₦airaland Forum

Nice one ? I had the best POE experience so far at Montreal .. landed 8pm got to the PoE place sta for 10mins drop my correspondent letter and passport, officer asked for the name of my school and admission letter simple

Emmyirab:
Hello e-family.
Writing from Regina, Saskatchewan.

MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR

Its great here, very nice people. People are nice to you for no reason.
Sane drivers too, atleast, I never fight any driver for change since when I come here.
In the school environment, once a pedestrian steps on the road to cross, all vehicles must stop. I did it the first time, body sweet me. The people here don't even look at the road anymore. Some will just be chatting and crossing. Me, as a Nigerian, I still have trust issues, so even though I know they will stop, I still look right, left, right, left, right again, up, down and back, before crossing (YOLO).

For those still coming in the spring/summer semester, one of the mistakes you shouldn't make (which I made) is believing that; "It is the spring/summer semester, it won't be cold anymore".
When I was coming here, I bought a light winter jacket, cos I was thinking the cold should be gone by now. But it was a different thing when I stepped out of the airport.... cold wan finish me... and guys here are saying its not cold, walking around with just T-shirts, girls on bumshorts. Me, I have been sleeping, eating, and doing almost everything with my winter jacket on.
So, don't believe those people you see online, saying it's warm in the spring/summer. Na SCAM, I repeat na SCAM. They have been here for a while, they're used to it, YOU ARE NOT.
And someone told me the fastest way to the clinic is by converting stuffs you want to buy from Dollar to Naira.
I went to a shop to buy a blanket. It cost $50. Immediately my brain involuntarily started to do the conversion to Naira. Then I started thinking, "Do I really need a blanket?, I can just wear 4 thick clothes and 4 jean pants to bed". Most people can't help it, I can't. But, the earlier you stop, the better.

POE EXPERIENCE in Toronto.

(after collecting my correspondence letter and passport)
Officer: Why are you here?
Me: To study for my BSc. in Computer science at the University of Regina.
Officer: What were you doing before applying for a visa to Canada?
Me: (As it is written on my SOP and application documents).
Officer: How do you intend to pay for your fees?
Me: My plan is to open a bank account once I settle, so my parents will do a wire transfer of my first semester tuition. I also have a the sum of $....... with me in cash, for my living expenses for a few months.
Officer: Where will you be staying?
Me: I came in contact with someone in Regina who found some apartments that I will be checking out once I get there, but I will be staying in a hotel for a few days, while I check the apartments (I already made a reservation for a hotel before traveling).
Officer: What other documents do you have there with you?
Me: My hotel reservation print out and my connecting flight to Regina.
Officer: (The reservation was done with my Nigerian debit card and the last four digits of my card were written there) He asked who owns the card, I said its mine, he asked for it.
After checking the name and number, he gave me my study permit and stamped me in.
That was all.

Success to all hopefuls.

Dear Fellow TRV ( Study permit applicant)
Calvary greetings to you!! I hope this post meets you well. its with great pleasure i congratulates fellow comrade 042viber and Austacus.. I bring glad tidings from the land of Maple..Well environment is cold, the sun is just like bulb( let’s not say sun no come out) temperature shuttling btw -5oC and 5oC.
I must say Canada is a beautiful land with awesome and friendly people.. Great environment and all but this is a small heads up to future applicant on various issues
1) culture - here is so amazing that it’s free, no one cares about how rich or poor you are , your designers etc.. even your dressing except for works that require it. Over here there is nothing like Brother or Sister, or sit etc address everyone by first name. I even call my grandpa age mate buddy( very friendly people). Tattoos and earring are part of culture( I wear earrings to school and work) my boss has a tattoo and co workers etc

2) Work and School- if you think it will be easy to work and school, my beloved abeg no think am oo.. Ad I write this I am about to start an 8 hour shift. Kindly find attach image of my shift schedule( no wonder people wey enter Canada hardly have time ) with the weather you will be amazed how 24 hours ain’t enough. so if you haven’t paid your first year or semester tuition fee please think it twice.. ( Work don almost kill me) Mind you no work in Canada requires sitting apart from office and before you can get that you would have reached a certain level .. Even employers will tell you school comes first you have 20hrs during school and 40Hrs during breaks ( put in mind you can’t get complete hours as you just take breaks which you won’t be paid for ) ..

