₦airaland Forum

Hi Everyone,

Is there anyone that applied to Mcmaster University for the accelerated nursing program in September, 2021?

I also applied to Mcmaster university

Sugarbunny94:
Let me rephrase my request.

Good afternoon all, please If you know anybody that can collect naira equivalent and help send CAD to someone in Canada please link me with the person.

Help a sister out biko ejoor. I don't mind the rates.

Send a PM. Let’s see how we can help

Please, I have a question. How did you pay for the hotel from here? I am trying to do so but I have been told I need a credit card which I don’t have.

I’ll appreciate answers from anyone who has gone through this process please. It’s urgent.

WinterDreary:
Traveling has become a lot harder in the light of the new Covid guidelines introduced by the Canadian government. Now, not only do you have to provide a negative Covid test before departure from your country of origin, you also have to plan to quarantine at a hotel at your point of entry in Canada. Presently, there are only four points of entry available: Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. In addition, you have to plan to take a Covid test at your point of entry and at the end of your planned 14 days quarantine, if you test negative. If you test positive, you go into the government’s isolation center.
These restrictions came into effect on 22 February and my original departure flight from Lagos was on the next day. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to not move my flight and to experience how these new restrictions will be. There was a lot of uncertainty on things like exemptions or on testing, but I felt it would be quite nice to gain the experience and talk to others about it. It was quite an experience indeed!

Booking the stopover hotel
The plan was to book the stopover hotel at Toronto before leaving Lagos. I was working with an estimated cost of $2000 as announced by the PM. But then, the bigger issue with the booking turned out not to be the cost, but conducting the actual booking. They provided just one phone number which anyone could call to do the booking. Expectedly, thousands were calling and wait times ran into hours. I was on the phone for a total of more than 60 hours, 3 hours each time after which the call would drop, before securing a booking. Eventually, I was able to book a room at Sheraton Gateway for a total of $1300 for the required 3 days.
I had read on Twitter that people were denied boarding who didn’t have a hotel booked. This made it more urgent for me to book the hotel. It appears many were unsuccessful with booking a room at any of the listed hotels, and I believe allowing such passenger to board remained dependent on the airline. Whatever the case, passengers who got to their initial destination in Canada would still have to book a place anyways. So, this is an important step.
Another important thing is the specific instruction on the government website to book a stopover hotel only by calling the provided number. Because this was difficult to achieve for some, they ended up booking directly with the hotel. I met a few persons at the airport who did this, and it seemed to work fine for them as they were allowed to go into the city.

Doing the Covid Test
The government instruction is to have a result 72 hours prior to departure flight to Canada. My flight was on a Monday out of Lagos, so I took the test on a Sunday, allowing enough time for 72 hours. Here, it is important to ensure the test is indeed 72 hours before your flight to Canada takes off. This means if you have a connecting flight before your last leg to Canada, you have to make sure the 72 hours is well covered. Airlines are becoming strict with this requirement and may ultimately not allow boarding if the timing is a little off, say you took the test on Saturday at 0900hrs while your flight to Canada from some other destination (Dubai, for example) leaves on Tuesday at 1500hrs. That’s more than 72 hours.
I met someone at the airport who had this issue and was almost not allowed to fly. So, you need to take special care.
The lady who took my nose swab in Lagos stuck it pretty deep I felt she was twirling my brain. That’s one experience I can’t forget in a hurry. The amazing thing, however, was the speed with which the result came out. Took much less than 24 hours.

Boarding the flight
After all the initial checks where they looked through your negative test result and ensured you have a hotel book, boarding the flight itself was not stressful at all.

Arriving in Canada
I guess this was where the next phase of checks began. Right after exiting the plane, we met a couple of border services officers who made sure we had the ArriveCAN details filled out and also that you had legal reasons to enter Canada (i.e. you are a permanent resident who isn’t coming for the first time, or a Canadian citizen). Afterwards, you go through the normal checks which include declaring what you have come with (food, money, etc.) and how long you have spent outside of Canada. Before allowing you entry into your first point of entry, they checked (using the confirmation code) that you have a hotel booked already and that you have your ArriveCAN details. I’m not exactly sure you’ll be allowed into the country if you do not have a hotel booked. Perhaps they’ll sort this out with you privately.
Once in the country you meet a couple of health professionals from SwitchHealth, at least in Toronto, who walk you through the process of getting tested. The flight was barely full since I’m guessing everyone decided against flying in these early days. So, there was no queue. You fill an online form which includes providing your details, including the address where you will be quarantining. Then they take you to a cubicle where a nose swab is taken. Once done, you are led to an area where you wait for the shuttle to the hotel, if you hotel is outside of the airport. The whole process was incredibly smooth with no delays. The nose swab I got this time was also very gentle.

