₦airaland Forum

Landing gist

Nigeria.

My flight was 11pm, June 27. I planned to get to lagos airport very early. I left for the airport at 3pm arrived

Lagos airport was very chaotic.
I willl advice you arrive very early. I figured I had excess luggage and what I was carrying as my carry on bag was too big. I wasn't perturbed I was ready for it. I rearranged my bag and paid for one bag extra

Then I went to check-in at Air France desk.
They said they need to profile my passport and ask for documents. (In my mind I was like when Naija start to dey sound sweet like this. In my mind I was like Oga which documents do you need im ready for you!)

He only asked for Arrive CAN..vaccination card and international passport. He signed and added a white slip behind my passport saying Im cleared I should go and check in.

Then we waited in this long Nigerian immigration ( before you join this line they give you a yellow form to fill..just join the line with your phone... The line was sooo long and their system was down for like 45 minutes. 3 or more people missed their flight... Again got to Nigerian airport early.

Then we proceeded to board at the right to time.
The food in air France was really nice.
Tasted like yam and stew porridge...the type in the Esau Used to sell his birthright loool. We landed in CDQ airport France. At 6:25 am on 28th

The airport was different, better and more excellent than the Nigerian airport. I had to plan myself for my next 10 hours layover. I asked if I have access to a lounge...they said I have to pay 50 euros for it. My seat mate at the lagos to Paris trip was going to Toronto too..so we were navigating everything together

France CDQ airport is very awesome no hassles. Everything here is computerised. Just swipe your boarding pass and direction shows in a computerised map.

But the issue was our flight to Toronto wasn't showing on the screen yet because it was like 9 hours away nor was it written on our boarding pass. We asked one of the officials..she scanned my boarding pass and viola! My Gate appeared.. Gate K55. We had to navigate to The K area of the airport...we used a train to get there.

When I got to the gate area....then Place was really soft and chill. They had normal chairs.. Sleeping stretchers... And sofa beds. I slept for like 3 hours woke up..got something to eat... Connected to airport wifi... Make calls updated my folks about the trip and all...

My flight to Toronto was 4:40pm...they opened the line to board at 3:20pm

Here they asked for letter of introduction. (I heard the Indians murmuring that this is new..they never ask that here)

I boarded.. We took off...at 4:50pm... Landed at 7:00pm Canadian time...but there was a long queue...so we had to come out of the plane at 7:24pm

There was a really long walk...to the self service machine before getting to immigration for the study permit.

Where you scan your passport..and print a ticket..this ticket is what determines the line you join.. They were a lot of people! Especially from Ukraine.

I joined the study permit line. They were like 50 people ahead of me. When it got to my turn.... The VO was looked calm... I told him he has a nice haircut.. The guy smiled..he was like no one has told him that all day... So he asked for my passport.. Said he will need my Letter of introduction...so I brought out my file..he was like wao I came ready.. I go..you bet! lol...

He said I had a back charge and PFL from last year....I was like yeah. He said he sees that I made the payment. I told him I have 2 friends that have the same issue and they have waited for up to a year (the guys are in this group) he said he would have asked for their UCI but there is some confidentiality clause around that. That they should send a webform stating all the details.

Then he went to print my study permit. Then he said welcome to Canada!

I left...my bags were waiting for me.

The person to pick me up was waiting. I left the airport at 9:16 pm (Toronto time)

Where is the best for a walk in medical... Qlife or IOM?

Aitchugo:
Hello. Congrats on your PPR. I also used a friend's dollarcard to pay for my visa fees. Does that mean I will incur the same issue?

Hopefully not... I used someones card to pay for the PFL. it was fine. It is about how the card is setup.

first application April 6 2021: (old portal)Biometrics
April 7th.. Biometrics updated ..July 8th: 
May 19: Upfront Medical
Medicals done May 19 ....
June 2 Upfront medical updated 
--- no NSE request at allEligibility started July 16th
Request Letter Back charge July 31st
Paid August 2nd PFL Procedural fairness 
August 25thResponded to procedural fairness
August 29th Visa denied November 12th

The reason for the PFL/charge back was that my agent used someone's card to pay my visa fees. I was pissed, but I was like...I can't let someone pour sand in my Garri. Initially I thought he was being fraudulent because the person with the card he used to pay wasn't forthcoming with the bank statement. I quickly paid another application fee without an explanation.

