freeradical:
Thanks madam vcole. I feel giving back to the thread I've gained so much from is only fair. How is our Canadian baby holding up?

It's really good to share though. Helps loads of people. I remember when i wanted to start the process and I read through several online forums searching for any doc who had gone through the process.........finding a Nigerian who had was like the proverbial needle and haystack situation. So be rest assured your feedback would help lots of people.
Baby is aii. Growing growing. I see Edmonton seems to be skipping the worst of the snow storm.

@freeradical great update. Congrats on the job.

Nogen:
Congratulations @ Radicals.

@ Canadiannurse, seeing some nice cars at 3k to 7k at Quebec. Will check them out when I arrive there. Use the Internet , check kijiji website.

Cars are actually way cheaper in Quebec so that's another pro fpr your choice.

ugoiyke79e:

How are managing with school runs in your first winter? How is it like driving through in the snow?

salford1:

November was cold but december has been suprisingly warm out here in the west. The recently landed naija peeps must have brought warm weather with them.

Was just gonna say what Salford1 did. December was surprisingly awesome thus far till today. Lol! To be honest, now I sorta prefer the cold just because I know what to wear and layer up and all. It becomes a lil frustrating when I layer up and then in a few hours the sun and some warmth comes out to surprise me. Lol! Driving in the winter....well, october brought a lotta snow so I sorta got used to it then so driving now is better. Winter tires, windshield de-icer, driving slower....you'll be fine. I don't drive for long distances when it snows though. So for instance I won't drive from the south to the North but I'll drive within a 20 min drive radius from where I live. Anywhere else I park at the train station and use the transit.

careerwoman:

Ok.. Thank you so much for this.. I'll think it through
Quick question: Would I still need to write mccqe 1 and 2 after two years of UK practice?

That PRA thing comes with it's conditions. For BC right now you only need mccee but seeing as that exam is being phased out next year they'll have to update their requirements but off the top of my head you'll need 24 months of proven family medicine residency or 24 months of practice with rotations in o n g. paeds. psych. surg. int med. You can confirm online though. Most of the peeps who moved here from the Uk through have an easier pathway. However fam med residency in d uk is just 2yrs or 3 right? So you'll most likely wanna finish up there if you've started before moving.

boldinc:
Thanks vcole... Finally! How you holding up? How's your new born? Not so new anymore yea?

All the best dear.

Pushing on 6 months now bro. Not so new anymore. Tnx.

careerwoman:


Wow!!! God bless you for taking out the time to write this post. Your opinions are very insightful. I am a final year medical student (will be graduating this year hopefully.. ASUU strike be trying to hold me back but God is in control). I was going to go through the Masters route but based on your post, I may have to reconsider and probably take the UK plab route after NYSC. PLAB is way faster and more affordable than USMLE based on the information I gathered from my seniors. I know a host of medical doctors from my school who had written and passed PLAB within their NYSC year.
I actually thought Masters route was the best pathway. Well, I guess I was wrong.. Thank you for opening my eyes to this..

Just read through your posts again. If I may add, in my opinion, for you the best route would be tp write plab during or just after nysc. For now, jobs are readily available in the uk once you have your gmc license. So with your tier 2 status in the UK and hopefully getting a residency after about a year as a MO, you'll be better prepped for a move to Canada. With a specialist license from the UK, you get a full license here as well and can get a job immediately. However if you don't finish your residency from the UK but you have 2yrs of practice there, or 2yrs of gp residency there and you move here, you can get into the PRA program and sign a 3-4yr return of service contract in exchange for your license in some provinces.

careerwoman:
Montreal made me fall in love with Canada sha.. I over explored the city using the efficient metro and my darling Google map. Got lost on few occasions

If I'm not mistaken, you went to montreal on a trv for a conference or exchange posting?....

debbiejosh:


Hi!
He needs to send a mail back asap, he would be advised to send some documents for the wife, pay her fees, and other things.
He needs to send a mail to the VO first, he would be sent further instructions.

Thanks. He's done this.

ugoiyke79e:



Hahahahahahaha!!
He is still in d moon.
How are u doing sis?

Lol!! That moon suppose don finish since. I'm good. How are you prepping for your winter welcome?

esosa4real:


My sister, i was just thinking about messaging you days ago ooh. I go stilo email you.

I dey wait for copr, if not my flight was supposed to be this coming Thursday but seems i will move it.

Yes my BP, be don go down but it's rising again because accra is still holding my passport for one month now.

who did i offend in this canada waka?

