FSW 2014 applicants from Nigeria - Let's network

[Ogaolopa]

Good Morning All,

It's been really a long journey but 'am happy to finally announce receipt of our visas and CPR's this morning.

With no intention to bore you please see below for a summary of the journey.

Started FSW1 since 2002 through an agent but had to abort it when it became obvious that the agent was more interested in the money and not the

case' progress (Roadblock #1).

Resumed the journey again in 2007 by myself but encountered a roadblock when entire FSW1 programs prior to 2008 batch were cancelled by CIC in 2012. Processing fee was refunded in 2012 (Roadblock #2).

Decided to reapply in 2013, then another roadblock in 2013 when my NOC cat. was moved to FSTC which requires RED SEAL certification from provinces (Roadblock #3).

Through divine inspiration and quick thinking, had to switch to another NOC on FSW list.

Then came the battle with WES. Wanted them to include my Naija qualification on my report to boost my chances but they saw no reason. Several mails back and forth to them and Naija school until finally they re-issued a revised report (Roadblock #4).

At the same time ongoing challenge with our HR dept. that had stopped issuing letters detailing job descriptions/ main duties in their letters (Roadblock #5).
Had to get my supv. to attest to my main duties and job functions. Prepared cover letters with our signatures and had all the docs notarized at a high court. People doubted the efficacy of this strategy but I had confidence it'll suffice and be relevant.

All docs were ready just in time to send to CIC in Dec 5, 2014 before closure of FSW1 program.

The rest as you can see is now history.

Wishing everyone the best outcomes in whatever stages of their journeys and I hope my story inspires someone.

Congrats 7G

 

[layorh12]

@Gentleandrew Many thanks for your prompt response...just one more question...please if I open an account on a Saturday with one of the Canadian banks please will I get my cards immediately???.....

Yes, almost all the banks open on saturdays even on sundays.

 

[GENTLEANDREW]

@Gentleandrew Many thanks for your prompt response...just one more question...please if I open an account on a Saturday with one of the Canadian banks please will I get my cards immediately???.....

Well, from my experience with TD Canada Trust Bank, you will not. It will be mailed to you in less than a week or you pick it up in the bank if it is your option. Usually, they have a branch that does the processing of the cards. So, it gets to them later not immediately after opening your account. It might even be the following day but cannot go pass a week.

 

[layorh12]

Ok many thanks @ Gentle andrew, thing is I want to pay for an apartment for a short stay and the owner prefers card payment and all my naija cards (both debit and credit) are pretty much useless giving what is going on domestically....please let me know if there is any of the Canadian banks that can get my cards ready almost asap...thanks

Well, from my experience with TD Canada Trust Bank, you will not. It will be mailed to you in less than a week or you pick it up in the bank if it is your option. Usually, they have a branch that does the processing of the cards. So, it gets to them later not immediately after opening your account. It might even be the following day but cannot go pass a week.

 

[Ebube]

Congratulations to all those with updates and speedy processing to those still waiting.

Pls landed seniors, if one is driving in from the US for the landing formalities, is there any difference with what is done at the airports? My family and I are considering going to the US first and then driving to Canada. Your opinions will be appreciated.

 

[bebisco]

Thanks everyone for the congratulatory messages. :-*. Joy will always be in this forum as our good news keep flowing in and all our challenges being tackled by the grace of God.

@ TENMEN, I got PPR on April 18, my PP got there April 22, RPRF came mail May 6, PUM came May 30. But I have come to understand that these timelines are not cast on stone. No two person's own is ever the same. People like Sambade, Codedguy, Ebube we all got PPR same day if I am not mistaking but they all got their PUM before me. So I'll just say relax, pray, praise and be happy. No matter what happens, it will end in Praise.

7G,
your testimony rocks. You have a Lion heart.
Thanks for not giving up. With this kind of resilience, I am confident you will be great in Canada though the beginning might be tough.

