₦airaland Forum

Vincad:
Hi guys. I'm supposed to travel to Nigeria in June but my passport is expiring August 31st 2026.

So by the time I'll be traveling my passport will have less than 3 months validity. I've tried to renew it but the app for the contactless renewal is not working. The only other option is to travel to Ontario from Alberta which would cost me a whole lot more that than I'm willing to afford right now

I'm using KLM and will be going from Canada to Amsterdam to Nigeria.

Has anyone been in this situation before and do you know if KLM will allow me to board with my passport having about 2 and 1/2 months validity left. I plan to renew it in Nigeria before coming back

Richdee1:
When I hear this Express entry, I feel bad for not applying earlier, I know the pool is tight rn but I have experience with social work as I did per time work with pay for about 3 years.
Got BSC in social work also. Not written IELTS yet or evaluated my certificate. if I calculate my score, can I meet up to 450/470 ? I'll be 30 in 3 years time
Not down to learning French at all
What's your suggestion?
Would my experience meet up to the score?

uchennay:
Even with high IELTS scores and being under 30, having just a BSc (non-professional) and no sibling in Canada makes reaching 450 CRS very difficult.
Right now, the Express Entry pool is highly competitive, and candidates below 450 have very slim chances of getting an ITA through category-based draws (except French).
In the last two years, CRS scores have rarely dropped below 450 aside from one trade draw at 433 in October 2024, which later rose to 505 in September 2025.
If your score is under 450, your best options are to target the French category or increase your CRS through further education like a diploma or master’s. From a recongise instutition

Nozino:
Hello,

When I used the crs tool, my score was 478 assuming I maxed out my IELTS. is this a good score to join the Pool? I will be graduating with a master’s degree this May from the US, I’m less than 30 and have over 3 years experience working as a Data Analyst

uchennay:
Your CRS may look good on paper, but it doesn’t reflect the reality in Canadamany data analysts are not in demand right now, and a lot are jobless.

Recent category-based draws focus more on healthcare and education. Cybersecurity falls under STEM, and there hasn’t been a STEM draw in over 2 years.

If your strategy is category-based, consider healthcare or education. With just 1 year of relevant work experience (e.g., teacher assistant, nurse aide, pharmacy assistant), you may have a better chance of getting an ITA especially in healthcare.

Nozino:
Hello,

Thank you for your response. I have 18months experience working as a graduate teaching assistant. Would this count towards the education NOC?

uchennay:
If you check the category-based draws, the Education category only includes specific NOCs:

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants — NOC 43100

Instructors of persons with disabilities — NOC 42203

Early childhood educators and assistants — NOC 42202

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers — NOC 41221

Secondary school teachers — NOC 41220


That’s the full list.

Your Graduate Teaching Assistant experience is valid for CRS, but it is not included in the Education category-based draw.

amdman:
Thank you so much for your advice. I am not going to Ontario but Manitoba. I have my pre nursing admission already.Do you think that your advice would still fit for someone going to Manitoba in terms of OSAP and grant? Which one is the smartest move please 🙏 a job plus school or OSAP & grant. I can get a PSW job with my certificate course but I think it would be better to take advantage of the grant and OSAP since i am coming in newly with no job offer and Canadian income. so that I’ll concentrate fully on my studies. Whichever way, I am going to pursue my career in nursing. Thank you for your guidance.



Here is what I would do if I were in your shoes in 2026:

Apply for a Nursing degree program under Ontario Learn and Stay Grant at schools in London, Windsor, Ottawa. Degree is fully paid for by Ontario Govt.

Apply for and accept OSAP grant to fund living expenses in the interim


I chose London, Windsor, Ottawa as the economic activities in those cities are robust enough for your spouse to find employment in their field.

After a year in Nursing, you are able to start working as a PSW and earn an income, and gain more experience.

Finish your program in less than 4years and you are guaranteed a career in one of the most stable professions in Canada, with options of moving to the US if you want.

Ayomikunkco:
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zainjok567:
hi

please, my wife landed as PR in mid feb 2026. i was included as non-accompanying, she recently got a job as a casual employee. can i start my PR processing immediately? or wait till she gets a full-time employment

thank you

zainjok567:
hi

please, my wife landed as PR in mid feb 2026. i was included as non-accompanying, she recently got a job as a casual employee. can i start my PR processing immediately? or wait till she gets a full-time employment

thank you

jedisco:
Interesting update by Carney... outlines his plans in the midst of a changing world eloquently. Canada is blessed to have him.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk2TZwkhi4E?si=7EhGtEhbN5ApunBT

geekybabe:
Is she going to sponsor you as PR? Then that changes a lot of things. Spousal sponsorship requires a lot of documentation and because she included you before as non accompanying, you will need to explain what has changed.


Since she landed as pr in February, Did she file her taxes this current cycle? If yes, good. If no, it’s best for her to file the taxes before the sponsorship process. She will need her NOA and, detailed bank statements that show that some level of financial capacity to sponsor you. She still has some time to do that.

What does casual employee mean? Is she getting payslips and does she have an employment offer?

In my opinion, spousal sponsorship within 2 months of her landing after declaring you as non accompanying can trigger a lot of suspicion. Wait. Maybe a few more months. Gather all the needed proof of your relationship and financial history. Build some savings. Go online and read all the details of spousal sponsorship from ircc official website and make sure you are well prepared. The last thing you want is a rejection because IRCC officials have become quite strict.

geekybabe:
lol. Canada is about to find out why you don’t throw off your biggest trading partner for vibes and elbows up. Like the country that gives you a whopping 75% of your trade exports. $800 billion dollars a year!
In 20 years , canada will still not be able to replace the value the US brings to its economy if CUSMA negotiations with the U.S. fails.

