smslive2:
The limitation is that you cannot extend or change an SX-1 visa while in Canada!

This presents a whole new perspective. Thank you.

I presume he can still visit but not study in Canada with the same visa?

smslive2:
Category SX-1 is the visa to study for less than six months...

Really? That explains that...

Thank u

Yooku:


https://www.nairaland.com/2271485/canada-spouse-open-work-permit - The original thread


https://www.nairaland.com/search?q=Spousal+work+permit&board=0 - Mishmash of Posts from Student visa thread

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=177&top=17 - From CIC Website

Cheers

Thanks Yooku. Will check it out

KweenCee:


Madam could you please check if ur husband's visa is actually a study permit visa? Please just to be sure. To the best of my knowledge,he couldn't have gotten a 5 year study permit just for a month course. I think what he has is visiting visa. But if u r sure,then this could be the first of it's kind.

To your immigration plan,I think evaluating ur degrees and giving IELTS exam will be easier. Just start from somewhere and before you know it, u r there.

Short of snapping the actual visa - it reads
2016 - 2021, Multiple Entry, Category SX-1 (not sure what that means), Student, C.Rec FPC ( not sure of that either)

I believe it means it's a 5 year multiple entry student visa.
His colleagues who applied at the same time for the same course at Queens uni got the same visa.

We are considering a spousal work permit as suggested by Yooku as an additional option besides applying outright for EE.

Yooku:


Wow, 5-year student visa? I've never heard of that. What I know for a friend was a 3.5 year visa for the duration of their PhD studies. I don't know the technicalities of your husband's visa but assuming it's valid for another course of study my advice will be for him to take he plunge and get a 2-yr masters program. He will have to leave his Job though.....something has to give way to make PR a possibility. Once he is enrolled in school you can then apply for a spousal open work permit (there is a thread for this here) for you and your kids with which you can go and join him in Canada. If you can work for a year at least or till the end of his studies you can apply for PR under CEC or FSW and with his Canadian education and your work experience you will be certain to obtain your PR. Hope I made some valid contribution with my post.

Thanks Yooku. Very illuminating especially about the spousal work permit. Could you kindly post a link?
Thanks

Kontagious:

Mrs Denise, please don't take it personal.

Tollu gave you the much information you can get based on your initial post. Truly, the visa your husband has will play very little role in the EE journey that's even if it will play any at all.

Go through the link Tollu posted and work the permutations. We don't even know your age nor Ogas age to be able to properly advice you. Several other factors still comes to play - your IELTS score, sibling(s) in canada among others.

Thanks Kontagious...
we are just trying to figure out how to use the 5 year student visa to our advantage with a goal at immigrating Canada (without him quitting his job to study).

#OliverTwist

Yooku:


Chill ma'am, no vex for tollu. Now you specifically stated that he has a multiple entry visa and not a student visa if I'm right and I assume his short courses are less than 6 months which is the only (?) condition someone can study in Canada without the need for a student visa which case he would be unable to assess it as Canadian experience. Minimum length of program (I think) which is assessable is a certificate which lasts for 8 months minimum. I assume this job he has to quit is not a job in Canada but back home wherever that may be. Unfortunately as tollu mentioned, his situation sic visa has no bearing on your PR ambitions and you would be honestly better starting from scratch. Hope I've helped. Further questions are welcome.

Thanks for responding and clarifying Yooku.
He has a 5 year student visa which he used for a One month course in Canada ( I acknowledge the 8 month program stipulation as mentioned above).

We are aware that a 5 student year visa doesn't categorize as a requirement for EE but we were hoping to use it to our advantage somehow...
The 'somehow' is the million Canadian dollar question we are trying to figure out.

tollu:


His multiple entry Canadian visa has no special contribution to the express entry process.
The priceless wealth of information on this thread (which you mentioned) will point you in the right direction. Head to page 0, all you need is there.

When you have SPECIFIC questions, please ask and our nice seniors would be glad to reply us. All the best in your application.

Here's a good tool for calculations: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp

A slice of sarcasm before 9am.. how sweet.
You do realize that there are over 900 pages in both threads (not that I'm counting ) and I'm yet to find a poster whose situation is SPECIFIC to mine.

And yes, I have been reading from Zandora's post in 2015.

Now I understand that as a student, one may be eligible at the conclusion of his course to remain in Canada after meeting certain immigration requirements but this route would most likely require him to quit his job while he is studying (which he is skeptical about).
That said, I wish to ask the seniors if undertaking a new course is the only option available to him (considering his 5 year student visa) and would love feedback on other possible alternatives.
Thank you

Hello everyone,
The wealth of information here is priceless and I heartily commend all the contributors who keep this thread going.

