Hmm. This letter should have been written to Atiku. After all the decades of SE faithfulness to PDP, in the interest of natural justice he should step down for an Igbo man.

Hi guys
So I was going through the SOWP timeline thread and the living in canada thread- for those of us that have families and want to use them as hometies and later apply for them. It appears sometimes this can backfire. Someone posted that his application for his family was declined. The GCMS notes stated that he lied on his student visa application that he was not travelling with his family, only for him to later apply for his family. So it may not be a sure-fire approach to use immediate family as home ties.

Not saying in absolute terms o - just wanted to put it out there as something to keep in mind and weigh the risks.

cc GlamMrsO

LadyIE:
Good day house, please does anyone have a contact in Lagos that can help process driving abstract for me? I mean the document that shows the number of years I’ve been driving in Nigeria so I can use this in Canada. Thank you

I don't think you need a driving extract anymore, though I don't know if it differs by province. You just show them your original drivers license they will access all your records.

Jadel03:
Hello Luckymama,

I would be attending UBC (Vancouver campus). Although I have gotten a temporary accommodation (Airbnb), I wouldn’t mind a shared accommodation starting January 2022.

I have also tried sending you a message as well.


quote author=Luckymama post=107895894]Hi all
Is there by any chance anyone in UBCO (Kelowna) here or resuming in January? Looking for shared accomodation and have seen a couple of nice buildings close to campus. Would like to share with one two flatmates - females only please.

sorry, Kelowna campus is very far from Vancouver campus. Not in the same town

GlamMrsO:
Hello everyone!

I need your guide on how to go about studies in canada

Here is a little background,
I'm a stay at home mom of two,
studied computer science,
finished with a 4.46 gpa in 2014,
once had admission with humber back in 2016 but didn't go through with it

I want to go the education route to relocate myself and family to canada

How do you suggest i do it pls.

lekiboboe maypearl frankrobbn1 luckymama bobomaigida

Thank you in advance

Hi, this was what I did
Start planning. Is Oga ready to relocate immediately with you? If he has a great job, I will advise he plans to join you later - living expenses are high anywhere and as long as he can earn it is advisable he does.

Do you have travel history? If you have a current U.S visa, I will advise you try to get canadian visitors visa before you apply for the student visa - don't know how easy that is with Covid restrictions, but it is often difficult to get spouse working permit and visitors visa after you apply for your student visa. If you don't have travel history, it can still work but will take longer.

If you don't have travel history, are you willing to leave your kids and husband to go first and they join you later? It can be quite lonely but it is
doable.

So the actual process:
I advise getting a 2 year masters program. Since you have been a stay at home mom, you can say you want to use the masters to jump start your career. Very important - please start drafting your statement of purpose (the letter to the embassy explaining why you want to do this course) at the same time you are applying for admission. Always have your story in mind as you choose schools and make applications. Always put yourself in the position of the visa officer - if you were the one looking at this application, what doubts will you have? Then make sure you address it.

Once you have gotten admission apply for your visa. If you have loads of money, as in up to 4 or 5 times the amount of money required for your program or if you have funding from your school, you can apply at once with your family. You apply for a student visa, your husband applies for a work permit and the children apply for visitors visa or student visa. If your funds are not that much, you apply alone, after you get to Canada you apply for your family. Note these applications can take close to a year, that's why I said apply for a 2 year program, if not you may finish your program and their application has not been processed.

After school, you get a Post graduate work permit depending on how long your program was. if you did a 2 yr program, you often get a 3 year work permit. The aim of school route is that after working for a year, you gain points in the Express entry pool and can apply for PR via Canadian Experience Class. If your husband gets a work permit and gets a job, he can apply even before you finish your program. Some provinces also have their own local programs thus some will give you a provincial nomination once you have a job, some will give you after working for one year etc. Once you get a provincial nomination it is almost certain that you will get called up at the next draw.

Or you could simply try to up your scores in the Express entry pool from Nigeria and save yourself millions in school fees. If you are under 40, you can do a lot to improve your scores - learn french (that should give you like 50 - 75 extra points). Do a masters program in your field (there's something people do in IT that gives them scores in express entry like a masters and its less than a year). If you do these two things you can be in canada as a PR which is a better option than school.

