₦airaland Forum

Hey, these are visa free countries to Canada (for visiting):

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Republic of Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, and Western Samoa

The list includes British citizens and U.S. permanent residents. This information is also available on the government of Canada website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html

Hey Hotstepper,

Actually, international students are allowed to work off-campus in the States once they are approved for what is called 'Curricular Practical Training' (undergrads) or Optional Practical Training' (Grads). I did off-campus work/internships related to my major through CPT and OPT approval while I was in school.

Hello,

You will not be allowed to work off-campus until the completion of at least, your first semester, when you enter the U.S. on a student visa. This is because it takes about 90 to 120 days to process the'"Optional Practical Training"application (for graduate students), which the school will sign for you in order for Immigration to grant permission to work off campus. Also, if you want to work off-campus, it must be in an area related to your major/degree.

If you want to work on-campus (or off campus, after your first semester), you must obtain a social security number first. The school should be able to provide you with a form or letter that you will take to the Social Security Services office (they have various branches in every city). The number will be useful for you when you try to obtain a driver's license, or any job, or file taxes etc. You can't do a lot of things without a SSN (if you are going to be legal, that is).

See this URL for Trinidad and Tobago visa information:  http://www.visittnt.com/General/things/visa.html
To get a visa, you will need:
1. A valid return ticket back to Nigeria (or where ever you are from)
2. Sufficient funds to maintain yourself whilst in Trinidad & Tobago
3. Completed application form
4. One passport-size photograph
5. Valid passport
6. Letter of invitation or evidence of hotel booking
7. Letter from employer
8. Application Fee
9. Travel itinerary

All the best.

Actually, officers at U.S. airports (customs and otherwise) can get really cocky sometimes, like you experienced (never mind that they are doing their job). Very aggravating.

Oh, and it's true that the customs officers can turn people back, even if they have valid visas. I remember being taught this - A visa is no guarantee that one will be allowed into the United States at the airport,

Thanks big_bumper: I take it U.K officers do not have personal discretion - The U.S. goes a different route from Britain then - I stand corrected

Just saw this topic today. I figured adding a couple of points from a legal perspective. This topic relates to visas in the U.K but from what I’ve seen over the past years, it seems that all western countries are following the same trend with regards to visa issuance to students/non-immigrants. Therefore, I suppose the immigration laws of the U.S. would reflect some similarities with the U.K, Canada and a bunch of other first world nations, Maybe I could join in the U.K. talk then

I practiced in immigration law as a student attorney in the U.S, so let me add a couple of things that perhaps someone might have already mentioned. P.S.: This ain’t intended as legal advice or a legal opinion

1) Customs and consular officers have personal discretion to deny or approve a visa for entry into their country.
2) Every visa applicant is deemed a potential immigrant, no matter how many (authentic) documents they provide to support the argument that they will return home to Nigeria

I guess lawyers in the Nairaland house might have something to add to that.

There are lots of discussions here about many people being denied even though their documents are genuine…while those with fake papers tend to make it.
I would suggest that it is not about the originality of your paperwork – It is whether the mannerism, attitude, body language etc convinced the officer that they like the applicant and his/her story, and they don’t mind granting the visa (remember: it’s all about the officer’s personal discretion). If the officer decides he/she doesn’t like what they are seeing; they can pick a reason out of their standard form to deny a visa.

There is no point being angry or offended about the magnitude of applications. The U.S (and perhaps U.K) government would consider the fact that every interviewee is already aware of how many people get turned down…And as a result, every applicant has been put on reasonable notice and they are applying at their own risk.

I may sound impersonal about it, but I was denied a student visa to the U.S, years ago. Therefore, I know exactly what it feels like to get a “No.” The officer did not believe I had sufficient ties to return to Nigeria. I waited six months (normal wait time after visa is refused back then) and applied again. Second time around, I was granted a visa – One of my family members came into the interview with me and vouched that I had family to return to in Nigeria. That sounds silly. I still do not understand why I got the visa the second time around. Perhaps, that same ol’ visa officer personal discretion I’m talking about. Most likely the prayers, though. I believe I had little expectations of being granted a visa after my first denial. But God deh.

I don’t think there is a scam. Perhaps the embassy is denying so many applications because they want to discourage people from applying. I thought about it when I had opportunities to process visa applications for immigrants already in the U.S. and was able to see it from the Bureau of Immigration’s point of view – The visa officers are workers as well, and we are giving them too much workload with all the applications, never mind how much money they are making out of it. At some point, they get tired as well. Not that I’m on their side. Just trying to give a different angle to the story.