At the hotel
Things start to progress a little more normally here. The hotel checks you in and provides you the new set of Covid guidelines you should follow while staying at the hotel. The most restrictive is that you only get 15mins outside your room each day while you await your test result. The most financially impactful is that you do not get a refund even if you spend less than 1-2 days at the hotel. Perhaps some hotels are offering refunds, but the one I stayed at (Sheraton Gateway) offered no refund.
There’s little to do at the hotel besides making calls to friends, watching TV, movies, reading, or eating. For food, there’s an order website where you place orders at different times of the day for the food you want. Your food is then dropped at your door. Everything is included in the original bill paid for the hotel. I paid $1300 for the hotel I stayed in. This included meals, cleaning, the room, and all others. For meals, there is a $125 charge which if you exceed you have to pay for out of pocket.
I left the hotel the next day after receiving my negative Covid result. Apparently, one could stay for longer until one uses up all the 3 days, but I had really no time to waste.
After leaving the hotel, connecting to the next destination was pretty straightforward. Westjet was generous enough to not charge me any additional fee for rebooking my flight after I told them I was in government-ordered quarantine. This looks like something they already have a standing procedure for and it seems they aren’t willing to burden people with additional fees.

At the house
This is where the remainder 14-day quarantine starts. You report daily your situation on the ArriveCAN app, telling the government that all is well with you. You are also not supposed to leave the house or come in contact with anyone else. This is where I am at the moment. After 14 days, another test follows. On arrival at the airport, I was given a home-test kit with which I will conduct the Covid test after 14 days. I don’t know how this goes yet, but my guess is that I’ll take the swab myself and someone will probably come pick it up. I’m yet to get there or to open the kit. When I do, I’ll update this post.

In the end, I spent about $1300 for the hotel and nothing more.
One more thing: one of the Westjet attendants I spoke to at the airport told me some Canadians and PR's were not booking hotels or staying in the 3-day quarantine. Instead, they were opting for the fines, which, according to him, was only $850, much less than the cost of the hotel. I haven't really looked into this claim myself, but I know there's been some storm lately on Twitter regarding rejecting the government-imposed quarantine.

Hi guys, Please can I get advice from anyone about Proof of Funds for a Master's Degree. If someone is supporting me with the $10,000cad and I will be supporting myself with the rest of the tuition fees can this $10k be transferred into my account or this is going to be a red flag when applying for a visa? What is the best way I can be able to go about it without getting a red flag when applying for a visa. Thanks

Hello All,

This week must not pass without exempting people with COPR issued after March 18,2020 but we have got to give our best and offer extra support.

*We have noticed a golden opporunity (golden goal or last minute penalty kick ⚽� ) to be used. But we must work together to optimise the opportunity.*

So, Minister of Immigration, Marco is having a townhall session with Canadian Residents on March 18th 2021 - exactly 1 year from Lockdown - so we want all landed colleagues to register and join the meeting with the ultimate purpose of being a voice for our plight.

Please, we need Canadian contacts (Residents) who are passionate about our plight and would represent us by asking the appropriate questions and make plea (where possible) as it relates to exempting COPR holders after March 18, 2020.

Thank you in anticipation.L

phabulous88:
Guys

Has any lawyer successfully sent Law school transcripts to WES? What’s the process like?

I’m trying claim 2 or more degrees since IQAS is wasting time.

Thanks

Dont waste your time and money. Just wait for IQAS. Law school will not give you two or more degrees.

leon5050:
Hi guys, Please can I get advice from anyone about Proof of Funds for a Master's Degree. If someone is supporting me with the $10,000cad and I will be supporting myself with the rest of the tuition fees can this $10k be transferred into my account or this is going to be a red flag when applying for a visa? What is the best way I can be able to go about it without getting a red flag when applying for a visa. Thanks

Should ask this in the students visa thread I guess.

STUDIO

Please some one should add me to gta telegram or whatsapp group

Hello people,
Trust we’re all doing great.
Please I wish to start studying to become a Business Analyst and a Project Management Professional by writing CBAP and PMPI exams. My background is in Construction Management.

My question is; how easy is it for me to self-study for these exams? I’m still in Nigeria though

Thank you so much

Has anyone landed this month (March 2021)? Would be glad to hear your experience - did you have to get AL or you travelled by faith, what airline did you use etc.

amaya21:
Has anyone landed this month (March 2021)? Would be glad to hear your experience - did you have to get AL or you travelled by faith, what airline did you use etc.

Just thought to share this, it's not a direct response but kind of related to your question. It is pure conjecture in my part. In the absence of immediate family in Canada on the back of which IRCC would issue an AL, it seems post Mar 18 COPR holders travelling to Canada from the US can do so. Previously, the IRCC website was worded so that it read US resident, but now it just says "travelling from the US". So my guess is for people with a US visa who go from Nigeria to the US, stay for a few weeks then travel to Canada (i.e. not transit), their entry shouldn't be a problem.

This may be an option for a post Mar 18 person with money, a US Visa, somewhere to stay in the US and liver to execute said plan.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/permanent-residence.html

All the best!