Hi all
Is there by any chance anyone in UBCO (Kelowna) here or resuming in January? Looking for shared accomodation and have seen a couple of nice buildings close to campus. Would like to share with one two flatmates - females only please.

Lianna2020:
My permit wasn’t stamped that I can work or some sort of sort and I got my sin with no issues at all.

Abi I got the wrong permit? Because everyone knows students are entitled to 20 hours per week

Seriously? I went to the two service canada offices in Victoria where I stay. They told me the same thing. Emailed and called they told me the same thing. Maybe B.C is different.

PatrickOkunima:


My understanding is that one can extend a 1 year study permit to 2 years, by pursuing another program. Thereafter, qualify for 3 years PGWP. Or has that changed? I mean the study permit extension part?

No it has not changed. But by the end of the first program some of us may have finished our proof of funds so we don't have the same money we had at the beginning. If it is possible to avoid going through that long journey of making application for another study permit then it's better to do so.

Jay316:
thanks for ur information. God bless u.please how do we insist that he puts it there.what is he decides not to give us the study permit again nko.please Educate us on how u think we shud go about compelling the CBO to write it there please.

He can't refuse to give you the study permit. The border official is just to rubber stamp what the VO that handled your case has already decided. They have looked at your case very thoroughly and decided that you qualify to be a student.

Anyway it is just to be polite but firm. Of course if the person is in a bad mood or rude, you don't have a choice to take your permit jeje and go, but most of them will put it if you politely insist. You can explain that you can't get a SIN without it being put on your study permit. Some types of accounts in the banks sef will not be opened for you without SIN so a lot of things depend on that SIN

bysolaro:
Greetings!
Trust this meets you well.
Thank you for all the great information you selflessly disseminate here.

Please, I'll be coming to BC in a month on a student visa What I would like is a list of all the things I need to have in place before leaving Lagos e.g. driver's license, etc. All that will make my settlement in Canada a breeze.

I look forward to your response.

Thank you.

Hi biko please let's connect . Whereabouts in BC are you coming to?
All you need is your valid drivers license. You don't need the FRSC letter or international drivers license. When you come depending on your length of driving time will determine what level of drivers license you get. you will still have to write a driving test and do the driver's test. If you can get a letter from your insurance about how long you have driven without incidence that will help reduce your car insurance costs.

Besides as a student you can drive with your valid Nigerian drivers license until the end of your program.

Dollywood:


What do you do about the long dark winter that keeps everyone isolated?

This is my first winter - and it is truly depressing . 4:30 p.m and it is already dark! Na wah.

Dollywood:
So nobody's going to talk about how boring and depressing living in Canada can be. I sometimes don't know the essence of this thread, only talks about assistance of visa applications, and so on.

Living in any European/western country can be depressing - oyibo keep to themselves. I suggest you find things to do that you enjoy - and learn to like the simple things - hikes, visiting the lake/park etc. Many Canadians are all about the outdoors and if you become more active outdoors you may meet people you share interests with.

for me, I am an introvert. The endless visitors and invitations in Nigeria were a huge burden to me, so I loooove it here! Different strokes to different folks

Hi all,
Just wanted to chip in a few updates. When I was active on this thread around 2019-2020 I was always on the lookout for people who can give information from the other side. Having information about how things actually go on once within Canada helps with planning.

1. If possible, please apply for at least a 2 year program. I assume most people here are planning to get a work permit afterwards and from there get to apply for PR. It's not that easy. Getting a job after graduation is not so straightforward. And for a lot of provinces, you need to work for 1 year before you can apply for PR based on work experience or Canadian Experience Class. So if you graduate and it takes 3 - 6 months post graduation to get a job (best case scenario), your one year work permit would have expired before you can apply for P.R. Besides most employers don't like to employ people who do not have long-term work permits.

For those planning to travel soon

1. Nothing you buy in Nigeria can handle Canadian winter . Don't spend a fortune on 'winter clothes'. Just buy the little you will wear from the airport to your homes or for the first few days you land until friends and/or your hosts can help you buy appropriate clothes.

2. Please do not leave the airport without it being specifically written on your study permit that you are entitled to work part time (20 hours) during the term and full time in summer. No matter what the border officials say, insist on the endorsement. I made that mistake when I landed in June - she told me it doesn't matter and everybody knows that students can work. Turns out it's not true. You can't work without a SIN and no one will give you a SIN (Social Insurance Number) unless your student permit says you can work. I have been trying to get my student permit amended since June till now. No response. So please stand your ground at the border and insist.

