₦airaland Forum

Neeri:
Hello Good people!
I've been a silent follower of this group and now I've finally caught this Canada Bug. . please I have some few questions. Gurus in the house I need your kind help.

I'm currently separated and the divorce proceedings in court but my passport bears my spouse name and since we're no longer together I would like to use my maiden name for my application and the passport will expire march next year .

I want to know if I can sit for my ielts exam with this passport bearing in mind that it will expire in march?

Secondly,
Is it possible to write the exam with my maiden name though I will present a passport which holds a different surname or should I just wait till next year when it expires and my divorce is finalised before I begin this process and also renew my passport?

I will be 35 April next year and from what I've read so far I loose points for birthdays and I'm worried.

Note:All documents are in my maiden name
Highest qualification is MSC.

Thank you for your kind responses.

NanaF:
Finally received my GCMS. Officer said I did not provide proof of funds so ‘review required’ for eligibility. Also commented that I provided $0 out of the required proof of funds.

Used my stanbic mutual funds letter/statement and pension letter/statement, included explanation on POF in LOE, even included a table breaking everything down alongside the exchange rate.

This thing is very unpredictable because you don’t know the officer that will be in charge of your file.

Thecannylady:
Finally, the ITA!!! To think that we've been dreaming of this since early 2018. I'm so excited tonight! Congrats to everyone who got ITA and I really hope that the scores drop in favor of many people here.

Seniors please do I click on continue application only when I am ready to upload all documents and submit?

Thecannylady:
Finally, the ITA!!! To think that we've been dreaming of this since early 2018. I'm so excited tonight! Congrats to everyone who got ITA and I really hope that the scores drop in favor of many people here.

Seniors please do I click on continue application only when I am ready to upload all documents and submit?

DboyizGood:
My Timeline
Pardon my long gist and ignore all errors- I don pass my IELTS

1st ielts- Feb 20, 2018....LRWS- 6.5,8.5,7,7
2nd ielts- Mar 3, 2018
!st Eca report: June 2018
2nd ECA report: Aug 2018
3rd ECA report: March 2019
1st ITA: October 2019 (declined bcs of fear of denial from using one-semester evaluation)-wrong move
1st Medical: Nov 2, 2018
2nd ITA: April 3
AOR: April 10
NOC: 1111
MEP/BIL: May 18
Biometrics completed: May 23
Ordered GCMS: Not at all
1st ghost: Oct. 21 (re-med request)
2nd Medical: Oct. 31
2nd MEP: Oct 8
PPR: Nov 13
VO: Ottawa
No calls to CIC, No GCMS notes ordered(babu kudi)
Single Applicant


MY STORY
DECISION TO MIGRATE

---

Growing up and coming from my kind of humble background, I have always wished to go abroad but how was that going to happen (local man had no clue). During my NYSC days back in 2014 in IB, I remember how myself and my guy Chris would talk about saving money and running to Dubai just in a bid to japa any which way. After NYSC, got a job that paid local man 25k in IB (the joy in my heart that i got a job ehn...chai..I even forgot about travel plans, may be bcs money was too small). Left the job and moved to Lagos 5months later (in my mind I don blow until our naira got devalued again)
Fast forward to sept 2017 was preparing for my final ICAN exam when a friend hinted and briefed me on this canny waka and how his brother was leaving in 2months and that he was already in the race to japa...Local man was in shock (but pushed it aside to prepare for my exams I had in November 2017 but there and then I knew this was my way out).
In the course of my research I stumbled on this thread in part3 when the likes of @Newmum (NOC matching specialist who was expecting PPR at the time) and @McStan visibly active.
The information here is “nmua”. Even my friend was shocked at how much I came to know in such a short while.
Got my passport in Jan 2018 and also registered for my first IELTS for Feb 20, 2018


IELTS

---

Booked my ielts with MOD and preparation began. Used ielts Liz, ielts studybuddy basically to see sample essays, watched youtube videos for speaking to get an idea of what to expect, used cambridge materials for listening and also practiced lots of Maps and Diagram questions on youtube.
After my exam, I booked another one with BC for March 3, 2018 because I knew my listening didn’t go so well because I never expected a loud speaker would be used for the test. LRWS-6.5,8.5,7,7
Second test was in Abeokuta. LRWS-8.5,9,7,7. CRS was in the 440’s at this time and because I was still expecting ECA report, I applied for remark hoping for a 0.5 increase in Writing and Speaking (waste of 15k after waiting over 3months and nothing happened. I doubt if a remark was even done on my exam sef...I felt these guys just repacked my TRF for me after plenty calls from me). I remember I had to sit for like 20mins to catch my breath and regain strength to go home because even my legs immediately grew weak immediately I opened my report and saw nothing changed. Local man wanted to cry...Chai