Last year, my husband (BSc n MSc in Financial Analysis with over 10 years work experience) got sponsored by his office for a month long course in Canada and he was issued a 5 year multiple entry visa.
My family and I have been wondering how to achieve a PR for the family using his visa as a starting point.

Your candid advice is much appreciated.
Thanks

PrinceAdeAde:


Hello Shawlar,
my wife plans to use Dr F again and would like to know if the hospital has agreed and possibly provided the $250 refund . Dr F mentioned to me that hey would honor the old rate from his patients so I would like to know how that is going
Also what sort of discounts did you get as a returning patient as my wife is one also. Would like some insights abeg
I tried PM but am not sure it went through to you.

Hi PrinceAdeAde,
I just registered with Oakbend/Dr E.
Dr E honored her old price and so did Oakbend because I had the email they sent quoting old prices.
I don't know about discounts for returning patients though. Hope this helps

Hi everyone, jet lag is doing a number on me so I'll drop my POE experience as best as I can.

Flew Emirates at 32 weeks plus with LO. I filled and stamped the MEDIF form via my doctor and sent it to the airline. I got a call from Emirates a day to travel asking that I send my doctors Fit to Certificate since I accidentally missed a section in the form where I was meant to state the nature of my 'incapacitation' ( if that makes any sense). Was only asked for Fit to fly at the airport and I gave out 2 copies - once in Lagos and other in Dubai.

*plowing through*

8 hour flight Lag - Dubai
15 hour plus flight DXB - IAH (almighty HOUSTON )
Not for the faint hearted. The only seats where we could spread out and sleep were at the back of the plane so it was a tough choice between sleep and early disembarkment from the plane. I chose the latter to my ultimate chagrin - 15 hours sitting at an awkward angle is not a good idea. My LO had 2 seats to sleep on so I guess I have a lot to learn from her.


I digress..

Landed about 3:40pm local time and I sprinted out the plane with my backpack n LO like a rabbit - enjoying watching the other passengers fade into the distance covered by my dust - only to meet a hall full of other passengers from 2 previously arrived flights.
They caught up with me in no time and my sprint only hurt my poor back.
When it was finally my turn:

CBP lady: Passport
Me: Hello (smiling n hands passports and landing card)
CBP Lady: (stamps n hands daughters pp back) when was your last visit and what was the purpose?
Me: June last year for vacation
CBP Lady: how long are you staying this time?
Didn't ask the purpose of visit
Me: 3 months
CBP Lady: Ok. Pls put your fingers on the machine bla bla bla

Was about to stamp my passport when I thought to myself - is it that she can't see my belly?

CBP Lady: Oh, you are pregnant? Good thing you told me. (Didn't realize I had spoken aloud) You will need to go for secondary inspection.

I didn't mean to hide it in the first place - after all I had prepared like a Jambite of old when I decided to use Houston as POE but to get sent to secondary inspection after a 15 hour flight was not my idea of fun. Anyway I go to the designated inspection room and patiently wait to be called. My LO had fallen asleep and was busy trying to get super comfy on her vita foam bed - aka mummy and I was thanking my stars that even though I was exhausted, I had the good sense to use a light weight backpack as carry on instead of a suitcase.

The room had the odd mix of people but there were 4 black people - 3 of them Nigerians from their accents and one Franco phone lady. As I was taking a seat, an inspection officer was telling one Naija guy 'I hope you know you are going back home. Your story is not plausible'
The guy hung his head and nodded. Never found out what his issue was. Just when I thought that was all, the same officer called a Naija girl and told her that her return ticket was sorted and she would be leaving on the next flight back to Naija.

At this point, I was like 'Is it one of those negative days?

The Francophone lady was pregnant and insisting that she planned to stay for 1 month only for holiday - showing her leave letter as proof. After enough bickering, the officer stamped her in for a month - only for her to say 'I don't think I'd be in a position to travel back home in a month as my pregnancy would have progressed significantly!'

The CBP officer just lost it! After telling her off and asking if she thought he was stupid, he dismissed her with 'Bye Felicia!' I no fit! I just burst Laff!!!! Some people have guts sha.

When it was my turn,
CBP 2: (seeing my belly/my sleeping child) how are you?
Me: Tired as hell
CBP 2: ok. Let's get to it. Did you have your LO here?
Me: Yes. This would be my third LO here. I have my receipts for all 3 and yes I notified the embassy about changing my intent of travel. (Hands over 3 bound folders containing all bills, receipts, doctor and hospital correspondence and consulate emails.)

Note - I didn't know about zero balance letters until this forum so I arranged my documents to show bill and receipt for each service received plus table of contents. It looked like a University project.

