₦airaland Forum

This thread is about Life in Canada for immigrants or Permanent Residents.

It is an avenue for people that have emigrated to Canada (with their families) to share their experiences to help future hopefuls.

Kindly share your personal experiences and comments on:

* When you landed at the airport?
* What are the immigration rules to follow?
* How do you carry all that cash with you? For example: a family of 5 will need $25,923.
* Which province did you settle in and why.
* Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? Tips on choosing the right neighborhood, mortgage plans, proximity to work etc.
* How easy was it to settle in, with your kids? How did you go about finding the right schools for them? What is their school system like for toddlers (age 5 and below)?
* Can a mother combine work and taking care of the kids with the husband being in Nigeria?
* What culture shock have you experienced?
* Tips on how to cloth and cope with the cold weather
* Are there Nigerian food/restaurants etc? Are they very expensive?
* Can one start a business (exportation, consultancy) in Canada?
* How much does your family survive on in a month?
* And any other ...

This thread is for Living In Canada. For any questions outside this to go:

Canadian Student Visa Thread Part 13:
(https://www.nairaland.com/3948393/canadian-student-visa-thread-part)

OR

Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Workers Program-Connect Here Part 2:
(https://www.nairaland.com/3999848/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled) for the Permanent Residency process which is how most of us got here. 40manlappy has given a beautiful summary on how to get started and of everything you need to know on the first page. I hope to do something similar here soon.

fredrickz03:
pls could you send me the link and steps/details/requirements for starting the application process for canadian permanent residence.
fredrickz03@yahoo.com

Go to this thread. Read from page 0 to the end. You won't regret it.

https://www.nairaland.com/2624318/canadian-express-entry-federal-skilled

oohunt:
I am opening another thread about life in Canada for immigrants or Permanent Residents.

I am one of the lucky ones to have been invited (ITA) to apply for PR. I have never been to Canada before. And I will like to prepare myself and my family for this major CHANGE.

Let this thread be an avenue for people that immigrated to Canada (with their families) to share their experiences and help newbies not to make mistakes.

Kindly share your experiences and comments on:

* When you landed at the airport?
* What are the immigration rules to follow?
* How do you carry all that cash with you? For example: a family of 5 will need $25,923.
* Which province did you settle in and why.
* Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? Tips on choosing the right neighborhood, mortgage plans, proximity to work etc.
* How easy was it to settle in, with your kids? How did you go about finding the right schools for them? What is their school system like for toddlers (age 5 and below)?
* Can a mother combine work and taking care of the kids with the husband being in Nigeria?
* What culture shock have you experienced?
* Tips on how to cloth and cope with the cold weather
* Are there Nigerian food/restaurants etc? Are they very expensive?
* Can one start a business (exportation, consultancy) in Canada?
* How much does your family survive on in a month?
* And any other ...

We are looking at settling in Calgary, Alberta, and will appreciate any advice at all.

Hello Justwise. Please consider the importance of a thread like this which is essential to prepare families. I opened a similar one in the past: https://www.nairaland.com/3273411/living-canada-life-canadian-immigrant. And you pointed me to the thread about "Students coping in Canada" which contains a lot of information focused on the life of a student. Similarly, the "Travel to Canada" threads contain guidance for applications. I think we need a thread that is not about application or education but about LIVING in Canada. Thanks.

I can’t answer everything, just the things I’m sure about, as it’s been a while.

# Was first in Ontario now Alberta. With Alberta having oil I found there were more jobs, and Alberta has one of the lowest taxes in the country. Sales tax is only 5 percent.

# Live in a middle-class neighborhood. I have no complaints. Choosing a neighborhood depends on you personally, nobody can answer that. Mortgage plans depends on your credit score, the down payment you’ve made, etc. Again this is something personal that nobody can answer.

#It’s not hard to settle in a civilized/developed country. All schools are decent really.

#You can combine work and taking care of the kids, but it’ll be hard and you may not see the kids as much. Welcome to North America.

# Other than the cold which you’ll become climatize, there’s no real culture shock. Everyone from around the world lives here, and western culture is popular and not as foreign as other cultures. Plus you have enough Nigerians here to feel comfortable if you start feeling homesick.

# Just buy warm clothes. As for the cold weather, you have heaters literally everywhere you go. Plus we get a good 6 months of warm weather, so it’s not cold 12 months out of the year like stereotyped.