No mind Accra oh. They are repeat offenders. Copr would be out soon

Licious07:

Ok. Thank you!

you're welcome. #staypositive

AlexanderGreat:

He should send a mail to Ottawa (I hope his VO was ottawa) notifying them that he just got married and would like to include her as accompanying spouse. He should also ask them if he could still go ahead and send his passport now or wait till he's sent another PPR that will come after his wife's documents must have been uploaded and reviewed. The only implication is that his timeline will further increase by maybe a month or even less.

Santino1:


I don't know if this helps (or if it's generic) but when I got my PPR, there was nota bene in bold stating that I should notify the Paris Visa Office (where my application was handled) immediately if there has been a change in my family status/composition (can't remember the exact wordings now). Thus, to answer your question, s/he should contact his/her VO before sending the passport and I believe s/he will be advised on how to proceed.

Thanks so much. Quite helpful. Also came across similar experiences online. Ottawa is the VO or at least we think it is. Ppr email came from ircc.cpco

Una no vex. I know this is the wrong thread for this but abeg no vex. Please help me torchlight this kweshun. Does anyone know what the rules are for updating family info after receiving ppr but before copr?
I have someone who just got ppr on thursday and was already scheduled to marry on Saturday. As per they had done intro months before and had done the registry app thing and Saturday was d approved wedding date. However ppr came on thursday.
Can he still update his info that he's now married and what are the implications? His timeline from aor to ppr was 4 weeks so it was unexpected.

esosa4real:


Dockay how far nah, longtime, Wats d situation report!

Dockay now when your bp don come back to normal. How far landing?

boldinc:
PPR came through yesterday

Everyone that got ITA alongside myself and even after have all gotten PPR and some have even landed... @vcole, @SlowelybtSurely @40malappy and so on...

The race is not for the Swift... Keep your goal in mind and do all it takes to achieve it. Cross all the Hurdles (Poor IELTS results, ECA delays, Rejections, etc) with your head up and chest out. Aim for the finish line... Stay Prayerful!

I wish everyone all the best! ... I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have.

Boldinc!!!!! Finally bro! Congrats!!!!

Hi my people. Abeg no vex. Please help me torchlight this kweshun. Does anyone know what the rules are for updating family info after receiving ppr but before copr?
I have someone who just got ppr on thursday and was already scheduled to marry on Saturday. As per they had done intro months before and had done the registry app thing and Saturday was d wedding date. However ppr came on thursday.
Can he still update his info that he's now married and what are the implications?

Licious07:
And my ielts result is out...L8 R9 S8 W6.5. Can't explain how I feel right now .

Definitely remark your writing and just request for it now since it takes a couple of weeks. In the meantime you can also opt for a rewrite but also request a remark for this current one at the same time. I think that if you are remarking just one section it may come out faster than if you remark all 4 sections.

Nogen:


Bros, you dey here too? Lol. Thanks for the response.

Ah bros na our "elder" for here oh Nogen. Lol! Well, just dress warm then prep to get winter jackets for everyone as soon as you land.

@einsteino @careerwoman @vascey @teeman et al lots of well said comments.

You know its interesting that @pidgin2 can have such a perspective of our dear motherland which is totally blind to the stark reality staring everyone else in the face and that is the exact problem with what's wrong with Nigeria. I mean, our country is a threat to mental function oh!

Argue with yourself or insult me and my entire generation, I will not answer you.

And to that person trying to look for who to get into a completely senseless argument over preferential treatment of women in Nigeria, well done. Keep on living in your la la land. If you like too, argue with yourself or insult me and my entire generation, i will not answer you.

Drops troublesome mic.

Ii

vascey:
So suddenly we are actually comparing the structures and opportunities in Canada to that in Nigeria, a third world vs developed nation. What exactly is the aim of this? Is it for people not to emigrate or we are just feeling patriotic and feel the need to describe our country with beautiful words. Whichever the case, I don't think this is the place.

This thread is an avenue for people who have landed to share their experience to the benefit of those who are still in the process. We seem to have deviated a bit.

Pls we all love our country Nigeria, but even love and patrotism cannot turn white to black. If you believe in your heart that Naija offers better opportunities than Canada, then please, stay back. Don't come here trying to distract us from the purpose of this thread.

Thank you. Sometimes I truly get tired of conversations that lead nowhere.

salford1:

It is completely doable.

If they break up because of long distance due to job or work, then they are not really meant to be together.
If you work in field Engineering, business development or other field roles, and your wife works say in finance or an in-town role...your marriage would be tested in Canada.

