Good evening @HajiaRai, was your selected DHL pick-up location, Lagos or outside Lagos? Just checking because of your passport return timeline.

HajiaRai:
Submitted application via IW: March 1

Issued: March 8

Collection email: March 18

Thank you to everyone, for sharing experiences. Special shout out to Dixja for the brilliant idea of working together for the benefit of all.

OAB1, Dampops, Donde, UmmZayd, I hail o!

I wish everyone on this page the very best.

#Alhamdulillah.

Hello Donde, out of curiosity if you don't mind, was your selected DHL pick-up location, Lagos or outside Lagos?

Donde:


I just got an email “Your document(s) have been collected from the US Embassy/Consulate”

Is this the pickup email? Or do I have to wait for another?

Hello Donlino1992 call their contact center, someone may help you over the phone if there is availability.

Donlino1992:
Yes there are lots of slots for 8th of March. I tried booking but the system won't let me to book. And I have exceeded my limit today. So you can book for 8th of march now for IW

Hello, I read your questions. Please note that career change happens and nothing is wrong with a change in career path in as much as it shows logical progression and its objectives are realistic. Remember that everyone will have different circumstances, hence I will suggest that you read my earlier comments in unison.

In your Spouse's situation there are many positives, all I see is a need to be a bit more objective and realign the facts based on the peculiarity. In specific response:

Your Spouse's current workplace is a Hospital (medical services), he is not working in a Bank (financial services) or any other sector. In this case, your Spouse holding a Bsc in Microbiology is a positive, all he needs to do is to show continuous work activities that makes his Microbiology progressive as well as he taking on managerial functions because he is a part owner of the business being a Shareholder. This gives you an opportunity to tweak his previous CV and SOP to align as a Microbiologist who is involved in administration/management of the hospital. Whereas, he is seeking the managerial skills to be better at his work. I do not think being designated strictly as an Administrative Manager has helped this either, he should have been designated with a role that accommodates both his academic qualification and future plan, e.g. I had suggested Director of Clinical Services and Administration (for instance). It shouldn't be a change of career for him but rather supplementing his Bsc in Microbiology with Business Management to improve his managerial skills and to support the growth of the business. Since you pointed out that he genuinely wants to study management.

I also noted that someone suggested to you to consider a specialised management in healthcare, I agree that this will also align better in addition to my earlier suggestions.

Please note that this is a personal insight and suggestion based on only the information you have provided, as I cannot have the full picture, hence the decision lies with you. I wouldn't be making further comments on this situation so that you can take your time to make an informed decision. My best wishes.

Cuddles7:

I thought one can apply for a course either based on past studies or current work experience? I honestly didn't think it would pose a problem.

I dunno how to pitch in the loving microbiology part or how he is still utilising the BSc in microbiology. Or are people not allowed to change careers? Pardon my too many questions.

In Nigeria you have microbiologists/geologists/lawyers etc working even in banks.

In his SOP he clearly stated why and how he needs more professional training in business to be able to run the hospital better. And wanted a short course (1yr) so he could go back and assume the new position of director of operations (job offer letter was included too as well as study leave approval from the company)

He applied alone. I'm a doctor and I'm staying back as his spouse with my son. And we already added my payslips to show I can fend for my son and I while he's away. I work in a federal hospital.

I have read your further information and how the study permit application was presented. Here are some thoughts:

Business Management is a good skill that Investors, Entrepreneurs or Managers need to improve their business. So, putting this into your Spouse’s situation, my opinion is that since the business is Hospital (Medical Services), his current work activities will be nice to show the continuous utilisation of his education as a Microbiologist, while he is also taking up administrative roles. In a Hospital organogram for instance the Chief Medical Director is usually expected to be a Doctor and he or she also takes up administrative functions. There is nothing wrong if the CMD pursues business management professional knowledge.

What I am suggesting is that you may reapply, whilst being consistent with your previous profile, however, make your Spouse present himself as a Microbiologist, who is still in love with his microbiology but requires business management skills to support and improve the family business. The business management education will provide management skills which did not form part of his first degree or education.

