₦airaland Forum

I don't know if FRSC issues the letter in Lagos. I guess it depends on who is helping you with it there (civil service). I believe someone shared contact in some pages back.

icehot:
Hello,

Do you know anywhere in Lagos that can get it? Is it only Abuja I can send an email to? How long does it take to come out?

Thanks

Take the high-paying job in Nigeria. That your 5m is not enough for an MSc programme in Canada (considering school fees, living costs etc.) That money can be used for many other things in Nigeria including getting an MSc degree.

Your work experience at the federal job, MSc (if you decide to do it in Nigeria), and good savings MAY come in handy in about 3 years if you're still interested in moving to Canada.

Cheers

fortz007:
Good evening fam. I believe everyone’s doing okay. Please I’m caught in a dilemma. I have up to 5m and i have two options.
1. Get a high paying fed job
2. Go for msc programme in canada.
I believe everyone’s mature enough here to share their candid opinion.
I’ll be reading the comments. Thank you!

DL abstract from FRSC in Abuja is free, only that you'd need to find someone there to help you send it via courier (not free). A second option is through the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa (https://nigeriahcottawa.ca/drivers-license-letter/) - which is also not free. Be sure that the letter is acceptable in your province before going through the stress anyways. I know it works in Ontario, not sure of the other provinces/territories.

I made a video on this on my YT channel


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQRoNxfMGYg

Blessedme4:
Pls house, I saw an old 2017 post on how to obtain a driver abstract here I.e sending an email to Abuja. Pls is it still the right way and are there payments for it? Thanks for your response

I guess you're yet to decide on your city of choice. Check for shared apartments on kijiji.ca. You may need to land first so as to physically see the apartments (except of course you have someone to do that for you).

icehot:
I am looking for one in the GTA and Ottawa area in Ontario.

This is some awesome news! Congratulations Crespo!

crespo67:
...
ITA: August 2020
AOR: Sept 4th 2020
...
Ready for Visa: 18th March, 2022

Jesus is awesome to us...

Yes. My passport had 5 months of validity when I landed last year. I went to Ottawa to renew it in December.

dhurtman:
Hello,
Can someone travel to Canada with a valid permanent resident visa on his passport but his passport validity is less than 6 month.

Sashafiercediva

https://www.cibc.com/en/special-offers/newcomers.html?utrc=S206:35&&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8OPBhDtARIsAKQu0gYnuv6ta6oyjNirYltrw1bvm-SdXwVRuJUzzr5FSDWetcGJVLLzp4gaAmmEEALw_wcB

ednut1:
no one will give you that immediately, cibc will give 300 dols when you satisfy the set conditions like 2 direct billing on the account ( phone , utilities payment) etc

Sashafiercediva:
hello guyz, please what bank offers 500cad or so instant interest for Newcomers account in canada?... thank you.

cc-ednut1

What do you mean by "instant interest"?

Read this

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/56401/ontario-expands-coverage-for-care

Twocanplay23:
Saw this on their website.

Or is there another way to register?

Twocanplay23:
Thanks, which provinces do you know that have medical cover?

I'm sure of Ontario (started due to COVID 19), and Alberta.

sirabbey:
LANDING GIST.
LONG READ.
Still settling in but the little I have seen confirmed that coming to Canada is worth the wait and the hype in terms of quality of life and sanity of mind. ... Mentally stop converting your spending into naira, ... Please don’t blow your POF before coming down as settling down is very expensive, if possible, bring more than the required POF, you will thank God you did.

What an interesting read. The bolded are the highlights for me, 100% valid for anyone on this journey.

CONGRATULATIONS to you and your family for the victory at last.

Lol. The cashiers are just used to it. E don become habit ni. No vex

irijuola:
I don come again with my gist
I'm getting used to cashiers asking me "do you need a bag" after making a purchase. ... I for don give am one sarcastic answer like this: the bag too small for pen o. If u get suitcase, make u give me cos pen can be very heavy . ...

Your body will adjust naturally. However, you can try going to bed late.

hoodboy:
Please good Neighbours, how do I deal with jet lag, been waking up at 2am for the past two days

New account dey disguise. Just ask your question if you have one, someone who knows the answer will respond

Canadaisbless:
Anyone living in Toronto as a new immigrant or student

Search on Youtube for Onyeka Asamaka or Osariemen Opaluwa. They make videos on life in London, ON.