Canada is a small country (economically) when compared to other advanced countries; hence markets and jobs are widespread just as their cities and towns are spread out. It's not uncommon to see husbands living their wifes to work in another province...like the newfies (Newfoundlanders) all over Alberta).

Funny enough, Nigerian marriages that I see hitting the rocks are the ones where the husband and wife live in the same city or province. I have seen two of such already in a space of two years.

Also it's not just about migration. I always ask some people who are firm believers in cleaving means clinging aka gum gum �� this question. If you and your spouse are together for 10yrs and then you get a job as the UN sec gen and your spouse is in a high management role or a lucrative business owner elsewhere. Would you turn down the sec gen position or would you expect your spouse to resign or close up their business to move around the world with you? Distance in any relationship isn't easy but for some people (read as military lol!) It is inevitable. I think the most important thing is for a couple to know and understand the uniqueness of their relationship and decide if distance is an option and if the timing for said to occur is right and most importantly what the long term plan is.
Anyone female or male who claims distance as the reason for infidelity know that in their heart of hearts they were already cheating or considering it and opportunity just simply presented itself.

maternal:


No sane person who's doing well in their country would even consider migrating. The fact you're thinking about migrating says a lot. Why not tell us what's disturbing you about naija then we can go from there. Help me help you.

Not true for everyone. My spouse and I were in the "doing well" group back home. Migrating to Canada was not triggered by a need for better financial prosperity but for other reasons. There is more to living in a country than the Jobs or funds you make. I have kids, growing up in this present day Nigeria for them is a risk in my opinion. Violence is allowed to thrive, the values being perpetrated right now back home are not exactly great. Then let's talk about the "over religiosity" and yet lack of love and kindness that is rampant back home. For us, it was mostly to be able to live in a place where our kids would grow up and not feel comfortable walking past someone who fell on the road and needs a helping hand to lift them up. Yes, they could have been taught that everywhere but it is harder to do that in present day Nigeria. Even our generation grew up in a better naija than this. Also, let's talk about education........Nigeria is still waaaaayyyyyy backwards as regards advancing educational opportunities that are relevant in the future. I have an interest in Academia and that would practically die if I remained back home. Let's talk about health care which happens to be my field. Yes, I could be in Nigeria and make a ton of money but my career would be pretty much dead in the water having more patients who die than those who live. No matter how hard I tried within 7yrs of practice back home I could never develop the selective amnesia needed to practice in Nigeria. Then let's talk about gender issues. I have a son and a daughter. I refuse to raise my son in a society that makes him regard women less than they should. Yes, he could be raised sane in Naija but it'll require more effort and I'll much rather put in that effort and let the society I live in help strengthen it. My daughter........Canada is currently the best country in the world to live as a woman and I'll much rather live here and have my daughter raised here than in Nigeria.
People migrate for so many other reasons and not always because they are not "doing well"
No matter how much doing well you are doing back home you'll still have and maintain a generator, provide your own water, drive on pothole ridden roads, provide your own security, keep yourself and family indoors during elections, run away to another country for medical care if you are diagnosed with cancer, pray that you are not involved in a ghastly accident on the expressway or even within the city because emergency care services may never get to you in time and no matter how much "doing well" you are doing your life expectancy will remain in the 50s and the list is endless and personally I don't believe in "praying for every damn thing" . But these kind of issues don't bother everyone.

chinchum:
I am not sure, i have not messed up the arrangements of the message, pls treat it like a jigsaw puzzle.....

Thanks. Appears I literally missed the window by 2 days. Found the post on this link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1469016986469159&id=227298140641056 . However I'll call them on Monday and see how that goes.

maternal:


Just make sure all your documents are correct. Including the size of the passport photo.

Thanks.

chinchum:
i think my wife received a whatsapp group message that the nigerian high commission will be in calgary this december for passport renewal. i will ask her in a bit and get back to you

That would be awesome if it happens

DatechMan:
Chaii.

So yesterday I went to the Fido office at Sheridan Center to get a voucher for the Prepaid SIM I bought earlier.
Base plan = $15.75
Data Addon = $20
Sim Card = $10
Tax = $5 or thereabout.

After I called IRCC for 16 minutes, I was cut-off. Credit exhausted. I don't think I can even receive calls.
Strange enough, it seems you need credit to even receive calls. . Note that IRCC number is supposed to be toll free

This Canada hustle no be joke o

Solution is to get an unlimited nationwide call and text plan. Plans with mins count both incoming and outgoing calls. When we just landed I went on a BYOP and only virginmobile sim could work with my phone. I got the 500mins monthly plan and for the 3 months I was with them my bill always exceeded the plan. I got tired and changed to freedom

maternal:


You should get it the same day IF you do EVERYTHING correctly. I saw people come from Alberta and their passport was rejected because they didn't follow proper instructions. I got mine the same day. Also I wouldn't trust the Nigerian gov to mail such an important document. Try come in the morning. The earlier the better.