It’s 1 year, and we are all still waiting for the change that the greatest Economist of all prime ministers , Mark Carney promised. Travelling all over the world to sign ‘memorandum of understanding’ and sprinkling vain promises that translate to nothing tangible. While still donating millions in foreign aids to other countries while Canadians live under heavy tax burdens and inflation is at an all time high. Unemployment is at an all time high.


Let the media and the Canadian boomers keep deceiving you all. One day, you’ll all realize it was never about Trump. It’s just failed Liberal politicians using the media to manipulate you while they absolve themselves of every sense of responsibility.

U.S. is a weakness yet a Canadian just itched a ride to the moon on a trip that the U.S. heavily invested in.

We will be here again in 3 years when the elbows are down and completely paralyzed.

Slimdan360:
Good day everyone. I need advice on how to start my Canada journey.
I recently graduated from nursing with an okay expected CGPA (expecting between 4.3–4.5), and I'm preparing to take my professional exams this November (yet to take them due to NMCN issues with my school). I also have a 3-year career in tech (frontend development and technical writing).
I'm considering pursuing a master's in public health in Canada, but I don't know if there are good scholarships out there or how easy they are to get. I also don't know if there are better pathways to Canada compared to the masters program route.
Please, I need advice on the right steps to take and the best direction to follow given my situation.

leksite120:
In my opinion, the easiest way to get into Canada with full peace of mind is to learn French and pass the French exam. You get in straight as a permanent resident. Strictly spend a year on it and you are good.

leksite120:
In my opinion, the easiest way to get into Canada with full peace of mind is to learn French and pass the French exam. You get in straight as a permanent resident. Strictly spend a year on it and you are good.

jedisco:
Interesting update by Carney... outlines his plans in the midst of a changing world eloquently. Canada is blessed to have him.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk2TZwkhi4E?si=7EhGtEhbN5ApunBT

ednut1:
word salad. Carney = Tinubu . All the talks of divesting from the USA are unrealistic.

For example below of the map of Canada pipelines. 80% of the crude produced are sold to the USA at a discount. How do you replace such a market when you dont build more pipelines to the west or build refining capacity 😆

Also 70% of cars manufactured in Canada are exported to USA. How do you replace that market?

Unfavourable deal is better than no deal at this point 😆

jedisco:
What would you call as an 'unfavourable deal'?
If Carney =Tunubu, then Trump = ?. Or rather, tell me one world leader you'd prefer to be in charge of Canada today.
For example, with the pipelines, he's been working quite hard to get one built to the westcoast but the way Canada is structured doesn't make it easy. I'm fairly new to Canada and can even appreciate that. What would you have him do on this?

No matter how unfavourable you want the next deal between Canada and the U.S to be, acquiescing to Trump at every juncture is not the way to get there. Basic knowledge of deal-making and western politics shows that. Even recent history with Trump has confirmed that he despises weakness.

Talking about an unfavourable deal, Trump has asked Canada to become America's 51st state, is openly courting Alberta's seperation. How much unfavourable a deal would you accept? 80% discount on exported oil or even shutting down our oil production if they ask. How about a special tax on Canadians to be sent over to the U.S to reduce trade deficits?

The complete disconnect I sometimes encounter here when compared to everday Canadians is telling. That we moved to Canada doesn’t mean bending the knee at every corner should be our default.

hazel01:
they consume too much conservative propaganda. The US is our largest partner but Canada is also US second largest partner, losing the free trade would affect them greatly too especially with the expensive war and low approval ratings… losing the trade would make things way more expensive for them too.. this is a negotiation, they use propaganda and all to sway public opinion. The complainants on this thread don’t have all the information. You cannot know more than the current prime minister of Canada, you don’t have access to all the data and classified information they have. Yes, there is an affordability issue, but it’s everywhere, no country is spared, talking like Canada is the worst country on earth is just frustration speaking….

Sheron50:
Let’s face the truth and put sentiment aside. Canada would likely feel it more because its economy has been heavily tied to the U.S. for decades. The U.S. is Canada’s closest neighbour and biggest export market. In 2025, about 71.7% of Canada’s merchandise exports went to the U.S., showing how deeply connected both economies are. The U.S. also has more leverage because of its larger market, stronger global influence, and wider trade alternatives.

geekybabe:
percentage of USA trade with canada : 15%-17%
percentage of Canada trade with USA : 71% - 73%

I know that we are all grateful for coming to Canada and all that. But I really think we should also try to connect and understand the economic and political dynamics of where we now live cos it will directly impact us sooner or later. Stop watching CBC and listening to Canadian boomers. because that is where the propaganda is. Understand trends, patterns, and objectively analyze things.

Hate Trump all you want. Trump is not the prime minister of Canada. Canada has its own deep seated problems that even inter-provincial trade is a bottle neck. Thousands of job are at stake if the US Canada negotiations do not go well. Several businesses in manufacturing , automobile and other industries are already feeling it. The canadian govt can 'Elbows up' all they want, but they will not replace the lost jobs because as we all know, the job situation is already a big problem. Instead, all they can do is keep giving handouts and temporary tax reliefs that are not sustainable. Increasing debts and budget deficit.

The USA has the largest economy in the world. Simple.
All we are saying is that the government does all it can to ensure that people whose livelihoods depend on this US-canada partnership do not lose their source of income overnight. That somehow they can find a middle ground for these businesses to survive.

And please let’s move on from this 51st state narrative. It was a political jab/ banter that was never gonna happen. . Canada is a sovereign nation, a great and rich country. But Its also a nation that must start working to improve the quality of life for its people.