₦airaland Forum

iamteekaygal: Hi, please I'll like to know how long CDHC used in processing your friend's visitor's visa, that is when did he submit and when was he called to come for his passport and did he use an invite or hotel reservation?. Thanks in advance and I hope he gets a postive result! Cheers

He submitted on the 15th of May, and a call was put through to him from a friend in VFS on Thursday, 27th that a decision on his application had been reached in the previous week. He used an invite. Best of luck!

Huzzie: Good morning peeps, i doubt if the CDHC is on strike in nigeria, I ws at my agency ystday, they were about going to pick some medical instructions from VFS though i dont know what month they submtted, i guess this should ease the tension in the house for awaitees.
Is bank reference letter important or an added advantage?

I doubt very strongly if the so-called strike affects the CDHC in Lagos. My friend, who applied for a Visitor's permit in May, has been called this week for his results. Let's stay calm friends. Hope maketh not ashamed!

GboyegaD: At the bolded, I think we need him beyond Canada and we do till our very last breathe on earth.
That said, your write up was very detailed as to how to go however, I will want to add that your letters of recommendation should be from a professor who knows you ability and writes well.
I for one had fears about Canada until one of my professors recommended I try it as he was willing to give me recommendation. As a result, I applied to 2 schools and were accepted and funded. One thing that caught my fancy was the openness in the letter I got from U of Waterloo saying they are admiting me based on my professors recommendation. I also think compared to the US schools, Canada has more funding opportunities for the non - science than the science based on my experience and that of a good friend. I had 7 PhD admits to US schools and most of them said they were not going to fund our 1st year while the ones which did were not giving us guaranteed funding unlike what I got from both schools I applied to in Canada.
Moreso, the idea of having a Person of Interest is nice as whenever they meet, such a person can table your case to the committee and that at least speaks for you. Lastly, for each school, tailor your statement of purpose to meet what the school has to offer so that they can easily get a professor to supervise you.

So true, Gboyega! Thanks for the extra information. Getting recommendations, writing statements of intent, and choosing writing samples are aspects I decided not to include. In my view, that comes at the second stage, but I am glad you have mentioned the basics. Thank you sir. Yes, we need God till we breathe our last. Absolutely true.

@ Onwuachi. Get the best of your previous research, and get some peers to review it. You could build on your master's dissertation. Getting a doctorate could be easy with the tricks understood. Thank God Gboyega has mentioned a number of these things. I wish u all the best, brother.

#Canada PhD: my thoughts!

Meanwhile for many silent observers and fact seekers, this may be useful. I thought I could help some folks with info on how to get a supervisor for doctorate, based on my own experience, which, by the way, is not peculiar.

Let me start on the note that, like many of you, I am a Christian who believes in God's will. He actually inspired my every step, and you will need him all the way, till u get to Canada.

Having said that, I ought to let u know that PhDs in Canada are fully funded for the first four years, and it is usually between 4-6yrs. With this in mind, you could appreciate what lies ahead of you in terms of the need for persistence, tact and strategy.

Identify which Canadian schools u want. I would counsel you to look to areas that are not very populated. Those are the kinds of places where u get admission easily. Saskatoon (with two major public universities- UofRegina and UofSask) is an example. Focussing on top schools like McGill or Toronto is fine too if your results and other documents can withstand the competition. I applied to the Univ of Calgary but was not recommended for admission. I guess I could not convince them my UG and masters degree were directly relevant to the course I had applied for. Watch that too.

Then u would need to read the profile of your intended department, and do a mail to the graduate chair. This email is an enquiry: you want to describe your past and present research, having introduced yourself, then u go on to ask about the possibility of some faculty supervising you. This mail is an intro. It should sell your research brand, ask questions, and it should be short. Try to copy the graduate admin too, or some other person. U could, in addition, do a mail to a faculty whose research areas are similar to yours. One or all of them should reply.

Please have your documents intact, and keep an eye on deadlines. Most, if not all September (Fall) resumptions close around January 7-15 and they are the ones that assure on funding, usually about CAD17-20k. January resumptions might not be fund-guaranteed!