3) Security - I can tell you here is one of the most secure countries of the world, I can’t remember the last time house door was locked.. No one will still your property..

4) Privacy- People respect privacy so much here I never see am before .. if you are sharing apartment with people trust me.. your space and privacy will be respected
I am sorry if I haven’t reached out to anyone abeg I Dey hustle for money for rent as here bills na killer from rent , to utility to internet..

PS-IS ANYONE COMING TO MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY THIS SPRING? I Dey find roommate ..Also, I will advise does coming Fall to avoid Toronto Airport if you have other alternative, Go through Montreal and other.. So you won’t be left hanging etc

On that note I say I love you all

Just got a 30 mins break

With love
Sleekysoft

Congrats bro.. words is t enough to celebrate
Above all we thank God
Well come to canny

Austacus:
A P P R O V A L - A L E R T.

Chineke azawerem epere
Otito dili chukwu

From Saturday June 9th 2018 to friday 05 April 2019
300 days
42 weeks 6 days
9 months 26 days
This visa is nothing but God and it’s a intellectual war between me and the VO that handled my application.

I want to use this measure to thank honorable justwise without you, this thread wouldn’t be possible. Thank you sir for the opportunity. I feel you don’t like me but I love you.

I also want to thank the man I value and treasure sir Frankrobben. Bro you be angel (no too much talk)

I also want to thank my manny Jibola AKA sleeksoft thank you brother. You inspired me a lot, thanks my brother thank you my brother.

I also want to thank man like galala123 and canadabyfire I learned a lot from you guys

I also want to thank my Algonquin brother 042viber I can’t wait to welcome you to our school. Your visa is next in line.

I want to thank the man of action Makano thank you so much for everything, your visa is next in line. God that didn’t neglect me will never neglect you and 024viber

I want to thank anita and deborah thanks for your prayers, I will do everything within my power to congratulate you girls in Canada.

Mcobex bbcue, Mr j, justmellow (English man) and the rest..., thank you for your selfless contribution.

The one and only Naijaforeigner, this guy is Phenomenal thank you for your selfless service
I’ve leaned a lot from you.

Bracha thank you so much for your selfless service. Thank you. Fine girl with the good heart.

To every hopefuls don’t give up on your dreams.

To all May June and July applicant slide in my pm, I have a secret for you guys.

I actually went to anifowoshe on Wednesday. The person I met just like me at first sight and he told me the secret then he prayed for me and wish me good luck. I may go back there and tell him thank you.

This visa suffered me.
The day I did my biometrics, VAC was still working till 8 pm that day, I left home around 7 and left VAC 7 pm. I was sleeping on steering... I almost had an accident that very day but God came through for me. So whenever I remember that day and imagine why my visa is still pending, tears will drop from my eyes and I will look up to God.

I contacted more than 150 MPs (senators) in Canada then on Wednesday I gathered mind and drive straight to Anifowoshe.

I was in the movies watching “Hotel Mumbai” as soon as they finished the movie, I saw the alert in my email address.

I will recommend you guys to watch that movie and thank me later.

God is indeed faithful
Nara ekele chineke.
May June July, don’t lose hope, your visa is sooner. Don’t forget to hit my pm.
“God answers prayers”

God bless everyone that is reading this my success story. Whatever you ask from God, don’t give up, he knows your worries. He will answer your prayer.

“When God wants you to grow, he makes you uncomfortable”

Please don’t mind my typo error. I am so eegxited.

Goodmorning from Newfoundland

Hello House, sorry I haven’t being activity .. the weather here makes it tough as 24 hours will zap in your yes..
I am in a location where it’s still snowing..