NwanyiOkpa:
People of God.

Please, what is the best and same time affordable flight company to use? I intend landing in Montreal from Nigeria.

Chai NwanyiOkpa. Saw this and realised you must have gotten your study visa. Congratulations in arrears!

NaijaCanadian28:



Nah wah for the CBSA officer oo. I think I had the exact issue when I came as a student. I was able to work with my study permit. The job was for a brief period though. If your potential employer has an issue with the clause on your study permit, you can contact IRCC.

So did you get your permit amended or you used it like that? The amendment process looks so long. But without SIN even to open bank acct and get credit card sef na war.

Shokoloko:


Wow, that will be excessive. A single person has no business living in a CAD1800 -2500 home except they plan to share (That's the cost of a 3-4 bedroom family home ).
They can go for bachelors CAD1000 or one bedroom $1200-$1300. They can also share a three bedroom family home costing $1800 into 3 and pay CAD600 monthly
Avoid homes where you pay for heating because heating is expensive. Why is the tenant paying for water bill in an apartment
Groceries for a single person should not be more than $250 except they like frozen meals and eating out. Food isn't expensive in Canada. And if she every goes above budget and there isn't food, she can locate the closest community Centre food bank, Salvation army, Fire of God church or Shepherds of good hope mission.
Reduce Electricity Bills by cooking during OFF-PEAK hours after 7pm. If she is finding it difficult to pay electricity bill contact OESP or any Provincial authority that can assist with Electricity bills
No point buying a brand new car and paying on credit, Buy a used car and pay cash
This advice is for those trying to settle into Canada, unemployed or at minimum wage.

I knew you were in British Columbia based on the rent you were quoting !! I hope you are having a great time. Please when you are done with school join us in the East or maybe Alberta.
It does get better. Best of luck

Hmmm. British Columbia na real bring cash! E go better.

Hi all,
Quick question please. How do you get your study permit amended?

So I came in about a month ago through Vancouver on a student visa and was issued a Study permit at the border. I knew, from reading this thread, that they were supposed to write on my study permit that I am entitled to work on and off campus.

But the guy attending to us that day was cranky and impatient. There was an Indian lady ahead of me who tried to insist that he should write it on her permit and he rudely asked her if she was here to study or here to work. He did not amend her permit.

Me I came with my husband and was busy praying quietly that they should give him work permit, so I did not even have the liver to ask for any amendment immediately they gave us.

Now, I have tried to get a SIN number and they are refusing to give me until I amend my study permit to show that I can work for 20 hrs.

Has anyone been able to amend their study permit? What’s the procedure please.

Ikwerelastborn:

Then how come people in abroad have more money than their contemporaries back home in Nigeria?

It’s currency value and easy availability of credit that makes it look that way.

Take for instance, a nursery school teacher earning like 23k per month in Nigeria. She moves to Cananda and starts to earn 17 dollars per hour. That’s like 1,600 to 2880 CAD. In Canada that’s poverty level. House rent is about 1,800 to 2,500. So she probably has to share a house with 2 or 3 people. Groceries a month will probably cost her like 500 CAD if she is prudent. Electricity water and heating bills will cost like 150 or so. Taxes will be like 15 to 20% depending on where she lives.So she has absolutely nothing extra. She’s just barely managing to survive.
But with that money, she can buy a small Toyota on credit and be paying small small maybe 200 to 300 per month. By the time she pose inside snow in front of her Toyota, her colleagues will be dying of jealousy.

@DauraDullardo are you still on Nairaland? What do you say about this? Is Biafra still going to be a paradise?

Olaa123:


Been a long time you were away! How are you doing mama?

It’s been quite stressful, coping with work and online school. I do check on the thread once a while sha. All thanks to God

Leyemoshood:


Congratulations. Please what do you mean by statement in bold? Does it mean if i fly from Nigeria through say Amsterdam, then USA before landing in Canada even if i dont have an existing USA visa?

You can’t transit through US without a US visa. But if you happen to have a US visa, you can book your flight through the US. E.g through Emirates you can go to Toronto via New York.