If you do your home work well, you may not even need an agent. I say this with utmost regard for the work of many honest agents out there. Just understand the psyche of our friends abroad and their insistence on merit and excellence.

Don't forget that different folks have diverse experiences, and many would advise from the prism of their own realities. All I have outlined, therefore, are not absolutes, but I believe u could find some of them useful.

I hope you do, (wo)man! All the best.

galala123: Welcome on board Shadams. tomorrow is another day.... and then perhaps another extra looooooonnnng weekend again. Lets hope for some good news tomorrow to keep our spirits up through the weekend.

Oga mi, great work u guys are doing here! Kudos to Siga, and others too. For the #awaiting medical#, list I actually applied on the 6th of May; although I doubt if this makes much difference. I am headed for the Uni of Sask for PhD. Good news beckon...

galala123: Welcome on board Shadams. tomorrow is another day.... and then perhaps another extra looooooonnnng weekend again. Lets hope for some good news tomorrow to keep our spirits up through the weekend.

Oga mi, great work u guys are doing here! Kudos to Siga, and others too. I actually applied on the 6th of May; although I doubt if this make much difference. I am headed for the Uni of Sask for PhD. Good news beckon...

earthgreeners: No medicals so far dis week.. Kai, sept is fast appròaching

I suspect we may just have to continue to calm our nerves. Tomorrow is still there; who knows, the applications that were received in early May might just open the flood gates of medicals as from Friday. Meanwhile, let's stay positive. I also applied via VAC on the 7th of May. I am just waiting and praying, recalling that worry adds nothing to me. One love.

rilly2000: thanks alot bro.....
i still have a little issue... i tried doing the online application, so, during this process when i was about signing up on the MyCIC website, i made a mistake while writhing my name, so, now i dont know if i can procceed like that or i should re-register since i haven't submitted any application yet......

Since you are yet to submit, bro, I guess you should just correct and proceed. Good luck, man!

[quote author=gwobo]Please i need advice, I am about applying for Msc in Mechanical Engineering. I have a good 2:1 degree but most schools talk about finding a supervisor first and these profs don't reply mails. should I go ahead and apply? my considerations are University of Alberta and University of Manitoba. Plz help cos I applying for a January Start and deadlines are approaching. Thanks. any other consideration is welcomed.[/quote

My brother,
When u send mails to these profs, are usually very long? U may need to review that. Your first mails should usually be short and straight to the point; they have a lot to do; I guess exams were rounded off in a number of schools some days ago. So, u may want to try again to establish a relationship with some prof who should tell u to go ahead and apply, usually this person is the grad chair. U may also go ahead and apply, but in my case, which cannot be a rule for all, I think getting a prof's views was helpful. I wish u well.

Siga: .....Yea...just wait till then....Madam go need understand .....when the time is ripe, ask ur boss at the Uni to write u supporting letter as well to aid ur invitation .....I would advise 1yr sha...trust me...it seems long, but not too long...and ensure u visit Naija at least twice to show that u dey miss her alot....

Thanks my brother. U have done well to relieve a number of intentions. Finally, "to show u dey miss her a lot", is that for her or so that immigrations will understand..? My email is yeku.james@gmail.com; do u mind if u send me yours,if it is not against the rule of the forum, and maybe, we can hook up later? Thank u once again.

Siga: ....bro, dont mash-up the work of God I beg....filling a common-law form now will require u updating ur financial stuffs as well and docs....not filling it initial means u have no common-law....now if u fill it, how can you justify your reasons for ommiting it...forget the claim u dont understand it....that one no go fly for CDHC...remember u be PhD student....lets be reasonable I beg...leave it the way it is....go ahead with ur marriage and invite ur wife after 6months or a year...no need to rush these things as u dont want to mess up things...but then again, na ur choice...

@ oga Siga. Many thanks. I will take your advice. I got scared when I was told that immigrations over there would consider it a LIE if, after 6months or a year of study, I invite my girl (then my wife), I invite her. What is your take. However, thanks for your insights and promptness of response. One love.