If you are coming to Canada, please make sure your study permit says you can work full time for 40 hour during breaks and 20 hour during sections especially those coming through Toronto.. NaijaForeigner said this


I came in through Montreal and can say the PoE was smooth was done under 15min( took that long cos the officer that was attending to me was lost, so another officer had to put him through)

I wish all TrV hopeful success from the likes of Austacus, 042viber and the names I can’t remember..Studies here ain’t beans especially if you not funded... cos me I can’t do 6 semester straight


Greeting from Corner Brook, Newfoundland

My Ibadan bro!! How you no miss oluyole? I miss ring road

Majesticniyi:
LANDING GIST- very short read!!!

I am hoping I can remember details as it was all so fuzzy…please bear with the shortness of the gist *lol*

ITA June 27th, 2018
AOR Sept 04, 2018
Biometric Oct 2, 2018
Ghost update Jan 30, 2019
PPR Jan 30, 2019
Copr: Feb 19, 2019
Landed/PR: March 28, 2019

When I got PPR, I thought the troubles were over and I could finally rest in peace. For where? Na there the real job start. We had to sell things (why do people expect you to start dashing them things just because you are travelling?), searched and searched online till we got the cheapest flight on Ethopian Airlines, had talks with my HR and Line Manager at work to know the best time to resign, went round having last funs with friends and family, packing ( please start as soon as you can, to pack no be beans- many decision s to make on what to leave/take along especially for women)….anyhow, the day finally came and we were ready to go.

We left Ibadan a week earlier and moved to spend the finally week with family so we left for Lagos from Abeokuta. We considered the routes to take and chose to use the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way to boycott traffic…worst decision ever. We spent hours stuck in traffic and anxiety set in when we had just two hours left to take off time. Friends and family at the airport kept calling, everything turned rough and I even got the car bashed.

Finally, we got to the airport and was fortunate to have someone waiting for us who works there. We quickly went to customs who immediately seized our Igbo Palm-oil because the person who held cash didn’t enter the airport on time (Nigerians and bribe sha). We also had to pay 3k for the two bags of food we had. I could have followed the talks on Nairaland on avoiding paying at all at MMIA but we were so late and I just wanted to get on that flight. We had favour during baggage check-in, our all our bags were overweight and I expected to pay but maybe because of the person we knew or because we were already late, we were just hurried along to board.

Going through the other checks was a breeze and I didn’t pay a dime. By the way, I checked-in online/printed boarding passes the previous day so that saved a lot of time too. I forgot to print out the boarding pass for Lagos to Addis Ababa but the attendant was nice enough to print another copy for me.

Flight was uneventful- bland food, I ate the bread and butter almost throughout, even ice cream was crap! Inflight entertainment was great, attendants not so nice. A Nairalander and family sat just behind us with two lovely kids. Wasn’t so cool to have to claim our bags and then recheck-in for the flight from YYZ to YYC though. I don’t think I would be flying Air Canada so soon, stingy people. Everything na for sale from food to Wifi to earpiece! The airport in Toronto is beautiful, that of Calgary is even more beautiful.

Okay, so we had to do landing procedures at entry port which was Toronto for us. Immigration was a breeze, asked if we had milk or meat product…nobody checked. CBSA next, I got to the counter and the only three question were if family size had increased, if we had ever been involved in a crime and if we were coming in with above 10k dollars…we were not asked anything on POF. We did landing procedure with four other Nigerian families and it was same process. We couldn’t wait to do SIN as were were running late and didn’t want to reschedule our flight, hosts were already waiting. Flight to Calgary was filled with turbulence.

Our hosts are the nicest people in earth. Hot Poundo and ego riro to welcome us, Fried rice this morning…already using their network to connect us for jobs. May God bless them real good.

SIN, Health card, sim card, account opening lines up for today. Cold is minimal…I love the peace and quietness here. Alberta, please favour us in Jesus name.


PS: I need a job as soon as possible. I studied Mechanical Engineering and have experience in FMCG operations. Please help out if you can

Please anyone in Newfoundland area ?

