Sallah120:
hello house
Please I submitted my application on the 21 November via paper route and later linked to online. Last week I logged in online and realized a decision has been made. Now when I tracked my application on vfs site is says the application is being processed and I email them and they told me that the application is being processed at the visa office

Check your messages thoroughly. Sometimes it shows no new messages but there's a new one you haven't opened yet. It usually follows with an email telling you of the new changes to you application. However, if you have checked like this and there's actually none just be patient. It only means they are working on your application. Good luck sir.

WESTERNCR:
A friend's application for visiting visa to attend a conference scheduled for Nov 15-16, 2016 was refused for the sole reason that 'conference date has passed' I thought the Canadian embassy still approves visa even if visiting date has passed? Note, no other reason was ticked except 'conference date has passed' what shld this guy do at this point?

Pls wen did your friend apply?

Hello house. Picked up my passport today. Multiple 1 year visa. I thank God for His grace and favour. I wish those of us still waiting success and favour. God will do it for u as well.

chccho:

November 16the

Time is not on your side. But you never can tell bro. Just be positive and wait for it. Like Awelekiti said you can always use it even if the initial intended time passes. Just pray for a positive response as that's the main thing. Good luck.

jayfierce:


Congrats Zeus001! @ the emboldened comments. You should use your tracking number from VFS to know where you passport is. Also please kindly clarify that you haven't travelled out of the country before because you previously wrote that you've gone to Cameroon. Thanks a lot bro.

Thanks Jayfierce. You've been very helpful bro. I've checked it today but it was already past 3pm when I did. So I'll go there on Monday.
The travel to Cameroon doesn't count for several reasons. It was in 2004 when my dad was handling a project at the Nigeria/Cameroon border at Mfum, Cross River state. We usually visit him there during the holidays. We used to drive in and out of the country, with my dad's influence ofcourse. Mfum is a typical village so we used to go into Cameroon to chill or pick up a few groceries that wasnt available in Mfum. There was no need for international passport or visa or anything like that. That's why I said it doesn't count and really it doesn't. There was no need to bring that up in the application. What I meant was I've never travelled to another country through the normal means of applying for visa and boarding a plane or even a bus for the journey as is done for Ghana, Togo and Cotonou in some cases.

chccho:

U are welcome.
My application is very similar to yours too but my fear is that I didn't apply early enough and I intend to spend just Christmas in Canada and return back to work in January as stated in my letter of purpose.
God help us all

When did you apply?

chccho:

I think sincerity plays a huge role in visa applications and also the fact that your uncle is a Canadian citizen makes it very difficult for the VO to refuse applications such as yours.This is good news to all 1st time applicants like myself. Congratulations to u @Zeus

Thanks brother.

awelekiti:
congratulations! Like I always say, it doesn't matter if you've got travelling experience or not, your visa application would be approved provided you're qualified for a visa. Thanks for sharing this...quite motivating, especially to those first time applicants out there. Wishing you the very best!

Thanks chief. Am still in awe. Many thanks everyone. The inputs on this site were very helpful.

Hello house. Just confirmed. Application approved. Am still waiting for the embassy to ask me to come for my passport. God is amazing. As promised these are the documents I submitted:

- Invitation letter from my uncle who is a Canadian citizen, stating the reason for the visit and that all expenses will be covered by him and his family. Signed and dated on PDF file. The reason is family reunion. I've not seen my cousins since 2006 and they've been to Nigeria only once so I wanted to use my leave to spend some time with them.
- Employment letter
- 5 months GTB Statement of account of 1.8 million
- Letter of explanation/introduction. In this piece I explained in details my responsibilities and family ties both in Nigeria and Canada, my professional career and why staying beyond the approved time will not be in my interest. I also reiterated that all living expenses, accomodation and feeding during my stay will be handled by my uncle and his family and the funds am bringing with me will be for other sundry and personal expenses. I am single, I do not have any personal landed property, I have never traveled out of Nigeria before. I was honest about all that in the letter of explanation.
- Travel itinerary. I stated specific addresses of places I plan to visit and the dates, the specific addresses of my friends in Canada I plan to visit. I also stated that the plans can be rescheduled just in case I don't get the approval before the stated dates.

jayfierce:
Congrats Zeus! Finally! I remember when you were thinking of withdrawing the online application. Thank God it was successful.