IRCC sent me mail showing PFL and a potential 5 years ban saying I should explain why debt to the crown was incurred in the first place. Mogbe!
I was here thinking...how do I explain to IRCC that a friend used his friend's card to pay for my VISA application.Guess what that's exactly what I did. I told IRCC exactly that! and that it was a common problem in the NIgerian banking system.

I also shared a CBN article talking about the dollar limit CBN placed on Nigerian banks.I took it to court to notarize it.
The guy later sent his statement,  I added it to what was sent.
After everything I got rejected on November 12, 2021

I put myself together and reapplied December 3rd with the new portal. (This time I paid full tuition and switched progratailored to my current job experience)No single thing in my application changed. I started classes online which was a story for another day. I sent emails and webforms, no response. At one point I thought something was wrong with the portal! I was like, unlike the old portal where I was getting updatesMedical viewed, with date viewed/ updated. Eligibility etc. This one is nothing! like no single update.

December, January, February, March...I was like hmmmmmmm. Then in March. IRCC responded to my webform saying I should resubmit all the documents I applied with! I was like what!!! IRCC lost my file or what? (by this time some people I started the process with and got rejected were already in the UK asking me how far... wont I jump ship to the UK? that IRCC is using us to catch trips.

I was like sighhh. I encouraged myself in the Lord. I submitted everything again to IRCC through webform. 2 weeks later this time In April 2022. They sent another email saying that I should submit everything again. 
This time I panicked . I started calling on God like my life depended on it.

It actually did.Because He is the alpha and Omega, my application is in between. He is El roi ...The God who sees. It was at this point I shared what was going on with Maureen. 
Maureen was like I should just hang in there.. and keep believing. Her encouragement was like cold soothing water in a dry and thirsty land.
I also reached out to 2 MPs, they were like its not in their jurisdiction, except it is critical. I emailed one of them saying I have not even gotten an update. He said he will send a mail to IRCC on my behalf. This was third week of april.

IRCC responded to him that criminality has been passed. I was like what does that even mean... Im like okay...
Then I sent another strong, subtle, emotional but stern mail that I think my situation is very critical because my next semester is not online and I really need a response.He sent another mail to IRCC stating that if I don't hear from them in 4 weeks, I should send him a mail.

May 23rd I sent him a mail.Booom!!!
PPR May 24th!
2nd Application timeline
Dec 3 applied* (no signle update...my portal hasnt changed!)
May 24th PPR

List of documents submitted are
1. Admission Letter
2. Degree Certificate.
3. Previous Company Contract Letter and ID card. (notarized)
4. Current Company Contract Letter and ID card. (notarized)
5. Leave of Absence 
7. IELTS Exam Result. (notarized)
8. Full Conestoga Tuition Fee Invoice. 
9. Sponsors’ Sworn Affidavit of Financial Support.
10. Sponsorship letter. (notarized)
11. Sponsors’ Financial Statement.
12. Sponsors’ Investment Portfolio.
13. Sponsors’ Sworn Affidavit and Police Report for loss of Retirement Letter. (notarized)
14. Sponsors’ International Passport Data Page.
15. Sponsors’ Land Sale Receipt. (notarized)
16. International Passport Data page.
17. Payslip from March 2021 – October 2021.
18. Travel History – Visa Page on Passport. ( 9 years ago UK and Turkey)
19. Reference letter from School.
20. Bank Reference Letter. 
21. My Electronic Financial Statement with ticket ID and password.
22. WES

Im open to questions

Bobomaigida:
Okay great, well-done. Please do not forget to post your timeline and documents to encourage others. I wish you the best.

I will! Thanks everyone!

Bobomaigida:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Please how did you deal with the PFL you received then? Or did you submit a new application?

that application was denied. I submitted another one.

I got PPR request today! Jesus did it for me!

Dec 3rd Applicant...no single update yet... Oluwa do it for your boy.