Jideks:
Hello everyone,
I just got PPR for my Masters program. I'm headed to Western University. Please is anyone here based in London Ontario? I would like to know what life is like?
Is there any WhatsApp or telegram group?
Can anyone help me secure accommodation that is very close to Western, such that I won't need transport?
Ps: I'm a lady

Pee2Jay9:
Hello all, please who is aware of or have used the services offered by Regina Open Door Society? I got to know about them from YouTube and sent them an email, only for a lady to call me twice now with Hidden number. They're requesting for my SIN, Immigration document and a signed consent letter. Shebi scam no dey dey this side? Elders, pls advice o

Scam dey this side o, (identity theft especially) shine your eyes, please. What does a social services org need your SIN for tho?

meadeh77:
MY LANDING GIST A YEAR AFTER
I was to leave for Canada March18th of last year, I stopped going to work the last day of February. On the D-day I said my goodbyes to family and friends, got to the airport with my parents and sister only for them to tell me that Canada has closed their borders and it started 12am of 18th, the lady finished it by saying if my flight was 17th I would have been able to fly....People of God I borded the plane 5:30pm and the plane left around 5:45pm. PART2 COMING.....

Omo! This landing gist got my heart beating GBIM GBIM. Wow! Thank God and congratulations on your Canniversary!

Dejavu44:
Hello Guys,
Please I'm in a bit of a quagmire situation here and need your advice.
I just landed Calgary and in Day 5 of my quarantine and plan to hit the ground running as soon as I'm done with quarantine. But I'm trying to apply for my
i) SIN
ii) Bank account
iii) Phone line.

The issue is to get SIN, I need proof of address in my name which can be bank statements/letter or utility bill which I have none, I'm will be staying at a relatives place for the first few weeks/months.

Now the 2nd issue is to open a bank account i need a valid Canadian ID which I also have none until I get my Pr card which the immigration officer has told me can take up to 2 months to come through the mail.

So does this mean I have to wait for my Pr card before I can start applying for these things??

Please guys, those that have come before me, how did you do it?

Buy a prepaid sim card on Amazon. (Koodo is $10 - check if the network is fine in your area on whistleout.ca). You can open an account with your Naija passport and COPR. Check the bank website to book an online session (I'm sure you can do this with RBC). Request for account statement/ debit card immediately. You can then use the statement/ letter in the debit card envelope as proof of address for SIN registration.

When did IRCC start requiring account statements as evidence of employment? I guess people only use it when they are unable to get their employer to issue a reference letter in IRCC's format. Have you tried getting the letter in IRCC's format? Which bank is unable to provide you with an account statement from 2013 tho? Alternatively, you may use the job offer letter if it states the salary.

Kampack:
Hello House,
From the much I know about bank databases, you can not get statement of account to show that your salary was paid monthly by an employer if that job is older than 5years. E.g someone who was in a particular organisation in 2013, trying to show through bank statements that his/her salary was paid monthly into his/her account using statement of account. [s]Most banks can't provide you details beyond 5years.[/s] Will IRCC allow only payslips as evidence of payment, OR must you also tender statement of account showing monthly salary credits?

Inikay:
Good Evening guys, Please i need your help on this,
I want to apply for WES credential evaluation. My degree certificate bears my maiden name different from the name on my International passport. On the WES account i used my present name.
My question is will the different names affect my WES credential evaluation and how do I reconcile both names?
Thank you

No issues here. This question has been answered severally on the thread.

QueenColeen:
IT’S PPR GUYS!!!

For all those still waiting......Hang in there, your miracle is coming, I believe God will not leave us alone in this journey, Amen. Thanks to all those who contribute to this thread.

I hope I can share my landing gist when I arrive/settle.

Congratulations!!!

I have not heard about that one o. Do not fall victim to deceitful agents. Check page 1 of this thread for all the info you may need for this journey.

globtex:
Pls anyone with idea about Semi immigrant Visa?

How does this work?

Pls help shed more light on this for me.

LANDING GIST

Firstly, I want to tell you that I am grateful to God for this journey. It has been His grace and mercy all the way.

Preamble
The decision to relocate was borne out of my frustration about Nigeria, the stress at my work and so many uncertainties. I used to think Naija forever but I just got tired and it all happened very fast.
Took my first IELTS in 2018, had LRWS 7.5, 9, 6.5, 8, started WES evaluation same year. My CRS score was 398 and cut off was around 445 at the time but my IELTS score was low and I did not even have enough money for the POF and other associated costs at that time. So I decided to enrol for OAU's executive MBA while I started putting some money aside in savings (the money was very small anyway, but I was determined). Finished MBA in December of 2019 and started evaluation around February 2020 - was completed in April. My second IELTS was in March, just before the lockdown. My wife (then fiance) also wrote the test on the same day in another city - we had the same scores LRWS 9,9,7.5,7.5 MOD - I used ieltsliz and ieltsonlinetests to prepare.
We had our introduction and court wedding in July when the lockdown was eased and jumped into the pool next day CRS - 482. ITA came and we submitted our application on the 30th of August 2020.
PPR came as a shock - Nov 9 - we found out via webform that our VO was the dreaded Accra.

