₦airaland Forum

Unfortunately, Canada is not US. Nothing like hustle without proper document. Again visiting visa is not a relocation visa. If you spend the 6 months in Canada at once, you better have detailed explanation on what you were doing in Canada when you want to re-enter. Your 10 years visa may be canceled at the time of entry. Does Canada give visa beyond the validity of once passport? How come you got 10 years visa?

PoliteActivist:
Exactly what I've been told. The word "hustle" keeps comming up if I were to choose Canada

Visiting visa is not a relocation visa. The probability of getting a job with sponsorship for LMIA is very low within 6 months. Stay put in Nigeria. Use your visiting visa to go on vacation and return to Nigeria.

Safe journey. Driving through Saskatchewan can be very boring.

We can only hope he is voted out. By 2025, he would have been the PM for 10 years. It is time for another party to take over especially one that cares more about the economy and the cost of living.

Kenn55:
Exactly my brother, I can't wait to vote him out. His time is up. Thank God Canadians are now seeing through his bullshit.

It will take a majority Conservative government to kick him out since NDP will continue to support him. He has to do something really really bad for there to be a vote of no confidence on his government.

Enculer2:
The dude was voted in twice!

This is another sad story. Sleeping outside can have a long term impact. The implication of not have the proof of funds they showed during application always have negative impacts. Hopefully the person gets the help they need. Hopefully, some NGOs or a good Samaritan can help. If I'm in Toronto I could have but I'm not there.

ednut1:
the average student from Nigerian or Indian does not the proof of funds they showed during application. It rained yesterday self, and he slept outside ah. Will reach out to him

This is sad. The good thing is that there are a lot of good Nigerians. I hope we get to the stage where the dubious ones are very few and less than one in eleven.

Enculer2:
Nigerians never disappoint. This one tried to scam people in a nice community in Canada. The poor lady was looking for her lost cat. Definitely steer clear. people like these make foreigners have trust issues when dealing with Nigerians. Note the email and beware. people like these must have scammed Nigerians of hard earned money and have taken their trade to Canada.

For every quality Nigerian you have, you probably have 10 dubious ones looking to cheat, steal and destroy.

Benedict, there are many people doing this business on Instagram like shullyfoodexport, canadacargo, myafrimall and many others. Those will be cheaper than DHL.

BenedictStinson:
Hey guys landed in London Ontario about a month ago. So far it has been hard to get a job and GTB told me they had reduced upkeep from Form A to only 600usd per quarter. So my foreign currency is a little scarce and I don't want to spend it all buying food when I still have rent and the rest to pay. So I thought about shipping food from Nigeria but the price DHL gave my people over N200,000 just for items bought less than N70,000 seems expensive so does anyone know a reliable cheaper shipping method from Nigeria (Abuja) to Canada?

There are places worae than Nigeria that there citizens are not known for the bad thing we gave unfortunately stereotype for. Please it has nothing to do with government.

thelegend1:
I'm Igbo, so this is not a tribalistic post. Rather it is on Nigerians as a whole.
Of recent when I open blogs, one Nigerian is either involved in business/romance scam, drug pushing, prostitution e.t.c

Our govt has really done us bad to the point that we think illegality is normal means of livelihood.

I understand you very well. Not sure when you mkved to UK, Chrismas over there is family time. Stores, malls, and clubs are closed for people to enjoy time qith family. Where I live, only Hospitals and gas stations are opened. The understanding is that everyone deserves a time with family to celebrate Christmas. Your flatmates may have gone to their families to celebrate. Even there are no churches on those days except Nigerian churches.

When I was new here, I get lot of invite from people for Christmas dinners that I turn a lot of them down sincw I can't be in 2 places at the same time.

koife:
Hello nairalanders, I am particularly compelled to pen this down as I observe my first Xmas away from nja.
Omo forget, nja get swag, community life and it's much fun there during this time of the year.
Yeah, we have our own bad side, but mehn, our social and family life is none to compare with.
Can you imagine, a whole Xmas, the place be like say na curfew Dem declare... Everybody "on your own". Mall shut, pubs shut, kababs, shut, no taxi....everywhere dead.
D one wia pain me pass na say I never carry eye see my flatmate since two days now. Abi this people normal so, or abi na over civilization dey worry Dem? I am so bored and tired that I had to drive out and to my greatest surprise na dead dry town I see. If na nja I dey so, na steady balling...huz to huz chopinz, visits, laughter, palmy, give away, oloshi lmao etc
Abroad mongers abeg I carry God name beg una, stay back ooo nja na Diamond and Gold. Una no know wetin una get untill una come hia
By the way, if any nja correct guy dey around Lowestoft, Suffolk,Uk abeg make we connect gather make some noice jor, even if na Norwich I go drive come.
I run come hia, as we no get better education. If e bin dey, I nor for come hia lailai.