Well it’s has a population of 20000 people

salford:
I would be suprised if there are not Nigerians there especially physicians. On wikipedia, it's a decently sized city as per Canadian standards.

lol nothing dey here

Mapleking:
That's why it's called New Found Land.... Welcome home

Well I mean the culture here and the one I am bringing from home, it will take a while to adjust to theirs

Jbelieve:
Congratulations on your landing. Please what do you mean by cultural balance

Hello house, it’s been 2weeks I landed in Corner Brooks , Newfoundland.. it’s being mixed feelings.. is there any Nigerian living in Corner brooks ?
It’s snowing with temp of -5oC


And trust me to people coming , you will have to undergo cultural Balance lol

Thanks

To be honest it’s very demanding , I got here on Wednesday and I just had the longest and decent sleep today
Adjusting to the time difference, weather (-18) my nose bleeding, skin dried etc and even good.. in 3 days I had met with supervisor, gotten school ID card, open bank account, meeting with the school rep.. Trust me 24 hours not enough here.. no wonder people cook their for for a week and store up in freezer which in 9ja it’s different..
I sure will be back to contribute when I am fully settled..

NB—please those who have reached out I didn’t ignore please just send messages again and to SoP reviews I will get it done ASAP ...

I think lag people will fit into here perfectly

Naijaforeigner:
lol, I dey tell you. I posted something about having issues with my study permit on this forum in January, you wont believe about 3 people already in Canada on this forum contacted me via mail to tell me they have similar issues, asking me how did I sort it out and I am like why did you not say it here so that others coming to Canada can learn and avoid it?

If there is any information that can help people before you leave Nigeria and when you get to Canada, drop it here as you cannot tell who you would be helping with such information. Jobs, accommodation, studies, just drop it here.

Everyone is busy, Education in Canada is demanding, i hardly respond to mails because i have a lot to do but we can always drop helpful information openly once in a while and move on.

Hello Seniors and House.. I greet una please does anyone here stays in corner brooks ? I need help oo

Hello guys, sorry I haven’t been active.. I will try to respond to everyone as soon as possible please bear with me

To all hopefuls , my thoughts and prayers without you... also to everyone on the thread.. I will be willing to assist anyone who needs suggestions etc.. But mind you, i anyone Is contacting me I will bro giving my opinion and what I think over the issue..
PS- Anyone traveling to canny nextweek ?

Great work you doing @frankrobben,

Hey Guys , what’s up with y’all. Sorry for inactive Mensa was busy with packing and moving.. who is flying March 4 ??

May the almighty Lord grant all hopefuls positive response?

NB- to those who reached out to me personally, pleas bear with me , as my response rob queey might be slow

I stillndont get, I insured my car through mansard shouldn’t I gonna to the market

alt3r3g0:
Insurance record. I was also told to get as many years as i could but could only get one.

Declare it and package your app well.. it won’t affect

Silin:
Hello fam, I was denied a US visiting visa reason because of the VOs decision, I am working towards applying for Canadian study visa. Now, my question is, will my US visa denial affect my Canada study visa application.? Please the gurus in the house should kindly throw more light on this. And also advise me on what to do in such a case. Thank you.

Bros you don move ??

wealth360:
Any Nairalander presently in Heartrow Airport London going to Canada? We can hook up, waiting for a connecting flight till 430pm. Am at Terminal 3, caffeNero.

You mean car insurance or driving record??

alt3r3g0:
What province are you? I used only one year for mine.

Oh ok I will

AZeD1:
I had no issue** landing at Montreal.


Most local flights in Canada charge for checked luggage. Its best you confirm from Air Canada as soon as possible.

Thanks cos I saw prize amount on my e ticket

Frothy:
[quote author=sleekysoft post=75694335

Lol
Yes, you are allowed 2(23kg) + hand luggage

My booking is splitted my first trip is from Nigeria to Montreal via Air Maroc I will touch down on Monday 8pm.. and I booked another flight via air canada from Montreal to deer lake( Newfoundland ) which will take of 5pm on Tuesday

hayor2014:
Once you have done ur booking all the way to ur destination from Naija, i dont think you have to worry about the baggage allowance and i believe its the 23kg *1 allowance.

