Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,169,795 members, 7,875,972 topics. Date: Sunday, 30 June 2024 at 06:07 AM

Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 - Travel (255) - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Travel / Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 (1115804 Views)

Canadian Express Entry/federal Skilled Workers Program - Connect Here Part 10 / Canadian Express Entry/federal Skilled Workers Program - Connect Here Part 9 / Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Workers Program-Connect Here Part 3 (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) ... (252) (253) (254) (255) (256) (257) (258) ... (651) (Reply) (Go Down)

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by 1760: 2:23pm On Jul 22, 2022
Those ae the major ones, there are pgd, nd,hnd, ciin, cipm

Nsyjah:



please apart CIMA, ACCA and BCS which other short courses does WES evaluate which a graduate can take up so as to have two or more certificates?
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by EsoEso: 3:15pm On Jul 22, 2022
Zeewirld:
..Any one below 480 should just target PNP or other means this year.....They might stand a better chance say from next year sha....but I doubt same for this year.

I feel it should be anyone below 470. Since bill C-19 will be effected first quarter next year then it means there won't be any surprising changes much in the manner in which draws are being conducted. If IRCC steadily increases the number of ITAs going forward with regular draws, then CRS scores would definitely drop below 475 before December.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by GraciousWords: 3:57pm On Jul 22, 2022
Rume
NSE19
Belle35
Jasperonyx

cheesy Nagode!

2 Likes

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by GraciousWords: 3:57pm On Jul 22, 2022
kryptonyte729:

All thanks be to God for bringing this process to completion.

Timeline

ITA 1- Oct 2019 (expired)
ITA 2 - December 23, 2020
AOR- March 2021
Upfront Med - April 2021
BIL/MEP-July 2021

LONG SILENCE

ADR (PCC, Sch. A, Proof of Income, RPRF, ReMed)- March 2022
2nd Medical Passed- March 28, 2022
ADR Submitted- April 10, 2022
ADR Acknowledged- June 9, 2022
GU- June 20, 2022
PPR- June 21, 2022
VO- RROC

Thank you to All who have contributed to this thread through advice or dropped a word of hope during the long wait. And to all awaiting good news, may ITA and PPR hunt you down in Jesus name!


Congrats!

That Dec 23, 2020 draw......miracle for many.

2 Likes

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by GraciousWords: 4:01pm On Jul 22, 2022
cherishyy:
Hi guys, so I was looking at SINP and the requirements. I read that an applicant needs to have POF already in the account for at least 90 days before application. My question is, what if someone get a job offer in Saskatchewan, does the POF still applies?

Would appreciate your response.

SINP: 90 days before application. Remember you have 60 days between when you are invited to apply to SINP and when you apply (i.e. application date).

Some people believe you will be fine if you have the money 30 days before you complete your SINP EOI, even if you got invited immediately you can submit on the 60th day and this makes up 90 days.

Just another perspective, ask around though, to see if anyone has done this successfully.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by GraciousWords: 4:05pm On Jul 22, 2022
Bushraah:
Hi Fam,
Please does anyone know or have an idea of when Manitoba will draw for FSW (sponsorship), I mean people that have family ties to the province? I read it was last done July 2021 and before then, June 2019.

That's what I've applied to, I just want to know if I should still hold on or find another province to apply to.


Thank you.

Apply to Manitoba and to other PNPs too.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by Bushraah(f): 5:04pm On Jul 22, 2022
GraciousWords:


Apply to Manitoba and to other PNPs too.


Thank you.
I have submitted an EOI to MPNP and have a score of 604 out of 1000.

I checked SNIP and realized my NOC doesn't match my certificate.
As Manitoba hasn't done the draw I am just looking for other option(s).
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by samfrancis1(m): 5:55pm On Jul 22, 2022
Please Nairalanders can someone living with hepatitis b get canada working visa?
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by ednut1(m): 6:00pm On Jul 22, 2022
samfrancis1:
Please Nairalanders can someone living with hepatitis b get canada working visa?
working visa from agent Further tests will be required. They will still give the visa

1 Like

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by MrPein: 6:05pm On Jul 22, 2022
arasola2000:
Good morning all.
Please for the reference letter from my employer, is it a to whom it may concern or must it be addressed to the province office?
Also, will generic reference letters from previous employers suffice?
Thank you.

