CHIKACIC:
My people from the bottom of my heart I say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
As is our slogan: It will go round and end in praises!

Lonnnnnnnng Post Alert!!!!

One of my numerous mantras is: “As long as there is life, there is hope”.

First of all.....TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
I choose this moniker “CHIKACIC” meaning: God pass Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). My story will throw more light.

Personal profile:
I am 43. YES! I am a 43 year old lawyer, wife and mother of three (2 boys and 1 girl).

My quest for visa started way back in 2003/2004; during Law School/after the death of my father/NYSC.

First UK visa application (Visit) was in 2004 - refused.
Second UK visa application (Visit) in 2006 - refused.
Third UK visa application (Study) in 2008 - refused.
Fourth UK visa application (Visit) in 2011 - approved.
Fifth UK visa application (Visit) in 2020 - approved, but wasn’t used cos of COVID.

My interest has always been in the UK, because that’s where I have family members (a distant Uncle and 2 younger sisters), one of whom is my financial sponsor together with her husband and conquering my study visa refusal has always been on my bucket list.
Post 2008, I have continuously applied and received countless admission letters for graduate studies in the UK, but God said no it is not yet my time. God willing, I hope to check that off in my bucket list in the nearest future.
In 2013/2014, US Diversity Visa lottery caught my interest before it was later scrapped for Nigeria (heard we have exceeded our quota limit).
My interest in Canada started in 2015 as per Express Entry, but my scores and funds were low ( family of 4 then).
I gave birth to my daughter in April 2017, which was the year they had the lowest score till date in the Express entry (FSWP) history. (415 in April and 413 in May). My score was fluctuating between 420/414. Unfortunately, I missed that opportunity because I stopped monitoring the program during my pregnancy. I got to know about the scores later in the year. Mennnn, e painnnn me, I no go lie. Since then, the scores has not favored me because of age (the policy of -5 marks after every birthday). So all eyes moved to study visa. The rest they say is history.

BUT I WILL STILL TESTIFY TO KEEP HOPE ALIVE:

First time applicant to Canada.

Upfront Medical: February 10
Submitted online with IELTS: March 1
(This was the IELTS I wrote in April 2019 for Express Entry to expire April 2021). I also wrote another one in March 2021 as the previous one is about to expire.
Biometric Request: March 2
Biometric Completed: March 4
I didn’t notice when my Background check started.
NSE Request for POF: March 5 to expire on April 5 (which I ignored because of UK sponsors).
Medical Passed: March 9

Then eerie silence.......no update whatsoever for almost 5 months. (March 9 to July 21). This platform helped me a lot during this period. You all are the bomb!

I think sometime in May I sent a LOE to Nairobi via web form and email explaining why I ignored the NSE request because my POF came from the UK. Receipt acknowledged, but no official response.

Then in June I did three things:

1. 7th June, I sent an email to Nairobi, Lagos, London, and Beijing offices to know the status of my application, which has exceeded the standard processing time. Got the generic response.

2. Ordered for my GCMS notes via Anon123 on June 25th - yet to receive that. (Now I am very very curious to know how the whole thing went down).

3. June 30th, I sent a mail to the MP representing my school location and on July 14th, I got a feedback from the MP’s office that my Medical and Background checks are complete, and Eligibility is under review.

NOTE: As at the time I got this feedback, there was no update (ghost or otherwise) on my IRCC profile from March 9th (my last update as per Medicals) until yesterday 4:39pm and 4:40pm July 21st 2021, when I got three consecutive emails asking me to check my account for messages.

Na pounding heart/trembling hands I take login ooo.
The first thing I noticed was that my eligibility is under review and I was like oh noooo more waiting. Then I scrolled down and saw application APPROVED!
In front of my husband and children, I went down on my knees thanking and praising GOD, because na in hand I dey/na in hand I carry myself put along with my imperfect application package throughout this journey.
MY PEOPLE, WITH GOD BY YOUR SIDE:
IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT!
IF THAT DESIRE IS STILL IN YOUR HEART NOTWITHSTANDING THE OBSTACLES AND SETBACKS YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED, KEEP HOPE ALIVE. IT WILL SURLY COME TO PASS.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!!!!!!!!

Wawu!!!! Congratulations Sis. God is faithful. I have hope with this story of yours. 42 year old lawyer with 4 kids and I keep praying that it shouldn't be that my time has passed. Waiting for the memorial university portal to open in September and then we start the journey. I tap into your grace of getting admission despite being a first time applicant. Indeed Canada will favour you my sister. Go and conquer.

olasubomy:


Hi Nana53,

While you await more contributions from the gurus, below is my take;

Age is not a barrier to further your education. What is most important is career progression enough to convince the admission officers. You have extensive years of experience, so I don't think you will have any issue in gaining admission. GDBA and MBA are both good choices depending on your academic background and your job functions in terms of work experience. I don't know what you do on your job but the career progression must be logical, especially when you are presenting your application to immigration for your visa.

Your academic programme and course of choice have to be similar to your work experience or academic background. One good thing about your profile is your extensive work experience most especially if the 7 years are related to your current job. You can use this to your advantage to convince the visa officer you are established and coming back because you have a good job waiting for you. The motivation for your studies and how this will add value to you and your organization when you return has to be documented when you are presenting your application to IRCC for Visa.

@ Lekkiboboe is our career guru, and he has lots of expertise on issues like this, or you can await more contributions from other gurus.

Thank you Olasubomy. Your response has been very helpful even as I await more contributions from.the gurus. I have held position in legal and compliance for financial service organisation for the 7 years experience I was talking about. Thanks for the directions. I would start my application in September by God's grace.

Hi All,
I'm new here and I must say good job you are all doing on this thread. The contributions are a massive eye opener for me.

Please , I would like advice, MBA or GDBA , which one would guarantee me admissions? I have 14 years experience and have held managerial roles for upwards of 7 years. Would have preferred GDBA cos of cost and the fact that you get to stay in Canada longer but I don't know if the admissions office would think I'm too old and experienced for that and that I may not want to come back to Nigeria. I don't want them to reject my admission based in that.

@Frankrobbn1 and @Olasubomy, pls help a sister. Thank you.