Also, I do not know if he is being accompanied by you, in any case it is important you also add your work and finance related documents to show that his family will be fine whilst he is studying.

I do hope this clarifies further, my best wishes.

Cuddles7:
Thankyou so much. Can you elucidate further?

He actually worked for a few years in the same hospital lab (microbiology section, he pointed that out in his resume). Before he was made the administrative manager after about 3yrs.

Now his father (the Medical director) is due for retirement and needs him to become the hospital administrator/director of operations. And he felt the need to get some professional training in business as this now has a much larger scope and it's a requirement to completely qualify for the position (he put in his new job offer letter to prove that, as well as a study leave approval)

Please kindly suggest how he can improve his career path to fit in with the business management. He's really not interested in furthering along that microbiology route.

I really appreciate this.

Godbless

Hello, I have been silent on the thread, however I felt a bit concerned about your situation and thought I should at least offer my insight based on the VO's comment in the GCMS note you posted.

My understanding is that there seems to be a concern regarding your Spouse's academic background versus his employment situation and career plan. Your spouse studied microbiology, while his current employment (though being a shareholder in the Hospital) is Administration Manager. I think this is where the main concern is, it appears that given the fact he is a Microbiologist, he works and has invested in the hospital, he should not be working as the Administration Manager. The question is, where is the utilisation of his education in Microbiology? It would have been sufficient if he was employed or designated as the Director/Manager of Clinical Services and Administration (for instance), and he is going to study PGC in Business Management to improve his work output in the area of administration due to the fact that his educational background would not have covered for the business management aspect, however, his work experience and daily activities have necessitated the need to invest in such professional education.

I usually support Judicial Review where there are no holes that can be argued or capitalised on by the Defence Counsel. In this your case, my genuine opinion is that you may reconsider working on the career path. The recent refusal reason of Personal Asset and Financial Status is still flowing from this employment situation and not the excess amount you have which clearly meets the financial sufficiency requirement.

I hope this helps, my best wishes.

Cuddles7:

Thankyou. Will apply by next week for the GCMS notes.

Look at the one below for first refusal (abii delay, Lol)

Hello Everyone,

I have made frequent visits to this thread as a Guest. However, I felt that I should at least provide relevant information that may assist others towards proper preparation for TRV visit visa application for Canada and this may also work for other visit visas generally.

Firstly, I should state here that the information I will provide are purely based on my personal and professional experience, I am neither an Agent nor Immigration Consultant. This information is provided in good faith; kindly make your informed decision before applying same to your situation.

I was finally granted a Canada TRV visit (tourism) at the second attempt, just like some other people, I have travelled to many countries yearly, sometimes I make 2 to 3 tourism travels to countries in Africa, Europe, Middle East and North America, so when the plan to see Canada came, I felt this should be a walk over. However, I was shocked when I got a refusal based on purpose of visit. I reviewed my situation and immediately reapplied in less than 5 days of receipt of the refusal. I provided more documents showing past travels, finances, commitments in Nigeria and made a proper presentation of my travel plan. This worked, and I was issued the visa 25 days after reapplying.

I learnt some lessons and will like to share with others as a little contribution:

1. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY - Firstly, you have to be truthful to yourself, and let the truth reflect in your application. It does not matter if your application is later refused, at least you know that you are honest and this will make any follow up application to be consistent with prior information. Please note that there is nothing wrong in stating any past visa refusals if any, stating it gives you credibility as being honest, even the popular rich owner of an English football club was refused UK Visa recently. So do not see it as a negative, mention it and you may provide a brief explanation on the refusal and why your situation has changed.

2. VISIT VISA IS NOT THE BEST ROUTE TO REMAIN IN ANY COUNTRY - If your intention is to remain in any country, you should look at other visa categories and plan towards your eligibility. I have lived in a popular EU country before and I see the stress many go through and the uncertainties of time due to being illegal because they came in via visit visa and did not return. It is equally tedious to receive asylum through the visit visa route. So instead of wasting many years in uncertainty, it is advisable that anyone who intends to relocate should consider other categories and not visit visa. Except you want to go for visit and return, and then later apply for any other category.