Hi. To whom it may concern is fine.
If you're claiming points from previous place of work, generic won't suffice. There are things IRCC expect to be included in your reference letter. See page one for details.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by Deronke1: 6:30pm On Jul 22, 2022
I just applied now for SINP with noc code 2171 with score 85,, any hope?

Any idea when the next draw will be?
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by titibaby: 6:39pm On Jul 22, 2022
It has to be 90days before invitation. Some people have been rejected for having 1 or 2 days less than 90 days. Assessment is done against the date of invitation.

GraciousWords:


SINP: 90 days before application. Remember you have 60 days between when you are invited to apply to SINP and when you apply (i.e. application date).

Some people believe you will be fine if you have the money 30 days before you complete your SINP EOI, even if you got invited immediately you can submit on the 60th day and this makes up 90 days.

Just another perspective, ask around though, to see if anyone has done this successfully.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by mcstan18(m): 6:49pm On Jul 22, 2022
chrismacaug:
Greetings everyone,

I am new here and i am happy to be in the folk. its a pleasure guys.

Please i read here that we can send our certificates and transcripts to WES through Fax. But my question is

1. Nigeria is not in the list of countries for assigning fax numbers. Can i use another country other than Nigeria to open and operate my Fax mail?

2. I learnt WES will send the documents (certificates and transcripts) back to awarding institution for confirmation. Then, how would my awarding institution here in Nigeria get the documents back for confirmation, since i used Fax mail in sending it out.

3. Can my certificate be sent for evaluation to increase points of my spouse, as the Principal Applicant? Just as i would embark on a language test to help increase points of my spouse as the Principal Applicant

Please, can someone help me out. i need urgent clarifications from the house. Thanks everyone.

1. You do not need to use any of that. Visit https://www.hellofax.com/ and enjoy free faxing. Do note that the free version has its limits.

2. Read the links related to WES/ECA on page zero to have a better understanding on how ECA works.

3. Yes.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by cherishyy(f): 6:52pm On Jul 22, 2022
GraciousWords:


SINP: 90 days before application. Remember you have 60 days between when you are invited to apply to SINP and when you apply (i.e. application date).

Some people believe you will be fine if you have the money 30 days before you complete your SINP EOI, even if you got invited immediately you can submit on the 60th day and this makes up 90 days.

Just another perspective, ask around though, to see if anyone has done this successfully.

Thank you Graciouswords. I was just wondering if someone can still apply without POF but with a job offer. The POF is the ishh

1 Like

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by Deronke1: 6:59pm On Jul 22, 2022
Deronke1:
I just applied now for SINP with noc code 2171 with score 85,, any hope?

Any idea when the next draw will be?
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by aurorae1: 7:01pm On Jul 22, 2022
EsoEso:


I feel it should be anyone below 470. Since bill C-19 will be effected first quarter next year then it means there won't be any surprising changes much in the manner in which draws are being conducted. If IRCC steadily increases the number of ITAs going forward with regular draws, then CRS scores would definitely drop below 475 before December.

The reality is that I don't think anyone anticipated the addition of over 1500 people with scores of 500-600 into the pool in just TWO WEEKS since the last draw, and more than 10000 overall. The only options are if the draw sizes increases and/or lesser people enter the pool, of which I doubt the latter.

That's the competitiveness of the pool right now and it will only get higher from here on out. That internal memo that talked of scores not going below a certain score might just be true.
Anything you can do to increase your scores or attractiveness to provinces, please do it.

1 Like

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by fathermonkey: 7:22pm On Jul 22, 2022
Hi Everyone!

I have a calculated CRS score of 481. with IELTS score of L8.5 R8.5 W8.0 S8.5. and I'm 24 with roughly 3 years of work experience, I have done tech support and currently into analytics.

I have a US masters. Do I need to evaluate that?

