₦airaland Forum

@chamber2, Am still in Naija

I wanted to inquire if this scenario is possible.

A friend and I, due in Ualberta, are still trying to acquire study leave approvals at our workplaces. Already have entry visa.

Is it possible that we 'land' in Canada this Fall; enroll as students; acheive activities such as SIN and bank account openings, possibly residency and acclimitazation (total duration of 3 weeks). After that request a defer of studies till Winter or next Fall, travel back to Naija and return to commence studies after concluding with employers.

This allows to avoid not 'landing' and having to go through entire student visa processing again. Also having in mind that possible 2-year studey permit to be issued at port of entry would still be valid by time of re-entry.

chamber2:
@Hotstepper

Gd day broda.4rm your post i gathered u r currently studying at d uni of newbrunswick.Hope am right?I got an offer 4rm UNB and U of A for fall 2010 for MA Economics but was denied study permit.Now,I intend reapplying.But my concern now is,U of A does nt accept application/deferral for January but UNB does.Is it advisable I go 4 UNB and how would u rank d both schools? I learnt U of A is a very top school in canada.

Also d visa officer said :"there is no proof of contingency for sponsorship."what does dis really mean cos i wan 2 reapply by Aug.

tanx'

Are you sure? I have successfully requested deferral for January in UofA, though not for same programme.

Proof of contigency? Did you submit any scholarship award? Might need to see you're financially capable inspite of a scholarship.
Or if you had a sponsor, perhaps your sponsor's account does not indicate his financial outlay to prove that money shown (albeit sufficient) is actually available for your study.

@Medlabgirl;
As some folks have pointed out, career choices might not make BC first choice for some folks.

Am in Naija, but popular consensus is that oil & gas engineering professionals are better opportuned in Alberta and Saskatchewan. That might be one reason they wouldn't opt for BC.

ajison3:
men na wa ooo, this canada people na wa ooo dey have removed 9 occupation sha . No banking ,No IT , men na wa oooo

Actually it depend on which IT branch. For software industry, these are the identified skills shortages culled from: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-tech.asp

To fill critical shortages in Canada’s software industry, Canada has a simplified entry process for workers whose skills are in high demand in that industry.

Under this process, no confirmation letter from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) is necessary for specific jobs when hiring a foreign worker, since it will not have a negative impact on Canadian or permanent-resident job seekers and workers.

This means that if you are coming to Canada to work in one of the jobs listed below, you do not need a letter from HRSDC, and your work permit application may be processed more quickly.

Click the links below to view the description for the job.

Note: It is up to your employer to make sure the job you are being offered falls under one of these descriptions.

Senior Animation Effects Editor (NOC 9990.1)
Embedded Systems Software Designer (NOC 9990.2)
MIS Software Designer (NOC 9990.3)
Multimedia Software Developer (NOC 9990.4)
Software Developer—Services (NOC 9990.5)
Software Products Developer (NOC 9990.6)
Telecommunications Software Designer (NOC 9990.7)

Da_Realman:
Hi Rare,
congrats on your study permit. thanks also for your mail. The truth is that I don't know much about the PR.
A friend of mine advised me to try the study option as he did and is presently living with his family in Ontario.
He also said the study option is faster than other options. in the place of study, he advised the Province nominal scheme
but I didn't mee the requirement.
I not only want to relocate with my family, I also want to study. I cannnot aford being away from my family for a very long time
(I want them by me). I will therefore appreciate enlightenment on the PR option and how to go about it.
Once more thanks for your reposne.

@ da_Realman. I think the study permit option is much faster, no doubt. If time and the essence of study is paramount, then that path is fine.

If the relocation plan is paramount (and study a supplement), then PR is fine. Read the official information first: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp.
Also this thread has a lot of inputs. Another useful thread on immigration is : https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-419702.0.html

@nedureg01, you're studying at Uni of Calgry?. What course? Nice to hear some optimism about Alberta.
Should land in August for study @ Uni of Alberta

Da_Realman:
Hi Guys,
I'm new in this forum, stumbled on it while searching for travelling tips to canada. I am a polytechnics graduate with HND in computer Science and have over seven yeas work experience in a financial institution as an IT client support staff. I wish to apply for a postgraduate course in any IT related course in canada. I hereby wish to inquire the ff:

i. Do I qualify for a postgrad considering my academic qualification
ii. Can I sponsor myself (I am married with three kids)
iii. Do we have a reliable agent/consultant in Nigeria? Do I really need them?
iv When is the right time to apply?
v. My main objective is to relocate with my family after study, so, how do I start?

@ Da Realman; was just wondering if the student visa is the most suitable category for you?
You want to relocate your family. I would have thought applying for PR would place you in a better situation. Besides, it would allow you pay educational fees at local rates (instead of int'l student differentials).
You could consider a year plus for the PR application; go to study as well with the PR (at less cost), and still move your family.

I just got my study permit, but am single.