VFS Drama
Sent passports to Lagos VFS - Nov 11
Passport got to AVO - Nov 24
Approval and counterfoil - Dec 10
Booked flight for Dec 28 LOL. I know
I got VFS notification that our passports got to Lagos - 18 Dec, I paid the ₦11k courier return fee immediately without waiting for their prompting.
I had to reschedule the flight as VFS showed how crazy they are.
Dec 29 - UPS delivered passports

Ready to Go
I and my wife had resigned from our jobs in preparation for our passports and visas to come back from IRCC Ghana through Lagos VFS.
Got to Lagos on Wednesday to complete packing and weighing them. Half of our luggage allowance was food - garri, elubo, poundo, egusi, beans, frozen palm oil, maggi, spices, ground pepper, ground cray fish, golden morn, milo, can't remember if there's more. We took shea butter too for skin, some malaria medications also.
Thursday, we went to buy winter jackets, gloves, head-warmers and thermal wears at Tejuosho, the guy has a page on IG - winternigeria.

D day, Friday, January 01 2021, we woke up pretty early to do a final check on our luggage - all the boxes weighed approx 23kg. Moved to the airport and got there within 20 minutes - thanks to everyone that stayed home to enjoy the new year holiday.
There was a queue at ET's desk. We waited and checked in our boxes after which we went to grab breakfast with our loved ones that came with us to the airport. Took some pictures, hugged everyone and it was time to move to departures at 11 am. Almost all the officers kept wishing us a happy new year while using style to ask for money. Oh, Agric people collected 2k and gave me one quarantine receipt like that because we had foodstuff.
We had a long walk to our boarding gate. That was how the ET staff checking the boarding passes said they had an issue with one of our check-in luggage, something to do with liquid content - I guess they saw the bottles while scanning. My wife met the person in charge and told them it was frozen palm oil and well packed. They threatened to tear the bag to remove the bottles, but they did not after all.
We boarded the plane a few minutes after 1 pm and the plane took off at 1:40 pm, right on time.
Lagos to Addis was cool, we enjoyed the rice and chicken and their snack pack. The in-flight entertainment was okay too. The airport at Addis - oh man - please shoes that you can easily remove (or don't tie your shoe-laces too tight). If you can go beltless too - nice. This is because you'll go through security twice and have to remove your shoes, belt, watches etc. We spent most of the 2 hours layover time passing security and on queue to board the plane to YYZ.
Flight to YYZ was loooonnnnnggggg. We had a 45-min stop at Dublin to refuel. Saw some movies and listened to music for a good part of the time - You can make a playlist of Wizkid, Ycee and Anqelique Kidjo songs. Had some time to sleep too. The flight was long, so time dey. ET provided us with socks, light blanket, toothpaste and brush. I did not enjoy the food on this second flight tho (pasta and something like chicken sauce - I'm a village boy abeg), so I just ate bread and cream and biscuits from their snack box. Had some tea too. Yh, there's red wine also. They gave us 3 forms to fill (customs, COVID 19 information and Quarantine details)
At last anyways, we touched down at Toronto Pearson Airport at 7:10 am and waited for almost an hour before we could disembark. The captain said there was parking spot congestion - something like that.
People rushed off the plane and I was wondering why - we were just doing our 'waka jeje' and taking pictures, apparently there was a long queue at Immigration. As fate would have it, one officer came to break the queue from about two people in front of me and wifey, OMO! I was so happy. That was how we got to be attended to on time before the Usain Bolts. LOL. He asked if it was our first time and also about the kind of house where we would be staying for the 14 days quarantine. Wrote some things on the customs card and directed us to another place for people landing for the first time.
Here, we waited for some time on the queue - they attended to people with kids on time tho. When it got to our turn, the lady asked us if we have any dependants. She asked us to wait and called us after some minutes to sign our COPR and she said: "Congratulations, you're now permanent residents of Canada". She returned a copy of the COPR, got our address and told us that our PR cards would be ready in about 3-4 months (due to COVID situation). She gave us a form to use should we need to change the address for PR card delivery and a flyer on SIN application.
Next was to get our check-in boxes and take pictures then we proceeded to border control where we submitted the customs card. The guy directed us to another place. Because we ticked that we have a fish product (ground cray fish o), the officer opened our GMG bag and I had to explain what palm oil is; what it is used for and what it is made from. She was confused and just decided to leave the matter. LOL. We gave her our list of accompanying goods (2 copies) and goods to follow - I made the list on excel and included estimated values in CAD. They issued us a document that we can present while bringing in the goods so that as not to pay customs duty on them. She walked us to the door, congratulated us again and said "Happy New Year"! - wow! that was the first 'Happy New Year' I heard in Canada. At MMIA, it was all the officers that were greeting us - just so to get a tip.
We waited for about 30 minutes for our ride (family friend to arrive), the cold slapped my face immediately I walked out of the exit doors. Chai! And they said it's not even so cold now.