The decision reached is that your application is successful except your passport get comma or new implicating information renders you ineligible for a Visa. You can confirm this by looking at the date your visa was issued when you receive it. It should correspond with the passport request date.

Also your status will change when they finalise the process. I posted Screenshots of the change that occurred in my account.

Abeg honour your pipo with the documents you submitted.

Thanks bro. That's extra ginger for me now. Much appreciated. I'll keep us updated.

@jayfierce, awelekiti and other gurus. Good morning. I got a request for my original passport yesterday so I'll go submit it on Monday. In fact na me go open their gate for them on Monday morning.
The letter just said a decision has been reached on my app. Ofcus as usual there was no mention of the actual decision reached. And my online app still shows 'open' and 'not started'.
My question: is there a way or clue to deduce if the decision is positive from the message they sent me? Pls I need to know cuz this suspense is driving me nuts. Any useful tips will mean the world to me pls. Many thanks.

biyiwilly:
final decision application refused after four month of waiting oga ooooo....cannot see reason because of failed network error

Jeez!!

.

Vinsturk:
Thanks for the previous assistance

How easy is it to get your resident permit in canada with tourist multiple entry visa. I was told that one can easily get company work with your tourist visa and the company will assist you in getting work permit, and all these can happen in maximum of two months. Please i would appreciate it so deeply if a candid and experienced answer is given to this question because it is about life and death with a brother and an agent who assured him of all these promises. Please assist me sincerely. God bless you.

Let me rephrase what Justwise is trying to say in clear terms. Working with a tourist visa in Canada is against the terms of your visa and against the immigration laws of canada and if caught you will be in serious trouble. So no genuine company will even look at you. In fact they may even rat you out to the authorities and trust me the country takes these things very seriously so it's the last thing you need. However there are various legal ways to extend your stay in Canada before your visa validity expires. There are no guarantee with that either as trying to get a job is not valid reason to extend your stay. Pls check the cic site carefully for more insight on how to extend your stay and other information. My personal advice to you is this: Pls remove the thought of working with your tourist visa or extending your stay out of your mind for now. The most important thing at this stage is to secure the visa first. And stay away from that agent. You can do this yourself! Just calm down, be patient, do your research on the documents you need and fire down. Go thru the pages on this forum and the cic site for guidance and you're good to go.
Good luck sir.

manlikegb:
Myself and my wife are first time applicants, we did paper route and and got our passports back yesterday just after almost 4wks with 1 year approved visa each. How I wish for more as our passports still have validity of up to 3 and 4 years respectively. I'm sure they have their reason for the decision and I'm taking nothing for granted, I thank God. Below is a list of all documents included in our application. I have learnt a lot from this thread and I hope our transcript helps someone too.

DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED: (tried following @jayfierce’s well composed format)

Travel History:
1. Photocopies of previous travels on expired passport which include 3 expired visas for South Africa with 4 entry and exit stamps, expired 6months UK visa used once, Dubai entry and exit stamps(once), Maldives entry and exit stamps(once).
2. WIFE: Photocopies of Dubai entry and exit stamps(3 times), Maldives entry and exit stamps(once).
3. Recent Passport with valid US visa used once for BOTH of us to expire later next year.

Proof of Means of Financial Support:
1. My company CAC documents.
2. Letter of Introduction prepared by my secretary on company letterhead, signed and stamped with company seal.
3. Self Introduction and Plan Itinerary on company letterhead as well(covers purpose of travel as vacationing and also mentioned a few places we’d love to visit.
4. Company statement of account for 9 months.
5. My personal statement of account for 6 months.
6. Wife's Employment letter/Confirmation of appointment.
7. Wife's six months payslip & 6 months statement of salary account.
8. Joint statement of account for 6 months.
9. CSCS statement & Treasury Bills investment letter.