ECA

---

I started working on this in December 2017 but because of NASU strike, not much could be done.
Fast forward to June 2018, ECA report was ready and I dived into the pool at 435 (scores refused to crash and the hustle for a second certificate began)
I remember back then in 2018, the constant questions about “if ICAN positively evaluated” and deliberation about “the evaluation outcome of F1-F3 with WES”. I was able to contact someone from my findings who had evaluated the same, even claimed exemption for one paper and got a 1year canadian equivalent. I was so excited and I shared that info here but it didn't take long before WES craze started and evaluating same certificate as one-semester (Chai see panic everywhere). I was particularly devastated by the development but local man cannot can what he can’t make to can.
At this point, a whatsapp group had to be created for those who needed a second certificate.


THE STRUGGLE FOR ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE

---

A group-(ACCA/CIMA/UNILAG HRDC) was created by our boss lady HALBOND(dont know her moniker here) and my pakistan friend @AYUB I met here who can panic for the whole of his continent added me to the group and everyone started to brainstorm on possible options we had. It dint take long and group was full to capacity. Along the line just like the plantashun boyz crew, another group (PR Dream) was birthed and some go solo and others too follow (long story)
We all wanted to go the open university route, unilag hrdc came up at some point, we deliberated about CIMA and how it might fly but we dint have success stories to back this up, ACCA FIA to the rescue for @smslive2 (very resourceful sombori), we all dived in (but this dint go well for all of us who did. some were flashed with one-semester others got 3yrs evaluation outcome), BTEC & QUALIFI came up too, a lot of others opted for this, BCS too...and finally CIMA seemed to be the easiest route to go as of now.
I wrote four ACCA foundation papers in about 3weeks in July 2018 but the outcome was one-semester in sept 2018. There was a lot of controversy around using it but I made up my mind to use it in Oct 2018. I had all doc's and ready for submission in Nov. 2018 but chickened out last minute and decided to go the extra mile to get an ACCA advanced diploma certificate by writing more papers in the Nov 2018 diet exam (those I did not write, I claimed exemption for using my ICAN certificate).
NB- using the one-semester would have still worked. I know over 6 success stories of comrades on this trip. If you have it and with no other option in sight, please use it.
3rd ECA report came out in March 2019 and I got ITA April 3.


PCC

---

First was done in Oct 2018
I called inspector moshood but on getting to Alagbon, a junior inspector (cant remember his name) hijacked me and offered to help. He works with the legal office that is just by the entrance on the left. Paid 3.5k
Second was done March 2019 and used the same guy but paid like 2k this time since it was just renewal. Dude wished me well and prayed I get what I was looking for. Nice guy


MEDICAL

---

IOM to the rescue in November 2018, even though i didn’t go ahead to submit my application, it was the same medical I used in April 2019 for my application.
Got re-medical request in Oct 2019 and decided to go with Q-Life this time. I had a better experience with Q-Life (spent less time at the clinic)


POF

---

Used investment certificate with FBN quest, 6months bank statement and 25% of pension (shikini money)
Family and friends (I least expected came through for me here too and I am most grateful). Make I no talk put plenty for here, it was a struggle meeting up with expected funds but am glad it ended well


PROOF OF WORK EXPERIENCE

---

Ended up using one employer because as at April 2019, I had 3yrs+1month with my employer (but was also able to get reference letter from my IB employer but I moved this experience to personal history). I don't like to complicate things.
Got it in required format without stress, there was already a max exodus of staff at the time and HR already knew what they needed to do.


DOCUMENT COLLATION FOR SUBMISSION

---

I used camscanner to scan all my docs, named them properly as appropriate. Took photograph with my phone used for submission (learnt that here). Everything was in place, did my reviews and pushed everything over to CIC April 10, 2019. I was 95% certain I filled a good error free application.