N/B: Canada is not a bed of roses ooo. But as we strive to go there and with the right mindset to start small and grow, we will get to our desired haven.
These thought has been running through my mind, starting all over in a new job which might not be as lucrative as the one you are doing in Naija, house-rent (a 2-bedroom flat for between $800 - $1200, the cold, Culture Shock etc.....

Seniors??????? @PH @Ed et al, please don't laugh at me ooo
where are you guys? please tell us the truth oo, how dat side be? E come be like say my heart come dey skip as the journey to get Visa and COPR don finally end for me and landing dey look me for eye.... come July... a month away...

Well as we say, It will ONLY end in Praise.... Enjoy this.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuBA5YSsWUI

 

[GENTLEANDREW]

Ok many thanks @ Gentle andrew, thing is I want to pay for an apartment for a short stay and the owner prefers card payment and all my naija cards (both debit and credit) are pretty much useless giving what is going on domestically....please let me know if there is any of the Canadian banks that can get my cards ready almost asap...thanks

I am not sure if you can open an account by proxy or open an account online. If that is possible , you may want to consider that option because it will ensure your card is ready before you land. You can tell them to keep your card that it will be picked up from the branch. They always can keep it for you. Check these banks online and see if you can do things online before landing. But i can help you confirm too.

Check this link to see if it can help. https://apply.td.com/waw/oso/index.jsp?osoProductID=BSA-103&channel=Infosite

 

[Christamario]

Congrats to everyone with updates, 7G AND BEBISCO.

Nigerian bank situation with forex is really crazy. God will help us.

 

[TENMEN]

Thanks Bebisco/Pipis HB your contributions are really very supportive. @Bebisco its true that the situation is different from Naija. its really going to be that way most especially for some of us that have established quite a solid career/financial base in Naija. Even the Israelite that left Egypt started complaining looking back and longing for some of the things they enjoyed in Egypt forgetting the hash reality of slavery they were in before. Its all about mindset. Remember even in that less lucrative Job you will not earn in Naira anymore, the opportunities for growth and personal development is hindered only by you. If you fit survive and succeed for Naija with Nepa/fuel/lasma harassment/police intimidation/bad road/strike in schools and insecurity in the north, ethnic prejudice in the work place just to mention a few, Canada should be a work in the park with the proper mindset of hard work and determination. I am not landed yet and I know there will be challenges but I will not trade this opportunity for anything. Everyone that has gotten to the MR/PPR/PUM stage must have shown a certain level of determination. Just imagine the experience/determination of the guy that started since 2002. With that kind of determination, that guy and his family are destined for success in Canada. For me I will not miss a thing about Naija.

 

[canadamyplace]

Thanks Bebisco/Pipis HB your contributions are really very supportive. @Bebisco its true that the situation is different from Naija. its really going to be that way most especially for some of us that have established quite a solid career/financial base in Naija. Even the Israelite that left Egypt started complaining looking back and longing for some of the things they enjoyed in Egypt forgetting the hash reality of slavery they were in before. Its all about mindset. Remember even in that less lucrative Job you will not earn in Naira anymore, the opportunities for growth and personal development is hindered only by you. If you fit survive and succeed for Naija with Nepa/fuel/lasma harassment/police intimidation/bad road/strike in schools and insecurity in the north, ethnic prejudice in the work place just to mention a few, Canada should be a work in the park with the proper mindset of hard work and determination. I am not landed yet and I know there will be challenges but I will not trade this opportunity for anything. Everyone that has gotten to the MR/PPR/PUM stage must have shown a certain level of determination. Just imagine the experience/determination of the guy that started since 2002. With that kind of determination, that guy and his family are destined for success in Canada. For me I will not miss a thing about Naija.

The highlighted is the reason i feel i can survive anywhere. when blacks treat themselves differently based on which ethnic group you come from. SMH.

