₦airaland Forum

If you read my previous posts , the only reason why this $40k CAD payment was made was because the sponsor's funds were in a third country and the applicant had been previously rejected for insufficient funds even with sufficient funds on the sponsor's statements.

Not to get into a theological debate here, but the bolded statement can be problematic (regardless of religious orientation) because it could influence applicants to not realize that they control over x% (let's say x=70) of the outcome of their application. The remaining y% (let's say 30%) is probably dependent on the VO's mood or luck (or God for some). Putting our best foot forward is the best hedge against TRV delay, not God. "God" helps those who helps themselves. If humans hadn't developed farm tools, vaccines, airplanes, and more, we would still be in the stone age. Let's not turn God into a vending machine. Please no offense intended o , I just want to encourage future readers of the thread to put their best foot forward without assuming that "God" would reward mediocre effort. I hope I haven't offended you or anyone else, if so I preemptively apologize.

Haustraliah:
...Well, God knows best, its just that God said its time to be granted the visa.
I believe that canadian visa is not by document, but by favor... Amefrica got granted with just 100 dollars tution fee deposit during his second application...

Oh ok. Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense now.
Lol @ the bolded. I don't believe in affidavits either, but I think they have more value if the sponsor is not a direct family member or if sponsor is in a third country where affidavits can be enforced. Affidavits in Naija are probably mostly unenforceable (thanks to our weak legal system) and the VOs most likely know it is pretty much just a formality. Also, someone in one of the previous pages of the thread said he notarized a sponsorship document his uncle had created and then signed it on behalf of his uncle... this in my mind makes a joke of the purpose of notarization (no offense intended to the person who wrote this).

Your reapplication should be easy, imho. In the new application, I would recommend you refer to your previous application and then highlight specifically the new changes you have made. I believe this should influence the VO to only focus on if you have fixed the issue from the previous app. Cheers bruv.

ayooluwatoni:
...and my sponsor didn't notarize any document neither did I go with affidavit (really dont believe in them......but it's cool for anyone that believes in it). Submitted just the original statement of account and sponsorship letter...

@ayooluwatoni, could you share with the house your analysis of why your previous app was delayed? You had mentioned that it was for "insufficient funds", and from your previous comments I'm presuming you used a third-country sponsor. Could you share with us what exactly you think is the culprit for the delay? Do you think it is only because your sponsor is in a third-country? How much was your sponsor's account balances? What sponsor documents did you use? Were they all originals? Did the sponsor write and notarize his/her sponsor letter? What is your relationship with the sponsor? Also, could you list all the documents you submitted so we can all learn? Pardon the long list of questions

Make sure your new admission is for a PGD or Graduate Certificate (assuming you are a BSc holder in a similar course). Using a diploma or advanced diploma admission for TRV application is risky, regardless of if it is a fast-track or accelerated program; this is because these two diplomas are considered lower than a bachelor's degree, and it seems some VOs are lazy to sieve through the nuances of accelerated/fastrack programs.

oppytexu:
Hello house! I have been a silent follow of this great Trend for awhile... Submitted my first application on 25th June in lagos, I got a mail today that the application has been sent back to lagos without medical mail, we all know what that means. My question now is I plan to refire for January 2016 but my course isn't available at my school for January intake. I plan to apply to another school same mechanical engineering related course. Does that have any implication on my recent application? And also a one year fast track course instead of long 3years diploma. Please I need response house. Thanks

I can help proofread it once you write it. But you need to write it first, convincingly explaining to the VO exactly why you chose this course. As @Hayqinsbfx said, whatever course you study is your own personal decision, however I agree with @eetti that you need explain in detail how you would use Indigenous Studies on your return to Nigeria.

If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose this course and what do you plan on using it for when you get back to Naija?

emmy46:
SOP was not written, Kindly assist in writing a dynamite SOP. Thanks

You are welcome.

akagson:
Thanks a bunch, thesoj.
Will do definitely take heed to all you've said.

