₦airaland Forum

LONG POST !!!

All praise to God.

Application Timeline:

Application submission and confirmation - May 09
Biometric request - May 10
Biometric completed and updated- May 11
Background check started - May 11
Medical update - May 19 (Upfront Medical April 19)
Eligibility review started - May 24
1st ghost update - May 31
2nd ghost update - June 07
3rd ghost update - June 18
Correspondence Letter - June 29
Original Passport Request - June 29

Key Details:

Undergraduate degree, research experience and work experience are directly related to the intended MSc thesis program. I also received a financial offer for the study duration from the program (Graduate Fellowship Award and Research Assistantship).

Application documents - IMM forms, Digital Photo, Passport Scan, LOA

Proof of Financial Support:
- Funding letter from my program (stating the support for full tuition, living expenses and other expenses for 2 years)
- Signed funding contract with the program
- Letter of sponsorship from my dad (stating support for travel expenses, required quarantine stay and miscellaneous expenses pending disbursement of the first month stipend)
- MBS of sponsor's savings account
- MBS of sponsor's pension account
- Sponsor's investment assets
- Sponsor's international passport
- Sponsor's work ID
- Sponsor's last promotion letter
- Sponsor's retirement letter
- Sponsor's pension authorization letter
- Sponsor's car ownership document
- Sponsor's landed properties documents

Client Information:
- Letter of Explanation (5 pages with subheadings for pertinent areas)
- Undergraduate degree certificate
- Undergraduate degree transcript
- IELTS certificate
- Birth certificate
- Police character certificate
- NYSC certificate
- NYSC PPA acceptance letter
- Nigeria Society of Engineers membership certificate
- Work employment letter
- Work reference letter
- Work I.D card
- Detailed CV
- Conference papers
- Publication
- International passport of all family members filled in the family information form
- Some daily news screenshot to buttress points made in the LOE on how my intended study will address an urgent national issue.


Special thanks to Frankrobbn1 for his advice and efforts on my application. I really appreciate his constant support and encouragement to ease my concerns (I was still asking him last night about my plan to send a document through webform and he replied me not to complicate things and keep calm). May God reward you abundantly.

Thanks to Chocs for her input on my LOE, she dedicated her time to give me detailed feedback. May God bless her.

Thanks to Lekiboboe and Justmellow. I reached out to both for their opinions on my study plans. May God ease both their affairs.

I am grateful to my friends who turned up at critical moments and helped me navigate the whole process flawlessly. JosephYemsol who drove me to Alagbọn for PCC and also drove me to VFS office for biometric. Also, Atiteb4 who personally accompanied me to IOM clinic and waited till I got the whole upfront medical process sorted. I pray that their applications be successful too.

And finally, I am grateful to everyone on this platform; the insights, opinions, testimonies, questions and answers were really helpful through out the process (both application and waiting period).

May all our desires be granted.

lawfree638:
May have started o. No Jokes!

I saw two updates yesterday and one today.

2 refusal and 1 approval.

Which dates in May?

Saw this somewhere. Let's take note of this... It miight affect some airlines, but it is better to be on the lookout...

AbionaT:
Thank you so much.
I submitted on the 15th of March
Eligibility has not started, my upfront medical has not been updated and review of documents says"we do not need additional document"
So can I still order for my note?

Order for it, your application is past the processing time. Once you order for GCMS it will show all the process that have been done on your profile and may even force them to pick it up again when they realise it is upto 3 months

Ketima:
Please in a scenario where your application is jst a month, but has received series of ghost updates but eligibility hasn't started, is it wise to order GCMS note. Cos the cost isn't much but to have insight of what your file is saying is good.

It is your personal decision, you can wait till it is 8 weeks and you may choose to order now. Either way it won't harm your application.

Kunfu:
Please I need response to these gurus in the house

Send a webform to Nairobi office stating the reason for the new document and attaching the new document.

Anon123:
FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR GCMS NOTE, PLEASE ENSURE YOUR APPLICATION HAS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD PROCESSING TIME OR IS 3-5MONTHS OLD BEFORE YOU APPLY. YOU CANT BE THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A GCMS NOTE IF YOUR APP IS STILL A MONTH OR 2 MONTHS OLD.. PATIENCE GUYS..

It depends. The pros of ordering a GCMS outweighs the cost (which is about ₦5K).

If your application has been upto 8 weeks and there is no update, ordering for GCMS is logical. The GCMS will arrive after 4 weeks when the application would have clocked 12 weeks.

AbionaT:
Please Guru in the house you are doing a great job here.
Please can I order for my GCM note, even if ELIGIBILITY has not started yet.
Thanks

Depends on when you applied. If your application have exceeded a certain period (i.e between 8 to 12 weeks) request for it to see what has been done on your application.