 

[Christamario]

Thanks Bebisco/Pipis HB your contributions are really very supportive. @Bebisco its true that the situation is different from Naija. its really going to be that way most especially for some of us that have established quite a solid career/financial base in Naija. Even the Israelite that left Egypt started complaining looking back and longing for some of the things they enjoyed in Egypt forgetting the hash reality of slavery they were in before. Its all about mindset. Remember even in that less lucrative Job you will not earn in Naira anymore, the opportunities for growth and personal development is hindered only by you. If you fit survive and succeed for Naija with Nepa/fuel/lasma harassment/police intimidation/bad road/strike in schools and insecurity in the north, ethnic prejudice in the work place just to mention a few, Canada should be a work in the park with the proper mindset of hard work and determination. I am not landed yet and I know there will be challenges but I will not trade this opportunity for anything. Everyone that has gotten to the MR/PPR/PUM stage must have shown a certain level of determination. Just imagine the experience/determination of the guy that started since 2002. With that kind of determination, that guy and his family are destined for success in Canada. For me I will not miss a thing about Naija.

You just hit the nail at the head. I felt same way Bebisco felt when I got our visas and even pushed our travel date further because I felt I needed to enjoy Nigeria small, now I am even regretting why I purchased our ticket for August when I got visa since February. If we can conquer Nigeria with the myriads of issues plaguing it, Canada will be conquered, it is all about the mindset. After all in our presence, our financial value has dropped drastically. Should we wait till begin to purchase dollar for N1000 before we realize what God has done for us with the option of Canada? I choose to be grateful and countdown to when I leave Nigeria no matter what we shall succeed. It will only take time but we shall definitely succeed. The Nigerian spirit is a dogged one and failure is never an option.

 

[Pipis Husband]

Landed Seniors,

Please I have a question ooo....Do banks in Canada open for business on saturday??...I will be landing on a saturday morning and I want to explore the possibility of opening a bank account on the same day, will await a response. Many thanks.

Hi, not all bank branches open on Saturdays/Sundays but select locations and also with staggered hours. Depending on the area where you land, a large branch might be operational but a smaller grade branch may not be open. Where it is open, you will be able to open an account but not all banking services will be available to you as there are some products/servcices that need to be signed off by a senior officer/bank manager who may not be on duty on the weekends. Those will be released on weekdays. Few banks like RBC issue instant debit cards but others will mail it to you later on. There is no instant credit card service, credit cards come later between 1 to 3 weeks depending on the bank and the account product you opted for. Hope this helps.

 

[ibadanchap]

N/B: Canada is not a bed of roses ooo. But as we strive to go there and with the right mindset to start small and grow, we will get to our desired haven.
These thought has been running through my mind, starting all over in a new job which might not be as lucrative as the one you are doing in Naija, house-rent (a 2-bedroom flat for between $800 - $1200, the cold, Culture Shock etc.....

Seniors??????? @PH @Ed et al, please don't laugh at me ooo
where are you guys? please tell us the truth oo, how dat side be? E come be like say my heart come dey skip as the journey to get Visa and COPR don finally end for me and landing dey look me for eye.... come July... a month away...

@bebisco I do understand your thinking and feelings. I came to Canada on a work permit in 2013 and just officially landed this last Saturday 28th May (I will share that story in another post)

Several times I had told my wife I will be heading back to Nigeria during the times when I get challenged especailly by my work. but the truth is there is so much living in Canada offers much more than Nigeria. Some examples below

1. Education: I was paying over 1 million naira each for my 2 girls in a private secondary school in Nigeria, now they are both attending high school without paying a dime and the quality of what they learn and the opportunity it offers tis ways above their Naija experience. My oldest was offered admission to University of Toronto has an international student and we were given a bill of $44,000 per session. Yesterday night we were researching what she would pay as a PR and the total is now less than $16,000. and that is not counting scholarships she is now eligible for and the Ontario reduction in her school fees.