NOTE: Perhaps some of the above counts for "Home Ties".

Purpose of Travel:
1. Vacation, was mentioned in the "Self Introduction” letter above.
2. Trip itinerary.
3. Flight itinerary(photocopy of email from agent).
4. Hotel booking(booked by agent which got me sweating profusely when I received an email from Expedia that its been cancelled in the middle of our application processing, thanks @jayfierce & @awelekiti for helping a brother relax and keep calm).

Other documents included:
1. Marriage certificate.
2. Wife’s sworn affidavit of change of name.
3. Newspaper publication of wife's change of name page.

And most importantly, PRAYER.

Best of luck to all.

Congrats! God is good.

maternal:


I've been dealing with Immigration Canada for some time. And one thing they are not are idiots. You got married and applied for a visiting visa for your wife. Its obvious that you planned to bring her to Canada to live WITHOUT going through the proper immigration route. You're currently just on a WORKING visa until you get your permanent residence card, then you'll have more rights. You have NO right to bring your wife to Canada as of yet. Relax and cool down. Wait till you get your PR card then start filing for your wife. Why are you in such a rush. You have a 6 figure job and will soon be a PR. You're in a better situation than most immigrants. Just wait till you get your PR. I'm a Canadian citizen and I've been trying to get my cousin here for 2 to 3 years and I also make 6 figures. They've been giving me grief, so who the hell are you, a non citizen to them? Your time will come, just wait for a bit.

These types of tone and comments should be unacceptable in this forum. It tends to discourage people from expressing themselves and asking questions here in order to get the needed help for fear of lash backs and comments like these. All questions however stupid or unusual they may seem should be welcome here without the harsh tone and comments and comparisms. Otherwise the very purpose of this forum has been defeated. This is my opinion and observation. Oga Citizen, your tone may not have been intended to offend anyone but Pls let's be guided.

RedReact:

DOn't be scared, my man. If we don't conquer fear, how are we expected to win? Today's denial doesn't mean outright denial; it means they didn't see any reason to grant visa now but maybe next time, they will see 1001 reasons to grant the visa.

Soothing words. Thanks bro. Amen.

The number of denials am seeing here is scaring the hell out of me. God have mercy.

OmoAje1:
Good morning all,

Please have trying to make payment with my naira master card for my online visa application bt the payment declined (Dear Customer, your transaction was declined because the amount attempted exceeds your approved cumulative limit.)

Please house is there any other way to make payment online because I dnt hv Dollar MasterCard which I believe it might be the alternative.

Thanks for usual support.

It's because of the new CBN international transaction limit I guess. I'd suggest you go to your bank for how to do it. Just my own opinion tho. Also note that you will be charged the parallel market exchange rate and not the amount you see on the cic form. And it has to be a current account.

paparazzi1987:
@oga at the top ^^^^ They are working on your app be that na!...

Meanwhile, i just contact CIC here in canada, and they said an i quote

If you submit your application after Friday July 1 2016 then the application processing time is approximately 111 days

If you submit your application after Wednessday August 31 2016 then the application processing time is approximately 50 days

So, my app clocks 100 days today.

Okay...thought as much. Thanks chief.

I received this email this morning from cic:

'Your application has been updated. Please sign in to your account and check your application status and messages for more information.
This message is intended for the following e-mail address: *********. If this message is not for you, please delete it.'

With excitement I rushed to my account to check for the message but nothing was there. No new message. I know this type of message has been discussed here b4 explaining it's because of monthly update that was ticked. But this is the 2nd hoax am getting. The 1st one came on the 20th of October exactly a month after I submitted so I just figured it out. That 1st one clearly said there's no update. Am guessing it just means someone from the embassy is working on my matter. Pls guys I need clarification on this biko. Should I be concerned? Thanks!

dotcomnamename:



Thank you. After the date of submission of online application, what is the maximum time applicant must capture biometrics?