Kunfu:
Can I order for my GCMS notes even before the final decision made?

Yes

Leyemoshood:
Funding is usually allocated by school or scholarship organizations as such you might not be able to "appeal" to the professor because she has reached her maximum capacity as she mentioned, its not her fault. The only thing she might be able to do is probably secure another funding and then award it to you but that would be how much she think your research is worth and how valuable it is. I have a friend who just secured a PhD full funding in a USA University in a course/topic that funding have never been approved for, just because the supervisor pushed extra based on how valuable he thinks the research would be.

My advice: seek multiple options by applying to more schools especially in the USA. USA have more funding for research programs than Canada. And even if Canada is your first choice, check other schools. Dont just apply to a one school.

100%.

There are more funding opportunities in the US, the person can try both CA and US for Fall 2022. The US have about 134 R1 universities (high research intensive institutions that gives adequate funding to grad applicants). Only the U15 universities and few other universities offer similar funding opportunities in CA.

1Girllykdat:
Hello everyone. Please I'm in a fix & I need your advice .

Prior to my application for a research-based msc programme in Canada, I reached out to a prof who confirmed she'd be taking in 2 graduate students and also confirmed that our research interests aligned but wouldn't take anybody yet till the academic committee and potential supervisors reviewed all applications.

4 months after applying (may 2021), I heard nothing from the school. So, I mailed the graduate co-ordinator inquiring about the outcome of my application and the professor replied instead.

The prof told me she was finalizing her research group for fall and asked if I'd be able to talk over zoom. We had the meeting and we talked about my research proposal and said she'd be taking me in and giving me the emails of her other students and would speak to the graduate co-ordinator about funding as I am an international student.


With her word, I assumed I was in only for me to again mail the graduate co-ordinator in June (as time for visa application was going) and then be told the prof isn't taking in students again.

I was shocked and asked if there was a mix-up. I mailed the supervisor and she said she was sorry and that I misunderstood her. That she was torn as I am an excellent fit for her lab but that she is already taking in 2 phd students and now at her maximum capacity.

I mailed the graduate co-ordinator and asked if it was possible to switch to course work instead. She said that though my application had already been denied (cos of the prof), I would be considered.

But now the thing is next week is July and I don't even know when I would hear from the school. Plus neither I nor my close relatives have my school fees. I thought I would get in through research which is why I applied for only research programmes.

I met the minimum requirement of 75% btw . Had 82% in undergrad.

Does anybody have an idea how I can "appeal" to the professor or go about the situation?

Seems like she has made her decisions, move on... I believe you will get a better one down the line. Things like this happens. I had similar experience 2 years ago from 2 profs (one in Alberta and the other at UNB).

Reach out to profs in other schools, you will get another one. And I understand your explanation on how important securing funding is to your dreams. Your dreams are valid, keep pushing.

Uzomachukwuu:
Long Post Alert:

Talk about being happy, today is one of the happiest days of my past one year.

A year and six days after my first visa application (AOR June 16, 2020), I finally got PPR on my second application (AOR: Feb 26).

Congratulations Uzomachuckwu, I have been looking forward to your approval for some time now. The wait has ended and it ended in success. May it be the beginning of greater success.

saucekid50:
Please guys I want to know, when send a request mail to a supervisor what do I need to attach.?

Your CV, transcript, test scores if you have any (GRE, TOEFL or IELTS). Attach publications and conference presentations if you have any.

lawfree638:
Two PPR this morning.

God is faithful [color=#990000][/color]

Great news and I think both of them applied in April.

It is glad seeing the backlogged cleared. May we all receive a positive outcome.

Blaze123456:
Hello guys
Please I need more information about the three days hotel reservation, I want to ask if two brothers can share one hotel room and if yes can we book for one guest instead of two

Some of the hotel's have provisions for double beds in a room for two. The person have to go through the list and select an hotel that had such options. I think for such arrangement it is about 700 CAD each for the occupants instead of 1000+ CAD for single arrangements.


I don't think you can book a single arrangement for 2 people. Because the cost of utilities and all day feeding are inclusive.

olabisi6438:
this nairaland sef tire me


how do I change my gckey email and password

A simple search on Google will give you this.

Follow this link

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1411&top=23

childgodly:
Never heard that before. Why wouldn’t they put that as a required document?
So I have to get my secondary school transcript? Can I use waec instead

It is part of the Nigeria visa requirement documents.

You can google search and read through page 3 to 5 of "Visa office instructions – Study [IMM 5832]".

emmalextemtop:
Hello!
Apart from sponsor's landed property documents for financial buoyancy/ties back home, do i need to upload his assets like car or house documents?

Is travel history compulsory?
If i can convince the VO through my SOP that I will will be coming back, will it save me?