Update and Landing gist. Sorry this will be long but I wanted to update the house on some issues that were coming up when I was active on the thread (Part 17).

[/b]Background[b]. I applied for the study visa in 2020 during COVID. Deferred my admission till May 2021. I am female, married with children. I didn’t apply with my husband or children, but they all had existing U.S and Canadian Visas. The plan was to travel with the family, then apply for my husband’s work permit within Canada.

With Covid restrictions, I couldn’t travel with my family when school started so I started online. Someone advised me to send an email requesting exemption for my family members to travel with me, which I did. I first applied for the children attaching their birth certificates, my student visa and their birth certificates. After receiving theirs, I applied for my husband. Attached our wedding certificate, his proof of funds and his visit visa. He was also granted leave to travel.

We landed at Vancouver, and while filling the passport update form, stated that my family was going to be with me for the duration of my studies. There’s a separate section where students and new immigrants are processed. We were directed to that section. The lady processing me asked what documentation we will need and I said I needed a Spouse Open Work Permit for my husband and landing record for my children. She asked if I had applied for it before leaving my country and I said no, but I would like to have it. After conferring with one of her colleagues, she asked if I travelled through the U.S and I said no. Apparently if you transit through the U.S, it’s easier to get your Work permit at the border. Anyway after some hesitation she gave us the required permits.

IMPORTANT POINTS:
1. For those that are able to, it’s easier to get documentation from within Canada. If for instance your children are American citizens or your husband already has a Canadian visiting visa, it’s better to wait until you are all within Canada to ask for documents. A Spouse open work permit can take more than 6 months to process from Nigeria

2. Always ask for what you want. Initially I was afraid to ask for the work and permit at the boarder, because it is clearly stated on the website that if you know your family is going to stay with you during your studies, then you must apply at the same time. I was worried that they will question me on why I didn’t apply for my spouses work permit when I applied for my student visa. But I sha summoned up
Courage and asked. The worst that can happen is they will say no.

Thank you to all who have been giving selflessly on this thread. Every step of this journey, from my first US visa and Canadian visa, to the entire process of getting the study visa would not have been possible without the advice I got from this thread and other threads on the travel section. May all who are on this journey also get successful results. It is, and will continue to end in praise.

mimik2:
Hi guys, please I need some information.
In trying to hedge against Naira inflation by putting money in a foreign account, I am thinking of opening a savings account here in Canada as I am currently visiting.
Based on your experience, which of the banks would you recommend I go for in terms of zero service charge, tax and easy access outside Canada?
Although I plan calling the top banks for enquires, just wanna be double sure.
I will really appreciate a response, thanks.
@blackbuddy @maternal

Hi, if it’s not late, you can easily open an account with BMO. I opened one in 2019 when I was visiting unless they have changed. Just work into any BMO branch

UBCcookies:
Hi anybody in Kelowna please?

Hi Ubccookies, I am planning on traveling late March to start a masters program in UBC Kelowna in summer. Would appreciate if you could give a few tips on how your landing experience was. I am worried about a few things:
1. With the fact that the program is actually online, is there a chance I might be questioned about why I choose to move?

2. How did you quarantine?

Will appreciate any insights about how you went through landing (I will be landing in Vancouver) and how you have been settling in so far in Kelowna.

Thanks

Admin9:
good morming,

i have a quick question.

If you have paid tuition of say 21,000 and have 29,000 available in your account, when filling your forms, would available fund be 21,000 + 29,000 or just the "29,000"?

thanks.


luckymama please come to my aid. I believe that you paid your tuition as well.

Sorry for my late response. Put everything combined I.e your already paid tuition and the balance.

rebecausoro:
Complete landing gist

I flew from Uyo to Lagos on Tuesday evening and I stayed with a family friend for the night. I arrived the airport around 10am for a flight of 1.40pm. I thought I was early until I saw the queue. Quick tip: even if your flight is for 6pm, get to the airport around 12pm and stay there till they are ready for you .

Ethiopian airlines usually do manual verifications of all students travelling to Canada. You really need to be there on time for this because the man doing it is slow and doesn't care about your time. He asked for proof of enrollment, admission letter, ArriveCAN slip, and visa page. Please make at least two copies of all of these too. After showing him, he'll snap and then send to someone via WhatsApp to verify. Once confirmed, your passport will be given a number and you'll then proceed to where it will be scanned again for secondary verification. After this stage, you will then go to where you can get a boarding pass.