I am looking at canada because I am trying to get PR for my mum on the long run, because I read the pathways is a bit more faster than the US.

I am not married but my partner has a BSN. Will that help my application greatly if we get married?
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by samfrancis1(m): 7:28pm On Jul 22, 2022
ednut1:
working visa from agent Further tests will be required. They will still give the visa
Yes from agent.. what further test aside fitness report? And how much wood it cost to get a travel medical report and certificate in Nigeria. Thanks for your response sir
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by ednut1(m): 7:33pm On Jul 22, 2022
samfrancis1:
Yes from agent.. what further test aside fitness report? And how much wood it cost to get a travel medical report and certificate in Nigeria. Thanks for your response sir
agent = scam. Run
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by ednut1(m): 7:34pm On Jul 22, 2022
fathermonkey:
Hi Everyone!

I have a calculated CRS score of 481. with IELTS score of L8.5 R8.5 W8.0 S8.5. and I'm 24 with roughly 3 years of work experience, I have done tech support and currently into analytics.

I have a US masters. Do I need to evaluate that?

I am looking at canada because I am trying to get PR for my mum on the long run, because I read the pathways is a bit more faster than the US.

I am not married but my partner has a BSN. Will that help my application greatly if we get married?


everyone that studied outside Canada must evaluate. Use the crs calculator to simulate scores as married or unmarried
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by ednut1(m): 7:35pm On Jul 22, 2022
arasola2000:
Good morning all.

Please for the reference letter from my employer, is it a to whom it may concern or must it be addressed to the province office?

Also, will generic reference letters from previous employers suffice?

Thank you.
generic reference letter equals rejection of application.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by samfrancis1(m): 7:53pm On Jul 22, 2022
ednut1:
agent = scam. Run
Just don’t want to discourage the person.. I think it’s a kind of sponsor parkage as he said.. but will be paying some of 58k for form and whatever amount spend will be payed back whenever she’s there or before he leaves here if she has such amount
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by ednut1(m): 8:04pm On Jul 22, 2022
samfrancis1:
Just don’t want to discourage the person.. I think it’s a kind of sponsor parkage as he said.. but will be paying some of 58k for form and whatever amount spend will be payed back whenever she’s there or before he leaves here if she has such amount
scam scam scam. This format don cast tey tey
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by GraciousWords: 8:14pm On Jul 22, 2022
titibaby:
It has to be 90days before invitation. Some people have been rejected for having 1 or 2 days less than 90 days. Assessment is done against the date of invitation.


Really? I'm surprised.

The statement in red that assessment is as at invitation is at odds with what is written on their website...multiple times they keep saying when you submit. Their site goes on to state that an EOI is not an application. And the term "invitation to apply" implies that you have not applied yet.

If their process is truly benchmarking to invitation date then someone should point out the error on their page. Or could it be that the rejections were for other POF related reasons that had nothing to do with 90 days?

At least everyone is clear on the SINP issue of NOC and education matching is clearly stated and rejection letters we have seen corroborate information on their page. Why the ambiguity with POF?

Having said that, I can't argue with someone's personal experience...... cherishyy, confidential20 please investigate further. Maybe email SINP to clarify. I have absolutely zero SINP experience so I may be mistaken.

3 Likes

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by MyVc: 8:32pm On Jul 22, 2022
Please, how much is BCS Certificate in IT registration in Nigeria


Thanks
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by GraciousWords: 9:03pm On Jul 22, 2022
fathermonkey:
Hi Everyone!

I have a calculated CRS score of 481. with IELTS score of L8.5 R8.5 W8.0 S8.5. and I'm 24 with roughly 3 years of work experience, I have done tech support and currently into analytics.

I have a US masters. Do I need to evaluate that?

I am looking at canada because I am trying to get PR for my mum on the long run, because I read the pathways is a bit more faster than the US.

I am not married but my partner has a BSN. Will that help my application greatly if we get married?


We won't tell her you said this bit in red. smiley

481 is the max for a regular guy below 30 with a Masters and 3 years WE.