10kCAD amounts up to 3m naira right?

There is no harm in attaching your dad's assets, properties and cars documents.

Travel history is not a must.

SOP is a essential, make it a plausible narrative and back up claims made in the SOP with adequate evidence.


You can take note of the daily official conversion on cic finance page.

https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/recgen/er.pl?Language=E

Today: Naira to CAD is 0.00296980 / i.e 1 CAD is #336.72

emmalextemtop:
Ohh thanks!

1) is it compulsory i must show he is a civil servant (just to prove there is/will be sufficient funds while studying). How about stating he has a big cocoa farm?
And then my mum has a shop, sponsored by my dad, can we register the trading shop to show funds comes to the family from there also?
2)how much in naira? If have paid first semester tution, with 3m naira(10k CAD) in my own account and 10m naira in sponsors account, is that not okay?
3)maybe for financial prove and not much dependence on my dad, is the birth certificates of myself, my dad and my younger sibling okay? So, it will just show like, we are 2 children. Or just mine and my dad is okay?

4) Apart from sponsor's landed property documents for financial buoyancy/ties back home, do i need to upload his assets like car or house documents?
Thanks!

Sigh... Don't complicate your application, be forthright as much as possible.

There should be evidence to backup every claim you make in your application. If you claim your sponsor is a civil servant you have to show it. If you claim he has a Cocoa farm or he is an entrepreneur you have to show it too i.e farmers association membership, government registration of business or any other proof.

I don't know your annual tuition fees, that was why I suggested my personal view concerning proof of means of financial means. It is up to you to do the math, use your discretion and calculate the amount in naira. You can use yourself and your dad as co-sponsors, the essential thing is to proof beyond reasonable doubt that you both have the financial might to support your study .

emmalextemtop:
Hello!

Greetings.
**Please i have some urgent questions**

1) My sponsor is my dad, if as a civil servant(him) without company, can he just give a letter of reference on his own that he is sponsoring me, without any letter headed company?

2)How much should my dad as sponsor have in his account?

3) With dad as my sponsor, i need to upload his Birth Certificate together with mine right? Can i include my 2or 3 siblings too and is our mother necessary?, just to show ties
Or just me & him?

4)If providing employment as home ties, if i provide just 2-3 monthly pay slips of the company in my document for prove, is it okay?

5) Lastly, for we Nigerians, it is GC-key right?
Can we create the account anytime even if am winter(Jan) 2022 or when we are ready to submit visa application?

1.) Yes, his sponsorships letter can be on a plain A4 with his signature, address and personal contact (phone and email). Attach any available documents you can get to show that he his a civil servant. i.e work I.D card, last promotion letter, employment letter, salary voucher etc.


2.) Your cost of attendance is tuition plus at least CAD 10000 for living expenses. CIC also expect you to factor in the cost of transportation to Canada and from Canada after completion of study so you can estimate other costs of at least CAD 2000.

So in summary your total cost of attendance for a years will be about CAD 12000 + Your annual tuition.

The amount in his account to proof means of financial support will depend on how many dependents your dad have. Are you the only dependent? Are you the last born or only child? If you have other siblings, are they financially sufficient and don't require financial help from your dad?

If he doesn't have much dependent I (personal view not a requirement) think about ×1.5 or twice your annual cost of attendance in his account should be sufficient.


3.) You should include the birth certificate or international passport or other recognized forms of identity of family members that you will fill in your family information form during application.


4.) Provide any available documents you can get to prove employment status i.e employment letter, I.D card, promotion letter, pay slip, introduction letter from employer, leave of absence letter.

5.) You can register a GCkeys account and create a study permit application profile when you feel like. However, the platform will give you 60days duration to work on your application. If you didn't complete and submit your application before this period elapse, it will delete the created profile.

lushk:
I am sharing my timeline to encourage everyone…. I got a lot of Info from Nairaland and I hope this helps at least one person.

I reached out to an agent initially that gave me a bill of 1500 USD, when I converted to Naira, I decided to do my application my self. Thank God for grace and patience.

First time applicant -age 30
Program of study- MBA
School- Rotman school of management - University of Toronto
I got partial scholarship but still needed to show how I will fund the balance and my expenses.

So prior to my study permit application, I had two expired EE application my score was low so I didn’t get ITA. This made me nervous cos it was a proof that I would be looking for PR after my studies and I wasn’t sure if it would affect their decision.


Submitted my application February 19 with Upfront Medicals and my bank statement
Biometric request Feb 20
Biometrics updated to pass Feb 24
Medical updated to pass Feb 26
NSE request for IELTS Feb 25
Submitted IELTS- Mar 27
BVL May 31
PPR June 1

I graduated in 2011, and I have worked in the financial services industry since 2011 from my NYSC posting. I got my Chartered financial analyst (CFA) certification in 2019 so my LOE was focused on saying I needed the MBA for career progression and to take on leadership position. I also spoke about the need for investment analysts to have a global training to prevent mismanaging large funds and negatively affecting the Nigerian capital markets.