# A naija dish can go for 10-12 dollars a plate. Jelloff, stew, goat meat, and a can of coke for example.

#You can start any business you want as long as you follow rules/regulations

# How much someone can survive on depends on that family. Again, this is a personal question.

Calgary is a good, clean, and progressive city. I find Alberta to be more progressive than other provinces. Choosing Calgary was a wise choice in my opinion. What made you pick Calgary ? Welcome to Calgary.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpnO1HOmtfE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Fhp-XJ6xo&t=9s

Thank you for your response @maternal.

We chose Calgary because my husband is in the oil and gas sector. I know a lot of jobs have been lost worldwide due to the oil price. But I believe it will pick up in years to come.

Thanks, you have really put my mind at rest. I was dreading the COLD!

I am also looking forward to continuing my business there. I have a toddler and I know it would be difficult to get a full time job and afford a minder for her. I also do not want to be idle. I won't worry much about those technicalities now.

The first video is very very inspiring. This is a society that is truly concerned about its citizens.

maternal:
I can’t answer everything, just the things I’m sure about, as it’s been a while.

# Was first in Ontario now Alberta. With Alberta having oil I found there were more jobs, and Alberta has one of the lowest taxes in the country. Sales tax is only 5 percent.

# Live in a middle-class neighborhood. I have no complaints. Choosing a neighborhood depends on you personally, nobody can answer that. Mortgage plans depends on your credit score, the down payment you’ve made, etc. Again this is something personal that nobody can answer.

#It’s not hard to settle in a civilized/developed country. All schools are decent really.

#You can combine work and taking care of the kids, but it’ll be hard and you may not see the kids as much. Welcome to North America.

# Other than the cold which you’ll become climatize, there’s no real culture shock. Everyone from around the world lives here, and western culture is popular and not as foreign as other cultures. Plus you have enough Nigerians here to feel comfortable if you start feeling homesick.

# Just buy warm clothes. As for the cold weather, you have heaters literally everywhere you go. Plus we get a good 6 months of warm weather, so it’s not cold 12 months out of the year like stereotyped.

# A naija dish can go for 10-12 dollars a plate. Jelloff, stew, goat meat, and a can of coke for example.

#You can start any business you want as long as you follow rules/regulations

# How much someone can survive on depends on that family. Again, this is a personal question.

Calgary is a good, clean, and progressive city. I find Alberta to be more progressive than other provinces. Choosing Calgary was a wise choice in my opinion. What made you pick Calgary ? Welcome to Calgary.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpnO1HOmtfE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Fhp-XJ6xo&t=9s

How much do you think one needs for a family of 4 if am going on education visa and what consultant I mean travelling are reliable do you know

Lovely Calgary.. Moved out when I lost my jobcos of thr oil wahala...I now work in Regina. Family still lives in Calgary though. I might be moving them to Sask soon as no one really knows for how long this oil glut would continue.

lagosrd:
How much do you think one needs for a family of 4 if am going on education visa and what consultant I mean travelling are reliable do you know

Your question on studying in canada would be best answered here.
https://www.nairaland.com/3315266/travelling-canada-part-11/361

oohunt:
Let this thread be an avenue for people that immigrated to Canada (with their families) to share their experiences and help newbies not to make mistakes.

Kindly share your experiences and comments on:

* When you landed at the airport?
* What are the immigration rules to follow?
* How do you carry all that cash with you? For example: a family of 5 will need $25,923.
* Which province did you settle in and why.
* Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? Tips on choosing the right neighborhood, mortgage plans, proximity to work etc.
* How easy was it to settle in, with your kids? How did you go about finding the right schools for them? What is their school system like for toddlers (age 5 and below)?
* Can a mother combine work and taking care of the kids with the husband being in Nigeria?
* What culture shock have you experienced?
* Tips on how to cloth and cope with the cold weather
* Are there Nigerian food/restaurants etc? Are they very expensive?
* Can one start a business (exportation, consultancy) in Canada?
* How much does your family survive on in a month?
* And any other ...

We are looking at settling in Calgary, Alberta, and will appreciate any advice at all.

.

Most of the question have been answered but i would add a little more.

I landed in calgary, alberta. I had a choice between Manitoba and Alberta. Friends in manitoba and family in Alberta. I went the family route. You should be out of the airport in 30min or less. I dont remember of any immigration rule to follow. You would be asked for your copr and passport.
An overzealous offficer could ask for your pof.
cash was in bank draft and notes...both US dollars. You would deposit same in your new bank account.

