a week. So it's safe to say that they are Chinese own schools. LOL

Algoma University
University of Niagara Falls
Ontario Tech University

and who cares if the are Chinese owned? As long as they are DLI no 1 give a damnn!

Oops! Who did I just respond to? Someone who said Canada issue 'Permanent Study Permit'? I'll pass.

Honestly, I don't understand why mortgage brokers and realtors emphasize the bolded strategy so much. I can't see myself buying a house and relying on a tenant in the basement to help cover the mortgage payments.

I usually advise people to buy a home they can comfortably afford on a single income rather than depending on both spouses' incomes. Taking that approach provides a financial cushion and makes it much less likely that you'll overextend yourself financially. If one income is lost or circumstances change, the mortgage remains manageable without creating unnecessary stress.

AirBay:
Nice write-up.

The problem with some of us is the "I must keep up with my neighbour" mentality, which pushes many people into buying homes they simply cannot afford.

Can you imagine people using a line of credit for their down payment? Others max out their credit cards buying furniture. Then some Nigerian realtors convince buyers that the basement rent will cover part of the mortgage, even though many of these new homes are built in areas that aren't very attractive to tenants.

Nevertheless, the smell of a brand-new house is hard to resist! 😄 As long as you stay within your budget and can comfortably afford the payments, we will all be okay.⁹

Your decision should depend on your career goals. You can choose either option, but it should align with the path you want to pursue.

Consider questions like: Do you have experience in project management? Is your first degree related to your current job? These are factors an IRCC officer may evaluate when assessing your visa application. Although study permit applications are intended to be assessed under dual intent, pursuing a graduate certificate after already completing a master’s degree may be viewed as academic regression and as a way of just coming to Canada. In most cases, the minimum level you should target is a master’s degree, anything lower could raise concerns.

If your goal is to stay in Canada after your studies, it’s essential to apply to a program that is eligible for a PGWP. If a program is not currently on the PGWP-eligible list, it is unlikely to be added soon. Be strategic in your program selection, as choosing the wrong one could make you ineligible for both PGWP and permanent residence pathways.

Mrtrypes:
Hi All, please kindly advise what course is the best to come study in Canada now, I’d like to know for IRCC visa reasons if its best to come study a course related to my masters degree (project management) or a course related to my job as I currently work as a support worker in uk. Secondly I’d like to know which is reasonable a masters or a graduate certificate considering that I already have an MSc, kindly advise pls.

Depending on the school and the type of program you want to do, it may be competitive. However, before investing so much time and money in a health care program, you may consider volunteering in a hospital or nursing home to see if the profession is for you. As others have mentioned don't use all your limited funds to pay school fees once you decide what to do. There are programs available.

Zeemaan:
Please is getting admission to study courses like Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, etc Competitive? I am single with little savings and would like to get advice on what best to do after arriving Canada (I got PR in April) in terms of work or study. The money I saved would be sufficient for school fees but not rent or feeding.

You mentioned the main advantage. The other reason is that some courses run in the Winter term requires prerequisite from courses run in the Fall term. In this case the school will specify if you can only start the program in the Fall term. If there is not specified you are good to start in the Winter term.

Cullinane:
Is there any advantage starting school in Sept (Fall) has over Jan (Winter) besides entering into tough Jan winter season in Canada? Considering moving my school application forward from Sept 2027 to Jan 2027 in Manitoba. I know most international students seem to prefer to start classes in Fall.

We are seeing so many travel bs talk recently. I can't stop laughing on some of them.

ednut1:
ChatGPT bs that is out of touch with reality

You raised valid points. It may be better for him to access his situation after getting to Winnipeg. Please, don't scarce him about the cold in Winterpeg.

Cullinane:
Adding to this, remember RRC is in downtown Winnipeg and a lot of downtown areas have high crime due to high drug usage and poverty amongst the native Canadian Indian population. So it means if you are doing off-campus housing it will be some distance from RRC and this could be problematic if you don''t have a car because their city transit system is not effective and punctual plus during winter which lasts 5 months, it goes to -45 degrees a lot of times. Winnipeg is the coldest city over 100k population in the entire North America (Canada plus USA). Their winter is legendary and very dangerous.

Please remove your phone number from your post.

For accommodation, you have two main options: on-campus and off-campus housing. For a smooth transition (“soft landing”), on-campus accommodation is usually the best choice. However, it tends to be more expensive and comes with more restrictions. If you’re interested in this option, contact the school’s residence office to confirm availability before applying. If you secure on-campus housing, you can stay for one term and then look for a more affordable off-campus option for subsequent terms.