Once I saw the name of your course I guessed "Purpose of Visit" as one of your delay reasons and I was right.
Do keep in mind that convincing the VO about why you chose that UG program is a tall order. The VO would wonder "why is this Nigerian interested in spending four years of his/her life studying aboriginal Americans?" I say this with no offense intended -> with your course it would be tough to convince a VO unless your SOP is dynamite. It is not impossible though, you just have to make a dynamite argument.

Edited: Did you write an SOP?

emmy46:
Admission Package from the University of Winnipeg (Indigenous Studies) UG;
Police Clearance Certificate;
My SoA: (3.6M) Transfered from Sponsor account;
Sponsors SoA (Two Sponsors): Father and Elder Sister (2.5M and 2.8M balances respectively after transfer) with Photocopies of their ID's and Reference letter from them and their Banks.

@deedee0, you make a good point. I thought about the concern you raised as well. Hmm... in earlier parts of this thread there were several applicants whose sponsors transferred one year's "living expenses" funds into the applicant's dom account, yet I've not come across a scenario in which the VO had a problem with this so long as both the sponsor and applicant clearly explained the justification for said funds transfer.

I am planning to implement this strategy (though I would accept a superior suggestion) because the sponsor's funds are neither in Naija nor in Canada. This @ayooluwatoni question and my response to it caused me to become even more suspicious that VOs sometimes prejudice applications in which the sponsor's funds are not in either country.

Additionally, my brother's SOA is really low and we decided we would provide to him through his dom account the amount for one year's living expenses in Canada (in the sponsorship letter and SOP, sponsor and applicant would respectively explain that funds are for living expenses).

I don't think this is an issue, but I stand corrected. What do y'all think? -> @HayqinsbFX @Team12 @tnuola @berexio1 @TempusQ @SeraSera and other ogas.

deedee0:
Thesoj
I don't have an answer to your question, but I feel if your brother is being sponsored and a sponsor has been established (with evidence of relationship, source of income of the sponsor etc), is it necessary to transfer funds to a new account in your brother's name?
I'm not sure but it might also count as money lodgement. I know U'll explain in his SOP and letter of sponsorship, but ehn..
Just my opinion!

@akagson
Also, university education in America is not necessarily harder than that in Naija -- it is just much more structured. I believe that an average student in Naija can do very well in an American university if he/she is motivated. American schools reward students who can comprehend information and/or think creatively, unlike Naija schools which reward cramming. An average Naija student can become an excellent student in America if he/she truly knows how to comprehend (not cram).

Most American professors (unlike Naija ones) want to help you understand, not fail. For instance, through my years in undergrad and grad school, I never once heard a professor tell me and my classmates to read the whole textbook for an exam. They usually tell you what to focus on, because their goal is to help you prioritize the most important things to understand. This is not to say exams aren't difficult -- they often are -- but then you would be positioned to do extremely well if you are a motivated student. American professors give lots of time-consuming homework, but if you spend time on these then you likely will comprehend most of the course material by the end of the term. The fire brigade approach doesn't always work well in America because comprehension, not cramming, is rewarded.

Don't be so down on yourself based on your uni experience as an engineering student in a Naija uni. If you did engineering in a school in the US, you might actually love it and become one of the best students in your class.

I am currently an engineer, and did all my university education in the US. Best of luck.

@akagson Your chances of staying in the US exponentially increase if you study any course that is physical sciences or engineering related. This is because there is a higher demand than supply for such jobs, therefore it is wayyyy easier for the employer to convince the US government to issue you a work visa. Nothing is ever guaranteed though, so I like your strategy of contingency plans.

@coobboy visa is two years but that's not what matters. What matters is the expiry date on your I-20. You can legally stay in the US on an expired student visa if your I-20 is still valid. In the same vein, you are illegal if your I-20 stops being valid even if your visa is still valid.

FYI, I did my undergrad and post-grad in the US.

akagson:
OK. I would really love to remain there but one don't have to put all eggs in one basket, that's why I'm looking for courses that would still be profitable if by chance I find myself back to Nigeria. But what is my chances of remaining in the US after my 4-year US visa expires?

This is my first post on this thread.

