Morning fellow Nlanders and gurus in the house. To give a short bio, I am in mid-30s, i have a Masters degree (Biochemistry) with PhD in view in Naija, work as a lecturer in a private university with over 3yrs work experience. Wife (also in mid-30s) also has Masters (Food Sceience) and working on part-time currently (one year experience) at school of health technology, she has about three years primary and secondary teaching experience. We just thought of relocating to Canada majorly for better future for our kids (7, 3 and 1 yrs old) and we don't mind starting life afresh. I have read a lot in this section and I am currently contacting some Profs for PhD supervision but no positive response yet. Someone advised applying for PR via express entry is the best bet but proof of fund of #7.5Million for my family size is the challenge (although we ve not done IELTS and certificate evaluation) cos if we decide to sell our three bedroom apartment somewhere in the southwest, it still will not give the amount.
My question is, do I continue with hunting for PhD admission?
If I am privileged to get funding and admission, how easy is securing the visa bearing it in mind that I will want to travel with my family (wife and 3 kids)?
Will my decision to go with family not jeopardize securing visa. I am aware there is the need to have strong ties to my country and convince the VO that I will return to my country, will my university study leave letter and having an aged father be enough?
If we decide to stick to express entry, based on the short bio, who should be the principal applicant. My fear is my university may not give the proof of work letter if we get ITA and need to prepare accompanying documents.
Gurus in the house, pls look into my case and give your candid advise I ve been ruminating on this for over three months while gathering more information and knowledge about Canada immigration. Thanks, expecting your comments...

1. Admission is not forthcoming.
2. Supervisors are not showing interest.
3. Money troubles to travel.
4. Whether to take family or not.

Well, this whole thing is not stacked in your favour at all. Even if all documents r intact with money in the bank, they might still not give a visa.

If you ask me, I will say don't sell your house. D world does not start n end in Canada alone.

Thanks for your contribution bro, it's true the world doesn't start and end in Canada but I don't think the resources available before me is enough to give my children the kind of life I want for them hence our decision to decide planning on exiting the country.
As for admission, I just started contacting the Profs just last week so I can't say getting supervisor and admission is a herculean task.
As for money matter, it may not be available now but I am optimistic I would have raised reasonable amount from other investment by the time we get ITA.
I am only asking the best path to thread and the easiest to secure visa between the Student visa or PR process taking into consideration that I want to leave with my family (I don't want to leave them behind, they mean the world to me).
Be that as it may, is there any legitimate alternative means apart from the two I ve stated pls?

RealTrump:
1. Admission is not forthcoming.
2. Supervisors are not showing interest.
3. Money troubles to travel.
4. Whether to take family or not.

Well, this whole thing is not stacked in your favour at all. Even if all documents r intact with money in the bank, they might still not give a visa.

If you ask me, I will say don't sell your house. D world does not start n end in Canada alone.

My 2 cents(for all it is worth)
I get your point as regards trying to give your kids something better.
I think you should go ahead and pursue both routes...
Just saw a thread here where a phd prospect was denied the student visa for Australia and he had full scholarship and was not even going with his family to show that he will return.
But that will not be your case IJN...
As regards the PR, there is usually no interview and once you follow the rules there a greater chance of success. So both of you should write the ielts and evaluate your degrees, the better scoring of you both will be the PA.
Don't bother your head abt the POF for now and take the process step by step...
I sure you were not looking for master degree school fees when you where in nursery school.
Final note- God is able...