Increase points with Canadian education, Canadian WE, French or a sibling living in Canada as citizen or PR.

Check out the CRS grid on page 1 to see how your score varies with a spouse.

A few provinces have tech specific programs e.g. Ontario. You need to research and see which provinces do and their requirements.

In all study page 1.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by Rapture07: 9:09pm On Jul 22, 2022
So I just got a bunch of ADR about 6, and one of them is schedule A, pls how do I check what I submitted on my cic account, I can't seem to trace it.
Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by Allegory(f): 9:50pm On Jul 22, 2022
Rapture07:
So I just got a bunch of ADR about 6, and one of them is schedule A, pls how do I check what I submitted on my cic account, I can't seem to trace it.
Here

3 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by newpisces: 3:16am On Jul 23, 2022
Jesus! What a story!



Andyosifo:

Congratulations



LANDING GIST.
LONG READ.

So I love to read landing gist because it has a way of gingering hope in me while still in the PR process. This is me contributing my landing gist to encourage others and give hope to those that are still in the PR process. My timeline is as follows.
AOR: August 2019
1st PPR: Dec 2020
1st PPR expired: May 2021
New upfront Medicals: August 2021
2nd PPR: Oct 2021
Landing in Canada: Dec 2021

After the Euphoria of getting 1st PPR in Dec 2020, we sent our Passports to London VFS for Stamping but UK went into lockdown due to Delta Variant of Covid-19 and Passport got stuck until Feb 2021. We tried all manner of tricks but nothing seems to work, in fact some got their passport returned from London VFS without stamping. Luckily for us, our passports were stamped and returned by Feb 17, 2021, we immediately planned to move by early March but Government of Canada decides to stop all intending PR landing. Only students and COPR holders with family members already in Canada were exempted. Those were the days of AL (Authority Letter to travel)
However, trust Nigerians to always find a way around every rule, my wife told me that people in her WhatsApp group were still travelling by going through Cameroon. I was skeptical but when the pressure was becoming unbearable, I succumbed and being the primary applicant, I offered myself as the sacrificial lamb to try out the Cameroon route. It was a very costly mistake. I was prevented from boarding at Cameroon by their airport security officers who said they have orders from above to stop Nigerians who had been trouping into Cameroon to sneak into Canada from doing so. I was distraught. The airport security guys confiscated my passport and extorted me of $100 before It was released to me. I got back to my hotel in Cameroon. Book the next available flight which is Kenya Air back to Nigeria where another drama was waiting for me.

On getting to the airport to pick my boarding pass back to Nigeria, the Kenya Airways officer told me I can not fly with the Covid Test I did in Nigeria 2 days ago and that I will need to do another one in Cameroon before I can be allowed to fly. I said it is not possible since the rule says at most 72 hours Covid test is acceptable for flying. Somehow I picked my boarding pass, having been extorted of $100 yesterday, I became a VIP of some sort to the Airport security guys, so they cleared the checking for me and I found myself in the plane waiting to head back to Nigeria. Unknown to me, the Kenya Air lady had instructed her colleagues to remove my loads from the plane, then came with the same Airport security guys to get me off the plane. I almost lost it at this point but I managed to control my emotion and went back to the lady who got me off the plane. She told me that even if I succeeded in flying into Nairobi, I wont be allowed to connect my flight back to Nigeria so the wise thing to do was to do another Covid Test there in Yaounde.

