justexcellent:
LOOOOONNNNGGG POST ALERT!!!
I really don't know where to start from. But first, I just wanna thank God for his mercies that never fails. He is great and greatly to be praised. I started this journey in 2018 after I graduated in 2017, looking for opportunities in the abroad as a first class graduate na (Lol). After several mails of "I don't have space in my lab" from seeking supervisors, right in the middle of pandemic in 2020, I got a supervisor who offered me full funding!! The grace of God did it. And it's been God all through.
Now fast forward to visa application: I made a mistake on the first application which looked like inconsistency of information when juxtaposed with my second application. I almost withdrew my 2nd application (Lol). I really prayed to God about it and that he would cause my mistakes to be ignored; that it won't be counted as anything. I prayed that he would rid me of any trouble. I was also confessing the word of God concerning my situation. For example, I would say everyday that "My visa officer is satisfied with my application and documents in Jesus Name. My study permit application is approved. No mistake will stand against me. My application is processed with speed. I am favoured and graced by the officer reviewing my application. My visa officer loves my profile" I kept saying them and then God came through for me!!! He helped me. All that I confessed came to pass. God bless my VO! I thank God for Frank (God bless you bro) who allayed my fears and told me what to do.
My Timeline:
I have a BSc and applied for an MSc.
1st application:
Applied in August. Refused in October based on: Family ties, Purpose of visit and limited employment prospects.
I ordered my GCMS notes. I didn't wait to receive the notes to study it before I reapplied. I didn't have the time to wait and thankfully, they were generic reasons. To be honest, I didn't really do justice to my SOP the visa application way. I thought I did but after seeing some vital information and structure for SOP on this forum, I knew there were some things I should have included. Thank God it was rejected anyways because it was all for my good!
Proof of Funds: I submitted my full funding letter (full tuition and 15K CAD for living expenses) and statement of account of 105k.
2nd application:
Again, I submitted the same proof of funds.
Submitted application: November 6, 2020
NSE request: December 10, 2020
Responded to NSE: December 15, 2020
Medical request: January 20, 2021
AIP (via email): January 25, 2021
Medical done at IOM: February 17, 2021
Medical updated to passed: February 22, 2021
BVL and PPR: February 23, 2021
My response to NSE request:
I typed a letter responding to their notification of my eligibility for NSE. In the letter, I thanked the VO for letting me know about it but that I wouldn't be able to follow that route due to my unique situation (I received full funding). For the IELTS, I attached my TOEFL score which I did in 2019. I then downloaded the TOEFL and IELTS comparison score sheet from ETS website and saved as pdf to upload. For example, a score of 21 in reading section of TOEFL corresponded to 6.5 band in IELTS. I just showed them that I meet the IELTS requirement either way. I had to respond to the NSE request so that my application won't be left hanging (Lol). Finally, in the letter, I had to appeal to them to continue the processing of my application through the normal route. I gave Richard (JustMellow) and Frank to help me review and make corrections. They graciously did and I uploaded the documents (God bless their souls). After I uploaded the documents (letter of explanation and funding letter in the POF section, and TOEFL and IELTS comparison sheet in the language test result section), I received an email from them the next day that my documents have been received and they are being reviewed.
After waiting and not getting medical request, I sent mail individually to Nairobi, China, London, New York, Delhi, Singapore, Accra and some few other ones. I got a mail the next day from Nairobi that my application is still under active review. 7 days later I got a medical request. So, you might want to gently send a reminder to them and asking that they should kindly give you an update on your application.
How I tackled my refusal reasons:
After I told my supervisor about it, he was really shocked. He then asked me to send the refusal letter so that he can show one of his colleagues who has knowledge of how immigration application works. His colleague dissected my LOE ehnn (Lmao) and highlighted some important points which I will share below. I also got some insightful ideas from previous applicants on the Canada visa forum.
Family Ties: Here, I mentioned that I don't have anyone in Canada. That my family, relatives and friends are here. Also mentioned what they do for a living (you don't have go into too much details). Then explained why I was leaving them behind to pursue my Master's and how it would benefit them upon my return. I also mentioned that I am a member of an organization and that I would be coming back to bring in fresh and innovative ideas on research methodologies.
Purpose of Visit: I talked about my academic background and mentioned specific courses that I did as an undergrad that aligned with my msc program. I mentioned the specific skills that I will be learning that are not here in Nigeria due to a dysfunctional system of education (I presented it in a good light though). Mentioned how the course would benefit me professionally and contribute to science in Nigeria.
Limited Employment prospects: Here, I mentioned specific companies related to my program. I copied the websites of the company and talked about why each company would want someone who is highly skilled (international exposure). I searched for prospective job applications/publications (about 7) on linkedin and saved the pages as pdf and merged. I talked about salary structure/prospects in Naira (I put the conversion rate in CAD) using a salary calculator tool online for a person who works in my field (e.g, research scientist). I stated that this is what I would be earning upon return. I appealed to their emotions and why they should reconsider me because I am a brilliant student who just wants to study and give back to my country and Africa. Please never talk down your country in your application.
Documents submitted:
I created a Table of Content for my documents (learnt this from Lekiboboe. Kudos to you bro). I didn't include it in my first application.
LOE
SOP
MSc Research Proposal
BSc certificate
Transcript
Waec certificate
High school testimonial
Publications of the job offers
Primary school testimonial
Salary structure
BSc research abstract
Nysc certificate
PPA letter
National id card (expired)
Emails exchanged with my supervisor
letter of recommendation
CV
Scholarship award letters from the Nigeria government as an undergrad
Convocation awards
Leadership awards & certificates
State of Origin certificate
LASRRA certificate from Lagos state
Photos during internship
Online course certificate
Family's group photos, birth certificates
My matriculation and convocation pictures.
That's all! No travel history or landed property/assets or fat bank salary account. It's just the Grace of God to be very honest.
(Side note: please if you were offered full funding, indicate it as "Full Scholarship" or "Fully Funded Scholarship" in the proof of funds section on the IMM form). Guys, keep the faith. Delay is not denial. When it is your time as appointed by God, nothing will stop it.
Special thanks to Frank, Richard (JustMellow), my friend Siobhanle, and every other person who contributes selflessly to the Canadian dream on this thread. God bless you all real good. I pray that it will end in highest praises and testimonies for everyone expecting their PPRs in Jesus Name. Let this my testimony of God's grace inspire you. Don't be discouraged at all. Don't give up. God doesn't forget his own! At the end, it is a matter of grace. What God cannot do does not exist! Prayers work! It changes things. Keep praying. I am a living testimony. Also, don't stop confessing God's word over your situation. Use your mouth to direct how your application will turn out. Keep confessing those words I shared at the beginning of this write up. May God's grace be extended to those waiting and those about to apply in Jesus Name. Wishing everyone a favourable outcome! Congratulations!!!!! 2 Likes |
Travel / Re: Canadian Student Visa Thread Part 18 by FIIWEBARRY: 1:45pm On Feb 23, 2021