The school system...kids dont really start school till age 4. You can put your child between 3-4 in a pre-school(not free)...3hrs per day of instructions, but it really helps communication skills. Once over 4, you can register them in schools free of charge if i remember. Schools registration are usually done through the board of education and schools are chosen based on where you live. Areas and schools are zoned.

If you making less than a certain amount...your child could get up to a certain amount per month as benefit(this would help with toys, diapers, feeding e.t.c...not sure of d exact amount as it varies with income.

Yes you can combine work and taking care of kids..minders, nanniez, daycare are available but pricey. For daycare, there could be waitlist at times. Alot of families live apart in canada. Like husband working in ontario while the family lives in BC. So It's not much of a big deal if your husband is in Nigeria.

Culture shock could be encountered if you are fresh from naija. I mean your boss could be a gay or lesbian or atheist. A lot of Nigerians tend to be rude (not deliberate) ...e.g Dont tell people that they are fat or added weight ecvept they ask for an honest opinion..lol Telling someone that you are strong when you are ill is a concept not understood in developed countries... using words like half caste is derogatory, keep your religious believes to yourselves e.t.c. You would need to book appointments for many services...from barbing your hair to seeing a doctor. Women and kids are Kings here.... This wasnt a shock to me cos i had previously lived and worked in the UK.
You would need to invest in deodorants...These are not commonly used back home.

If you are a Christian..there are lots of churches including rccg. Same for mosques, but they worship in soundproof halls.

Yes. Canada can get extremely cold. Its called the great white north for a reason. It was -46c wind chill this morning in Regina while it was +4c in Iceland. There are sometimes extreme weather warnings in effect. There is one in effect at the moment in Regina. Usually put in place when the air gets colder than -35c. I am sure you read about the ghanaian refuge claimant that would be losing his toes and fingers for crossing into manitoba by foot around christmas. You would need to invest in good parka jackets, snow boots, head warmers and very thick gloves. The trick is to prevent anypart of your body getting exposed. It starts getting warm in may and starts getting very cold in Novembre. Some provinces are also warmer e.g its currently -1c in vancouver plus summers are very warm and awesome.

If you drive, try to get an original drivers license. from Nigeria. A whole year could get discounted if you come with your license. Make sure its original except you are ready to pay fines that could be as high as 1000cad if you submit a fake one. I havent seen someone with a fake license that got verified succesfully..They only got hefty fines.
Learn the road rules before you get on the wheels. Cops and cameras are everywhere. Drivers license is a privilege that could be withdrawn anytime.
If you buy a car, it would be a good idea to invest in block heaters so your car can stay plugged to the mains when its very cold. Cars dont like extremely cold weathers.

I dont visit Nigerian restaurant..i havent seem one in Saskatchewan or Alberta. I am sure there are lots in Ontario. You can always get nigerian food easily anyway from African or east indian shops.

How much a family survive on depends on your taste and lifestyle. it varies from family to family.

Nice summary!

shinarambo1:
Your question on studying in canada would be best answered here.
https://www.nairaland.com/3315266/travelling-canada-part-11/361


Most of the question have been answered but i would add a little more.

I landed in calgary, alberta. I had a choice between Manitoba and Alberta. Friends in manitoba and family in Alberta. I went the family route. You should be out of the airport in 30min or less. I dont remember of any immigration rule to follow. You would be asked for your copr and passport.
An overzealous offficer could ask for your pof.
cash was in bank draft and notes...both US dollars. You would deposit same in your new bank account.

The school system...kids dont really start school till age 4. You can put your child between 3-4 in a pre-school(not free)...3hrs per day of instructions, but it really helps communication skills. Once over 4, you can register them in schools free of charge if i remember. Schools registration are usually done through the board of education and schools are chosen based on where you live. Areas and schools are zoned.

If you making less than a certain amount...your child could get up to a certain amount per month as benefit(this would help with toys, diapers, feeding e.t.c...not sure of d exact amount as it varies with income.

Yes you can combine work and taking care of kids..minders, nanniez, daycare are available but pricey. For daycare, there could be waitlist at times. Alot of families live apart in canada. Like husband working in ontario while the family lives in BC. So It's not much of a big deal if your husband is in Nigeria.