I went to school in the deep south, by the way.

You likely won't be able to get a scholarship so soon before school resumes. Your best bet to obtaining scholarships at U of H now is complete 12 credit hours or more during your first semester and be in good academic standing i.e. 3.0 grade point average or better (on a scale of 4.0), It would be best to have at least a 3.5 because there is so much competition for those scholarships. Then, you will be able to apply for scholarships for the next semester.

The office of international students offers grants and in-state tuition waivers to international students who have high GPAs. The in-state tuition will allow you to pay fees as if you were a Texas/U.S. resident (much cheaper than the international tuition that you would have to pay in your first semester). You get the waiver only if you obtain the scholarship - Or find a job on campus as a research assistant (or graduate assistant, if you are a graduate student).

Check out the international students web site and the info on grants and scholarships:

http://www.issso.uh.edu/finances/tpegisssoscholarship.html

Bios80,

Go to this website and download the GMAT Prep materials from the GMAT website itself. It is free:
http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT/ToolsToHelpYouPrepare/GMATPrepProducts/FreeGMATPrepTestPreparationSoftwarein2006.htm

Kaplan (They are one of the exam prep organizations in the U.S.) also has a free practice exam on-line at:

http://www.kaptest.com/Kaplan/3/Business/GMAT;jsessionid=FMVHJP1C0XQBPLA3AQJHBNVMDUCBG2HB

All the best!

Emeray,

Even though it wasn't a good idea to ask questions during an exam, you've probably learnt a lesson from it - That's what life is all about, live and learn.
So, don't worry about this set-back, you are going to be fine. Use the opportunity to re-invent yourself by getting busy with new ideas. Perhaps something you enjoy working on during your spare-time - And how you can make money from it (Think Bill Gates and Michael Dell) 

I attended Great Ife around the end of the Tony Fash era (anybody remember him?) Aluta Continua,
Didn't get to finish school at Ife, but I am - and will always be - a dedicated OAUite!

Oops, yes Old Glory, I meant Air Canada
I guess I like it because the hostesses are bi-lingual and I can practise French when listening to them. Plus, Canadians just seem more laid back in the aviation business, I think

This may be a little belated, since this thread is a month old,

But lawyers RULE

And about lawyers and lying: Every attorney knows or should know the rules of professional responsibility that is spoon-fed in law school (in the U.S, anyway). Who wants to run the risk of losing the license to practice over a client's case?
Besides, it's all about presenting the evidence that is available to you, and it's the opposing side's problem if they can't disprove it.

I just graduated this month, so believing that the good Lord will provide a job

I was inspired by reading your post, Flakynaz. Coming abroad is not easy; staying abroad isn't a breeze either, especially if you are not a citizen. But like you said, fighting (and I'll add - till God opens doors) is the answer 
Henryphyol, congrats on NYSC o. If it was me and I didn't have a job offer waiting when I am done, but instead, there is a visa/opportunity to come abroad, I'd travel, even if for nothing more than to visit another country. And you never know what good things might happen when you are out of the comfort zone at home 

I like KLM and Canada Air.

Thank you Kadeejah, Dominobaby

Thank you Edygirl, Hola2ng

Welcome to Nairaland

Welcome!

Last time I was in Nigeria - January 1997

Thank you J-Girl, Shotta, Hola2ng, Diddy4, Eveseh, 2fine4u, Lauryn, everyone I look forward to getting to know you all Nairalanders.

Thanks, Shotta

I'm in Houston, Texas. And thank you

Hello:

I found Nairaland a while back, but didn't get a chance to formally introduce myself,  So, just wanted to say hi to all.

(I am in the U.S., by the way, but moving to Canada shortly).

So, hi Nairalanders.

Moving to Vancouver BC, most likely, in July - I've been to Vancouver before and it's amazing that people can go skiing on the mountains or boat riding at the sea there on the same day
I know, most Naijas are not usually thinking about boat riding - But with the live-to-work mentally in the U.S., everyone needs a vacation sometime

Thank you - I figured that a lot of people in America respect Canada, Most just won't admit it, I guess.
I have actually been to Canada three times- It is beautiful, as you said, and the people are very nice, Plus they are more laid back at the airports, even though they will still search passengers, of course - Just not as much stress
I look forward to making the final move. Thanks again

Edited - Thanks for the responses!