CBP 2: Wow! Someone came prepared!
Me: Someone is really tired.
CBP 2: Ok, I won't keep you. What do u and your husband do for work?
Me: (told him)
CBP 2: Alright, do the same for this baby as you did with the first 2. Welcome to the USA.
Me: (peace sign)

Collected my luggage, Found my cab and sped home.
Phew!
Note to self - Houston POE is only as formidable as your preparation. Confidence and preparedness is key. Plus meeting a CBP officer with a bit of compassion. All in all - follow the rules and don't try to play smart.

Lemme rest. My eyes are really heavy.
I hope this helps someone planning to travel through Houston.

Sorry for the long post.

reniduke:

Its not the generic reply i had in my correspondence with us embassy. Its a separate email telling them i have written to them and asking them to offer me necessary assistance. I wouldnt have known its different if not that He read it out to his colleague.

Hi @reniduke, I'm glad to hear your positive news. I've already received the generic email from the embassy.
Could I get a bit more info on the other email/contents you are referring to?

Any Houston bound mums on Emirates next week?

My last post was deleted and I'm curious why.

I asked congratulated @Fadeo on the birth of his LO and asked if the baby was kept in the room with madam or if the LO was in the nursery and brought to madam for feeding/bonding.

The aim of my question was regarding the NICS bill i.e. Assuming the baby is healthy -Does the location of the baby during the mothers 2 day hospital stay affect the bill?

MrsM:
Hello people...I have a question. During my Dropbox renewal I stated June as my travel date. Depending on when I get the cheapest flight I might have to travel next month or in May. Will this cause any problems for me at POE? Has anyone on here travelled before their specified intended date of travel with no problems?
Note that I put June because the visa I had was going to Expire in May..I didn't want to have an expired visa on my trip even if they stamped me in for 6months.
Thank you!

No problems at all. Plans change. As long as the purpose for which you are traveling remains constant i.e. Holiday, medical, business etc with what you told your VO / filled during your Dropbox application, I believe you should be fine.

Cheers

AJokeol:
Hi ladies, for those that travelled with their toddlers to have a baby, did you carry their care seat and another one for the new baby? Or did you have to buy a new car seat there? Any June North side Hospital Atlanta moms in the house?

Hi, I'm traveling with my toddler car seat plus a baby car seat/stroller for the LO.
My toddler is 3 so she has a seat on the plane plus a 2 piece luggage allowance on Emirates and I get to carry a stroller/car seat for free.

If you toddler is under 2 years and is being carried on your lap, you may need to adjust your luggage i.e. Fit smaller suitcases into bigger ones to reduce luggage count, consider dropping a suitcase or two in Naija and packing 'Ghana must go' bags ( they are lighter and can carry a great deal) etc.
It depends on the airline but they may make a concession to carry an extra car seat for your baby. Good luck

lomwe:
Houston bound April/May. Using Oakbend and Richmond accommodation. Lets pm

Houston bound as well first week in April. Same Oakbend/Richmond as well.
Will pm.

Shouldn't Madam Abike focus on how to advice the Govt to contact the US Ambassador to Nigeria to find out why these people were sent back and the appropriate actions to be taken to prevent/reduce such occurrences? Your energy should be directed fixing the problem- Instead, you deliver a 'Travel advisory' to Nigerians not to travel unless they had serious reasons.

I listened to her explanations this morning on Channels on the rights of POE officials to decide who entered the country and she made statements like 'how can we fight for people (referring to the turned back Nigerians) who don't want to fight for themselves?' Urging the aggrieved parties to protest etc

Isn't that part of your job?
Another guest speaker (in total disagreement with her 'advice') sugggested that we begin to treat their nationals the way they treat us i.e. Long questioning at immigration, extensive phone and bag searches, hours spent in 'second questioning' etc. He stated that that is what a country who values its citizens and sovereignty would do.

Unfortunately, he concluded by saying our people treat them like 'superior beings' and our immigration are mainly interested in 'bribes'.

So ultimately, we are back to square one.

Prepare yourself with appropriate travel docs, tell no lies and put your best foot forward.

Mum2ShaEly:


Have you decided where you are going?

Yes, I intend to leave for Houston early next month on Emirates.
Are u Houston bound as well?

Any Houston bound mums on Emirates next month?

Any late April/early June mums using Oakbend or staying in the Richmond area ?

Anyone traveling with their LO?
Pls holler.

It would be nice to hook up and kill some time plus give the LO's a new playmate.

@Blue355 - I didn't get a pm. Are u still game?

TWoods:


First off, that phrase up there is no where in the Bible... I think you meant to quote Prometheus... you unwittingly exposed your bible illiteracy.

Secondly, you quoted me first, out of the blue, for no reason at all... so it's weird that you're blithering about "exchanging words".

Im glad you work 8 hours a day... I'm just not sure what your point was, since you also post here too.

Good luck to you too.