Meanwhile, seasons greetings y'all.
Much love.
Xoxo

What do you use for heating in Canada compared to UK? Is heating included in UK power bill?

jimpix11:
I am the individual, infact my Kilowatt in Canada is higher than UK. Also I lived in 1bed in uk now living in a 2bed. I use 2 standing freezers plus a washer and dryer at my current apt compared with just a fridge + washer in uk.

I spent 5years plus in UK before moving, I am not dissing UK

Please do. Hopefully, I will be able to answer. My knowledge of it is limited.

olalekan9320:
please I have more questions regarding this CPP and rrsp thing, can I pm you?

Yes, cpp is pension, but won't pay much during retirement. For instance, for 2022, if you start collecting at 65 year old, the maximum monthly cpp payment is $1,253.59 before tax, which is too low to live on.

The 2.5% matched contribution is good but may be too low. You should be getting annual statements that will show your pension payment when you retire.

If you have room in your RRSP and TFSA, you should tey and contribute to them if possible.

olalekan9320:
Please I thought the CPP they're deducting bi-weekly is Pension?

Likewise my employer has 2.5% match of my annual salary for RRSP, does RRSP really worth it?

It depends in your taste. The price range is very wide. The best you can do is to search for cheap furniture stores in Brandon. You will get a lot of option. To get more options, you can search for stores in Winnipeg. Winnipeg is only 2 hours drive from Brandon. Also, check on kijiji and Facebook marketplace for used ones.

Vanessaokoh:
Hello
good day everyone
I will be moving to Canada next year please what can I estimate on furnishing an apartment and where can I get affordable prices for beds table etc in Manitoba Brandon �

I employed someone from Nigeria for the pilot child care program. They applied for the visa January 2021. Up till now, they have only done biometrics. They haven't got a permanent application number yet. By the time the application is approved, we may not need their services again.

aestake:
Guys just wanna run off Nigeria. Most ain't qualified, though. Wait time for Canadian visas are crazy, I know. I am a victim too!

The issue is that currently it is very hard for someone to get a job from Nigeria. Canadian immigration process is very long. Even if you have skills that no one has, how many employers are ready to wait for up to 6 months if not more for the process? I guess these agents are able to dupe our people because our people want short cuts. How many people get job without interviews and applying for the job? We must think we are so special that an employer will just offer us a job without us applying or interviewing for the job.

aestake:
It makes sense because they want workers right away. Workplaces always want new staffers largely because they can't retain folks. And some are tyrannic, if you criticize them a little, you are sacked. Meanwhile, you provided the board for complaints. I love as people move around workplaces here. My candid advice is get a job or skill that many people can't or don't have.

Sorry to say this is another fabu that we read a lot here lately. F1 visa in Canada. Wife stays at home when she can be gainfully employed. Husband is a grad student in a university and the wife is lonely in such a city. A city that will be full of wives that are in the same category as her. This story does not seem real enough.

megastu:
He might have changes some aspects of the story so as not to be identified. The story seems real enough.

I was about to ask if we are talking of the same Canada. The spouse of a student is entitled to an open work permit.

GboyegaD:
Canada doesn't have a F1 Visa which makes the story a bit doubtful but I wouldn't doubt fully because he might have used the term so that everyone can understand he is on a student visa. In Canada, the dependent of a student can work on a Spousal Open Work Permit thus, she could have picked up a job even if it is part time.

I don't think you have to worry about that. Immigration officials are aware that many people want to stay back in Canada after studies. After being here for close to 20 years, I know less than 5% of the international students that return to their home country after studies. When you apply for study permit, it is always with dual intent. So, the question the official should be asking is that will you leave Canada if your application for permanent residence is refused.

SLOVFO:
Hello house, I intent immigrating to Canada through the study route and I have already gotten admission into one of the polytechnics. Now, I am in a moral quagmire, I have no intent of returning to my home country after studying and I know if I tell that to Immigration it will affect my study visa application. And I don't want to tell lies. What can one do in such a situation?