I got her to change my flight to Nigeria to the next available one which was 2pm the third day after shelling out more US dollars. This means I have just one day to do the test and get the result otherwise I will miss the rescheduled flight back to Nigeria again.
By this time it was around 2am in the morning, She got me their driver to take me back to my Hotel in the heart of Yaounde and loaded me with information on where I can do my Covid Test ( Talk of being an Angel and a devil at the same time) . I had to leave the Hotel by 6am and headed to the only place where Covid Test was being done in Yaounde. I met a crowd of over 200 people there already, I refused to panic but kick into Naija survival mode, which made me one of the first 30 persons that was attended to. I was told the result will be sent to our email by close of business the next day. This will not work for me since my flight to Kenya the next day is by 2pm. I asked where the result is being process and I took a cab there to meet the officers in charge. Luckily for me, the guy speaks English so It was very easy for me to communicate to him my dilemma. He promised to help and fast tracked my result and he delivered as I got my result by 7am the next day. I quickly printed it out, and head back to the Airport again for the 3rd time in 2 days. The checks were fast and smooth even though I was still mandated to show proof of paying for another covid test to be taken in Nigeria (Nigeria Authorities order for incoming passengers as at then) and I landed back in Nigeria on a Saturday Morning, having left Nigeria on Tuesday hoping to have travelled to Canada on Wednesday. The Cameroon misadventure got me traumatized and I lost over 1M naira on plane tickets, Covid Testing, hotel bills and transportation within Yaounde City.
I got back to Nigeria and visited Wakanow to request for a refund of the ticket for the Cameroon -Canada leg booked. I lost further money again as only about 55% of the fare was refunded after 3 weeks waiting. But we moved.
May 25th 2021 came and our 1st PPR expired. It was a sad day. It was even sadder when restrictions were lifted on June 21st 2021 and we got to know that no automatic renewal of PPR but new medicals will be required to be done, meaning our IRCC profile that has been approved will now switch back to processing. At my wife’s insistence again, I agreed that the family do an upfront medical again and that proved to be a smart move. The PPR re-issuance time line is as follows.
Aug 6 2021 – Remedical for the whole family
Sep 12 2021 – Do you still want to travel mail from IRCC
Oct 19 2021 – New PPR
Nov 1 2021 – New COPR

The passports were sent to Accra on Oct 20th and in 12 days it was back with VISA and COPR. It was as if, Accra suddenly became born again. My Madam said, okay let’s go, I said calm down ma, there is no rush again, the worst is now in the past. Let’s wait till the children finish their second term in school (After all we have paid hundreds of thousands in school fees already). Base on this we purchase Lagos -Canada ticket for Dec 26th 2021. By Nov 10th or so Omicron became an issue and by Nov 28th we further learnt that some Nigeria tested positive to Omicron in Toronto, having travelled from Nigeria. Suspecting that restrictions may be put on Nigeria, we rushed to Wakanow and changed the travel date to Dec 3rd, the earliest available but lo and behold, it was a waste of money and effort. Canada slammed Nigeria with travel restriction on Dec 1st 2021.

My Madam was angry with me for wasting the whole of Nov window, we could have travelled without any restriction. I had to plead for forgiveness for my indiscretion. Later she told me her whatSapp group members are now going through Dubai, Ghana, Turkey to Canada by spending 10days in the connecting countries. The trauma of my Cameroon adventure in April was still fresh in my memory, hence I convinced her it was not an option for us. Luckily by Dec 18th 2021, the travel restriction was lifted by Canada. We rushed back to changed our flight ticket to the earliest date available- guess what it was Dec 26th our initial date. So we ended up wasting about 500K changing ticket dates back and forth. Because of official forex, myself and wifey had to booked return ticket but getting forex with the new CBN process proved to be a rocket science but fortunately for both of us we were able to get our $4K each at the last minute at official rate which more than compensated for the money lost to changing ticket date when compared to buying same at the black-market rate.
Flight with KLM was very smooth and enjoyable. Check in process was faultless in Lagos and all our luggage sailed through. We had a 7 hours layover in Amsterdam before continuing to Alberta the next day. Both flights were smooth and uneventful. The inflight food was not fantastic though but manageable.

Landed in Alberta on Dec 27th, did self check in and declaration at one of the several computer terminals, proceeded to immigration who were very courteous and friendly and in about 15 minutes, landing formalities were over. Proceeded to health Canada, where Madam and the Children were picked for Covid test. Another 20 minutes their test were over, the children not being vaccinated were given Covid home kits to repeat a 8days test. Thankfully all covid test came out negative. We took some pictures, changed a few dollars to CAD at the airport (worst rate ever @ 1 USD to 1.128 CAD but the little money changed came in very handy for some petty expenses before we were able to open bank accounts a few days later. The bank rate is a little better at 1USD to 1.258 CAD).

