pennyforthought:


In one word? Money! Canada may be beautiful and peaceful but the money is sub par. If you want to get rich and in some cases, just have a job you need to go to the U.S.

That's a lie unless you work for a Google. And canadians who work for a Google get valid visa easily.

peacengine:
Someone should tell me why Canadians overstay in America. I thought their coun3 is the best place to live

Canadians don't need a visa to enter the U.S. and they can stay up to 6 months. Those canadians probably had work visa's which expired and I'm sure renewed it shortly after. The list makes no sense.

joo2018:
Hi elders,
While searching through job ads for my preferred profession, I keep seeing things like, "Must have a valid drivers license. Must have a personal car."
Does it mean that some companies don't give official cars for official duties? What about fuel and maintenance costs, are they reimbursed?

If they make you use your personal car, those things will be reimbursed. More proof that a drivers license and at times personal vehicle is important here, not a luxury. I have someone who has missed out on a few 6 figure jobs because of no drivers license. Once one lands here, they should go straight to obtaining a drivers license. It's no joke.

Ninichinny:
Is the process tedious starting over in Alberta or easier if one comes with a Nigerian Drivers License ?

It's easier if you come with an authentic drivers license and have some years of driving experience.

sweetrie:
Ok. Thank you. I would have to have someone with class 5 licence with me.

After you get your learners permit, someone with a class 5 has to be driving with you, until you get your class 5.

sweetrie:
I am asking is it worth it getting a drivers license now with my little experience or just starting over in Alberta. Thanks

Just start over when you get here.

illiasnwm:
Hello Guys,

I'm currently a Post-Grad student in British Columbia, I was able to successfully bring my wife and daughter here..

my wife has a SOWP and my daughter has a visitors' visa since shes' just 2 years old.

My program ends next year and it would be the end of 3 years post graduate study for me in Canada.

My question is.. How do I go about converting my self, wife and daughter to PR holders... I know I should be getting a three years PGWP after my program ends.. Just looking for advice from someone that's been through this.

Merci!

Once you're a PR, you should be able to change their status. I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS. I know a person who did the EE I think. After school they worked in a designated profession, got work experience, did the English exam, and got enough points. That's what they told me. But whatever you do don't leave Canada, or try to do the legitimization process outside of Canada.

Akingsqueen:
Meehn I'm liking you more. You are always on point with your replies. I'd take my chances too if I were her. Hustle it out and get what I want. I know some doctors prefer to go to UK, work and save up before coming to Canada (you need money for all those exams afterall) but she can be making her plans for UK while following up with express entry. When she gets the PR, she can do a soft landing, tidy up in UK and then come over finally. Except if she plans to do a training program there to which I would say go for it, get the Royal College and come over to Canada. She would not have to go through the rigours of residency matching in Canada. She can do that alongside express entry/PR application. When she gets it, she can then be visiting Canada to fulfill the required number of days in a year to retain one's PR status at least until she finishes with her program.

Well said. One can do both. Maybe she can be returning to Canada during her summer holidays to meet residency requirements. But she'd have to do her research on the requirements. Me personally I wouldn't play with getting Canadian PR and eventually citizenship with the state of Nigeria right now. We're talking about securing your kids, kids, generation. Medical school comes 2nd over Canadian PR as far as I'm concerned. The schools aren't going anywhere.

veleta:
@Joo2018,whoever advised your sister about practicing in Uk was right,chances of foreign trained doctors practising in Canada is very slim.I know some Canadian citizens who had to come to Uk to do their residency in Uk and obviously after their training will go back to practice in Canada especially in Family Physician as their training is recognised in Canada.
Even if express entry changes along the line,your Uk training is recognised also in Australia.
She can still get her pursue her PR in Canada then wait until she qualifies for a citizen then move to Uk and get her post graduate training there.All the best to her

So come to Canada first to get her citizenship, or UK ?

DadR:
Nothing really, peradventure it's the easiest way to immigrate to through PNP.

I was under the impression you have to be fluent in French to get the PNP ? If not, do what you have to do, to get to Canada. As for your questions, it can be challenging but I know there are English companies in Montreal. I have English speaking friends who live and are successful in Montreal. But if you go to a Quebec city for example; forget it.