Thanks. Any pointers as to the common "incorrect things" that may cause a rejection? Will plan to spend 2-3 days though as I'll be coming from Calgary.

DrOBD:


This your response was why I dropped my email address earlier.

I am a newbie here (on this thread), a complete novice. I just started thinking of Canada a few weeks ago. I have a great job here, I work with an international NGO and earn well. My wife is also a doctor and works with an NGO as well. My interest is in public health and would love to continue my public health career wherever I relocate to. I have two kids(B3y and G1y), both of them are American citizens (thanks to Nairaland)
Sorry for the epistle, just wanted to introduce myself.
I have the following concerns:
1. For IMGs, are there public health opportunities for IMGs without a Canadian masters. Did my postgraduate here in Naija. [font=Lucida Sans Unic[b]ode]Without a Canadian public health qualification, I am unaware of any opportunities you can access. So you'll work towards a msc pub health or mph or try to match a pub health residency[/b][/font]
2. Is it advisable to evaluate Both my postgraduate and undergraduate degree For docs we MUST evaluate our mbbs with mcc. No need to evaluate your post grad[/font]
3. Is there any advantage for IMGs with fellowship from their home country [font=Lucida Sans Unicode]Well, from Nigeria, with a family medicine fellowship or a fellowship from a residency or at least 2 yrs of a residency with 24 months rotation in internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, paeds, obsgyn, psychiatry and pub health it may be advantageous for a PRA. Fellowship from the Uk, US, Ireland, Australia, new zealand and I think SA get their license to practice here without hassle. Google practice readiness assessment in Canada for more accurate details.
4. What is the total cost like for IMGs from start to finish i don't think anyone can give you this. It all depends on what exactly you are applying for.
5. Does the number of years post medical school count, does it matter. What are the chances of IMGs with over 7 years post graduation. it doesn't really matter. If you intend to apply for a PRA they'll want your recency of practice ( i.e. you shouldn't have been out of clinical practice for more than 3yrs prior to your application and acceptance into the PRA prog) to be 3yrs or less. Some people have had to go back to Nigeria to practice for about 6 months-1yr prior to applying or being accepted into a PRA just to meet this requirement
6. My wife (and maybe me) would love to take the qualifying exams. Is it advisable to take the exams from here or wait till after one relocates. [font=Lucida Sans Unicode[b]]I wouldn't advice anyone to take the mcc exams outside Canada if possible.pass rates are higherif you take them while in Canada because you can join an img study group snd access more info snd materials. Also the rules changed recently so the mccee exam which y'all may have been eligible to take outside Canada prior to landing is now being phased away within the next few months and exam requirements for matching and pra are changing. Google mccevolution.c[/b]a[/font]
7. Heard Canada is trying to restructure the healthcare system to favor IMGs, do you have any information. Well they appear to be making changes. Read answer to No. 6 above.
8. Which state do you consider the best for IMGs. [font=Lucida Sans Unicode][b]If you wanna get into a PRA, BC and Sask and Manitoba seem to be more favourable however they are competitive. Alberta is favourable for IMG matching because they match IMGs separately from canadian/us med grads. However it is still highly competitive. This doesn't mean that imgs fron other provinces haven't matched but as you know img matching is highly competitive.[/fo[/b]nt]

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks.

Answers embedded above

Adiahabasi:

Awww! Kudos to you guys, una three much! Glittering star
PPR landed last week o. Got a double miracle. PPR came in the morning, & then my school's senate approved my PhD thesis that afternoon... PPR+PhD= God's Overwhelming Joy! Now ready to port!

So happy the Canadian dream is almost a reality!

Special thanks to Dupyshoo, God blessed that babe with patience extraordinare. Thanks to all those who also answered all my numerous questions early last year, vcole, JesusDway, Zandora, physiobabe, e.t.c may we all flourish in the "PROMISED LAND.

Congrats!!!!!!!

Hi y'all. Please I need to renew my Nigerian passport. I know I'll have to fill the app online and then go to Ottawa but does anyone know the turn around time? Would I get it the same day or would they send it to me? Would I need an agent to expedite the process? Cc: @blackbuddy, maternal et al

@DrOBD kindly ask your question about IMGs here. Thanks.