My wife contacted a friend on one of her numerous WhatsApp group (I on the other hand did not join any whatSapp group except Nairaland for my sanity ) who came to pick us up at the airport to our pre-booked Air BNB. In about 10 days we have settled accommodation, bank accounts, Health Cards, library Cards, and SIN Cards. Though still in Air BnB (pre-paid for 20days upfront to allow for proper settling in without pressure of moving the family about) God granted us speed and good people for assistance especially for movement. In spite of these assistance, I have spent over N100K on Uber movement to get some of the things listed above done. The trick here is that I use my Nigeria naira card for Uber movement since I have access to 200USD in a month on the card. And GTB graciously bill the Card at N382 to a CAD.
Another thing worth saying here is that if you buy your Forex from GTB like me, you will only be given $500 cash and a dollar denominated MasterCard pre-loaded with the balance of $3500. But the exchange rate when you use that master Card here is terrible @1USD TO 1.20 CAD
The cold is better experienced than imagined, at an average of -28C since we came in, it has been tough but interestingly the Children loves it. Only 1 day has been very good at -5C.

Still settling in but the little I have seen confirmed that coming to Canada is worth the wait and the hype in terms of quality of life and sanity of mind. There are many GC funded assistance for new comers, please reach out and make use of them when you come in. You will eventually give back to these agencies when you are fully settled and integrated into the society. Mentally stop converting your spending into naira, otherwise you will not do anything. Please don’t blow your POF before coming down as settling down is very expensive, if possible, bring more than the required POF, you will thank God you did.

In my opinion settling in is easier and faster for a family than a single person (though super more expensive) so if you have a serious relationship, better you make it official and come in together as it can be very lonely in winter. My prayer is that it will end in praise for all of us yet in the process. Goodluck and God’s speed. Ire o.

10 Likes

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by adinnu4(m): 8:53am On Jul 23, 2022
I will advise that you should be a little patient with the MPNP since you have family ties in Manitoba. I strongly believe the draw will take place before the year ends.
Bushraah:



Thank you.
I have submitted an EOI to MPNP and have a score of 604 out of 1000.

I checked SNIP and realized my NOC doesn't match my certificate.
As Manitoba hasn't done the draw I am just looking for other option(s).

1 Like

Re: Canadian Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker Program - Connect Here Part 11 by adinnu4(m): 9:56am On Jul 23, 2022
Thanks for this. This really made me rejuvenated. Please is possible to spend some amount from the proof of funds before landing in Canada?
Andyosifo:

Congratulations



LANDING GIST.
LONG READ.

So I love to read landing gist because it has a way of gingering hope in me while still in the PR process. This is me contributing my landing gist to encourage others and give hope to those that are still in the PR process. My timeline is as follows.
AOR: August 2019
1st PPR: Dec 2020
1st PPR expired: May 2021
New upfront Medicals: August 2021
2nd PPR: Oct 2021
Landing in Canada: Dec 2021

After the Euphoria of getting 1st PPR in Dec 2020, we sent our Passports to London VFS for Stamping but UK went into lockdown due to Delta Variant of Covid-19 and Passport got stuck until Feb 2021. We tried all manner of tricks but nothing seems to work, in fact some got their passport returned from London VFS without stamping. Luckily for us, our passports were stamped and returned by Feb 17, 2021, we immediately planned to move by early March but Government of Canada decides to stop all intending PR landing. Only students and COPR holders with family members already in Canada were exempted. Those were the days of AL (Authority Letter to travel)
However, trust Nigerians to always find a way around every rule, my wife told me that people in her WhatsApp group were still travelling by going through Cameroon. I was skeptical but when the pressure was becoming unbearable, I succumbed and being the primary applicant, I offered myself as the sacrificial lamb to try out the Cameroon route. It was a very costly mistake. I was prevented from boarding at Cameroon by their airport security officers who said they have orders from above to stop Nigerians who had been trouping into Cameroon to sneak into Canada from doing so. I was distraught. The airport security guys confiscated my passport and extorted me of $100 before It was released to me. I got back to my hotel in Cameroon. Book the next available flight which is Kenya Air back to Nigeria where another drama was waiting for me.