Have you considered neuroscience? It is an interdisciplinary science that overlaps psychology, biology, genetics, computer science, mathematics, medicine, and linguistics.

If you choose to study neuroscience, you would be able to choose which aspect you want to focus on. So for instance, you could focus primarily on the psychology and biology subsets, or you could focus on the computer science and mathematics subsets, or linguistics and genetics, or ...

The advantage of neuroscience is you would be able to choose a combination of classes that give you skills valuable in a place like Naija or wherever. Also neuroscience would enable you to go to graduate school in psychology, should you later decide to do that. Or you could go to graduate school in biology, or whichever area related to neuroscience you end up becoming most interested in.

akagson:
I asked this question on my own thread but haven't received any response yet. This is the exact question below. Hope someone talks to me :

" I want to study in the US but I'm in dilemma as to which course (major) I'm to study that would be beneficial when I come back here to Nigeria. I wanted to study Psychology but from the reviews from American students and graduates, they say Psychology isn't a very good major in USA owing to the fact that it has one of the lowest paid salaries and high unemployment rate. Can a Psychology degree be useful in Nigeria for me? If not, what course would you advise me to study that would have a high ROI?
Note : I don't think I can do any Engineering"

Hey y'all:
Which bank is the best Naija bank in which to have a domiciliary account? The criteria I care the most about are 1) ease of inward/outward international transfers 2) average to low transaction fees, and 3) average or better customer service.

My brother will be applying for a Canada TRV in September and his sponsor wants to transfer money for annual living expenses into a dom account in my brother's name. (Both the sponsor's letter and my bro's SOP will explain the source and purpose of the funds).

Please let me know your suggestions, particularly if you have a dom account with the bank you suggest. (If my bro gets his TRV, he would transfer all the money immediately to Canada, so this question isn't about ATM or POS charges or FX rates while abroad).

Any suggestions?

Yes, makes sense.

favour0011:
Well.... I already submitted my application and I left the space for room and board blank and put 10k on the space for others. Since I already had a letter from my host stating he'll accommodate and feed me altru my studies.... I felt that including money for room and board on the form could jeopardise my app.

You are welcome. Sure thing, PM me.

JJCE:
thanks bro, i like your suggestion , gonna need you to ask you some question regarding my application for trv, but d issue is somehow personal, can i pm you

@ralfudoh @SeraSera @JJCE

You don't need to put the full address on top of any of the letters you submit. In my opinion it is a waste of valuable space.
All you need to do is write "High Commission of Canada, Accra" and then "Dear Visa Officer," on the next line. No need to put any address details, I think it is redundant . In my sister's app this is what we did. For the SOP, we didn't address it to anyone... we just titled it "Letter of Intent". It is the content of the letter that matters imho, it is obvious who the reader is.

Hey I just had another thought.
Why not just write $10k in the "Room &Board" box and leave "Others" blank?
You would then explain in the " Explanation of Finances" that your relative is hosting you (with relative's letter attached) but that the $10k under room and board would also cover incidentals.

I just feel like leaving "Room &Board" blank could raise initial concerns. Hope I haven't confused you further

favour0011:
What if the applicant already has his accommodation sorted out. like his relative gives a letter that he will accommodate him altru his stay in canada.

In that case, I suppose you could leave it blank. But I would still recommend putting no less than $10k in the "Other" category.

Also, I would strongly recommend putting the letter from the relative in the " Proof of Funds" section. Such letter should be as specific as possible, with the relative stating they would cover your accomodation and food completely (they would also explain why they are doing this for you). Maybe you could also include a "Explanation of Finances" letter where you summarize your finances and highlight once again that your relative would be taking care of your accomodation and food (you would refer to the attached letter from relative).

Hmm... since "Room and Board" refers to housing and food, I'm thinking you should mention in the "Explanation of Finances" how much of the $10k in the "Other" category you would be spending on food (e.g. when you are not at your relative's house)

I don't like the idea of leaving "Room and Board" blank but you should be OK if you explain well.

favour0011:
What if the applicant already has his accommodation sorted out. like his relative gives a letter that he will accommodate him altru his stay in canada.