Congrats

Dan1936:
APPROVAL APPROVAL APPROVAL
IT JUST DROPPED!

PRAISE THE LORD !!!!!!

Done

asianachuki:
Dear Sleekysoft, please check mail.

Many thanks.

Hello Seniors , please help me oo!! Anyone flew air canada before ? IS it the regular 2 ( 23kg) baggage’s allowance

Get your gcms note ma, contact me and we start from there !! Don’t be panic relax

BTW why program are you going for? What have you been doing from days of graduating till now ?

StacieG:
Help!Help!!!Help!!!

My TRV got denied exactly 1 month 1 applied (Jan 12)

Profile and Docs Submitted

All CIC forms
Birth Certificates of siblings
Bsc. Academic Transcript
Studied Computer Engineering. Graduated in 2010 but done several certifications in my field lately(Comptia A+,CCNA,CCNP and Java)
CAC Certificate of my Businesses
Self Sponsor
Police Character Certificate

Financial Status

Fixed Deposit of N5m
Closing balance on my 2 Personal SOA 7.5m
Inflow & Outflow in between 6 months was more than 100m
4 months Business Acct statements with an inflow and outflow of over 150m and balance of over 5m

Real Estate
Have Properties worth 400m in my Name
Contract of sale for all the Properties
Surveys in my Name
Copy of Recent Land use Charge on my name
CAC Certificate of my Real Estate
4 years Acct Statement showing annual Rents and receipts. Renewable October every year

Travel History
Been Traveling since 2009
Been to Dubai 3 times
Lost count on European Trip(UK,France and Italy) with average stay less than 30days. Travel once or twice in a year

Job Description

I’m a Network Engineer with Salary less than 500k and I’ve been working since 2012. I’m Business Oriented but have passion to study more. Could have done my Msc. here but distraction and calls will be too much. So my Business is on auto-pilot. Can be managed by my husband which I included in my application.

Reason for Refusal: 1. Purpose of Visit. VO wasn’t sure I will return. I’m married with 2 kids but traveling alone while husband and kids will stay here

2. Personal assets and Financial Status. I beg to disagree on this but willing to learn from everyone here.

I must say I’m not soo good keeping money in the bank. I invest every little penny I have but I was able to fix 5m and annual Rent from Tenants(4m) were what I used as POF. I have requested for gcms note though but before then what could be wrong with my application?
Are they expecting the money to be in the bank for a certain period of time? School resume in april, thinking I can reapply on time but waiting for gcms note before I will reapply. I’ve also been denied visiting visa with family 2yrs ago. Purpose of Visit that we won’t return back to Nigeria. I later got to know it was the period so many families who got US Visa were crossing to Canada declaring asylum. So that application was wrongly timed

Congrats bro!!! God and soar .. bye I get 10% from the share Ll

teejay2018:
Hello Everyone.
Following the tradition of the house, I would like to share my TRV story hoping it will bless someone.

Sorry for the long post.And sorry I've not done this sooner.

First, All thanks to the Almighty God who began and also completed the good work. To him be glory alone. The "I did this" "I did that" you'll be seeing in this post is simply Him and no one else.

In 2016, I started looking into Canada against Fall 2017, I reached out to so many research supervisors. In the end, only 2 responded; one from Waterloo and the other from Ryerson. (But before then, I found a Nigerian in Usask who was lecturing there at that time, so I reached out to him, He accepted me with open arms and started mentoring me through mails on Canada's academic system and how to write research interest, how to contact supervisor, the choice of words and how to follow up. He told me to always make friends with the Program secretaries because they have high clearances more than i think, cos sometimes, they might be part of the quorum that forms the admission commitee).

On the long run, both of them showed interest in my research and said they were willing to supervise me, so I submitted application. After 24 minutes skype interview with the Waterloo supervisor, she said she will make sure to do her part to see to my admission, but apparently the schools had other plans. In few weeks, both schools turned down my application after weeks of hectic research and writing statement of interests. I really spent so much money on making calls to Canada then. From their secretaries to supervisors, to the Directors of both programs, I kept sending mails, but when i realized it was taking time to get responses through mails, i will call them. I was trying to find out what went wrong with my applications. They eventually let me in on the school's policy of not admitting international students when the school or the research supervisor cannot demonstrate a reasonable level of funding for them. They also said my cGPAs were not really high/competitive. BSc (3.75) MSc (Mphil/PhD).