On getting to the airport to pick my boarding pass back to Nigeria, the Kenya Airways officer told me I can not fly with the Covid Test I did in Nigeria 2 days ago and that I will need to do another one in Cameroon before I can be allowed to fly. I said it is not possible since the rule says at most 72 hours Covid test is acceptable for flying. Somehow I picked my boarding pass, having been extorted of $100 yesterday, I became a VIP of some sort to the Airport security guys, so they cleared the checking for me and I found myself in the plane waiting to head back to Nigeria. Unknown to me, the Kenya Air lady had instructed her colleagues to remove my loads from the plane, then came with the same Airport security guys to get me off the plane. I almost lost it at this point but I managed to control my emotion and went back to the lady who got me off the plane. She told me that even if I succeeded in flying into Nairobi, I wont be allowed to connect my flight back to Nigeria so the wise thing to do was to do another Covid Test there in Yaounde.

I got her to change my flight to Nigeria to the next available one which was 2pm the third day after shelling out more US dollars. This means I have just one day to do the test and get the result otherwise I will miss the rescheduled flight back to Nigeria again.
By this time it was around 2am in the morning, She got me their driver to take me back to my Hotel in the heart of Yaounde and loaded me with information on where I can do my Covid Test ( Talk of being an Angel and a devil at the same time) . I had to leave the Hotel by 6am and headed to the only place where Covid Test was being done in Yaounde. I met a crowd of over 200 people there already, I refused to panic but kick into Naija survival mode, which made me one of the first 30 persons that was attended to. I was told the result will be sent to our email by close of business the next day. This will not work for me since my flight to Kenya the next day is by 2pm. I asked where the result is being process and I took a cab there to meet the officers in charge. Luckily for me, the guy speaks English so It was very easy for me to communicate to him my dilemma. He promised to help and fast tracked my result and he delivered as I got my result by 7am the next day. I quickly printed it out, and head back to the Airport again for the 3rd time in 2 days. The checks were fast and smooth even though I was still mandated to show proof of paying for another covid test to be taken in Nigeria (Nigeria Authorities order for incoming passengers as at then) and I landed back in Nigeria on a Saturday Morning, having left Nigeria on Tuesday hoping to have travelled to Canada on Wednesday. The Cameroon misadventure got me traumatized and I lost over 1M naira on plane tickets, Covid Testing, hotel bills and transportation within Yaounde City.
I got back to Nigeria and visited Wakanow to request for a refund of the ticket for the Cameroon -Canada leg booked. I lost further money again as only about 55% of the fare was refunded after 3 weeks waiting. But we moved.
May 25th 2021 came and our 1st PPR expired. It was a sad day. It was even sadder when restrictions were lifted on June 21st 2021 and we got to know that no automatic renewal of PPR but new medicals will be required to be done, meaning our IRCC profile that has been approved will now switch back to processing. At my wife’s insistence again, I agreed that the family do an upfront medical again and that proved to be a smart move. The PPR re-issuance time line is as follows.
Aug 6 2021 – Remedical for the whole family
Sep 12 2021 – Do you still want to travel mail from IRCC
Oct 19 2021 – New PPR
Nov 1 2021 – New COPR

The passports were sent to Accra on Oct 20th and in 12 days it was back with VISA and COPR. It was as if, Accra suddenly became born again. My Madam said, okay let’s go, I said calm down ma, there is no rush again, the worst is now in the past. Let’s wait till the children finish their second term in school (After all we have paid hundreds of thousands in school fees already). Base on this we purchase Lagos -Canada ticket for Dec 26th 2021. By Nov 10th or so Omicron became an issue and by Nov 28th we further learnt that some Nigeria tested positive to Omicron in Toronto, having travelled from Nigeria. Suspecting that restrictions may be put on Nigeria, we rushed to Wakanow and changed the travel date to Dec 3rd, the earliest available but lo and behold, it was a waste of money and effort. Canada slammed Nigeria with travel restriction on Dec 1st 2021.