I think everything depends on your state of mind at the time you meet a potential spouse.

When a lady's in a state of life when she has nothing & hence nothing to lose; anything goes. The 'poor' guy may not seem poor to her.

However, consider a lady who is building a good career and can support herself (or has a lot of family support), I expect her to be more choosy. She could possibly marry a guy she sees as 'poor' if and only if she can better him, or believes in him while having resources to give him a lot of support.

late Mum (especially immediately she has just given me money): "I would advise you to take it to the bank and deposit it".

Dad: "There is no harm in trial"

Mum's own has aided me to acquires a good savings culture since my teenage years.
Dad's own has accustomised me to worry least about failures when I adventure.

I like the notion of saving for a goal; else it would be extremely hard to find purpose.
The purpose and required discipline are all off-shoots of the goal.

The goal will also help you define your lifestyle instinctively. Once that lifestyle is adopted, you will no longer speak of "cutting expenses" but just living your life.

Also you'd have to ignore a lot of what 'people' say. Keep your close buddies as people who understand your world-view. Others could be acquaintances for so many other things, like business, social acceptability, aids etc.

In summary; once goals are defined, your lifestyle (and friends) would be set up almost inadvertently to meet the goals. And though to others you might seem like you're missing out on somethings, but within yourself you have internal joy and peace.

That's the way I've been able to develop my own savings culture.

T.jay:
same thing happend to me in 2008 were i was refused entry visa for uk cos i used a false bank statement and all other docs were original but now i am thinking about CA and i already got an acceptance letter but wat i am scared of is using the same passport i used when i applied for the uk visa considering the cercumstance i was refused by the uk pple PLS I NEED your ADVICE @ all

, and am sure you were angry you were refused visa? They got their decision on point.
After all the curses at embassies; they do get some right afterall. Even when I was denied UK study permit due to insufficient funds, I also feel they got the decision right (looking with hindsight).

@ chamber2;
In my case I was never (at any point ) asked to pay school fees.

chamber2:
@Rare
,
,
What do u think of my application and when are u leaving 4 Canada?
Thanks

Your application seems like you put in your best efforts. I hope CDHC will be impressed. Reading through this thread, you'll see the visa outcomes have no formulas. I wish you the best.
When I was in a similar situation like yours (3 years ago), I was denied study permit to UK. But the experience made my recent application to Canada seem like a piece of cake.
BTW, I think you're in the right stage for the MA; just finishing NYSC and with nothing to lose !!. For some of us, you'd start to have double thoughts about quitting a job. Hence, means I ain't sure when am leaving,

Liketoo:
It is not only in South Africa , it is everywhere, NO BLACK person would ever be the president of USA. so is Canada,,

mmhh, guess you've been proved wrong on this one.

BTW, @Liketoo, generally your self-expression isn't convincing enough to energize your arguments.

@chamber2; did you submit the ff essentials:
(i)Police clearance certificate
(ii)Form A-2E: Family composition & Employmnt history

datruguy:
2. I read it in another forum that the Application fee has to be issued via a bank draft in Canadian Dollar currency. Have tried getting that in some banks where i reside but they don't have it. Is there another way i can pay or how do i go about that? How much is the Application fee itself?

3. Thanks for the response, I appreciate ya

@Datruguy, what you read was probably for permanent resident visas. For study permits, the rules are as follows (see attachment):

Processing fees - the Canadian government charges a fee for the processing of a Study Permit.
i. bank draft in Naira
ii. payable to ‘Canadian Deputy High Commission’
iii. If the issuing bank is outside of Lagos, it must be stamped on the bank draft that it is payable in Lagos
iv. Your name must be printed on the back of the bank draft.

For the current application fee, check the internet or contact the Canadian Deputy High Commission in Lagos (lagos.immigration@international.gc.ca).

charlie193:
please guys I was given admission by McGill University for fall 2010, but I might not be ready to go this sept, so what do you think I DO? PLEASE IT IS URGENT, HELP ME.

@ Charlie193; calculate 90 days prior to school start date stated on your offer letter. If you can apply before the 90 days limit, go ahead. Else write the school immediately to defer to next possible start. Visa regulations in your home country is a valid excuse to defer.The appropriate email, to write to, should be indicated on the school's letter.

basking4me:
Between Edmonton and Alberta, which is a more conducive area (Housing, school & Jobs) to settle for a newcomer. I hear Oil is being drilled in Alberta creating a lot of oil & gas job opportunities.

@ Basking4me, Edmonton is a city inside the province of Alberta.

Yeah, @ newmusic, I hope we can garner some replies.

Canada is becoming a popular choice, and people keep wanting more information about it.

olaoluwa13:
any body that want to apply for collegecanada in should contact cos the collgeg has lowa pplication fee of about 25cad and deposit of 200cad, through raheem _usman@yahoo.com

Mmmmhh quite difficult to comprehend you.