2. Health care: Last year I took ill with a strange illness where I could not eat. I lost over 12 kg within 3 months and did several tests and saw specialist and had a mini surgery. Eventually what was wrong was diagnosed and treated. all this lasted for about 5 months. I did not pay a dime again for all the tests / surgery /specialist doctors. I can not imagine what the same quality of treatment would have cost me in Nigeria

3. Organised society / peace of mind: Back home in Nigeria, I sleep with one eye open, when traveling you are always praying against armed robbers. Here I work till 12 midnight and never ever worry when driving home, you dont worry about fuel scarcity and unplanned events that will scatter your own plans. You actually have a better chance of having a plan for the future that works.

I am also always happy when I see how well my children are fitting into the society. i know I came here late but I am not regretting for the possibilities it opens up for my children and even myself. And as a christian, I always remind myself that surely the land on which my foot has trodden will be an inheritance to me and to my children forever.

As other posters have mentioned, one needs to have a positive mindset. I believe Canada is a much better deal than Nigeria even as it may not be perfect.
Congratulations to everyone who has their CoPRs and for all those still expecting updates, It will end in praise.

 

[bebisco]

Thanks Bebisco/Pipis HB your contributions are really very supportive. @Bebisco its true that the situation is different from Naija. its really going to be that way most especially for some of us that have established quite a solid career/financial base in Naija. Even the Israelite that left Egypt started complaining looking back and longing for...

Life is for the daring. @ Okurin-mewa - Ten in one man. I agree with you, succeed we shall. Thanks for your mail, very motivating. No turning back.

@ Canadamyplace, @ Christmario it can only get better.

@ibadanchap, thanks for taking time to list all those examples, all you have said is true. Most especially, thank God for your health.The right mind set and determination is it, and when u makes great plans, surely great forces will come to your aid. Naija will hear of us by God's mighty hand.

 

[beforecanada2014]

Spot on!

Plz landed seniors, what uni scholarship opportunities are available to PR in graduate programs in canada? I have admission for fall semester as an international student ; Can I pay my tuition/switch to PR student if I get my PR in time?

@bebisco I do understand your thinking and feelings. I came to Canada on a work permit in 2013 and just officially landed this last Saturday 28th May (I will share that story in another post)

Several times I had told my wife I will be heading back to Nigeria during the times when I get challenged especailly by my work. but the truth is there is so much living in Canada offers much more than Nigeria. Some examples below

1. Education: I was paying over 1 million naira each for my 2 girls in a private secondary school in Nigeria, now they are both attending high school without paying a dime and the quality of what they learn and the opportunity it offers tis ways above their Naija experience. My oldest was offered admission to University of Toronto has an international student and we were given a bill of $44,000 per session. Yesterday night we were researching what she would pay as a PR and the total is now less than $16,000. and that is not counting scholarships she is now eligible for and the Ontario reduction in her school fees.

2. Health care: Last year I took ill with a strange illness where I could not eat. I lost over 12 kg within 3 months and did several tests and saw specialist and had a mini surgery. Eventually what was wrong was diagnosed and treated. all this lasted for about 5 months. I did not pay a dime again for all the tests / surgery /specialist doctors. I can not imagine what the same quality of treatment would have cost me in Nigeria

3. Organised society / peace of mind: Back home in Nigeria, I sleep with one eye open, when traveling you are always praying against armed robbers. Here I work till 12 midnight and never ever worry when driving home, you dont worry about fuel scarcity and unplanned events that will scatter your own plans. You actually have a better chance of having a plan for the future that works.

I am also always happy when I see how well my children are fitting into the society. i know I came here late but I am not regretting for the possibilities it opens up for my children and even myself. And as a christian, I always remind myself that surely the land on which my foot has trodden will be an inheritance to me and to my children forever.

As other posters have mentioned, one needs to have a positive mindset. I believe Canada is a much better deal than Nigeria even as it may not be perfect.
Congratulations to everyone who has their CoPRs and for all those still expecting updates, It will end in praise.