My Madam was angry with me for wasting the whole of Nov window, we could have travelled without any restriction. I had to plead for forgiveness for my indiscretion. Later she told me her whatSapp group members are now going through Dubai, Ghana, Turkey to Canada by spending 10days in the connecting countries. The trauma of my Cameroon adventure in April was still fresh in my memory, hence I convinced her it was not an option for us. Luckily by Dec 18th 2021, the travel restriction was lifted by Canada. We rushed back to changed our flight ticket to the earliest date available- guess what it was Dec 26th our initial date. So we ended up wasting about 500K changing ticket dates back and forth. Because of official forex, myself and wifey had to booked return ticket but getting forex with the new CBN process proved to be a rocket science but fortunately for both of us we were able to get our $4K each at the last minute at official rate which more than compensated for the money lost to changing ticket date when compared to buying same at the black-market rate.
Flight with KLM was very smooth and enjoyable. Check in process was faultless in Lagos and all our luggage sailed through. We had a 7 hours layover in Amsterdam before continuing to Alberta the next day. Both flights were smooth and uneventful. The inflight food was not fantastic though but manageable.

Landed in Alberta on Dec 27th, did self check in and declaration at one of the several computer terminals, proceeded to immigration who were very courteous and friendly and in about 15 minutes, landing formalities were over. Proceeded to health Canada, where Madam and the Children were picked for Covid test. Another 20 minutes their test were over, the children not being vaccinated were given Covid home kits to repeat a 8days test. Thankfully all covid test came out negative. We took some pictures, changed a few dollars to CAD at the airport (worst rate ever @ 1 USD to 1.128 CAD but the little money changed came in very handy for some petty expenses before we were able to open bank accounts a few days later. The bank rate is a little better at 1USD to 1.258 CAD).

My wife contacted a friend on one of her numerous WhatsApp group (I on the other hand did not join any whatSapp group except Nairaland for my sanity ) who came to pick us up at the airport to our pre-booked Air BNB. In about 10 days we have settled accommodation, bank accounts, Health Cards, library Cards, and SIN Cards. Though still in Air BnB (pre-paid for 20days upfront to allow for proper settling in without pressure of moving the family about) God granted us speed and good people for assistance especially for movement. In spite of these assistance, I have spent over N100K on Uber movement to get some of the things listed above done. The trick here is that I use my Nigeria naira card for Uber movement since I have access to 200USD in a month on the card. And GTB graciously bill the Card at N382 to a CAD.
Another thing worth saying here is that if you buy your Forex from GTB like me, you will only be given $500 cash and a dollar denominated MasterCard pre-loaded with the balance of $3500. But the exchange rate when you use that master Card here is terrible @1USD TO 1.20 CAD
The cold is better experienced than imagined, at an average of -28C since we came in, it has been tough but interestingly the Children loves it. Only 1 day has been very good at -5C.

Still settling in but the little I have seen confirmed that coming to Canada is worth the wait and the hype in terms of quality of life and sanity of mind. There are many GC funded assistance for new comers, please reach out and make use of them when you come in. You will eventually give back to these agencies when you are fully settled and integrated into the society. Mentally stop converting your spending into naira, otherwise you will not do anything. Please don’t blow your POF before coming down as settling down is very expensive, if possible, bring more than the required POF, you will thank God you did.

In my opinion settling in is easier and faster for a family than a single person (though super more expensive) so if you have a serious relationship, better you make it official and come in together as it can be very lonely in winter. My prayer is that it will end in praise for all of us yet in the process. Goodluck and God’s speed. Ire o.

(1) (2) (3) ... (252) (253) (254) (255) (256) (257) (258) ... (651) (Reply)

Uk Student Visa/tier 4 Pbs - Your Questions Answered Part 4 / General-german-student-visa-enquiries Part 8 / Travelling To Canada Part 7

Viewing this topic: eniola1010(m) and 1 guest(s)

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 130
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.