Usually 30 days from the date the biometrics capture was requested. It will be clearly stated in the request from CIC.

bigfido:
So I got refusal letter today after 161 days. The documents I didn't submit like I said came back to haunt me. Wish I knew about the forum before apply.

Reasons ticked are
1) personal assets and financial situation
2) purpose of visit
3) current employment status

I really don't know what made me not to attach those documents. It's painful.

I will type the letter for purpose of visit and submit my asset documents. This time of course has to be paper route.

For the employment status, asides from ticking the self employed route and the document I submitted, I was told I am supposed to write a letter on the company letterhead stating my role.

Anyways. Goodluck to those still waiting. Will let you guys know when I am ready to reapply

So sorry bro. After all this time. This is very scary o. Couldn't they just ask for more documents? At least give opportunity to even explain one's self before making a final decision. Na wa. My own fear is that I have a virgin passport. The only country I've been to is Cameroon and I know that one doesn't count. Am really worried now. Abeg guys will the virgin passport count against me? I know there's no rule book for that perse but what are my chances?

jayfierce:

Thanks brother! Processing times has dropped so we will join you in waiting for a result soonest. Wish you the best in your application.

Thanks brother.

[quote author=jayfierce post=50358776]Just got my passport back now and I thank God for making me smile . [

Multiple entry visa from September 2016 to February 2021. Visa expires ONE day before my passport expiry. Awesome!
[quote author=jayfierce post=50358776]

Wow...Congrats Jayfierce! God is awesome. I pray I get this same news soon.

eddycross:




Hi BABSFREY and everyone in the house,

I have read through almost all the pages but have been unable to find answers to my inquiry.

I am planning a holiday to Canada (on a tourist visa) with my wife and we have gathered all the required documents. We want to apply online.

However i am unable to figure out how I will apply and (most especially) upload the documents.

For instance the instruction states that

[b]"[i][b]One file will be allowed per document type. For example, if you are asked to provide multiple pages of your passport, you must scan and save all pages as one file."[/b][/i]
[/b]
"You will be required to upload every requested form and document. You will not be able to proceed to the next steps until you upload every form/document."

This is where I get confused.
* [b[i]]Do I make a single application for myself and indicate that my wife will accompany me?
* Do we make two separate applications? {i think not}[/b][/i]
* Do i scan all the documents into one and apply {ie two application forms, two travel history+passports, two account statements, two employer letters, etc.. and BTW the application forms are so encrypted that you are unable to merge them successfully anyway).

Please help.

Hello sir.
To answer your question regarding the documents upload. If you're applying online you need to convert all documents in each segment to pdf format so they can be merged together. Pdf format will help you merge multiple files together in one folder. For instance in the proof of income segment where you can upload your employment letter you can merge it with your statement of account in a pdf format and indicate the title of each file in the pdf format for easy understanding when it is viewed. That way you will be able to upload as many documents to support your application. Remember packaging is key. You have to name each document properly so it will be easy to understand when viewed.
The other question about your wife's application. She has to apply separately too. Fill all the forms separately as well. If you are the sponsor of the trip she has to indicate it clearly in the letter of explanation and the purpose of visit section of the online form. You also have to do the same in your own application...ie clearly indicate that you are sponsoring the trip for you and your wife and attach all documents you have to show you have the means to support both of you. Basically the same documents you are attaching for yourself as well. In the forms you're going to see where you can indicate who is coming along with you on the trip.
This is my own understanding though from the experience I had when I applied online in September. Still waiting for my own testimony. I hope this is helpful for you. Good luck sir.

jayfierce:
Status changed today. Not gotten a notification yet though. Waiting on VFS to send my passport back to me.

Congrats bro!

guiddoti:
That of MTN and its likes are what get me worried about the future of Nigerian telecommunications. It takes nothing for these companies go on broadband package but it's rather unfortunate that exploitation could be legalised. It's very shameful, bro.

