Help, overstayed in Nigeria before, will it affect my immigration application？

[Chen93]

I worked in Nigeria(Africa) in 2017 for 10 months. In order to cut down their costs, my company only helped me apply for a 3-month business visa and they ketp me working there for 10 months, so basically the rest of the 7 months I worked in Nigeria is considered illegal I think? I worked in Nigeria to save money to study and immigrate to Canada, and I'm planning to go to Canada next year. I'm wondering if this experience of mine will have a negative impact on my future immigration application in Canada? I heared that Canadian govt will ask the applicants fill forms when apply for immigration(PR), one of which is about filling info about past travel experiences(abroad).
Thanks

 

[DanBhanu69]

It could.
Though I'm not sure Nigeria is one of the countries Canadian Immigration closely shares information.
You might need a police Clearance from Nigeria.

 

[Chen93]

It could.
Though I'm not sure Nigeria is one of the countries Canadian Immigration closely shares information.
You might need a police Clearance from Nigeria.

Thanks. Canadian govt won't just reject my immigration application directly due to my overstaying in Nigeria right? Do I have to go to Nigeria again to get a police Clearance? Thanks!

 

[DanBhanu69]

They could. Especially if you try to misrepresent the situation.

Best bet might be to be honest about it and include a letter explaining what happened. You'd need to get a police certificate if you stayed more than 6 months. Hopefully they would ignore that you overstayed, esp if you didn't commit any crimes there.

I'm sorry I can't advice on getting a police report...but i honestly hope you don't have to travel there for one!
Good luck!

 

[Chen93]

They could. Especially if you try to misrepresent the situation.

Best bet might be to be honest about it and include a letter explaining what happened. You'd need to get a police certificate if you stayed more than 6 months. Hopefully they would ignore that you overstayed, esp if you didn't commit any crimes there.

I'm sorry I can't advice on getting a police report...but i honestly hope you don't have to travel there for one!
Good luck!

Thank you!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I worked in Nigeria(Africa) in 2017 for 10 months. In order to cut down their costs, my company only helped me apply for a 3-month business visa and they ketp me working there for 10 months, so basically the rest of the 7 months I worked in Nigeria is considered illegal I think? I worked in Nigeria to save money to study and immigrate to Canada, and I'm planning to go to Canada next year. I'm wondering if this experience of mine will have a negative impact on my future immigration application in Canada? I heared that Canadian govt will ask the applicants fill forms when apply for immigration(PR), one of which is about filling info about past travel experiences(abroad).
Thanks

Provided you fully declare the illegal work and overstay, it will not be a reason for your PR app to be refused.

 

[Chen93]

Provided you fully declare the illegal work and overstay, it will not be a reason for your PR app to be refused.

I don't know. My company promised me that they would renew my visa every 3 month. After I got to the company, they just took my passport and I thought they would deal with everything for me as they promised. I found out they had been locking my passport in company safe when I finished my working contract and about to go back to my country. I'm totally the victim here.The purpose of me working in Nigeria is to save money for my future study in Canada. If I knew they would not renew my visa, I would not have accepted that job. This is such a huge stain for my record.
So, I'm still wondering if I should continue my plan and go to Canada or just give up considering the posibillity that my future immigration application is very likely to fail largely due to my overstaying in Nigeria. I'm still quite worried and afraid something would go wrong during immigration application process. I have sacrificed so much and worked so hard for that saving. Please would you share more detailed information regarding this issue? Thank you very very much

 

[hamgha]

I don't know. My company promised me that they would renew my visa every 3 month. After I got to the company, they just took my passport and I thought they would deal with everything for me as they promised. I found out they had been locking my passport in company safe when I finished my working contract and about to go back to my country. I'm totally the victim here.The purpose of me working in Nigeria is to save money for my future study in Canada. If I knew they would not renew my visa, I would not have accepted that job. This is such a huge stain for my record.
So, I'm still wondering if I should continue my plan and go to Canada or just give up considering the posibillity that my future immigration application is very likely to fail largely due to my overstaying in Nigeria. I'm still quite worried and afraid something would go wrong during immigration application process. I have sacrificed so much and worked so hard for that saving. Please would you share more detailed information regarding this issue? Thank you very very much

just be honest. people who have overstayed in canada have also gotten their PR. don't overthink it and explain your situation without making facts up. what was the consequence of staying in nigeria? did the country ban you? charge you with something etc? you'll have to mention all of this.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I don't know. My company promised me that they would renew my visa every 3 month. After I got to the company, they just took my passport and I thought they would deal with everything for me as they promised. I found out they had been locking my passport in company safe when I finished my working contract and about to go back to my country. I'm totally the victim here.The purpose of me working in Nigeria is to save money for my future study in Canada. If I knew they would not renew my visa, I would not have accepted that job. This is such a huge stain for my record.
So, I'm still wondering if I should continue my plan and go to Canada or just give up considering the posibillity that my future immigration application is very likely to fail largely due to my overstaying in Nigeria. I'm still quite worried and afraid something would go wrong during immigration application process. I have sacrificed so much and worked so hard for that saving. Please would you share more detailed information regarding this issue? Thank you very very much

Again, if you fully declare it, it is not a reason for refusal.

 

[Chen93]

Again, if you fully declare it, it is not a reason for refusal.

ok. Thank you very much

 

[Chen93]

just be honest. people who have overstayed in canada have also gotten their PR. don't overthink it and explain your situation without making facts up. what was the consequence of staying in nigeria? did the country ban you? charge you with something etc? you'll have to mention all of this.

Ok. Thank you so much for your advice

 

[Chen93]

Again, if you fully declare it, it is not a reason for refusal.

Oh also, one more question please. Should I also be honest about my overstay history when I apply for a student visa?

 

[Chen93]

just be honest. people who have overstayed in canada have also gotten their PR. don't overthink it and explain your situation without making facts up. what was the consequence of staying in nigeria? did the country ban you? charge you with something etc? you'll have to mention all of this.

If I want to apply for student visa, should I also be honest about my overstay history?

 

[hamgha]

If I want to apply for student visa, should I also be honest about my overstay history?

don't lie about ANY thing. it's not worth it.

 

[Chen93]

don't lie about ANY thing. it's not worth it.

Hi. thanks for your advice. I'm planning to apply for student permit, don't know if they will let it pass if I be honest about everything.