DadR:
Dear Seniors, trust you are all doing fine.

Please would you advise a non-french speaker to reside and work in Quebec? What are the prons and cons?

Also, if one gets to immigrate to Quebec via PNP, can one leave for another province after staying in Quebec for a while and for how long can one stay before leaving?

Any thoughts please?

cc: Salford1, maternal, azed1, 40manlappy et all

What's attracting you to Quebec is the question.

joo2018:
She's still based in Nigeria. Would like emigrate to Canada, but was told about the difficulty of foreign trained doctors practicing there. Was advised that if she practiced in UK for a while, practicing in Canada would be easier. Was that advice wrong?

I don't know if that advice was wrong. I've never been in her situation nor am I a professional. But my father always taught me not to use short cuts in life, as it will always comeback to haunt you. I've also learned that nothing is guaranteed in life. How long is a while in the UK ? How much "easier" would it be practicing in Canada ? How do you even know when she's ready to come to Canada they'll be an immigration avenue for her available ? If she can migrate through EE, I'd come here, then start the process on becoming a doctor here. In the meantime my stay in Canada would count towards my inevitable citizenship. I'd also know that the program I'm doing will go towards me being a doctor in Canada eventually. I don't like what if's, or 50/50. I need to know if I do X, I'll be guaranteed to get X. If that was my sister, I'd tell her to bite the bullet, come to Canada, and do what you need to do to achieve her goals.

joo2018:
Ok. Thanks.
The whole is just frustrating. My sister has to put the Canada dream on hold and is pursuing a UK program instead.

Explain your sisters situation further. Why are people still going to the U.K when they clearly don't want immigrants ? As for your original question, it's not black and white. With a lot of immigrants coming into the country yearly, the gov't has to make sure he or she meets Canadian standards. Is their degree real ? Are they on the same level as Canadian trained doctors ?, etc. You'd be surprised how many witch doctors think they should be able to practice here once they land. Furthermore, like sal said, the system is outdated and associations which represent doctors like the shortages. It gives them good negotiating powers. Don't feel bad, I know Canadian citizens who had to leave the country for good, or go do placements in the states then comeback. Many Nigerian Canadians had to go to medical school in the Caribbean islands due to lack of spots

sistaj:

Thank you so much.No need for apologies.I don't expect anyone to live online lol.You can only respond when you see the post and it is convenient for you.I am now tilting towards Ottawa after @maternal's and then you's loaded advices.Kindly hook me up with the Nigerian community.Thanks.I will pm you

There's a Facebook group which you can join. You can also email the head of the Nigerian Canadian association of Ottawa to get more info about the association or community. Being around the community doesn't give you a lot of benefits. But you'll run into Nigerians by default. A lot are in the Colleges/Universities, as coming as an international student, to later on getting papers is the new hustle. You'll run into a lot of professionals as well, working for the federal government or private sector. Then people who just came through the express entry route. Then of course the Nigerian embassy is located in Ottawa. So Nigerian government workers as well.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Nigerian-Canadian-Association-Ottawa-NCAO-490899201012684/about/

Akingsqueen:
@Maternal
I won't mind if you could hook me up with your friend to learn more about the area if you don't mind. I could PM you if that is ok or you can mail me at melankev@yahoo.com

For anyone who's interested the rental company is Midwest properties in west Edmonton. The web site is below with all the info one needs.

https://rentmidwest.com/edmonton/

Blessedluvdfavd:
Hello good people of naira land! Arrived in Ottawa last week, landed in 2016. Flew Royal air maroc and I'm shocked at the negative reviews I read online before I set out. Crew members were polite, plane was comfortable, didn't have the latest movies on their entertainment systems but too busy with the kids to even watch anything. Was a bit annoying that they kept seating hubby away from us but wasn't so bad ultimately. The layover at casablanca was just over 7 hours and they provided a nice lounge with free food. The only downside was the super stinky toilets! We ended up using the toilets near the cafeteria which were super clean.

Oh back in naija, Naija immigration threw out our palm oil then agriculture said it's now legally required that we pay 2k per bag for every bag containing foodstuff. We had 3 =6k. We gave them 4k.