Back to square one, between 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 application, i reached out to over 80 supervisors from different universities (according to my email "sent" folder) in Canada; 4 were willing- 3 thesis and 1 project option (as last resort). Ryerson gave me admission for the thesis (same supervisor said she's still interested in my research but I had to include it in my statement of interest that i can fund myself) while Dalhousie for the project option. Other 2 schools, no admission.

TRV started June 18th, nothing till October. then the moniker Lotusboi shared his TRV approval story and how his application was held back in New Zealand through Gcms note. i contacted him, he kindly walked me through ordering for gcms notes(Nov 16). Fall admission passed, i deferred to January with updated LOA (Nov 13th). After 6 days of ordering for gcms note, medical request dropped, Lotusboi also walked me through that, I did medicals the next day by God's grace, medicals passed(Nov 28th) and like Lotusboi, whose application was approved the same morning he passed his medicals, i began to wait for approval on Nov 28th (longest day in November). December going, nothing, I applied for another gcms note (Dec 28th), gcms came in Jan 28th.

Sleekysoft story dropped on Nairaland, He wrote appraisal mentioning Frankrobben, I kukuma contacted them both (lol), they both checked my gcms notes and kept firing me up with words of encouragement. Admission deadline had passed (January 11), the school said i will have to reapply. Applied against Fall 2019. I sent webform to IRCC using this link
https://secure.cic.gc.ca/enquiries-renseignements/canada-case-cas-eng.aspx (on Feb 4) just to get update on my application.
PPR dropped Feb 5th. Awaiting passport collection.


DOCS SUBMITTED

-Letter of Acceptance
-I didn't pay the 1k CAD deposit fee- Tis non-refundable so I attached the email correspondence from the program secretary that i should hold on till I get a positive decision on my Visa application. Mentioned it in SOP.
-I was also privileged to get a 7k CAD stipend from program director after complaining to my supervisor (thanks to God for her) that my funds might not be enough, so she spoke to him on my behalf to drop something. The woman really tried for letter . I attached the letter of support addressed to me from the program director (explaining i will be given 7k CDN for payment for 2 TA positions, but detailing that the funds will be given whether i get the TA positions or not).
-CIC documents
-BSc and MSc cert and transcripts. Int. passport,
-Employment, Confirmation, Introduction letters from work
-Letter of Intent (SOP)(2 Pages)
-Resume
-Siblings birth cert and IDs
-Father- sponsor- Retirement letter, Gratuity, Pension letter and sponsorship letter.
-Father's SOA- 6 months (of Personal business; opening-208k, closing-9M, but good inflow/outflow)
-Father's House plan.
-Land properties (just survey plans and agreement)
My SOA (opening-83k; closing-110k, fixed deposit-450k)

NOTE: Forgot to add Police report and one other document(a Letter of Support from an Engineering Firm that agreed to release their resources to pilot-scale the findings of my research when I return as I explained in my SOP- I forgot to add it)

This my app is simply God's mercy and nothing else.

I"m sorry for the long post, just hope it encourages someone.

Any question of the day oya hit me

On a funny note, the lady that said you are rude said it on a sarcastic note.. but ma understand no everyone will under You from your point of view mostly on a public forum

Please feeel Free to shoot me your question and will give you my own candid opinion and advise .. you can either consider it or trash it

Answering if you have relative in Canada is solely based on your descreetion .. I have an uncle in Canada ( Toronto) but I ticked No cos I don’t want to have anything to do with him or have communication with him

Okattamgbee:
Thanks for your candid response.

Owing to the fact that i have been in contact with my AM does it sound okay to answer YES I KNOW SOMEONE IN CANADA?
Though have not seen her before no relationship whatsoever, only that she was assigned to me as my Affiliate Manager