Culture shock could be encountered if you are fresh from naija. I mean your boss could be a gay or lesbian or atheist. A lot of Nigerians tend to be rude (not deliberate) ...e.g Dont tell people that they are fat or added weight ecvept they ask for an honest opinion..lol Telling someone that you are strong when you are ill is a concept not understood in developed countries... using words like half caste is derogatory, keep your religious believes to yourselves e.t.c. You would need to book appointments for many services...from barbing your hair to seeing a doctor. Women and kids are Kings here.... This wasnt a shock to me cos i had previously lived and worked in the UK.
You would need to invest in deodorants...These are not commonly used back home.

If you are a Christian..there are lots of churches including rccg. Same for mosques, but they worship in soundproof halls.

Yes. Canada can get extremely cold. Its called the great white north for a reason. It was -46c wind chill this morning in Regina while it was +4c in Iceland. There are sometimes extreme weather warnings in effect. There is one in effect at the moment in Regina. Usually put in place when the air gets colder than -35c. I am sure you read about the ghanaian refuge claimant that would be losing his toes and fingers for crossing into manitoba by foot around christmas. You would need to invest in good parka jackets, snow boots, head warmers and very thick gloves. The trick is to prevent anypart of your body getting exposed. It starts getting warm in may and starts getting very cold in Novembre. Some provinces are also warmer e.g its currently -1c in vancouver plus summers are very warm and awesome.

If you drive, try to get an original drivers license. from Nigeria. A whole year could get discounted if you come with your license. Make sure its original except you are ready to pay fines that could be as high as 1000cad if you submit a fake one. I havent seen someone with a fake license that got verified succesfully..They only got hefty fines.
Learn the road rules before you get on the wheels. Cops and cameras are everywhere. Drivers license is a privilege that could be withdrawn anytime.
If you buy a car, it would be a good idea to invest in block heaters so your car can stay plugged to the mains when its very cold. Cars dont like extremely cold weathers.

I dont visit Nigerian restaurant..i havent seem one in Saskatchewan or Alberta. I am sure there are lots in Ontario. You can always get nigerian food easily anyway from African or east indian shops.

How much a family survive on depends on your taste and lifestyle. it varies from family to family.

Caveat.... While alot of things from laws to weather are similar accross Canada, there are still differences as you travel or move from one province to another.

Hello house i urgently need some one who is vast in Canadian migration i can talk with to help answer some question from Canadian embassy sent to me

@ophshore,please tell how and the steps i could take to come over to canada for a pgd program

Hi everyone pls i want to know if it is easy to enter canada from USA and through which means is best

Skilled immigrant
Study
Visa lottery


Thanks pls reply

sundaydammy:
help needed urgently

hello my people after 4 months i got this mail from embassy how can i answer this mail

Dear .........

I have reviewed your application and documents you submitted in its support. Subsection 11(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides that a foreign national must, before entering Canada, apply to an officer for a visa or any other document required by the Regulations. The visa or document shall be issued if, following an examination, the officer is satisfied that the foreign national is not inadmissible and meets the requirements of this Act.

I have concerns that you have not fulfilled the requirement put upon you by section 16(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which states:

16(1) A person who makes an application must answer truthfully all questions put to them for the purpose of the examination and must produce a visa and all relevant evidence and documents that the officer reasonably requires.

I have concerns that you misrepresented your (or your financial sponsor’s) current employment and the source of funding for your proposed studies in Canada. You did so both in your answers on the application form and through the submission of fraudulent employment and/or financial sponsorship documents.

Furthermore, pursuant to paragraph 10(2)(c.1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations:

10(2) The application shall, unless otherwise provided by these Regulations
…
(c.1) if the applicant is represented in connection with the application, include the name, postal address and telephone number, and fax number and electronic mail address, if any, of any person or entity — or a person acting on its behalf — representing the applicant

Based on your submissions, I have concerns that you have omitted to declare that you used a compensated representative to facilitate the submission of your application. Your application contains evidence that it was facilitated by the same person or entity as many other applications received by this office. Based on our research this is a compensated representative. I therefore have concerns that you misrepresented this information either through omission or through failing to indicate that the representative was compensated.