I am not disputing your points. When I say an average Canadian is not bothered des not mean they should not be bother about saving for old age. Am I bothered for saving for old age? Absolutely.

We learn everyday. When I consider any job, pension is always a factor. I will check if the employer has rhe plan or not. If they don't, the offer must be good enough for me to be able to contribute more to my RRSP. I have never worked in a place where there os no matched contribution from employer. I worked for a provincial government for 13 years. Pension deduction was more 12% of gross income over those years matched by the employer.

If you work in a place with no pension plan, please contribute to your RRSP. Retirement savings and plans for old age is very important.

rickleye:
Why do you think we increased retirement
age

https://financialpost.com/opinion/old-age-security-is-melting-away-so-more-of-you-will-rely-on-low-income-support-cheques-when-you-retire/wcm/927e1f4a-51f4-4cff-a122-94aacdd40ce7/amp/

https://www.aon.com/unitedkingdom/employee-benefits/resources/articles/retirement-age-should-be-moved-to-75.jsp

The plan we have is based on a younger workforce contributing to the old age plan. You and I are paying for those who are retiring now. The value of the dollar with inflation must be considered . We are only having 1 child . This will not support those that will retire in maybe 20 years. So we need to get younger workforce( hence immigration relaxing rules ) to keep this going . Remember it’s not a one time thing it’s yearly and with advances in medical sciences people are living longer. The longer you work . The more money you contribute. So it’s a continuous circle . I am not saying money won’t be there in maybe next 20 years but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify.

Well pensions still remain as part of total compensation package. Many companies don't manage the plan themselves. Manulife, sunlife and the likes still exist.

rickleye:
Companies no longer find pension plans. Only a specific sector still gives pensions plans
- government jobs
- teachers
- maybe grocery stores.
- some businesses.
They would rather pay you more than offer pension plans as it is too expensive to maintain.

Absolutely any Canadians not considering TFSA and RRSP is at a disadvantage. I don't understand what you mean about CPP and OAS maxing out. When I make CPP contribution every year, at 65, I expect my pension from CPP based on my contributions over the years. What may happen is that the age to start collecting may increase and premium may increase at that time. You don't expect people to contribute for 35+ years and tell them the program no longer exist.

It is common finding people retiring where the cost of living is lower same way you find someone moving to the village when they retire.

rickleye:
I disagree . That is why the government has programs to encourage people to save. TFSA. And RRSP . The amount of OAS, CPP, QPP is usually not adequate . Remember you are still tax on the payout amount as it is taxed deferred.
And there is a risk that those plans will max out in a particular year so we need to get more people working ( hence the flexible immigration rules ) so that there is even a payout when one reaches those years.
It is also a reason why someone would like to retire elsewhere the cost of living is cheaper.
People take out perm and term insurance just to make sure that they have adequate funds to maintain a certain lifestyle when retired.
So yes I disagree . Any average Canadian not considering any of these programs is at a disadvantage.

An average Canadian is not that bother about saving for old age. If they are gainfully employed, many employers have pension plans, which they are forced to save into. Also, there is CPP and OAS.

rickleye:
Plus also ask if they are saving for old age. ?

5% is not that bad. CMHC changed it in 2007/08 to cool the market and limit price increases.

slydog:
Can you imagine??
0 dp?
Now it's minimum of 5%

This is actually a great point. If you make the money, enjoy it very well. It is not all about savings. At the same time have emergency saving that may cover your responsibilities for some time in case of an emergency. For the children, it is not all about books. Swimming, Taekwando, Hockey, Staking and the rest are very good for their development.

There are lot of stories. Some Canadians decide not to marry for tax purposes because some deductibles are not possible when you are married. Imagine husband makes 100K a year, wife makes 50K a year. Their combined income taxes is more than what they pay if Husband pays wife 20K a year for children support. Husband pays Trudeau less taxes for making $20K less and the increase in wife tax- is less than the decrease in husband's tax. I don't blame them.

megastu:
I have gone through these posts and my take is for guys who are lucky to earn up to $100k per annum, do not just focus on savings savings savings. Live life. Enroll your kids in extra curricula activities; Taekwando, Lawn Tennis, Swimming, etc. Travel, expose your kids to other countries. Give to charity, food banks, etc. You save and save and save and one day you die and strangers take all your stored wealth away. Some even earn 100k per annum and still go Queue up in Food banks just to collect free food. Some separate so as to collect more benefits from the Govt. Do not worry, Canada is not Nigeria where people worry, and some even steal to ensure their children's children are catered for. I have met many Nigerians abroad who know only how to work and save, nothing else. In the end, the stress of all that work leads to a breakdown in marriages, and disappointment in old age.