Please how do you go about submitting a new LOA from a different school you didn't use in your application while your application is still in progress.

April 6th here

Jadel03:
Omo....Please do we still have April applicants here?

The wait is tiring.

I have sent countless webforms and emails, nothing yet.

#April2ndapplicant

It will end in praise. Amen

Very detailed! nice one

mastersammy:
Hello Canadian Aspirants.....
This information is for Applicants out there that there study visa app has been refused and they are thinking of giving up in their pursuit to study in their dream country Canada. I was inspired to put this down bcus I noticed some Applicants are giving up and are pulling the plug of their plans to move to Canada .
I don't blame them anyways, cus Canada embassy has a way of putting people into anxiety, curiosity and frustration base on the long wait and other things. But the thing is,there is a good news now, Applicants doesn't have to give up their dream to live and study in Canada anymore.

Basically, I understand whenever an applicant visa is refused, they usually feel devastated and overwhelmed with sadness, naturally that's how you will feel but don't allow it to weigh you down and affect your thoughts in making the right decision. My dear I have good news for you, don't be sad, rather dust yourself up and wipe your tears and face the problem at hand and tackle it.

What I'm about to share with you now may look weird to you but in my own perspective its the pure truth.
Now whenever ircc denies an applicant visa, to me it's an opportunity that needs to be capitalized on, like it gives the applicant an edge , it increases the applicant chances of getting the visa next time the applicant reapply.
I know this sounds weird but I will explain further for your better comprehension, in order to clear the grey areas for you.

Now what do I mean by this ?

Whenever ircc denies someone visa they will definitely list out the refusal grounds. Now you as an applicant needs to take hold of this opportunity and turn the sour situation to your favour. As a matter of fact ,you stand a higher chance of getting the visa compare to first timers who are about to apply.

Let me drop an example so that you will grab wat I'm trying to say.

Whenever ircc gives you refusal reasons, they are technically telling you , this is where and where you got it all wrong and this is where you need to address their concerns.
Now it's now left for you as an applicant to carefully and cautiously address the concerns laid out by VO and by doing this, you ve allayed the areas they have fears on and this will cause chain reaction by making them to approve the next visa application submitted.

At times, Applicant use to be in a hurry to reapply for study visa bcus they don't want to miss their class resumption after being denied without first not carefully tackling the refusal reasons given to them and after days, weeks or months of reapplying, they will still get the same denial and the same refusal reasons.
This is where most of Applicants gets it wrong.

Whenever a visa is denied , they need to take a chill and take their time and tackle the reasons given to them before resubmition.

Now whenever a refusal reasons are given to you, ircc is given you a hint on the areas that cause your visa to be denied, so copy those reasons and start tackling them one by one..
And again I strongly encourage ppl to always go for GCMS note, which will give them a comprehensive list of their refusal reasons, whenever there app is denied.
Mind you, the refusal reasons in that refusal letter ircc sent to you, there is a high chance that is not the only reason behind your visa refusal, sometimes dey use to give generic reason.
But ordering GCMS note will give you first hand of the details of all the refusal reasons given to you.
This explains why some ppl after being denied, they will only tackle the refusal reasons written in the refusal letter, thinking that it's the only reason given to them without knowing there are more to it and at the end,they will still get dia app denied again.
For instance, if your refusal letter contains only 2 refusal reasons and you went ahead to order your gcms note and you might get to see that your gcms contains 3 or 4 refusal reasons behind your app denial, so do you now see what I mean.
Pls don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a must you will order your gcms note after denial, No...
At times,the refusal the number of reasons that came with the refusal letter might still be the same reasons written in the Gcms note but you can't take any chances, can you,just to be sure.
So ordering GCMS note helps the next study application you will reapply stand a higher chance of getting approved.

Now in summary to all these I've said, when your visa is denied,don't be sad but rather be hopeful bcus your chances of getting the visa has been increased,how to I mean, that is if you carefully tackle the refusal reasons given to you by ircc, it increases and boast your chances of getting the visa in your next attempt.
That explains why so many many students studying in Canada today, they applied for Canada visa 2 to 3 times before they get their visa approved.