Please note that if it is found that you have engaged in misrepresentation in submitting your application, you may be found to be inadmissible under section 40(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. A finding of such inadmissibility would render you inadmissible to Canada for a period of five years according to section 40(2)(a):

40(1) A permanent resident or a foreign national is inadmissible for misrepresentation (a) for directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts relating to a relevant matter that induces or could induce an error in the administration of this Act

40(2) The following provisions govern subsection (1): (a) the permanent resident or the foreign national continues to be inadmissible for misrepresentation for a period of five years following, in the case of a determination outside Canada, a final determination of inadmissibility under subsection (1) or, in the case of determination in Canada, the date the removal order is enforced.

I would like to give you an opportunity to respond to this information. I will afford you fifteen (15) days from the date of this letter to make any representations in this regard. Please use the address noted on this letter for all correspondence, and clearly indicate your file number. If you do not respond to this request within the time outlined above, your application will be assessed based on the information available, which will likely result in a refusal.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in Canada.

Regards,


thanks

1. Did you use and agent?

2. Did the agent submitted forged bank statement and employment letter or you gave the agent those documents?

@justwise. Hello and hope you are doing ok. Please I have a little challenge. I am applying through the online route for Canadian visa but I have tried to use all my Nigerian debit cards but the payment isn't going through. Any idea whatelse I can do or if there are other cards I can use

cgirly:
@justwise. Hello and hope you are doing ok. Please I have a little challenge. I am applying through the online route for Canadian visa but I have tried to use all my Nigerian debit cards but the payment isn't going through. Any idea whatelse I can do or if there are other cards I can use

Use dollar card or get somebody living outside Nigeria to pay for you.

ok. Thank you

justwise:
1. Did you use and agent?

2. Did the agent submitted forged bank statement and employment letter or you gave the agent those documents?

YES I USED AN AGENT
I HE FUND MY ACCOUNT WITH 5M BUT THE EMPLOYMENT LETTER AND LETTER OF INTRODUCTION HE GAVE ME
THANKS

sundaydammy:
YES I USED AN AGENT
I HE FUND MY ACCOUNT WITH 5M BUT THE EMPLOYMENT LETTER AND LETTER OF INTRODUCTION HE GAVE ME
THANKS

Then forget about Canada and possibly US for the next 5yrs.

Thank you for this detailed response. I just finished studying medicine in Guyana and my PR application was approved 5 days ago. I intend to land in canada by the end of May this year. Please concerning the POF at the airport, do I need to show proof of the entire money required while making my application? I am coming with my wife who intends to leave as soon as possible to complete her studies in Guyana. I was thinking of carrying just 3000 usd along with my statement of account from my Guyanese bank, will that work? Thank you.

shinarambo1:
Your question on studying in canada would be best answered here.
https://www.nairaland.com/3315266/travelling-canada-part-11/361


Most of the question have been answered but i would add a little more.

I landed in calgary, alberta. I had a choice between Manitoba and Alberta. Friends in manitoba and family in Alberta. I went the family route. You should be out of the airport in 30min or less. I dont remember of any immigration rule to follow. You would be asked for your copr and passport.
An overzealous offficer could ask for your pof.
cash was in bank draft and notes...both US dollars. You would deposit same in your new bank account.

The school system...kids dont really start school till age 4. You can put your child between 3-4 in a pre-school(not free)...3hrs per day of instructions, but it really helps communication skills. Once over 4, you can register them in schools free of charge if i remember. Schools registration are usually done through the board of education and schools are chosen based on where you live. Areas and schools are zoned.

If you making less than a certain amount...your child could get up to a certain amount per month as benefit(this would help with toys, diapers, feeding e.t.c...not sure of d exact amount as it varies with income.

Yes you can combine work and taking care of kids..minders, nanniez, daycare are available but pricey. For daycare, there could be waitlist at times. Alot of families live apart in canada. Like husband working in ontario while the family lives in BC. So It's not much of a big deal if your husband is in Nigeria.

Culture shock could be encountered if you are fresh from naija. I mean your boss could be a gay or lesbian or atheist. A lot of Nigerians tend to be rude (not deliberate) ...e.g Dont tell people that they are fat or added weight ecvept they ask for an honest opinion..lol Telling someone that you are strong when you are ill is a concept not understood in developed countries... using words like half caste is derogatory, keep your religious believes to yourselves e.t.c. You would need to book appointments for many services...from barbing your hair to seeing a doctor. Women and kids are Kings here.... This wasnt a shock to me cos i had previously lived and worked in the UK.
You would need to invest in deodorants...These are not commonly used back home.