LWKMD @ bold portion of quote
@Twoods- eet haff do. Not everyone will see things from your perspective and vice versa

To quote the brain numbing song by Idina Menzel "Let it goooo, let it goooooo!"

idonhear:
I used to think Emirate allows up to 36 weeks of pregnancy for all flight routes, but was shocked to see on their website that it is 32 weeks for flights more than 8 hours.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.emirates.com_ng_English_plan-5Fbook_health-5Fand-5Ftravel_medical-5Finformation-5Ffor-5Ffitness_&d=DwMFaQ&c=0TzQCy9lgR5hSW-bDg5HA76y7nf4lvOzvVop5GM3Y80&r=pHigfj2G1BUWmFgEq8lD4Iy0JVKtecovYAmpAFJloKs&m=tCsvr8Zw28VPoBuD-jXwEr7-itboAe7cBHkxXn3dTaQ&s=wyku5kxU-4-iPSxJpk47bd_E3727zZ5zrI0hqSOHj7c&e=

Thanks for the heads up.
I'm just within limit!

Yay!

TWoods:


Frankly anything that is not overly patronizing here is considered "rude" so I've stopped bothering with such comments. As has been enumerated here for over and over - there are no "discounts". You may get a few percent off for paying in cash, but when you're paying 50% or more below what others would regularly pay, someone else is making up that difference somewhere. My last comment was simply to ask you to put yourself in the shoes of others who pay to maintain a system you do not contribute towards but are happy to use.

I'm not looking to engage you and it's not necessary to be overly patronizing. To be honest, I find your posts on 'discounts' very enlightening.
However, by the tone of her post, she was merely seeking clarification and made a valid point regarding some docs who give discounts knowing full well that the patient is not American.

The last comment about her kids moving to USA and paying for discounted bills left over by other nationals (in not so many words) was a bit personal and unnecessary.

TWoods:


As one of the VOs mentioned before (see a post justwise made a few pages back), some doctors purposefully charge you low prices, so they can then bill the government for the rest (the government often would not bother to check until years later). That's a common Medicare/Medicaid scam unfortunately.

The problem is many folks here go to these underserved hospitals because of the "discounts" you get... which the rest of us pay for in terms of higher insurance premiums and taxes. If you notice, the average middle class American does not use those hospitals. They'd be sent away if they showed their tax returns.

Some day, your children will move here too. We'll see how they enjoy paying for others to come get medical care for free.

I don't think @minimum is trying to deliberately defraud the US Govt. Seems like she genuinely wants more info about how the 'discounts' work and your final comment is a bit rude (especially to someone seeking to understand the process)

Hi everyone,
I have 3 questions regarding the new CBN policy on USD.

I understand that PTA is $4000 per person/per quarter and School fees (under form A) is $15,000 per semester.

My question is - can Medical fees be applied to Form A (being that it covered Medicals in the past)?
Secondly, if the answer to my first question is yes, would it affect the amount of PTA the applicant is eligible to for that quarter?
Finally, does Dr Eand Oakbend accept Form A?

Thanks guys

chiprettie:
Dollar is 430 today! Good news... hope it crashes further!

Jesus is Lord!
Apostle must hear of this!!!

Pls where did u get this quote?
*dancing etighi*

chibertha:
The document with pending final bill is a red flag.
How ever contact your hospital to email you zero balance receipt and account statements for you and your baby.
It was from a member's experience that I knew the importance of the account statements so I had to keep mine very close.

Thanks. Will contact hospital

Babatwi:


The main thing here is if you are truthful during your interview and you use your visa for the purpose for which it was issued and most importantly you paid all your bill during your last missionary journeys and you carry your receipts with you.
Having a US citizen baby is not a guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Yankee if your story get K leg.

No story with K leg here at all.
This would be my 3rd missionary journey having completed 2 successful previous journeys plus other shopping/vacation trips. The first was every first timers nightmare - detained at POE etc. Story for another day.

I used my current visa for holiday last year, wrote to the Consulate (this year) about intention to have baby in the states etc so no wahala there.

All bills paid although I don't have zero balance receipts from hospital (amounts paid by me matches amount quoted by the hospital and doctor etc). Hospital receipts reads "Pending Final Bill". Funny thing is - I didn't know about zero balance receipts till this forum and I've never been asked at POE.

Now I have this information, I'm concerned that this may be a problem.

Good morning Amazing people,
I'm an avid reader but silent reader.
I've learnt a lot from the members on this forum and I must say - what a treasure trove of information.
That said, I'm an early June mom bound for Houston in mid April with my LO and will stay with family.

If any mum will be in Richmond about the same time, I'd love to meet and keep boredom at bay.

Secondly, has anyone ( pregnant non US citizen) ever travelled with their LO (US citizen) but was denied at POE?
Cheers