Please who has travelled from Lagos recently?where did you go for covid test and how much?please I need suggestions. I want to have an idea of the duration so I can do the 72hrs calculation.

I'm currently in Nigeria but I need someone in Canada to help transfer CAD to a Canadian account for me. Preferably someone that also wants to send money to someone in Nigeria. Like 3.5 million Naira. Thanks.

My sister travelled recently. She used Medbury in Lekki 48 hours before travel. Results were out the next day. Cost 50k. I'm sure there are more affordable places - this is the one I know of and her results were emailed to her promptly the next day.

Cherrymia:
Please who has travelled from Lagos recently?where did you go for covid test and how much?please I need suggestions. I want to have an idea of the duration so I can do the 72hrs calculation.

Thanks Mmamaroon!

Mmamaroon:
Just thought to share this, it's not a direct response but kind of related to your question. It is pure conjecture in my part. In the absence of immediate family in Canada on the back of which IRCC would issue an AL, it seems post Mar 18 COPR holders travelling to Canada from the US can do so. Previously, the IRCC website was worded so that it read US resident, but now it just says "travelling from the US". So my guess is for people with a US visa who go from Nigeria to the US, stay for a few weeks then travel to Canada (i.e. not transit), their entry shouldn't be a problem.

This may be an option for a post Mar 18 person with money, a US Visa, somewhere to stay in the US and liver to execute said plan.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/permanent-residence.html

All the best!

Thank you so much.[quote author=amaya21 post=100008626]My sister travelled recently. She used Medbury in Lekki 48 hours before travel. Results were out the next day. Cost 50k. I'm sure there are more affordable places - this is the one I know of and her results were emailed to her promptly the next

The tax season is here. CRA doesn't joke o.

Out tax returns should be filed by April 30th.

For those with self-employed income, you have till June 15th to file... HOWEVER, you must pay all taxes owing by April 30th.

There are a variety of tax software that can be used to file our taxes. Some of us may be eligible to file with a tax clinic.

And for those who needs help to file their taxes, both Personal and Corporate... �( we all can't use Netfile or Tax Clinic), holler at your girl

Yes it's better you take your exams in naija. Self study is possible however for PMP because of the new syllabus, I would suggest you take lectures. There are plenty of them online in naija.

All the best!

Abiodunnn:
Hello people,
Trust we’re all doing great.
Please I wish to start studying to become a Business Analyst and a Project Management Professional by writing CBAP and PMPI exams. My background is in Construction Management.

My question is; how easy is it for me to self-study for these exams? I’m still in Nigeria though

Thank you so much

Cherrymia:
Please who has travelled from Lagos recently?where did you go for covid test and how much?please I need suggestions. I want to have an idea of the duration so I can do the 72hrs calculation.

Hi Cherrymia, are thou travelling based on AL? If so how long did it take to get exemption letter?

Hello house,

Please I need help with looking for an apartment in Sudbury, ON. I have the option to live outside Sudbury as classes are still conducted online but i’m trying to avoid last minute move when campus re-opens.

Any help/advice I can get would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I had to go read up to confirm if AL is needed for parents. According to CIC website, the below is correct. AL is for extended relationships

caseynewnn:
I thought parents do not need the AL to board as long as they can provide a copy their child's PR card and evidence of relationship.

Please who wants to buy CAD please contact me
God bless us all

jizzle01:
Hello house,

Please I need help with looking for an apartment in Sudbury, ON. I have the option to live outside Sudbury as classes are still conducted online but i’m trying to avoid last minute move when campus re-opens.

Any help/advice I can get would be appreciated.

Thank you.

been posted many times, use kijiji.com, rent faster, Facebook marketplace etc

Hi, travelling with study permit,(returning student)AL not needed.

uRobot:
Hi Cherrymia, are thou travelling based on AL? If so how long did it take to get exemption letter?

Malone122:
Please who wants to buy CAD please contact me
God bless us all

!!

rainazoe:
I had to go read up to confirm if AL is needed for parents. According to CIC website, the below is correct. AL is for extended relationships

oh I see, thanks

ednut1:
been posted many times, use kijiji.com, rent faster, Facebook marketplace etc

much appreciated !

Malone122:
Please who wants to buy CAD please contact me
God bless us all

Good morning

Hello All,

Please anyone in Kamloops with details on available rental space for a studio apartment in Kamloops should please reach out.
I will be glad to also join BC whatsapp group.

Thank you

Ayomide97:
Please, I have a question. How did you pay for the hotel from here? I am trying to do so but I have been told I need a credit card which I don’t have.

I’ll appreciate answers from anyone who has gone through this process please. It’s urgent.

You will certainly need a credit card, because the hotel needs to put it on file to constantly bill you when they need to. You can find someone who will let you use their credit card. I don't know if there are any other options.

Malone122:
Please who wants to buy CAD please contact me
God bless us all

happy Sunday