THE LONG WAIT POST AOR

---

I was going to bet my POF that PPR will come in 4months max (yimmu, big lie)
After submission of my application, 6days later, I resigned and moved somewhere else (I was vexing for them because for 3yrs, no growth and no pay raise...nothing. I also did not get a promotion I earned even after like a yr of waiting and hoping)
At my new employment, for the first 3months I was overwhelmed with work but somehow I loved the challenge (I dint also join a post AOR group until after my biometrics because worked somehow made me forget that)
Finally got to join one (April/May AOR) and that was where my panic attack started o (I wanted to leave at some point but the group turned out to be a great and resourceful one at the end)
Analysis here and there from members, how to know when you get to the fake/real ip1 and ip2, sticker fights here and there (thanks to our legendary sticker king @seye...dont know his moniker here), you will wake up and see like 1000 messages and after going through it, you find out say na jokes and sticker fights full am (wetin concern me, I was enjoying the journey, the fun and sarcasm).
I raised a couple of CSE’s (to update CIC that i was a member of ICAN- this was when a story came up about someone who was denied because he did not declare that he was a BOD with a company, raised CSE to know my VO, to persuade them not to forget my file o, told them how excited I was about my plans to move to canny, raised CSE for updated POF when the story of denial because of mutual fund was flying upandan, raised CSE to remind them my medical was going to expire and that I have booked an appointment for a new one. All to blow dust on my application. Did this all work? I don’t know o)
When people started in PPR once they see a GU, It didn't take long and I got an update for re-med and I knew my too was around the corner.
Re-med was done and it didn't take long before an email with the subject “Ready for Visa / Prêt pour Visa” was sitting in my inbox (In-fact I had woken up at 3am to check for it. I did see it and that was the end of my sleep for the night)


SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT

---

To my friend and colleague who first hinted me about this waka (I dobale for you), to everyone on this thread (active contributors and silent readers), to the members of all my canny waka groups, to my family and friends that did one or two (much love).
To Baba God, Oluwa o, Olisa bi n’igwe ogodo ya na akpu n’ala, chukwu abiama, chukwu nmuo nso (that have made a local man like me to can on this journey) -I thank you.
To encourage everyone here who is still pushing for what they want. If a direct iTA does not happen, PNP could save the day.
It will all make sense in its time and season.

Stumbled on this thread in Part 3 early 2018 and now its Part 9. I just got PPR, close to 2yrs hustle o.
Everybody go chop breakfast, but na time fit no be the same (if you get the gist)

This is my story (I hustled to make sure I could tell this story- like my life depended on it, I wrote exams like no man's business) and it has been told the best way I could think of, be encouraged guys cos It will end in praise.

Thank you for reading (if you actually read o)

Neeri:
Hello Good people!
I've been a silent follower of this group and now I've finally caught this Canada Bug. . please I have some few questions. Gurus in the house I need your kind help.

I'm currently separated and the divorce proceedings in court but my passport bears my spouse name and since we're no longer together I would like to use my maiden name for my application and the passport will expire march next year .

I want to know if I can sit for my ielts exam with this passport bearing in mind that it will expire in march?

Secondly,
Is it possible to write the exam with my maiden name though I will present a passport which holds a different surname or should I just wait till next year when it expires and my divorce is finalised before I begin this process and also renew my passport?

I will be 35 April next year and from what I've read so far I loose points for birthdays and I'm worried.

Note:All documents are in my maiden name
Highest qualification is MSC.

Thank you for your kind responses.

RomStar01:
I’ve been a silent reader, it’ll be unfair if I don’t share my PPR story here.

IELTS January 2019
1st ECA WES LLB March 2019
2nd ECA IQAS (ordered in April 2019 came in October 2019)
CRS 478 (claimed professional points and wrote LOE)
ITA 1st April 2019
Police certificates (UK and Nigeria)
POF 100% from Dad (gift deed and birth certificate attached just to prove relationship)
Medicals at IOM gra ikeja
3 years work experience from one company
Reference letter and pay slips only.

AOR June 20th 2019
Med Passed July31st
Biometrics completed August 5th
I raised 1st CSE 26th September, reply came 3rd October (eligibility in progress, VO Ottawa, Background check not initiated)

Raised second CSE 17th October to upload IQAS ECA which equated my LLB to a professional degree) reply came 24th October.

Raised 3rd CSE 8th November to know the status of my application, reply came in on 15th November (Background verifications in progress, security background verification has not been initiated, criminal background verification valid)

Ghost update: 6th December 2019
PPR: 10th December (1:17am) dated 9th December 2019.