The plane left Lagos around 2pm. I was seated at the back and had space to stretch legs . We got to Addis Ababa around 7pm (Nigeria time) and then we entered a long queue for onward movement. From Addis Ababa, we went to Dublin for refueling and then to Toronto. Upon arrival, we talk a long walk (very long o) and got to immigration people. The woman that attended to me asked for these (in the following order):
1. Declaration slip (will be given to you in the airplane)
2. Passport
3. LOI
4. Student Status letter (enrolment letter)
5. School fees/tuition receipt
6. ArriveCAN page (apparently, I didn't even fill my own well and was delayed for a while. Make sure you fill yours well)
7. POF
8. LOA

She asked me the following:
Which department were you admitted into?
Why did you choose MUN?
What is your name?

Then she took my finger prints and issued me a Study Permit for 3 years (my program is for 2 years but I don't know why it was issued in excess).

I went to wait board a St John's flight after a long wait at the airport. Got to St. John without qualms. Reach my apartment, checked in and slept off.


Exams start on Monday. Canada is beautiful and nice. I love the place. Good luck to all who are applying or will soon come.

It has ended in praises.

Congratulations and best wishes in your exams.

OakPearl:
FPRX $5.34
This one is about to explode!

I mean every sense of the word EXPLOSION!

Chai chai. Why didn’t I check this thread yesterday?! See explosion

Honney85:




Why does this happen tho? And is it yahoo mail?

This one is completely my fault. I opened the account with an email address I created just for it. Because I don’t use it much I have forgotten even the email address and the password.

Lol

KRTL:
Pls I sent you an email.. will be glad to get a response

So sorry please but I have lost access to the email associated with this account and can’t read any mails.

@nwanyiokpa please don’t be discouraged. Almost everybody gets a refusal. I didn’t see the GCMS notes you posted but if you say there was nothing specific in it, then the only point of issue will be your finances.

Like everyone else has said, pay your tuition and point that out in your letter of explanation, then get the full amount for your living expenses transferred into your account from your sponsor
Make sure your brother also highlights that in his letter of sponsorship.

I believe you will be successful second time around.

Jephehe:
Hello Luckymama,

If you're apologizing tender it with remorse feeling not because you will be disconnected from the thread.

Learn to talk when in the public domain because few people of such are here in Canada bring bad name to all Nigerians. Ensure you words pass through the three gates before you make your utterances.

Frank let the sleeping dog lie.

Na so bad people dey spoil people with good conscience that they'll not help those in need.

I pray dis should be fulfilled in your life James 1v5 ----So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God,+ for he gives generously to all and without reproaching,*+ and it will be given him.

So in your mind now you believe I am apologizing because I don’t want them to remove me from this thread?

Because this thread is someone’s father’s property? And even if it was so if I no longer comment on the thread the key to God’s kingdom is therefore lost to me? I apologized because obviously he felt I was accusing him of something which was not my intention.

I comment here because I wish to. I spend my data like every one else. Most of you who are insulting me will eventually reach that Canada by God’s grace. Then you will look back at some of the ideas you had while you were struggling to get your visa and you will laugh at yourself.

It’s just sad that most successful immigrants don’t tell those of us still here the realities of life. If they did, nobody will sit in Nigeria and be telling someone that as a student you can “recoup” 4K in just a few months.

Na experience dey teach. We will all learn eventually.

librangyps:


So because you are the type to eat and move on, you dont believe in people that dedicate their life to giving back?
The first day I called Frank, he didnt even act weird about how I got his number.
He replies my messages at night and early mornings.
He calls me back when I give him missed calls.
I have never met him and he has no reason whatsoever to give me audience.

But this is who he is! So respect him for his personality.



AIP have really turned you into something else.

Madam please it is enough. You jump in to insult without stopping to think.

As Frank is perfect and can never make any mistake, please make sure you do exactly what he was telling that other lady to do which caused all this problem.

As they have rejected you for the first time (which has happened to most people), please make sure you don’t apply for any GCMS notes. Don’t bother to apply a second time o. Just go straight to judicial review. After all you can afford it and you will “recoup your money in a few months”.