Dear All,

Kindly help with any relevant information on this issue. I applied for study permit to resume for a PhD admission at the University of Saskatchewan in Sept. I did not fill out the COMMON-LAW RELATIONSHIP form because I did not understand it. Now, I just spoke with a friend in Canada, and he thinks I should try to update my information at the Canadian embassy before leaving Nigeria, as I am sure to get married before leaving. Is it possible to update information for an application that is being processed? I applied as single, and I will be married before going- which would mean inviting my fiancee over. What should I do. I need all the answers I can get... Thank u.

I have just applied for a student permit. I applied as a single person, although I have a partner I am getting married to before I leave for the University of Saskatchewan for a fully funded PhD admission when given visa. How do I effect a change of status, when married, so she can join me after about six months? Please does anyone know the earliest time she can join me when I leave in August? Thank you all.

@ Gboyega. Thank you for being such a good person on the thread. Best of luck![color=#990000]

GboyegaD: I guess they said on the website that they are working on it today and that might be the reason why the forms are not available online.

Thanks. The online docs have been updated, yet I can't find the Questionnaire Form...

Fhemmmy: I think it is mostly because some people are scared of getting back their document just in case they are rejected, and i see those as feeling defeated already before the game.

@Siga, Fhemmy, Gboyega, and the house. I am really grateful. Thanks. I will just submit the originals and photocopies jare. Then, this Questionnaire Form, is one expected to print out and fill out in ink? It does not seem to be available in Pdf. Any insight, folks? Then finally, based on the suggestion of a member of staff of VFS, I have printed the electronic copies I got; the letter of acceptance is in black and white, while that of funding came in colour. I hope it doesn't undermine my application. Thank you all!

Odinwa: Yeah! It helped a lot. I will start drafting my letter now

In drafting the letter, my brother. Do not forget to relate your personality strengths and your first degree to the new one you seek. Let the reader get a feel of your passion, competence, and commitment to return to Nigeria to help society with newly acquired knowledge. Wishing you all the best! God no de sleep!

GboyegaD: Yes please. Even at that, you could use the online platform to generate the items you need to submit with your application so that you don't miss out on any important thing.

@Gboyega. Many thanks. I will write the letter of interest now. But please, kindly permit one more inquiry. They want me to include an nysc certificate, if "applicable". How does one judge "applicability"? Is the nysc cert needed for a doctorate application? Then, instead of submitting original copies, could I submit certified copies from a notary public?

justwise: Very selfish attitude, you want answer to your question to be emailed to you, why not have it here so that others in similar situation will learn and benefit?

Eeyah! Go ahead and judge my actions. You are probably correct. However, my intentions were not mobilised for selfishness. I AM SORRY! I be newcomer o!

GboyegaD: Abeg, I no be sir oooo.
Unfortunately, your mail address have been deleted because the forum prefers we discuss all things openly. Your letter of interest is a little different to your statement of intent sent to the school as it is addressed to different individuals in different capacities as such, you need to write it to soothe the purpose for each.

@Gboyega. Oh, I am sorry about that. I was aware of such a tradition in the forum. Wetin jjc go do na? But thanks for the response. I have been to VFS and I should submit on Monday. Are u saying I should write a separate letter, of interest, addressed to the embassy and included as one of the docs?

GboyegaD: You don't need any statement. The funding letter is sufficient provided it covers your tuition with at least an additional $10k. Just use the online portal and it gives you a list of all you need to submit. As a doctoral student, I would suggest you let your letter of interest explain to the VO why you deserve to get the visa.

Thank you my brother for the response. The funding covers the tuition and oda stuff, but an extra 10k is not within its purview o. You mentioned letter of interest; is that the same as a letter/statement of intent submitted earlier to the school? U could mail your response to DELETED Thanks sir!

rayo2002: Had u done medicals before being refused?

Hello all! I have a full funding for PhD. Does anyone know if, besides the letter of funding given, if I would still need to provide bank statements and all that? The funding also comes with a graduate assistant position. Are these enough? Is it possible to get a visa before Sept. 1? Thanks.

GboyegaD: I would suggest you call her and ask. I think they sometimes take a while to send the funding letter because the funding differs from one person to another.

Thanks oga Gboyega. The letter finally came in today. I am going to VGS. I am to resume Sept 1; I hope it is possible to get a positive reply before them. Is the 4mnths absolute?

