soja84:
Dear All,we finally travelled on Friday(2nd of Feb) and landed on the 3rd(Saturday ) via Ethiopian Airlines.


I travelled with my family (Wife and Child ) and my friend with his wife and Child too.That makes us 2 families(2guys,2,wives and 2 boys!).The 2 boys will be 2years by May.

Flight was for 13.40pm(Nigerian Time),so we got there around 9.30.Started with excess luggages as 3 out of our 5 bags were above 23kg. They were actually between 24 and 25kg.We had to remove some stuffs to make the weight limit .My friend's 5 bags were all overweight so they had to buy one GMG bag and return one box which made the load reduce.
Overall,the guys at the counter were nice and assisted us in sorting ourselves out.We didn't have any foodstuff seized, infact we were not asked at Lagos Airport.Please go there with 500naira notes for 'Happy New Year' and I'm sure you'll be fine.

In-flight entertainment was ok.Food wasn't bad too but most of us couldn't eat it. However, that wasn't due to bad quality.In all,the Hostesses were very nice as our boys were so handful and were practically screaming and disturbing everyone due to plenty energy!Once one is asleep and quiet, the other would start his own drama.But the hostesses were nice and understanding.Apart from the food that we couldnt really eat,we had a good time with every other thing.The plenty extras,snacks,wine,beer etc especially if you're a fan sha, lol.Intact,we got tired of it!


We got to Addis Ababa around 7pm (Nigerian Time,9pm Addis Ababa) time.They didn't ask for our foodstuffs or anything,just normal checking in of hand luggages.Spent 2hours there and had to deal with another round of stress from the boys!


Boarded the plane to Toronto by 9pm,Nigerian Time (11 Addis Ababa time) and then the long journey began!We got to Dublin after about 8hours to refuel while some passengers disembarked.That was the 1st time,I started feeling the cold,just opening of the aircraft!We waited for one hour there.After the 1hour wait which felt like 3hours,we started another 7.25hrs journey to Toronto.

To be continued.....

soja84:
Part 2.....


So we got to Toronto around 8am Canadian Time on Saturday and we had a flight for 8.50am to Regina.The 1st Lady we met at the desk (Don't know what They are called) asked for the amount we brought in and if we had dairy products. Told her 9.5k USD and dried smoked fish.She also asked if we were still shipping things in at a latter date. She wrote down the amount,gave us back our COPR and told us to proceed to meet the immigration guys.We met a small queue there probably because it was a Saturday.


My friend was the 1st family to see the immigration guy who was a white guy....he was very nice to them.Asked them how much they brought to which they answered (7.5k USD ).The guy said he didn't need to see it and was very friendly with them. Had plenty gist with them as we watched on.

Then came my turn,the voice said 'Next'...was the only black man there.Wasn't friendly at all,was asking different stories (who's the Principal Applicant,how much funds ,where are we staying etc)...well,no big deal since he was doing his job.Next thing,he asked again,how much are you bringing to Canada in Cash which I responded by saying 9.5k USD. Then he said,I gonna have to see the cash and count!I just told my wife to bring what was with her (since we already split the money into 2 cos of Naija airport).The moment he saw that I brought the money out,he changed the story to 'I hope you realise the money is not enough for your stay to which I responded that we have money in our account and that a have the statement to show for it.

He then said,Ok calculate all you have in the account and cash and tell me,to which I answered 19k CAD.
Then he said go and sit down and wait for me.I was like....I hope say this guy no dy plan to send me back to Naija for another 24-26hrs flight!
Luckily, he called is after 15mins when my friend was already long done!Told us to sign our COPR,gave us our copies back and said welcome to Canada.Even people that didn't know us came and we're asking questions that all the whites that attended to them were so friendly.Only asked for the amount they brought in and told them specifically that they didn't need to see it.


By the time we were done with them,we had already missed our flight to Regina.They put us on the next flight which was for 4.40pm(Toronto time ) so we had to wait at the airport for about 6hours or so.


Got to Regina around 8.30pm....my friend came,picked us up and also organised 2 extra cabs for us.We already ordered 2 car seats before coming so that my friend will be able to carry the kids.The weather was minus 29 whem we landed so we had to quickly change to our shubushakers(huge winter boots) right from the airport make man nor go die!lol.We proceeded to his house and moved to the houses we already paid for before landing after 2days.


On Monday,we opened our Bank accounts,got our SINs,bought phones we're now settling in small small o.Also visited Regina Open Door society yesterday and they were so helpful. We plan to visit Catholic society and YMCA too on Monday as they were recommended by the Regina Open Door Society guys.


I hope say my story no too long...lol....Just say make I share my story.