Anyway, if you're looking for advantages, I know that University of Alberta exempts Nigerian students from application fees (but you must be resident in Nigeria. Same for some nationals from other developing countries). Also they don't insist on any fees deposit before admissions decision is taken.

So, @ olaoluwa13, research and think of better selling points for your target audience.

I see most of the discouragement arises because of the poster's age.
To be honest, I was alarmed myself !!!! I thought only a hopeless person at that age (with a family) would consider the immigration.

How about if the poster were 30 years old and single, and with the job ?

moroh:
please guys.I have a first class in botany.can i get a scholarship in Canada with that. pls which universities hav opportunities that i can take advantage of. thanks.

@Moroh; you would have to be looking to apply to "research-based" Master's programs rather than "taught" programs. Most schools offer scholarships for research Master's programs.
However admissions into such programs usually require you to contact Professors with research interests that match yours (before you apply). Upon their recommendation, you may be admitted and funded.

Use this link to access the leading research-intensive universities in Canada. You can check them in turns for your program of choice (individual websites included).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_of_Thirteen_(Canadian_universities)

@Charlie193, my entire application process(including medicals) lasted approx. three and a half months before a decision was taken. Is yours a Master's degree as well ?

@ Charlie193, it's the University of Alberta.

@Datruguy. In my case,as a successful applicant, I used letter from current employer to show ties to the country.The letter did not state they'd still be paying me in my absence nor that they'd offer any support.It only mentioned how long I'd worked for them;recommendations of my professional work; and also their awareness of my study intent.It was silent abt if a job would be waiting for me; but the general tone of the letter was to emphasise I was a responsible individual, & most importantly, from a verifiable source.

@ datruguy;

On your list I can not find any evidence you'll return to Nigeria (ties to home). That seems the only vital omission.

yodiyokun:
The only people I will not recommend immigrating to Canada to are people in highly regulated professions such as Doctors, Pharmacist, Geologist, teacher, nursing all engineering. If you want to continue in your field of study and you have had serious demonstratable work experience in Nigeria, you must be prepared to take expensive exams. Doctors are the most difficult. I know others who have successfully re-certified in the other professions but it takes time.

How does this apply to people who migrate as students, and would probable join professional associations as "professional-in-training" (trainee) levels. Is the entry into the labour market friendlier for students migrants ?

brinesj:
So I guess depending on the demand for labor at a particular time and the industry, Canadian employers may not turn up their nose at foreign credentials/experience

I think this consideration is very vital for immigrants, if you are in pursuance of career advancement through immigration.
But then if you simply just want to live in Canada, you should be tolerant to unexpectations. That way you'll survive with a positive attitude.

daddee:
@brinesj , thanks for the enlightenment. Am middle level (9yrs experience) not sure how that will be interpreted in Canada though but I guess oil and gas experience (especially rig) is more or less the same world wide. I will read through the website. Are u in Canada?

Thanks.

From what I see in many forums, I learnt we shouldn't take that for granted

lanreade:
I applied to university of alberta for my masters in electrical and computer engineering and am yet to hear from them concerning my admission.Opcomm, could  u help me find out? so that, i will be able to apply at the embassy for visa.

@Lanreade. Are you kidding me about Opcomm finding out your admission status?
Why not write an email to the school?Also quote your application number. Write to nona@ece.ualberta.ca. She is the Database Administrator (Graduate Applications). Ask how I got that info? From the internet, of course, lol !!!!!

opcomm:
To OP,

I am currently doing my Masters in Electrical Engineering in Canada. In fact, in Alberta. You are looking for schools with tuition of 6000 CAD or less? Dude, you should be able to find some. And when you land here, you can work as a teaching assistant for extra income or even in a firm part-time if you can combine both.

In my university, the tuition is about 12,000 CAD but the department usually refunds a tuition deferential of about $6000 per annum subject, though  to the availability of funding . But Alberta has always been having a budget surplus. This is to say, you end up paying only $6000 for a first-rate education.

And in some university, like the university of Victoria, tuition as an international student is the same as what domestic or permanent residents pay. It's about $5800 per annum. Add $10,000 for living cost for a year and you are ok. They also have a co-op system where you can go work for say 4 months during the masters program and earn good cash.

The tuition at University of Saskachewan and University of Regina I think are even less. Check them out. You should be able to find everything online.

In fact, let me know what your grades and major are and I can guide you on how to approach it. It's as easy as ABC. If you have second class upper in the higher end, you even stand a good chance to get some very good funding.

No emails please. Everything should be on this forum.

As an example, check this out.

http://enel.ucalgary.ca/graduate/financial-assistance-and-expenses

This usually the average.

@ Opcomm, which sch in Alberta are u? Am soon due to start an MEng in Elec/Comp Engr in Univ. Of Alberta. My course is a 'taught' program.I want to know if I can benefit from teaching assistantships or tuition refunds (you mentioned),because the sch website did state that such were only accessible through research-based Masters programs.