Now let be come down as kindergarten as I can in given another example for ppl who still don't understand the message I'm trying to pass across.

(As a student that fails an assignment, the teacher will write down the assignment corrections on the board for the students to take down, learn and study it, then during examination the same questions given for the assignment will be repeated again, now those that learned and study the corrections made during that period will be able to answer the exam questions correctly this time)
Do you now get the logic........

Finally, don't forget to involve God in this your Canadian study visa journey for Divine intervention cus whoever God's Grace speaks for you, doors for visa approval will be open for you and not even the VO will stop it.

These are my close Observation base on how people get their visa approved and take note of them, so if your an applicant out there whose visa has been rejected and your saying your tired of Canada, don't lose hope, be firm and highly resolved, you will surely get the visa.

How do I respond?

possessor1:
IRCC sent me a message today August 25th

Specifically, provide as explanation as to why the debt to the crown was incurred

If you do not respond to this in 15 days your visa would be refused.

IRCC sent me a message today August 25th

Specifically, provide as explanation as to why the debt to the crown was incurred

If you do not respond to this in 15 days your visa would be refused.

I will strongly advise you get an upfront medical done. Thread 18 and 19 has enough data to prove that an upfront medical speeds up you application processing time. Hope this helped.

Temtem12:
Please and please i need help
I applied for a study permit since May 15, 2021, Did biometrics May 26, 2021, they said I don’t need a medical( is that possible?). I’m meant to resume school September 12th and ICC haven’t gotten back to me and I’m getting worried . I’ve written an email to them but no response from there. They were meant to get to me around August 15 according to the processing times on their website. Please what can i do? ��

IELTS is not required to get admission to most schools in CA.

However I will strongly advise and recommend that you got the NSE (Nigerian Student Express) route which needs these 3 requirements
1. IELTS
2. Mybankstatement (Electronic bank statement)
3. Upfront medicals.

Otitodilijesu:
Good evening everyone here. A very big shout out to the gurus that has been helping and providing answers to people's questions here, God bless you all.

I just joined Nairaland weeks ago and this is my first post.
I want to start the process of applying for school(s) in Canada. The school I want to apply for doesn't require me to have an IELTS. My question is, will IELTS be requided during the visa application process?

Cc: Lekiboboe

April 6

dotoracs:
April 8 o!

yeah

OGRukky:
Good morning house.Please is there anyone going to Fanshawe College but is yet to receive study permit.

After paying back charge how long did it take the VO to see the new receipt and continue the processing of your application?

or how long did it take you to get PPR after back charge payment,
URGENT!

After paying back charge how long did it take the VO to see the new receipt and continue the processing of your application?

or how long did it take you to get PPR after back charge payment
URGENT!!

After paying back charge how long did it take the VO to see the new receipt and continue the processing of your application?

or how long did it take you to get PPR after back charge payment
URGENT!

No.... it doesnt, some VOs might demand for your new admission letter later .... some might not

Patricknetter:
Hello,
Pls, does deferring ur program, affects ur visa application?

After paying back charge how long did it take the VO to see the new receipt and continue the processing of your application?

or how long did it take you to get PPR after back charge payment
URGENT!

Are you in Nigeria or Canada?

IntimidationJay:
this is new! Cos I had emailed the MP of my school and the assistant responded in less than 10 mins asking for my details which I shared with him, he responded 20mins later telling me that he has sent an inquiry to IRCC and if I don’t get an email from him in 2days I should follow up. The next day I got my PPR, two days after I got a response from him saying that My study permit was approved since June 25th but I got PPR on July 16th. I think the email from the MP reminded IRCC to issue my PPR.

anyone please kindly drop the emails of the various processing offices.

Thanks.

Have you sorted this?

patocypher:
Hello everyone, please I need urgent help, I submitted my application since on the 18 of February, I received a message from IRCC Requesting to pay an outstanding debt of $235 crown on the 10th of June, unknown for me the agent that submitted my application didn’t make this payment, I call and explained to her and she said she has uploaded the payment, my GCMS note came few days and I noticed she didn’t make this payment, and application is on how, please I need anybody to help me on what to do next, or how too make this payment, please Its urgent

wow! Canada will favour you! Congratulations!
NB: To all of you that have cancelled agents.. Not all agents are crooks or bad!