Where was I? ... landed in montreal, RAM forgot one of our bags, filled a form, arrived the next day. We left montreal to ottawa by train, the luggage train was cancelled so we had to lug all 8 of our 23kg bags onto the train with our 3 kids - nightmare!

Okay so now in ottawa house hunting. Ottawa people what is happening with 3 bedroom rentals biko? Prices we are seeing are from $1900 to $2200 for 3 bed houses -townhouse, detached, terraced etc. Ogini? On top of that getting a place for August 1st has proved challenging so far. Many landlords say they have more than 1 application for a rental. I've checked kijiji ceaselessly, somebody, ANYBODY please help a sister on info on how to find an AFFORDABLE 3bed house in OTTAWA for AUGUST 1st.

Thanks!

This one is 1700. It's July 29, how do you expect to get a place for Aug 1 ?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-3-bedroom-apartments-condos/ottawa/3-bedroom-bungalow-ottawa-west-ikea-area-main-level-sept-1st/1372985709?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Baratheon:
Just a random question: When will this EE program likely end? Reason I'm asking is because I'd be eligible to apply by this time next year and I'm just concerned if there's a possibility the program will have ended because they've met their target for the number of immigrants they want to take for now.

Nobody knows because a new administration can change it anytime. But I'd say not anytime soon. The country needs a lot of immigration right now.

Emmyqueen:
I'm new here...Thanks for this thread so far. My situation right now is that, my agent and i had a discussion on Canadian permanent residence for my husband, daughter and i, he said he would do it for 3.5 and we started the process, after a year and half i got a call from him for biometrics, we went to Lagos for biometrics, but when the visa came out, it was mine that got approved and guess what I got? Visitor's visa. The issue now is that my husband and daughter weren't given. He promised to do it and ask my husband to come for another biometrics but He's requesting for 3.5 million for visitor's visa. I'm think in of going to canada first and if there's a way I can legally stay in the country and bring my husband and daughter legally. OR should I wait for him to do my hubby's own, then go together and claim asylum? Pls I really need a useful advice right now, I'm seriously in a dilemma [color=#006600][/color]

I love how Nigerians can make an illegal action sound legal. Your visiting visa means just that; you're a visitor. You have no rights but to visit then return home. The Canadian government who has dedicated resources to stop Nigerian asylum seekers, and will catch on to your scheme and deny your husband a visiting visa for sure. I suggest you stop wasting money on this your agent who's playing you. Start the EE application right away. Politicians are starting to get upset with Nigerians over here.

rafsbeck:


Hi.
Please can I get the rental company's info also? Landing in August in Edmonton. I don't mind staying in NW.
I also sent you a pm.

My pm doesn't work. I'll post the info here when I get it.

sistaj:
Hello @40manlappy, did u finally settle in Gattineau? I am expecting copr and hoping to land in September with my family of 5.I am looking at settling in Gattineau because it is ranked high on the places to live and close to Ottawa.I also love the bilingualism and see it as an opportunity to fine-tune my French.I have a Delf B2 in French but my skills have gone rusty as I had no one to talk with when I finished my French studies.
Anyone else with info on the area can also enlighten me.I am also open to other regions just that for now Gattineau is the first choice but it is not cast in stone.
Hubby works in the bank back home and I was in Hr/admin until I commenced master of research studies last year.I will do a short landing,finish my program around July 2019 and return finally to join my family in Canada.I have been in contact with some schools in Canada about transferring my studies but they responded I will apply to start afresh and some of the coursework component might be waived for me.Because of the hassles,i have decided to finish my current program and then commence PhD studies next year in Canada.
Given that I want a new career in research/academia,I want a suburb that has an easy commute to place of work for hubby(no job yet though but we think it might be in Ontario) and I when I commence studies/work though I have not gotten a school yet but my research shows most of the unis are in Ontario too.
Thanks for the anticipated responses.