I attached pictures of my family members, got a study leave, letter of intro and my payslips from my employer.

For economic ties I used my 75% of my pension, my car and my equity investment. The 25% of my pension I stated I would use it for my funding during my studies. The PFA gave me a letter to support this.

For funding, the first page was a letter explaining all lump sums and where they came from and I stated that it was to show sufficient liquidity.
I included two tables one showing all my expected expenses for two years and all my funding. Then I included a summary table showing both incase there was any confusion that the funding was more than the expense.

My program is for 2 years so I had to show how I intended to finance it for the total duration. I didn’t want to inform any relatives so I had to sponsor my self. I got my admission in October, didn’t apply till February because of funding, I used this time to consolidate my finances and also apply for loans. I applied to Prodigy ( I was rejected) and Mpower( I got approved).


The school had an immigration lawyer that also helped me look through my letters and my forms

Congratulations on your approval, I hope we meet at UofT this Fall.

More good news.

It seems the Canadian government's COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel has advised that the government should end its policy of mandatory three-day quarantine stays in designated hotels.

This means there is possibility that the huge cost associated with the hotel stay will not be a concern for Fall students.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6043473

A huge relief.

AdoChel:
Anybody else unable to log in to their CIC account this morning?

There is scheduled system maintenance from 4:30 am to 10:30am Nigerian time.

The notice of the scheduled maintenance have been showing on the login page for the past few days.

Between Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 pro and Xiaomi Poco X3 pro, which one is preferable?

I will also like to know if there is a store to get any of the two in Nigeria and their present price.

Mobi22:
Someone found this information in their gcms note.

Wow.

I just read more on this, 110 faculty members sacked by May 15th.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/04/29/insolvency-declaration-laurentian-throws-much-limbo

Frankrobbn1:
I always advice applicant's to order for their GCMS notes 3 months after submission. By then, the visa officer must have reviewed the application and made some comments relating to the eligibility status of the application. I don't think you will find any relevant information from your gcms notes after 1 month of submission.



It will end in praise

Exactly, I think GCMS becomes a necessity after the usual processing time (8 to 12 weeks) has elapsed or when the resumption date is fast approaching.

No need to panic because you are not seeing updates on the status timeline. Not everybody have their timeline updated. We have seen people that got decisions without any changes on their eligiblity, medical and background status.

The best approach is to give them all the necessary documents as soon as possible. Including all necessary documents when applying, upfront medical, prompt biometric appointment once requested and giving prompt reply to any requested additional documents.

Restoredglory:
My application is late last year and I am yet to get a decision.God into your hands I commit my application,let your mercy and grace locate my application AMEN

Keep calm, it will end in praise.

Ara2004:
Its so worrisome and problematic. Especially we - March applicants, its as if they practically forgot everything about us.

No need to worry.

It seems applications from mid April till May 15th are getting attended to. Also applications from late last year are being resolved too. Early February are also receiving decisions.

All in all, it indicate they are clearing the backlog of applications. I am sure in less than a month March and early April will start receiving decisions too.

May God ease all our affairs.

shawn55ng:
Dear friend,
I have been asked to upload my bank statement from a site given to me but I don't get it.

Pls has anyone done it b4?

Pls is it the same thing as the attached.

Please guide me through.

Which bank did you use for your proof of fund?

If it is GTB you can request for MyBankStatement through the internet banking app and you will get the certificate containing the ticket number / password in your mail.

I don't have much info on other banks, most banks will attend to you by visiting a branch and explain that you need to send your statement to Canadian embassy through this route. They will send you the certificate containing the ticket number / password in your mail.

It is this MyBankStatement certificate containing the ticket number / password that you will upload for your application.

winta2007:
Hello House,

I was trying to apply to University of Sakastoon and one of the requirements is to get a supervisor and I contacted one of the supervisors and here is one of the replies as attached in the image.

This professor is really nice and the advice given is a gem. If you can follow through with it you will secure a supervisor soon.

mhozzis:
Hello everyone,

Please what is ghost updates and how do I apply for upfront medical?

An explanation for ghost update.

EmeeNaka:
I submitted my application on 30th April,2021. I want to apply for GCMS note. My reason is that, since it takes 30-40 days for the note to be returned, it would correspond to 2months of my application submission and should contain a lot of what I need to know.

Requesting for GCMS is a nice way to get a feel of there assessment of your application


Has your eligibility review started? If yes, you can request for the GCMS to see the assessment of the case analyst pending the time the visa officer will determine the final verdict.