STRICK00:
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE EMAILS AND CONGRATULATORY MESAAGES
This is my story:
I began this journey in 2018.
first application(used an agent)- march 2018..denied for insufficient funds, home ties, vague sop.. agent only told me i was denied for insufficient funds

June 2018 ..2nd application-same exact reasons( used same evil agent )

At this point the agent stopped picking my call and didn’t even tell me i was rejected, I had to go and explain at canadian high commission before they helped me out with my application details.
It was honestly a depressing time,
The mopol at the gate wiped me baton because he said i was trying to enter the high commission forcefully
3rd application- february 2018- Did it myself-denied on home ties, funds, no link between past study and program that i want to go for(i studied accounting and i was going for a masters in project management)

4th and 5th application (did it myself)-june 2019 and may 2020 respectively - denied for (home ties and insufficient funds)

I honestly was tired at this point as i had done everything I knew and even attended countless seminars but no help
someone had also introduced me to nairaland but i didn’t trust or believe i could get any help from there
I sha started reading this thread but i didn’t sign up because at that point i was just reading for entertainment sake , this was around january .. it was here i learnt of gmcs note and i ordered it with the help of a family friend in canada , that was when i saw all the things visa officers had been saying , there’s one where the vo called my application “unreasonable “(that one na story for another day)

I had even already given up after reading the gcms sha and started considering other options
infact i had gotten admission in UK and was in the visa process

so one day, I attended one webinar on canadian study permit application tips because i was bored and then the woman talked about using a certified agent and I remember that my cousin used one for her application and got approved . But i however didn’t consider it because i had already lost hope and i didn’t want to spend any more funds on anything, O just wan dey use my salary dey chop abeg

Anyhow sha a few days after the webinar , I reached out to my cousin to give me the number . after I got it

me and the man spoke lengthily for about 2 hours (it was one of the most soothing and truthful conversations i had ever had), and after the call, I decided to give it one last final shot . So i made the payments for go’s services to this agency account and I submitted all the documents he asked... it was quite a lot of documents and affidavits but i guess it was worth it

I also did ielts again
mind you i had done ielts a long time ago but it expired and then i did medical.
my 3rd time doing medical oh!

So the application was submitted on april 2nd and he handed over my account to me for monitoring and I got ppr and bvl dropped same time yesterday

Honestly, I just want to tell everyone to keep trying, I remember when i was looking all around lagos for the first unfortunate agent
I even got pickpocketed in brt

chai my advice is not to give up
na who give up na in Bleep up
you have only lost when you give up

if you get denied, just sit back, restrategize and refire..

WE SHALL ALL MEET IN CANADA

ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE SHOW OF LOVE
GOD BLESS US ALL


IT SHALL AND WILL END IN PRAISE
GOOD MORNING!

we applied within the same time. Has your eligibility started?

#April6th

dotoracs:
I'm beginning to feel somehow about this people's August 6 promise. My application was submitted April 8. It'd be four months in three days time.

wow Congratulations!

STRICK00:
HELLO EVERYONE I HAVE BEEN A SILENT READER ON THIS PLATFORM


HELP ME REJOICE, MY PPR JUST DROPPED ON MY 6TH APPLICATION

I HAVE BEEN IN TEARS SINCE 5am WHEN I SAW THE UPDATE

I WILL COME BACK TO SHARE MY STORY

Interesting read .. Thanks for sharing..

ManLikeMace:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/08/01/canada-faces-a-staggering-immigration-backlog-with-the-border-reopening-and-applicants-anxious-to-get-here-how-should-ottawa-prioritize.html

yeah

Lianna2020:
Probably charge back

Got a message July 31about debt that I owe.

so they were looking at the application I guess

stevedestiny:
Ooh wow! And you're yet to hear from them too?

I think it depends on how complex your application is..... Mine started July 17

stevedestiny:
Hello people, my eligibility started 2 weeks ago, any idea how long it takes to get decision?