This is a loaded post that should have been spread out. To begin with I hate Quebec/French so my opinions will be very bias. Don't come to Gatineau to tune your French, you better know your French or you can get frustrated or annoyed. Since your studies will most likely be in English (I'm assuming) you'll be going to a University in Ottawa. Either Ottawa U or Carleton U. Your husband who I'm assuming can't speak French, will most likely get a job and be working on the Ottawa side. Since all your business will be on the Ontario side, why do you want to go to the Quebec side ? Ottawa is a small city so commute time isn't a big issue (with a car) regardless of where you live. If you want to live in the suburbs, there are a few nice suburbs in Ottawa with decent rent and house prices for when you're ready to buy. Google Orleans, Kanata and Barhaven, all nice little suburbs in Ottawa. Kanata is too far for me though.

Living on the Quebec side while working in Ottawa you'd have to adjust your taxes come tax season so you don't get double taxed. I know the city of Ottawa and Gatineau has a merging bus service for the downtown core in Ottawa due to a lot of government workers. But if you live in Quebec and have business in the west end of Ottawa, do they have a merging bus service ? Would you have to buy a bus pass for Ottawa and Gatineau ? I don't know. If you decide to take some sort of student loan which is administered by the provincial government, you'd probably have to take one through the Quebec government. But going to school in Ontario would you be considered an out of province student ? You see how things can start to get a little complicated living outside the province ? Though these issues can be negated, but why even have them ? Ottawa is still a very French/bilingual city with a few French schools. Even English schools have advance French classes. You and the kids can learn French on the Ontario side if you want, no need to head to Quebec. My 2 cents.

Akingsqueen:
Why Edmonton?
Oga's decision and we have some contacts there.

Why those sections of Edmonton?
As recommended by someone here and friends. We were told to avoid the Northeast and Northwest.

What's your monthly budget for rent?
I want a townhouse no more than 1400 CAD

How much can you put down for rent when you first land?
I have enough to take care of my rent for the first 6 months. I actually want a 6 month lease since work may take us some place else.

You can find decent places anywhere. As long as you mind yourself, nobody will disturb you. Or maybe he just wants you guys to be around newer developments ? Any way I know someone who rented a 3 bedroom in the NW, close to west Edmonton mall (google it) with lots of amentias. She pays 1200-1300 per month with everything included except hydro (neppa). She says it's a great place if you have kids. It's a renters market, and she got 2 month free rent, and free cable and internet for free for 1 year. You'd have to negotiate since you don't want a 1 year lease and have no credit history. Perhaps I can get the renting companies info for you ? Also what's your line of work, just curious.

Akingsqueen:
Dear Edmonton people them,
I will be landing in September with my family and we are now actively searching for accommodation. Biko, ejoo, mbok, abeg, if you come across any "To let" sign post (or whatever the equivalent is in Edmonton) hook a sister up. You can PM me. A reasonable 3 bedroom townhome in the Southeast or Southwest area. We really want to avoid Air B and B.
Thanks o.

Provide more info. Why Edmonton? Why those sections of Edmonton? What's your monthly budget for rent ? How much can you put down for rent when you first land, etc.

adesbaba:
@Salford,maternal,newmum and all


I once asked a question abt EE sometimes back but plans changed due to financial reasons

...With bsc accounting, 2:2 grade,less than 25 yrs,I plan having 2 yrs work experience cos I just clocked 1 year post nysc some days ago...working in a microfinance bank as account officer,did tellering before....


Will my profile with only *bsc* above qualify for EE cos I don't have an MSC yet n i don't plan doing that bfr applying

1...I plan to apply for EE towards next year end,how good is this,as I hope to gotten the full 12k plus cad POF by that time.....aw good is this


2..I plan going back to skul immediately I land for either MSc accounting/finance/MBA or if my grade can't do that,I will go to College for PGD and begin CPA...how good is my idea cos I felt age will still be on my side



3....Will my tuition be cheaper since am coming in as PR?


4..I have passion for Banking industry or a consulting firm(reason fr thinking MBA),,Which province is better



5..Will this plan fit me into the job environment n speed up my career growth in my new home Canads

1. I think you need 15k. Only the immigration official will determine if its good enough.

2. It's a good idea.

3. Yes. You'd get citizen rate along with many bursaries.

4. Toronto

5. It can. Nobody knows for sure.

6. Fix your spelling/grammar abeg.

Shinner2010:
please I can see from online application for Canada Visa that I need to provide invitation letter.
I don't have any relative in Canada, please can someone help me here, in going for tourism and shopping for my wedding that is coming up next year may.