Day 1 of quarantine was for some WhatsApp calls, MacDonald's and a Chinese meal - because the poundo yam someone ordered for us was cancelled *angry*. We were jet-lagged, so we slept very early and woke up in the midnight - luckily it was right on time for my Nigerian church service, I just joined the New Year thanksgiving service on YouTube.

Yesterday, I optimized my LinkedIn page and did more calls - telling Canny people that I have come o - I need all the connection and advise now.
Stepped into the snow today, chai! Me, a village boy o. LOL
P.S. the pounded yam and egusi soup got delivered last night.

Thank you for reading.

Canny land seniors, I greet una o. Please point me to any group for people in Durham region, Ontario. Thank you

See lowkey PPR announcement o. CONGRATULATIONS!

wizzzz:
I had to share my PPR gist. Thank God

June 2019 - Application approved
January 2020 - Spouse added
October 2020- Redo medicals
Novermber 2020 - PPR and COPR received

It was a long wait but Glory to God

hairbyuj:
Hi guys,

Can I open my Express entry profile while waiting to write my IELT exams.

Also can I proceed with Evaluation ahead too.

Kindly put through on what to do please.

God bless you all.

No. You need your IELTS result and ECA to open a profile.

Txxxx:
i worked for three years in nigeria before i started a masters program outside nigeria which is two years study programme, i am in my second year now. can i use that experience in nigeria during my application for canada express entry ?

You can use any experience (in the relevant NOC categories) from the last 10 years. So this is not a problem for you.

dkdmy:
Its PPR guys!!!

Timeline:
IELTS - November 23, 2019
AOR- September 06 2020
Medical passed: September 30, 2020
Biometrics: October 06, 2020
GU: November 09,2020
PPR: December 01,2020
VO: ACCRA
single Applicant

Congratulations!!!

It really rained PPR today

For submission of passport for stamping through Lagos VFS, see below excerpt from the mail I got from them.

Kindly find below the process for package transmission fee:

If you have received notification from the Government of Canada requesting your passport, your passport along with the request letter may be submitted through the Canada Visa Application Centre.

With your passport(s), make sure you include:

The passport request letter(s) you received from IRCC
Any applicable visa application center (VAC) fees, such as passport transmission fees
Your contact information, including your email address and phone number (written in front of the two photocopies of the data page of your international passport)
The Collection Slip you were given on the day biometrics was captured; for those who had their biometrics captured for this application.
VFS Consent Form.
The service charge mentioned for passport transmission (N 7,430 per applicant, with an optional SMS Fee of N830, please pay the same if you have not done biometrics at the same VAC). This can be paid at any STERLING Bank counter; the Account Name and Number: CANADA LOGISTIC COLLECTION ACCOUNT (a/c no 0065165839), include the proof of payment in the package to be sent as well.

Also, mail us the details of payment

But if Biometrics was captured for this application, at the same VAC where passport is sent to, you will need to include the slip given on biometrics day in the package to be sent; this will exempt you from the above payment. Make a copy of same slip for your personal reference.

Visit their website or send them an email to verify first.

Lexy123:
Hi Miolad, please have you been able to send your passport for stamping? I have a few questions about the process. I sent a connection request pls check. Thanks

Yes, passports sent through Lagos VFS. I have just responded to your mail.

You only need to provide reference letters for the jobs for which you claimed points. No need for employment letters/ pay slips if your reference letters are in IRCC's format.

deejayz:
Good Evening House,

Please do I have to upload reference letters for all the places I have worked or just the place I am using to claim points? i.e the place I've worked for the past 3 years.

When completing the 10years activity section of the profile post ITA, I had to include the other places I've worked, I want to confirm if I have to include reference letters, employement letters, payslips etc from those other places too

Thank you

GreatManBee:
Congrats!
Did your wife also evaluate with WES and did she write IELTS?

Yes, she evaluated her BSc with WES and wrote IELTS. We had the exact same scores on each module.

PS. We wrote same day at different cities and prepared for the test separately.

Cheerfulmum:
Congratulations oooooo. You got PR in less 3 months and I've seen people say its not possible.
I sent u a pm pls.

Thank you. I've responded to your pm