A wonderful thank you to everyone on this thread for all the info!God bless you all!This is a dream come true for me!Thanks once again.

vcole:

To the best of my knowledge, if you only landed a week ago I do not think you are meant to file taxes. Taxes filed this tax season (Feb 26 - April 30 2018) are for the period of Jan 1 - Dec 31 2017 (the tax year).

Since you were not a PR as at Dec 31 2017 and you were not resident in Canada in the year 2017, you do not have to file taxes.

As for benefits, newly landed immigrants apply for child benefits, provincial benefits and gst/hst with their landing documents as well as a completed statement of income form rc66sh or something like that. Going forward, you would file taxes during the 2019 tax season for the tax year 2018 (jan 1 - dec 31 2018) and this would be a requirement for continuous assessment of your income status by CRA for whatever benefits you are eligible for as well as accessing other government services and so on.

You can find out about what benefits you are eligible for on the canada.ca website. To clarify, you can call or visit free tax clinics....some of which you would find their contact info on the same website.

For clarity, you can actually call CRA directly on their helpline.

ogirl1:
Hi everyone,
Does anyone have a link to ship a box of about 40kg to canada? Pls help. I'm running short of time

czaratwork:
Hello everyone.

I have noticed that we only share our success stories here and this doesn't give a true picture of situations. We make people yet to move to think that jobs are so waiting for them and those who are here and have not gotten something or managing some small jobs to feel God has forgotten them.

I remember someone shared her struggles and challenges in getting job last year here and we all came for her. Some said there must be something she is not doing right. My humble self though still in naija at that time told her it may be village people after her. This could have stopped others from sharing theirs.

Please let's be open to sharing and encouraging people who have challenges settling in.

What prompted this post is my phone conversation with someone going through her struggles. By the time i shared mine, she was relieved. Someone else chatted me that my story encouraged her.

Mine may not be that i got that big job but that i am able to still hold it together and appreciate God for thus far He has led me.

I will share one experience that i shared with them that lifted them when i come back from chirch. Right now service mode activated. It's also one of those Sundays that we sit down to mingle and chop after service so i came with an empty stomach. There is an adage in my place that says "Open your eyes like fish". My eyes are wide open now. No dulling.

KrustyKomet:
Preparation & Opportunity

People by now are familiar with the two words above as the ingredients for success. These words are repeated by life coaches, mentors, motivators and the likes with such frequency that they are cliché at this point. Nonetheless these words still ring true as markers of success.
The quest for employment, on the average, is largely dependent on one’s level of preparation and exposure to opportunity.

Job seekers can make the necessary preparation to enter the Canadian workforce by ensuring that their resumes and work profiles are effective enough to convince recruiters and employers in the now fabled 6 seconds window that they are the best fit for the job.
(BTW here’s an article that I think many may find useful on how to write effective resumes https://medium.freecodecamp.org/how-to-write-a-really-great-resume-that-actually-gets-you-hired-e18533cd8d17 )

Some of these things have been discussed in earlier pages of this thread but here's a recap:

• Armed with a good resume you should apply to at least 10 jobs every day. You don’t want to send in the same resume to every application. Working off your template you should tailor your resume to the specific job role bearing in mind to include key words and all the other job application tips you have learnt.
• Seek and join network groups in the field you desire to work in. Consider taking on intern roles or positions that are ancillary or related to your desired job as these might be stepping stones to land the desired job.
• Maintain high visibility on job sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster etc.
• Brace yourself for rejections. Even with a stellar resume you may still get rejections, they will come for a variety of reasons but that shouldn’t deter you. Where possible, like after an unsuccessful interview, ask for feedback so you can course correct and improve for next time.

Do not be deterred. Be of a positive disposition always!

I have experienced everything I have written here and long since landed a job in my field. I am confident that the points above work, me and virtually all the people in my circle of friends can attest to them. As daunting or unexciting as this may sound I built a weekly routine that allowed me to apply for jobs, attend network meetings, study (had to keep my skills sharp), do a part time job then and also explore this beautiful country (always try to build fun into my schedules). My thinking then (and now) was that I must be doing something tangible today that I will benefit from tomorrow. No time to waste! lol

You are in this life to experience and grow. Take on the experiences of this stage of your immigration journey with an achievers mindset and continue to apply yourself; eventually you'll get to the goal you desire and you’ll be a better person for it all.

Fortissimo502:
Daremum, Vcole is correct. Taxes are filed on preceding year basis. You have no tax filing obligation till next year.

czaratwork:
Hello everyone.

I have noticed that we only share our success stories here and this doesn't give a true picture of situations. We make people yet to move to think that jobs are so waiting for them and those who are here and have not gotten something or managing some small jobs to feel God has forgotten them.

I remember someone shared her struggles and challenges in getting job last year here and we all came for her. Some said there must be something she is not doing right. My humble self though still in naija at that time told her it may be village people after her. This could have stopped others from sharing theirs.