If you are a Christian..there are lots of churches including rccg. Same for mosques, but they worship in soundproof halls.

Yes. Canada can get extremely cold. Its called the great white north for a reason. It was -46c wind chill this morning in Regina while it was +4c in Iceland. There are sometimes extreme weather warnings in effect. There is one in effect at the moment in Regina. Usually put in place when the air gets colder than -35c. I am sure you read about the ghanaian refuge claimant that would be losing his toes and fingers for crossing into manitoba by foot around christmas. You would need to invest in good parka jackets, snow boots, head warmers and very thick gloves. The trick is to prevent anypart of your body getting exposed. It starts getting warm in may and starts getting very cold in Novembre. Some provinces are also warmer e.g its currently -1c in vancouver plus summers are very warm and awesome.

If you drive, try to get an original drivers license. from Nigeria. A whole year could get discounted if you come with your license. Make sure its original except you are ready to pay fines that could be as high as 1000cad if you submit a fake one. I havent seen someone with a fake license that got verified succesfully..They only got hefty fines.
Learn the road rules before you get on the wheels. Cops and cameras are everywhere. Drivers license is a privilege that could be withdrawn anytime.
If you buy a car, it would be a good idea to invest in block heaters so your car can stay plugged to the mains when its very cold. Cars dont like extremely cold weathers.

I dont visit Nigerian restaurant..i havent seem one in Saskatchewan or Alberta. I am sure there are lots in Ontario. You can always get nigerian food easily anyway from African or east indian shops.

How much a family survive on depends on your taste and lifestyle. it varies from family to family.

Thank you for this thread. It will be very useful.

oohunt:
I am opening another thread about life in Canada for immigrants or Permanent Residents.

I am one of the lucky ones to have been invited (ITA) to apply for PR. I have never been to Canada before. And I will like to prepare myself and my family for this major CHANGE.

Let this thread be an avenue for people that immigrated to Canada (with their families) to share their experiences and help newbies not to make mistakes.

Kindly share your experiences and comments on:

* When you landed at the airport?
* What are the immigration rules to follow?
* How do you carry all that cash with you? For example: a family of 5 will need $25,923.
* Which province did you settle in and why.
* Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? Tips on choosing the right neighborhood, mortgage plans, proximity to work etc.
* How easy was it to settle in, with your kids? How did you go about finding the right schools for them? What is their school system like for toddlers (age 5 and below)?
* Can a mother combine work and taking care of the kids with the husband being in Nigeria?
* What culture shock have you experienced?
* Tips on how to cloth and cope with the cold weather
* Are there Nigerian food/restaurants etc? Are they very expensive?
* Can one start a business (exportation, consultancy) in Canada?
* How much does your family survive on in a month?
* And any other ...

We are looking at settling in Calgary, Alberta, and will appreciate any advice at all.

Hello Justwise. Please consider the importance of a thread like this which is essential to prepare families. I opened a similar one in the past: https://www.nairaland.com/3273411/living-canada-life-canadian-immigrant. And you pointed me to the thread about "Students coping in Canada" which contains a lot of information focused on the life of a student. Similarly, the "Travel to Canada" threads contain guidance for applications. I think we need a thread that is not about application or education but about LIVING in Canada. Thanks.

Thank you for this post. I think I will start considering Alberta now. My PR application was approved 5 days ago. Please do you have any advice as to which province a young medical doctor should settle in? I have had no clinical experience but I have a masters degree in Physiology. I am interested in Research and Academics and hope to get a masters in public health or biotechnology

maternal:
I can’t answer everything, just the things I’m sure about, as it’s been a while.

# Was first in Ontario now Alberta. With Alberta having oil I found there were more jobs, and Alberta has one of the lowest taxes in the country. Sales tax is only 5 percent.

# Live in a middle-class neighborhood. I have no complaints. Choosing a neighborhood depends on you personally, nobody can answer that. Mortgage plans depends on your credit score, the down payment you’ve made, etc. Again this is something personal that nobody can answer.

#It’s not hard to settle in a civilized/developed country. All schools are decent really.

#You can combine work and taking care of the kids, but it’ll be hard and you may not see the kids as much. Welcome to North America.