Finding off-campus accommodation can be more challenging, especially if you don’t know anyone in Winnipeg who can host you for one to two weeks while you search. If that’s the case, consider booking an Airbnb for a couple of weeks to give yourself time to explore housing options.

I hope your visa arrives on time so you can begin planning your trip and be ready to start school in September.

lankyuchebanky:
I am looking forward to studying at Red river college Polytechnic Winnipeg Manitoba by September. I need someone that can help me have a soft landing, with accomodations and all. I can be reached on what's app on

Congratulations. Wishing you success in your studies. May Canada favor you.

AbelAbdul:
This thread has been abused. When I get to Canada on the 22nd Aug, I will create a thread on my personal process from when I got my International passport to when I landed in Canada.

Hints:

1. My International Passport took 5 business days (both capturing and everything) First timer.
2. I applied to schools in Canada some gave me offer in less that 3 days.
3. My study permit took 4 weeks and 6 days to get approved. Applied May got approved June.

I will be sharing my story (the documents I submitted) with evidence once I land Toronto.

PS: This is my first time applying to Canada. I do not have any travel history.

PPS: I did it all alone without a travel agent. Even when my school wanted to give me their immigration lawyer to assist in my study permit application I opted out.

PPS: Reason I don't use agents is because, apart from the fact that a lot of them are scammers, some of them do mistakenly mix applicants documents when submitting because they do not deal with just one application.

I learnt from Cubana Chief Priest who till his death cannot enter USA because of the messed an agent made on his application.

PPR - Passport Request. PPR is not the same as PR. This request is typically made by IRCC to issue a visa.

PhdCloakRoom:
When you were applying for your study permit did you apply while you were in Secondary school ? Everything in life is step by step if one want to be successful.

Below are links for Canada PPR. Stop expecting PPR stories in Study Visa Thread.


https://www.nairaland.com/4933819/living-canada-life-canadian-immigrant


https://www.nairaland.com/6829885/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled

Nairaland is now equipped with well experienced contributors. Let everyone goes to the right section where related topics are being discussed.

Can you request for your GCMS notes. It will take up to a month for you to receive it, but it will show the stage the application is.

Eminareoluwami:
Please help!! I have applied since last year December and till now I have only gotten a mail to send 3 months bank statement after the one I submitted in December, it’s been 3 months since I last submitted the second bank statement..this is my 3rd application oh!! Good travel history.. travelled to the USA 6 times, South Africa 5 times, Dubai 15 times, Doha 2 times, Brazil 1ce.. I have strong ties to my country such as landed properties and my business.. should I contact them.. also in my application there is an invitation letter from my friend with proofs that we just met in Qatar and spent quality time together.. what exactly do they want?? Edakun oh.. and it’s only for 2weeks before their winter period.. some people can’t adapt to that weather!!

I partly agree with you. I understand your point very well. A visa is not a right. My point is that after doing strict assessment, it is not right for the basis of refusals to be what other Nigerians have done in the past. There are cases where the immigration judges have found some IRCC decisions unreasonable.

uchennay:
A visa is a privilege, not a right. No country is obligated to issue a visa to a foreign national. Calling every strict assessment or refusal "stereotyping" ignores the fact that immigration authorities have a responsibility to protect the integrity of their immigration system and manage potential risks.

I can answer the first question to some degree. The competition is very strong. The best way to get a supervisor is to contact professors during research you are interested in. You have to show what you have done in your under grad that is related to the research. Many professors will indicate if they are accepting graduate students or not. You have to be very patient with them since they would be receiving many inquiries from other prospective students as well.

Jimmy17:
Hello Nairalanders,

I am a recent Geography graduate from the University of Ibadan (Second Class Upper) and I just completed my NYSC at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Ibadan. I am currently targeting a funded thesis-based master's degree in Canada for Fall 2027, specifically in the area of environmental governance and sustainable development.

I have already identified some programs and schools I am interested in, including McGill University, University of Waterloo, Western University, Queen's University, and University of Ottawa. I am also currently applying for the McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill.

I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through the Canadian graduate school process, especially:

1. How did you find and secure a supervisor? Did you cold email professors and did it work?
2. How long did your study permit take to process as a Nigerian applicant?
3. Any tips on writing a strong statement of purpose or personal statement?
4. Is there anything you wish you had known before applying or arriving in Canada?
5. Any experience with the McCall MacBain Scholarship specifically?

Any advice at all — about applications, funding, life in Canada, or anything in between — would be genuinely appreciated.

Thank you.