3. PURPOSE OF VISIT - this is the most important aspect for eligibility. I usually say to people that to pass this test, it is advisable that you see yourself as an Immigration Officer say for Nigeria, so if you are to be at any Embassy of Nigeria or foreign mission and you have to decide who to issue a visit visa, would you not ask yourself, why does this person want to visit my country? Am I satisfied with the reason for the visit or could there be an undisclosed intention, such as going for a oil and gas transaction in the Niger Delta? This is just an example, so you want to be sure that if the person is coming for tourism, he is truly coming for that purpose, such person should provide details of the places or attractions he intends to visit including the highlights for picking such attractions or places; and if it is to visit friend or family, you want to be sure about the status of the friend or family and the reason why such visit is necessary.

4. PREVIOUS TRAVEL HISTORY - There is a popular saying that there is always a first time. So as much as travel history is one of the boxes to be ticked, it can be waived based on the discretion of the Officer as well as the significance of the purpose of visit, hence many people have received Canada, USA and other European countries visit visas on new passports. However, if you have not travelled to any country before and you firstly want to travel to Canada for tourism? I mean tourism and not a visit to a family! You too think about it now, Canada is at least a 18 hours journey from Nigeria and depending on your connecting or layover airport it could be more. So you left Europe which you can arrive within 6 hours and other close countries and you just want to visit Canada for tourism without any history of other similar journeys? It is advisable that you travel to other countries and build a profile that you can always refer to when you apply, for example in Year 20..., I or We visited France or United Kingdom for tourism and in this country I or We visited Eiffel tower or London eye as the case may be, this is just for example. If you are visiting friend or family you need to make the reason for visiting your contact realistic and believable. This is not cast in stone, each situation will have its peculiarities, for example a spouse may be issued visit visa to accompany his or her spouse who had previously been issued visa and has built a good profile. Also parents who have their children studying or living in Canada may also find it convenient to be granted visit visa for graduation purposes, marriage or other family reasons.

5. PERSONAL ASSET AND FINANCIAL STATUS - This is an aspect you have to show through your work, employment or sponsor. No country including Nigeria will want any person who cannot meet the financial implication of the cost of travel or stay to visit their country. So it is important that you have to show that you can meet your travel cost with verifiable and sustainable source of income. You do not have to show all your entire assets and investments to qualify, but you may show all if you are comfortable about it since some people believe this theory. However, the most important is to show sustainable and verifiable source of income or sponsorship. Documents to support assets or finances are endless and everyone's situation cannot be the same, but please ensure that you submit genuine and verifiable documents. Do not let anyone mislead you, the fact that someone got away with it does not guarantee that you may not be caught. Why sacrifice the right to keep reapplying as your situation may improve, in exchange for a 5 or 10 year ban as the case may be?

6. TIES TO HOME COUNTRY OR CONFIDENCE THAT THE APPLICANT WILL RETURN - This is another major hurdle that an Immigration Officer will want an Applicant to satisfy without any element of doubt and vagueness. This may be passed by clear explanation with evidence of home commitments, career, employment, investments if any, nuclear family, social responsibilities, previous travels, future plans etc.

It is advisable that you see the visa application as a job application, the slots are few but the people are many. So let your documents be clear, easy to understand, direct, verifiable, honest and straight to the point. The fact that you did not get it at the first try does not mean quit, take a calm reflection about the reason for the refusal, and look inward to see if you can address it immediately or if you need time to resolve it. Do not be angry when you see a refusal, just take up the challenge that there is something I need to do, then do it right.

Above all, after you have truthfully done all that is required, kindly commit your application to God, because God will do the rest for you after you have honestly done your own best.

I hope this will help someone may be now and in the future. ALL THE VERY BEST