Very shameful indeed my brother.

guiddoti:
I understand your point. These countries have different mode of operandi. The issue here in Nigeria is corruption, and most policies are not working. You should also know that as you get, you give back. Nigerians can't pay #200,000 a month.

Yes I agree. Very true. But even companies that can afford to pay you your worth would rather prefer to rip you off and give you jobs meant for 10 people just to maximise profits. And there's nobody to ensure they are doing the right thing. Look at MTN's case for instance. You keep contract staff for 8 to 10 years and just sack them without a penny just to save cost. Who does that? That's legally wrong anywhere in the world. If MTN had paid even if it was half of a month salary to these people as severance pay would MTN go bankrupt? Hell no. We all know how much trillions MTN makes in a quarter in this country yet they treat Nigerians like slaves. And Nigerians in the management of the company even initiated these heinous plans and executed them against fellow Nigerians because they know they can get away with it. That's a very dangerous trend in this country because other companies will definitely start doing the same thing. After all MTN did it successfully without any consequences. Look at what all these Indian and Chinese companies are doing to Nigerians. It's modern corporate slavery right under our noses. And you dare not try that in their own country.

Yes...We are a young nation so we can't really compare ourselves with other older nations who already have a working system in place. But the question is: are we as a nation working towards resolving these problems that exist? Are the leaders of this nation actually identifying these problems in order to fix them and create a better system and society for equity and fairness for all? We all know the answer is a resounding NO! So if they aren't doing that, in the next few years what's the future going to be like in Nigeria in terms of the dignity of Nigerians? Your guess is as good as mine.

It us said that he who stands idly by and does nothing in the face of injustice is just as complicit and guilty as the perpetrators of that injustice. We must speak up and hold our leaders responsible for their actions and inactions. Nobody else can do it for us. Our children and their own children will never forgive us if we stand by and do nothing.

guiddoti:
Stop comparing these countries, please.

But it's a fact. To call a spade a spade na suffer we just dey suffer for here. No labour laws to protect hard working Nigerians. Even the few ones are not being enforced. I recently read in an online article by an American law professor that Nigeria has the most unprotected labour force in the world. Last year in 2015 MTN sacked over 5000 contract staff just to save cost. No benefits, no severance pay, nothing after 8 long years of working for them. Just last week they sacked another 4000 staff again. What did the government do about it? We went to the Senate, NCC, NLC even begged a former NBA president. But they did absolutely nothing to help. The 'all man for himself' mentality of an average Nigerian is our problem. MTN attempted to do the same thing in Ghana and Benin Republic but it was vehemently rejected by the government because of the obvious negative impact it will have on unemployment and the economy of their countries. But in naija see how they did it twice and nothing was done by the government.

See this young man feeling like the luckiest guy in the world just because he finally got a job he truly deserves and qualifies for after many years. In Nigeria that's a 1 in a million chance luck right there. So, rightfully he needs to relish in the moment. E no easy.

Lets talk facts and record....In Canada for instance, with a 10 dollar per hour (which is de minimum wage) factory job and a secondary school cert u will earn 3 times that 300k in naira conversation in a month. That one month pay in canada can buy u a small car, pay your rent and leave u with a small change to manage till your next pay. But in naija even with all his qualifications and certifications, this 300k (which is a lot in naija given the circumstances) he will still drink garri in order to save for almost a year before he can buy a good ride and pay rent and other basic things.

With this small analysis na country be this? Isn't it obvious that somtin is seriously wrong? We really need to start telling the truth as it is without sentiments or denials. This country is dead. No country works like this sustainably. May God help us all.

jayfierce:

Exact same experience at Abuja VFS. The guy wasn't that bad though just had this air around him like "The coordinator". The teller there was just doing one kain like gimme your money and don't ask me any questions jor.

Meanwhile the lady who captured my biometrics was very professional and nice. She also explained the process of sending my passport when requested.

Nor be me get up say I wan go another persin country? If to say my country don package well shey e for be Visa Free. I do not blame anyone at all.

Lol...true that.