# Other than the cold which you’ll become climatize, there’s no real culture shock. Everyone from around the world lives here, and western culture is popular and not as foreign as other cultures. Plus you have enough Nigerians here to feel comfortable if you start feeling homesick.

# Just buy warm clothes. As for the cold weather, you have heaters literally everywhere you go. Plus we get a good 6 months of warm weather, so it’s not cold 12 months out of the year like stereotyped.

# A naija dish can go for 10-12 dollars a plate. Jelloff, stew, goat meat, and a can of coke for example.

#You can start any business you want as long as you follow rules/regulations

# How much someone can survive on depends on that family. Again, this is a personal question.

Calgary is a good, clean, and progressive city. I find Alberta to be more progressive than other provinces. Choosing Calgary was a wise choice in my opinion. What made you pick Calgary ? Welcome to Calgary.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpnO1HOmtfE


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Fhp-XJ6xo&t=9s

olandofire:
Thank you for this post. I think I will start considering Alberta now. My PR application was approved 5 days ago. Please do you have any advice as to which province a young medical doctor should settle in? I have had no clinical experience but I have a masters degree in Physiology. I am interested in Research and Academics and hope to get a masters in public health or biotechnology

olandofire:
Thank you for this detailed response. I just finished studying medicine in Guyana and my PR application was approved 5 days ago. I intend to land in canada by the end of May this year. Please concerning the POF at the airport, do I need to show proof of the entire money required while making my application? I am coming with my wife who intends to leave as soon as possible to complete her studies in Guyana. I was thinking of carrying just 3000 usd along with my statement of account from my Guyanese bank, will that work? Thank you.

I know sask and i think nova scotia both have program to accelerate MDs into family health positions in rural communities or small cities within a space of 3 to 4 years. Due to the nature of my work...i travel alot around sask and over 50% of the doctors are Nigerians. You might want to research on those special programs in sask/nova scotia. I am not sure if other provinces have such programs.

Your pof of 3k in cash should work. Not sure bout the statement though. I converted mine to bank draft but they did not even ask to see it. They only counted the cash i had on me.

Modified:

for sask-

http://saskdocs.ca/work/family-physician---imgs/sippa/

For NS-

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/cpd/traineeships/clinical-assessment-program.html

Alot of Nigerian doctors have benefitted from both programs.

Wow. I appreciate this information. I will start looking into it immediately. Thank you.

shinarambo1:
I know sask and i think nova scotia both have program to accelerate MDs into family health positions in rural communities or small cities within a space of 3 to 4 years. Due to the nature of my work...i travel alot around sask and over 50% of the doctors are Nigerians. You might want to research on those special programs in sask/nova scotia. I am not sure if other provinces have such programs.

Your pof of 3k in cash should work. Not sure bout the statement though. I converted mine to bank draft but they did not even ask to see it. They only counted the cash i had on me.

Modified:

for sask-

http://saskdocs.ca/work/family-physician---imgs/sippa/

For NS-

https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/cpd/traineeships/clinical-assessment-program.html

Alot of Nigerian doctors have benefitted from both programs.

You'd better stay clear of Canada migration dream and U.S. for the next five years. (Don't waste your money)
I just hope it will not affect your migration even after the five years ban is complete.
I think this should serve as a big WARNING to every other people looking for a way through the back door.

sundaydammy:
YES I USED AN AGENT
I HE FUND MY ACCOUNT WITH 5M BUT THE EMPLOYMENT LETTER AND LETTER OF INTRODUCTION HE GAVE ME
THANKS

Hello and greetings from Alberta Canada.
For oil jobs, your destination should be Fort McMurray which is a town, compared to Calgary.
Living in FortMc is relatively more expensive due to the fact that the wage is usually higher than the average. This because the oil sands is located in FortMc.

It is a lot easier and cheaper to cook at home as u can be sure that the time you get home is pretty predictable.

I landed at Calgary intl airport and i didn't take too long at the immigration desk.

You might have a difficult time spending money here initially because you will be converting to naira. Just breathe.

Don't be afraid to do any form of legal job for starters. It might not be at par with your naija level, but trust me anything to get your canadian experience. Please volunteer if you have to as it also counts as part of your experience.

Make use of YMCA or any other immigrant settling/serving org.

Whew..........i think i've tried. You might not get an immediate answer from me if you have other questions. But if i am able, i will drop further comments.