I think so. You could then put like $3k or $4k (or more) in the "other" box.

obiscolly:
Oh really? I should move it up to $10k then. Thanks again.

@HayqinsbFX, I'll have to agree with Snappyfingaz.
The reason why it is difficult for Nigerians is because we are a poor country (with lots of applicants, many with forged documents) and as a result they don't want people who will go to Canada and be a burden on their system.

Deferring admission is legal and is not a big issue. The big issue is we have a horrific economy and the VOs know that most applicants won't come back to Naija therefore the VOs need to make sure that whoever is issued a visa will not be a burden on Canada. They also need to know that whoever is issued a visa will come back home if he/she is not able to legally stay in Canada after studies.

Unfortunately the high level of scrutiny means lots of genuine applicants are refused. This is why we all try to mitigate risk by putting together well-packaged applications.

Leaving that box blank doesn't in itself jeopardize your application. I just think it is important to make the VO's work as easy as possible, so as to not invite additional scrutiny or doubt. It is well bro.

sholay2011:
I actually agree with you. It is well.

Ok good. Keep in mind that "Room and Board" refers to both housing and food, not just housing. Whatever amount you put under room and board should be able to sufficiently cover room and food.

obiscolly:
Thanks. Duly noted. I got the estimate of $6500-15,000 for housing on the school website. However, i put $8,000 and left 'other' at $5,000.

@obiscolly
Don't leave that box blank o! The VO may assume you are saying you don't have money for room/board. Or it may cast doubt about your finances in the VO's mind. Don't leave your fate to the VO's arbitrary interpretation, try to be unambiguous and specific about all important detail. My sister left that box blank on her first application and was rejected for insufficient funds, even with lots of money on the bank statements.

I recommend putting $10k under room/board and then put another amount (even if small, e.g. $3k) in the "other" box.

sholay2011:
I was admitted for fall.

This was how I filled it:
Room/Board: -
Other fees: 10, 000 CAD.

I left Room/Board fees empty.

Hahaha! Thanks for the congrats lol.

deedee0:
Lool I just knew someone was going to quote the long post
@thesoj 5 Eyes family.. Congrats, d next person should move to Australia
Where's darefestus?

Thanks. Actually I posted the initial approval news a day and half ago. In the post above, i wanted to give more detail. Thank you for the congrats.

Yes, I am male. The applicant is female, my sister.

tyrannasty:
thesoj i wanna b the firstnto congratulate you.
Godbless for sharing here.
BTW i always tot you were male.

Continuation of the previous post:
Sponsor finances were about the same in both applications, the major difference was that in the second application $40k CAD was transferred to university student account of applicant, Affidavit of Support was notarized, bank statements used were originals, applicant included her own financial documents, and a one-page Letter of Clarification summarizing the finances was included. Note that the Letter of Clarification had a section titled "Reasons for Prior Refusal" and another titled "Substantive Changes in This Application".

Also, in the second application, for total "Funds Available For Your Stay" we stated $88k CAD (36k+36k+N2.5m), while in the first app we had stated $36k. The $88k CAD is a total of the sponsor's promised funds for two years, plus the applicant's own total finances.

Here’s a list of the documents submitted (arranged in the order shown) for my sister’s successful TRV application.

APPLICANT PROFILE:
Program: MSc Technology Innovations Management, Carleton University
Program tuition: $18k CAD
Estimated total annual tuition+expenses: ~$35k CAD
Undergrad: BSc Biochemistry
Work Experience: 5 years in banking
Applicant had two prior US student visa refusals three years ago, and provided this info on CIC form.
Applicant is Nigerian but lives/works in another West African country, so submitted both applications to VFS Accra (not Lagos).