Please let's be open to sharing and encouraging people who have challenges settling in.

What prompted this post is my phone conversation with someone going through her struggles. By the time i shared mine, she was relieved. Someone else chatted me that my story encouraged her.

Mine may not be that i got that big job but that i am able to still hold it together and appreciate God for thus far He has led me.

I will share one experience that i shared with them that lifted them when i come back from chirch. Right now service mode activated. It's also one of those Sundays that we sit down to mingle and chop after service so i came with an empty stomach. There is an adage in my place that says "Open your eyes like fish". My eyes are wide open now. No dulling.

honey86:


People don't want to hear the truth. You try to share reality and they call you negative Nancy. I dont have power to exchange words, so I park for one side.
Another thing is this, depending on your career and experience, you may have to go back to school.

honey86:


People don't want to hear the truth. You try to share reality and they call you negative Nancy. I dont have power to exchange words, so I park for one side.
Another thing is this, depending on your career and experience, you may have to go back to school.

shinaboy:
@seniors.

If one has to attend school or go for a course, is it possible to get a bank loan for that? And at what interest rate would that be?

shinaboy:


Looking forward to this

czaratwork:
Hello everyone.

I have noticed that we only share our success stories here and this doesn't give a true picture of situations.

salford1:

This is the difference between the ''living in Canada thread'' and the ''living in Australia thread''. The Australia thread is balanced.
I am all for sharing both side of the story. Like I have previously mentioned earlier on this thread, it can be difficult to get a ''good'' job in Canada due to its small economy, heavily regulated industries, downturn, nepotism and widespread cities. It takes a lot of work, luck, dedication and God's grace. Some are very lucky while others are not so lucky at the start. Everyone's case is different. There is really no manual for success in Canada. One has to know what works for them. I worked survival jobs for 3 years myself. Some think I have seen it all as far as Canada is concerned, but I am still learning myself..

czaratwork:


1 million like for this. You know someone who has only spent 6 months here and is already wondering what she is doing stucked up with 1 survival job or the other will be encouraged that her wonderful break can still happen.

I don't know how we can lie to ourselves even in another man's country. I think the problem is because there is no dignity in labour where we are coming from. Everyone wants to share her story when she has landed the big job and will make sure no mention is made of the survival job.

Okay now make we dey deceive ourselves with one equation to success wey no exist while people are feeling left behind doing survival jobs or not even getting one now because of the weather.

Lemme come and be going jare.

daremum:
@Blackbuddy

Please i sent you a mail.

Please respond.

Thank you

honey86:


People don't want to hear the truth. You try to share reality and they call you negative Nancy. I dont have power to exchange words, so I park for one side.
Another thing is this, depending on your career and experience, you may have to go back to school.

czaratwork:
Hello everyone.

I have noticed that we only share our success stories here and this doesn't give a true picture of situations. We make people yet to move to think that jobs are so waiting for them and those who are here and have not gotten something or managing some small jobs to feel God has forgotten them.

I remember someone shared her struggles and challenges in getting job last year here and we all came for her. Some said there must be something she is not doing right. My humble self though still in naija at that time told her it may be village people after her. This could have stopped others from sharing theirs.

Please let's be open to sharing and encouraging people who have challenges settling in.

What prompted this post is my phone conversation with someone going through her struggles. By the time i shared mine, she was relieved. Someone else chatted me that my story encouraged her.

Mine may not be that i got that big job but that i am able to still hold it together and appreciate God for thus far He has led me.

I will share one experience that i shared with them that lifted them when i come back from chirch. Right now service mode activated. It's also one of those Sundays that we sit down to mingle and chop after service so i came with an empty stomach. There is an adage in my place that says "Open your eyes like fish". My eyes are wide open now. No dulling.

kissoflife:
Hello house, I'm beginning to get scared after reading about job prospects in Canada and knowing I will be landing in a month's time. Not that I am doing well in Nigeria presently but confused on the paths I could follow to get my big break in Canada.

I need some advice, I am an Engineering technologist with background in IT hardware and Oil and gas. Although I have more experience in oil and gas. Knowing my profession is regulated, I intend to switch back to IT and continue my career there in Canada. Is it possible to get IT Help desk roles easily to gain some experience or any support roles? Also is it possible to get a job as any Engineering technologist without the provincial license? Can one's previous experience with a known multinational also influence the probability of getting a good job?


Please help cos I'm trying to determine the reality out there so I can prepare myself for the worst before landing. planning to land in Edmonton

Thank you.


@ czaratwork salford1 honey86

salford1:


In my opinion, going back to school is actually no big deal. Alot of people return for a career change or to land a better paying job.
A lady i worked with in the past in a security job is now a registered nurse with AHS. She took a nursing degree at the U of C.

Blackbuddy:


@daremum, I just checked but not sure I received it. Please resend and I'll respond.