Thank you. I got the gist. I'm actually not new in Canada. I came here in early 2000s as a grad student. The federal government has tightened the rules over the years to be eligible for CMHC insured mortgages. I remember when 0% down payment and 40 year amortization mortgages were still available.

seunpinky:
You can look into my responses to @slydog for some insights on how to get this done.

Actually, I will like to learn how you did that. I can say for certain that Canada is not a hell of a place to live. Even when it gets really cold, it is still not hell of a place. People have different reasons for migrating. I know people that move back to Nigeria and lose their PR immediately they realize Canada is not for them. That's their choice and they live by it.

seunpinky:
I’m on the train so I have little time to banter .
I don’t understand why people think Canada is a hell of a place to live.

I have a younger friend that landed some months ago as a student, she’s doing two jobs one as an education assistant paying $26/hr and another as a PSW earning $25/hr. She juggles these two jobs alongside her studies. She stays in a shared apartment and pays rent of $500 per month all inclusive. You can imagine how much she would be saving on a monthly basis.

I would have loved to share an analysis of how I was able to do 2 houses in 16months and how I raised the money but I see that most people are not here to learn. They think everybody is a lamba god

You have time to respond. You actually presented a scenario of someone living the one of the most expensive city in Canada. Imagine if the person is leaving the Prairies or the Maritimes, the person would actually save more. He will spend less on accommodation.

seunpinky:
Let me help with this:
If u earn 100k per annum ur net monthly income is approximately 5,600
As a single person living a modest life:
basement Accommodation in Mississauga
monthly rent is 1200 (inclusive of all bills)
Groceries 350
Phone bill 50
Internet 80
Transport 200
Flex money 300

Can’t think of other expenses right now… but as a single person living a modest life and earning 100k per annum u should be able to save 30k per annum.

What are the major expenses that eats into the income of single people:
1. Rents in highbrow areas/condos (2,200/month)
2. Cars on finance… if u are financing a car, an average of 1k leaves ur income ( car payment 500, car insurance 300, petrol 300) that’s 1,100 cad per month on car.
3. Expensive dates where they spend an average of 150cad per date night.

I have a single female friend, the babe is focused she didn’t live a lavish lifestyle, She was very frugal with her funds. She was able to save up to buy a townhouse in Kitchener. Guess what she did, she maintained one room for her self and she rented out the 4 other rooms collecting 700 per room converted the siting room to another room This gives her a rental income of 2,800.

In the same vein, I have a married friend who earns less than 100k but has a combined family income of about 140k and he just bought his second house.

All these examples including me are all less than 30 years. Oya argue with ur keypads

I swear. It is as if McD is the only employer of labor.

GboyegaD:
It is amusing how many of you only know those who works with McDonalds.

I'm not sure the country knows what the impact of the brain drain is down the road. When skilled people in the 25 to 45 age range are relocating from the country. You have a lot to deal with. We are very enterprising, intelligent and diligent, once we get to a place and adapt, we become almost unstoppable.

delpee:
They're taking the best of our youth (those who choose to apply). They know we're enterprising, intelligent and diligent. All you need is to 5ake some courses to acquaint yourself with their operating systems once you arrive. You may experience a setback for the first 2 years in terms of position but it doesn't take long to catch up once you have Canadian experience.

Nigeria is losing so much.

They are looking for skilled workers with sufficient educational, work experience and funds to settle and contribute to the country. Not people that will be a burden from day one.

sweetkev:
I swear, that's the major problem. Spending more than 5 million for visa processing and other difficult procedures. Why can't they just do it like American visa lottery whereby people would be selected randomly after filling a form.

Europeans are still migrating to Canada. France is among the top 10 biggest sources of new permanent residents To Canada in 2021. Surprisingly, the U.S. is among the top 10 as well. People migrate for many reasons.

planetx:
How is it in the best interest of this people to see Africa develop, because it is proven that emmigration is drastically reduced when a nation develops. Immigration to America and Canada from Europe is basically zero now unlike 100 years ago except for the Ukrainian refugees which is caused by war.