Come on my friend. You think Canadian officials were born today ? Whats in Canada for your wedding that you can't get elsewhere ?

jholarharde:
dear landed seniors, pls I need your help with this contemplation. we are considering leaving our kids(2boys 5 and 3) behind with my mom, so we can integrate and hustle easily when we land. then come back for them once we've settled, and before their medical expires. pls what are your thoughts. it will be highly appreciated.

It's not that serious. Bring them and hustle/integrate with them. Millions of Canadians do it each year. Your kids will be the lease of your problems. Canada takes good care of her youths. They wouldn't get in your way of hustling, in fact they may make it easier with the benefits you'll get by having kids.

mostojr:


Serious? Why so? I just feel going to school to spend a year is a waste of time. She could get a job in 2-3 months Toronto if she starts searching from day 1.

And what job will she get ? Working at Walmart or flipping burgers ? You think she'll land today and become a CEO tomorrow ? She may get an amazing job once she lands, who knows. Nobody is God. But her chances are slim. Research shows it takes close to 4 years for a new young immigrant to start making their way once they land here. She will drastically speed up the process by having a Canadian masters. And if her program has an internship attached to it, along with networking with her professors who usually know key people within the industry they're lecturing, she'll become very success, very quickly. Meanwhile every interview you go too all you'll hear is "do you have any Canadian experience ?" And if it comes down to you and another candidate who has a Canadian degree, who do you think they'll pick ? No sane person would choose a Nigerian degree over a Canadian one here. Life here in Canada is a marathon not a sprint. Focus on building a solid foundation before trying to sprint to the finish line. That's what she's doing and it makes sense. She'll be able to negate any criticism by a hiring manager. You're discouraging her to forfeit 1 year of school to go flip burgers or work in a survival call center job ? 1 YEAR ? What's 1 year in a grand scheme of things ? And she's not even paying for it ? This woman is a genius. Abeg leave her alone. If you're confident in your method then go do you.

mostojr:
Elders - Would you recommend going to school straight after landing? My friend and I land in a few weeks. She got admitted to a 1 year MSc program in Queens University, Ontario (fully funded by the school).

I've been telling her that it would be better if she comes to Toronto with me to job hunt; however, she feels the program in Queens will help her get a better job next year. Or maybe she doesn't want to be around me anymore.

Seriously. Abeg, waitin una feel?

She'll be light years ahead of you. You won't even be on her level in a few years.

gemdor:


Thanks maternal i had gone to the beginning of the thread again to start penning names of ottawa people.
Okay i booked airbnb already for 2 weeks but i need to get accommodation before the end of the period(preferably a house because i have 3 super active kids), but i did not get any response to any house i showed interest in on Kijiji

1 How else can i go about this accommodation (just to book viewing sef)

2 Please can we start ottawa whatsapp group please (instant response to critical question can be pof saving)

3 I keep hearing no area is too far in ottawa , please how is living in the sub hurb and finding job within.

4 How do we do people socialize (side story : i contacted RCCG overcomers chapel on instagram, lets just say maybe they will respond when i get there)

1. I'm surprised you're having a hard time getting a place let alone bookings. Are you calling with a naija number ? Are they asking for credit check ?

2. Put down your number, and whoever wants to add you to whatsapp can. I don't know who else wants to start a Ottawa group.

3. No place is too far if you have a car. 30-45 min drive anywhere really, and that's the worse case. Rush hour or a car accident can add an extra 10 min to commute. These are worse case times too. Living in the suburbs is fine, but most jobs (government jobs) are downtown, west-end or across the river to Quebec. Unless you're either a teacher, police, fireman, etc most jobs are concentrated downtown, across the river, or far west-end.

4.Ottawa is not a huge city. You'll meet people, especially a lot of Nigerians. There's a Nigerian association as well.

Feel free to ask any other questions.

Newmum0615:
@Maternal, you've got mail pleaseeeeeeee, if you don't mind.