Trust me when I say my application wasn’t perfect, it was just God’s grace!

WeAreDLucky1s:
Not a senior, however, I feel I can say a little.

In my opinion, I will advise you not to allow "another person" raggae spoil your blues.

I hope this helpful, and I'll like to thank you for reading.

Neeri:
Thanks for your kind suggestions.


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kpnick:
Abridged version

ECA.    24/04/2019
Ielts.    5/06/ 2019 
LRWS 8.5, 8, 7,7.   British council abuja‎
Express entry profile. 10/06/2019
Ita.   12/06/2019
CRS. 491‎
AOR.   7/07/2019
Mep/ bil. 01/08/2019
Bil completed. 02/08/2019
Raised cse. 21/10/2019
Ghost update 7/12/2019
Called ircc. 9/12/2019
Ppr : 10/12/2019. Dated 9/12/2019
 
Single applicant 
V.O ottawa
FSW- O



‎
‎

Proof of funds 

Next major concern was my proof of funds. My bank account was practically close to zero from the beginning of the Year as I had most of my money in bitcoin. I knew bitcoin won't be accepted as a proof of funds but I didn't want to sell immediately cos I knew the value was going to increase soon. But then again, I was bothered about how to explain my source of funds. I sought advice from this forum and ppl told me to immediately sell my btc and convert to naira, then do t bills or fixed deposit. I followed their advice and liquidated all my bitcoin , which I regretted because a week after then bitcoin doubled it's value, so painful,  I mean i had 60 days, there was no harm just being a little bit patient. Well, I did tbills for four months, added my online bank account statement as a buffer and that was all.


PARTEE AFTER PARTEE

Tina26:
Eagle landed over night. Wishing everyone awaiting ppr, ita, ielts, eca etc all the best.

dhsmalls:
I have worked for my family company since 2011. do I have to declare that my name is on the BOD?

Titaness:
Congratulations. For POF you submitted only the tbill certificate? Did you include six months statement of your account?

adanac13:
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGGGGG POST ALERT!!!! GRAB YOUR POP CORN AND SODA

So my mum had been singing this express entry song in my ear for a few years now, every other day she would announce to my sister and I how this neighbor has left, that family have moved, but it was just entering one ear and passing through the other. Even when I was preparing for my Masters she suggested Canada I tried British Columbia but never followed up cos to be honest I wasn't interested. My reason back then was abeg I don't want to do any Masters more than 1 year, see UK do 1 year sharply and come back (as a patriotic citizen that I am na)


I w
SUBMISSION

I submitted same day all you need for submission:

1) 2 passport photographs (you'll be given the specification) it must be stamped and signed behind by the photo studio then you need to write your full name and DOB behind
2) 2 coloured copies of your bio data page
3) 2 coloured copies of the "ready for visa" mail

for 2 and 3 above, they only took one copy but just go with 2)

4) your biometrics slips
5) 8200 cash ( its actually 7,440 but with sms inclusive it becomes 8,200)

no appointment needed (at least for abuja)

THAT IS ALL!!!!

I never knew I could type this epistle but joy will make you type it I wonder who would have the time to read this lol sorry o, excuse all typos and spelling errors.

PS: I believe besties PPR is knocking cos she has been asked to provide one last document so I strongly believe once she does the eagle will land.

Something that started as a joke has turned to reality.

I hope you enjoy my story as much as I enjoyed reading that of others and I look forward to reading more success stories no matter how small, ECA, IELTS, PCC, POF, PPR its always so refreshing to read these stories knowing its all leading to one goal. My prayer is that none of us will be left behind on this journey it will end in praise and not only that we will excel in this new chapter of our lives. Amen.

CanadianBae:
Are you one of the BOD? If not, just pass!

kpnick:
Yes, but it wasn't the account I used for the t bills. I added statement of another account that had about 100k in it to serve as a buffer incase exchange rate became unfavourable. It wasn't necessary though.

NanaF:
No, it literally said I didn’t provide proof of funds.

NanaF:
I’ve already submitted updated POF. I considered that before I got GCMS today, I received an ADR last week for updated POF and I thought it would be more complicated to change POF since they are asking for an update. Submitted that and got re-medicals almost immediately.

Sam07045:
Guys please i got a mail in my junk from “ CPCO-FinalRequest / CTDO-DemandeFinale” is this the PPR mail??