First Application
Applied* June 10 (upfront medicals)
Refused June 29 (insufficient funds)

Second Application
Applied* July 28 (same upfront medicals)
Approved August 12

DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED
CIC documents
Letter of Acceptance

Proof of Financial Support
Letter of Clarification**
Letter of Sponsorship, stating minimum $36k CAD annual support
Sponsor Affidavit of Support, stating minimum $36k CAD annual support (notarized)**
Carleton University Student Account Payment Receipt for $40k CAD**
Sponsor $40k CAD Funds Transfer Receipt**
Spreadsheet Detailing Annual Expenses vs Funds Available**
Sponsor’s bank letter addressed to Canada Consulate showing current balance summary
Sponsor’s original and certified bank account statements, US$120k balance
Sponsor’s brokerage account statements, US$50k balance**
Sponsor’s USA tax document, showing Year 2014 wages of US$150k**
Sponsor’s Verification of Employment letter from employer
Sponsor’s work business card
Sponsor’s international passport data page photocopy
Sponsor's US Permanent Resident Card front photocopy
Family picture and pictures taken with sponsor
Applicant's fixed deposit investment account for past one year, showing N1.6m balance**
Applicant's savings account statement for past six months showing N900k**

Other documents
Study Permit Letter of Intent
Proof of Application processing fee payment
Original valid international passport
Two photos
Applicant's academic documents (certificates, etc)
Applicant employment documents (employment letter, etc)
Police Character Certificate for Nigeria and her current country of residence
Birth Certificate
Proof of completion of the upfront medical examination.

*Fast application processing time due to direct submission to Accra
**double asterisk represents new documents that were not included in previous application

Please don't quote this post verbatim, it is too long.

Ha-ha... Lol. In my line of work I have to provide evidence (data or strong logical arguments) for every claim I make unless it is obvious and self-evident to my audience/coworkers.

berexio1:
@thesoj...U dey work for wikipaedia abi? See how u just they provide link to buttress ur claims..I like ur style sha..Kudos..I hope ur going for masters in research doh..

It appears that the Canadian grading scale is not always consistent across universities. For instance, UManitoba and UWinnipeg both use a 4.5 scale while UToronto and UCalgary use a 4.0 scale. I have never schooled in Canada, but I know that in the US most schools use a 4.0 scale. It also seems they (Canadian schools, e.g. UBC) use percentages a lot, even to represent the final grade on the transcript... I'm not an expert in this area sha.

TheBae:
I'm not sure about that.
It's probably the usual Distinction, Merit, Pass..
Maybe @Fhemmmy or @thesoj can answer that question

No probs. I will still post the documents summary. I was in the process of listing it yesterday but when I was almost done something happened to my browser and I lost the whole post. It takes some time to scrub off all the personal info from the documents list so I'll have to do it again sometime within the day.

@omooba2015, I didn't forget. I live in a different time zone and I just woke up not too long ago.

berexio1:
@thesoj...Waiting for the list of docs and the blue-print wey una use for ur sister's TRV application..
**Edited**
Oh forgive me, I just found ur 'ROBUST REPLY' on the app

Lol thanks.

TheBae:
Of course we saw it and your civil response, we see everything. No one replied because it wasn't worthy of a reply. Many of us were silently impressed about how calmly you handled that.

Yes. You can get a TRV with a US sponsor. My sister's app just got approved and she is in this scenario. The thing is I think her first application was denied because her US sponsor did not notarize his sponsorship documents plus we didn't submit the sponsor's original SOA; we had used photocopies.

In the second application, all the financial documents from the sponsor were original, and his letter of sponsorship and affidavit were notarized this time. Finally, the sponsor transferred one year's worth of tuition and living expenses to her student account at the uni she will be attending. We attached both the sponsor's transfer receipt as well as the university payment receipt. To the VO, this move demonstrates the sponsor's commitment to funding her education.

It is also possible her her first app was denied only because the sponsor's funds were all in the US. Maybe she got approved this time because the sponsor transferred one year's worth of expenses to her university student account in Canada. This would support the hypothesis that the VOs need to see that the money is in Naija or Canada.

ayooluwatoni:
SOJ, pls are you very certain I can use a sponsor with statement of account in the US? Is there anyone you know who did that and got TRV? There's been lots of issues on that topic, peeps saying funds available for one's study/trip must either be in the applicant's country of residence (which in my case is Nigeria) or destination (Canada). I just want to be 100% sure this is not valid or binding for Canada visa applications. Thanks