My email has issues. Can you say the message on here ?

gemdor:
Hello fellow ottawans

I am landing in the capital in two weeks, please is there a whats app group i can join,

I really need a lot of information

Ejo, Edakun, Biko, Please, s'il vous plait.

No whatapp group but ask away. I know Ottawa well. Also, it gives everyone a chance to learn something new about Ottawa they may have not known.

Aka2003:
Silent reader landing gist

PPR gist has already been given on the express entry thread.
COPR came approximately 10 days after passport were sent to the VFS guys (middle February). TRV that came with the PPR was valid until April 4th so we had to plan for a quick landing.

We decided to land in Calgary in the middle of March 2018 ( cold dey that time oo ). Flew Lufthansa so had to do a stop over in Frankfurt and then the flight to Calgary. Food on the flight was okay but know say them no serve iyan with efo oo. Na pasta them serve oo. Plenty of drinks served on request ( wine, juice etal dey but no rose oo. Maybe the guys in the first class get rose but me no know )
Anyways we arrived YYC by 15.55 Calgary time (no forget say time difference of 7hrs dey oo) so we had effectively been travelling for 24hrs.
Luckily the kids were relatively well behaved. The two smallest kids slept well on the flight and in the airport ( waiting times). The oldest dey form strong man and refused to sleep. By the time the jet lag hit the guy ehh person no need tell am to arrange himself lol

There was a relatively long line in immigration so we had to wait for sometime. If we had known one person would have gone to the landing desk and taken a number, but as JJC na we wan do all step by step. Immigration stamped us in and sent us to the area for landing PR's. We had to wait a couple of hours there as people many ( I spied about 2 naija families as well).
The lady that attended to us asked if we had any goods to follow but we said no. She was now telling us about Calgary and their Chinook. Me was just nodding my head like mumu. I no even ask her wetin be Chinook lol. She was kind enough to allow me do all the documentation while my wife stayed with the little ones sleeping. Just had to call my wife to sign her own COPR. I signed for the kids. The lady asked for our address in Calgary so that they could send the PR cards there..We had already rented a town house in Calgary so I just gave her that address. She did not ask anything about available funds.I asked the lady if we could get SIN at the airport and she said NO. She said we had to go to a Service Canada office to get that.

From the airport we took a maxi taxi to the house. Cost about 50CAD with tip included. The landlord was waiting for us in the house and handed over the keys. House was already furnished so we had a bed and everything necessary. We rented the house through rentfaster.ca. I had to pay the first and last months rent when we met up with the landlord. Anyways 30 minutes after arriving all man wan kpai of hungry . Nothing to cook. But we sha survived that night.

The next day a friend took me to a car rental place. I was able to rent a full size car for 985CAd for one month. That same day we went to the Service Canada office and sorted out SIN numbers. We also went to the RBC nearby the house and got our accounts. We went to Walmart close buy and bought stuff for chopping.
The following Monday my wife now went to attempt the driving knowledge test. She missed the pass mark by one point lol. Anyways, we went back the next day and she passed in flying colours (all she needed to take the exam was a proof of address in Calgary. We had a lease agreement so she used that). For me I had to go back ( work things) so I did not bother with changing my license just yet.

We also went to the registry to register for Alberta health insurance. Please check the details correctly as the registry guys can make mistakes in things like name and address. This will delay your health card. In our case they missed one digit on the address and other small mistakes.

We also had to get the little one enrolled in school. It was surprisingly straight forward to get this done and luckily there was a space for him to start kindergarten immediately. He started school a few days after we landed.

So I was in Calgary for approx. one month an then had to go back to continue my work. My wife got my PR card and sent it to me by courier. Surprisingly only my PR card came ( as if they knew I would need it ) . My wife and kids have not got theirs till now ( hope there is nothing to worry about). Called IRCC in June but it seems that the cards take a while ( don't ask me how the did mine in a short time oo cos I no know)

Signing out folks. Abeg no comment my spelling and grammar oo English no be my native language oo na learn I learn am ooo

What made you choose Calgary?

uchesco:
Just wondering... which city in Canada would be best for a corporate communications/PR/content writing/media professional?

Toronto