[quote author=justwise]Its that time again when we have to create part4 [/b]of this thread, part3 has reached [b]403 pages and need to be discontinued.

Please continue posting your enquiries and contributions here.

Part3 is here for references. https://www.nairaland.com/962116/travelling-canada-part3

Sorry for the inconveniences.

@All. Kindly help me with information o. I have been sent the electronic letter of acceptance to a PhD admission at the University of Saskatchewan, but I have requested for the letter of funding from the graduate admin of the department, who earlier assured me of funding and graduate assistantship, but she has not answered in the last 2 weeks. I am aware that most PhDs in Canada are fully funded. Should I be panicky since she is yet to respond? Is there a procedure I do not know of? Whom should I be speaking with? The department or graduate school? My resumption is September 5 and I need the letter of funding as part of visa application docs. Does anyone here have any advice? I will be glad to listen to you. Thank you.

kenniy: if they havent sent your letter of acceptance, you can try get them to courier it, or arrange a pickup..considering that if they are just gonna send it using regular post, might take till mid/late may before u receive it.. (i know some on ds thread are saying you can use a scanned copy, i dont know about that since the checklist clearly says "Original and 1 Photocopy of Letter of Acceptance". if anyone has previously been successful with a scanned copy, he/she might wanna chip in on ds)..
once that is sorted out..u can take it from there

Many thanks. I just pray the six months processing time for visa does not affect me.

sonet: u can apply for another passport but u have to go Abuja and make sure u explain the reason For re-issue. It happens to me wen i applied for manitoba provincial nominee program i had a yr and three month on my passport yet i re-issue another one. But it can only be done @ heade office abuja.

Thanks you. Really grateful.

Robbie37: @ Shadams
I will suggest you go to immigration, explain your situation they should let you renew. If they don't, go ahead and apply. I applied with a 9 month-to-expiration passport too... The deputy high commission instructed me to renew just before they issued the visa so don't despair you are safe either way. The visa application requirement was 6months the last time I checked.

I am grateful to you. Many thanks. I am including a letter clarifying the situation, should I apply with the 9 months-to-expire passport. Hope that helps. Really grateful.

[quote author=kenniy]the summary is i just got my visa

the very long story is: this morning was chating with kayce when i saw this on vfs: "Your application has been assessed by the Canadian High Commission/Consulate General of Canada and is being returned to the centre where you applied".. i know that means they sending back my documents to vfs..i also know most likely its not yet at vfs, as the status will be ".... ready for collection..." when it gets there..
ordinarily,as is done before, i woulda assumed that is my visa. but cos like most people that got visa since january, they would get an email saying "Your application to study or work in Canada has been approved." ..and as at then, i haven't gotten that mail. i freaked out (ask kayce ).. cos i also know CDHC could still reject someone after medicals. i original tot i'll wait till 'morrow cos i wasnt with the slip (i stopped carrying it in my bag just last week after i was told by a nigerian cdhc official that they not gonna issue visa for me yet with more than 6 months to resume school)..i eventually got someone to bring the slip for me when i was sure i wouldnt sleep right knowin there is a schrodinger's cat right in my domain..
when i got there, my documents where still in transit, so had to wait for like 2 hr..eventually i got the package, and shakingly, i opened it and went straight to my passport..then i smiled..

sorry i bored u all, just so ecstatic at the moment..lol..yh..i also got that email too few mins ago..

Hello Kenny: I received word from Univ of Saskantchewan last week that I have been offered admission. The admin staff told me to start visa processing, and I truly need sb to help me out. My resumption is Sept. 2013. Based on your experience, what should I do? Could anybody here also help with valuable info? Thanks all!

Hello guys. Thanks for the great job on the thread so far. I am new here and I am seeking information on applying for visa to Canada. My passport expires in 9 months, and I cannot get a re-issue since it is not yet the 6 months to expiration stipulated by immigration. Yet, the canadian embassy wants me to include the passport in my application and it must cover the duration of my stay there? It is still a virgin passport; should I abandon it and get a fresh one? What could I do? Thanks.