FSW 2014 applicants from Nigeria - Let's network

[ibadanchap]

Wow! What a journey...Congrats!

Yes. And all glory to God. Thanks Unibadan

 

[Christamario]

My Story

I stumbled on this thread while researching how to send prepaid return envelop to Accra with my PPR. Since then I have been amazed at the family like atmosphere in this thread. This is really wonderful. I have decided to share a timeline / story of my own Canada journey below. I hope I don't bore you and some of the information may be useful to others now or in the future.

February 2012: Wifey landed in Canada with study permit
June 2012: Went on visit to wifey. Met with a lawyer on possible migration path. At this time my NOC was not qualified for FSW. We planned for CEC
December 2012: Went on another visit to wifey. This time along with my children. We were all on visit visa
January 2013: Children enrolled and started school. I applied for WP and TRV for children while in Canada. I returned back to Nigeria
April 2013: WP and TRV granted.
June 2013: I returned to Canada using my visit visa. Started job hunting
Nov 2013: Started working.
October 2014: My NOC now qualified for FSW. Applied through FSW. Application sent to Sudbury in Canada. NOC 2281 and NOC 2171
March 2015: Application transferred to Accra
June 2015: Wifey graduated and got 3 years post graduation WP
July 2015: Medical requested
August 2015: Meds done
September 2015: Wifey got work with one of the big four Accounting / Audit firms. All glory to God
December 2015: Wifey asked to report to Peel Region Health as follow up on her medicals
December 2015: Renewed my WP and children TRV as it was set to expire January 2016.
March 2015: Got extension of WP and children TRV till May 2018, the end date of Wifey's WP.
March 30 2015: PPR, RPRF request. Also included request for POF update and police clearance for Canada and Nigeria which we did not submit earlier with app.
April 13 2015: Passports and other documents sent. Documents arrived Accra on 18th April.
May 4 2015: PUM
May 2015: Applied for US visa in other to go out of Canada and come back in to formalize PR. Discovered later that this step was not necessary as there is something called flag pole that we could have done. You just drive to the US border and tell the US border agent you are there for flag pole. They then give you some paper and ask you to turn back into Canada. I confirmed the validity of this when we drove across the US border. In fact the agent asked us if we wanted to do flag pole in which case we wont be stamped as entering US. But we wanted to use the opportunity to shop in the US so we declined flag pole.
May 28 2015: Officially land as PR at the Peace bridge (Fort Erie) Canada border. (Got the welcome to Canada thing even though we have all been here over 3 years .

Looking back to around 2011 when we started planning this, our way and thinking was not how it turned out. But we than God because it ended in praise and the PR came at a perfect timing.

For all those who are expecting one update or the other, don't worry, it will soon come and it shall end in praise IJN. Amen

Congratulations Ibadanchap, your story will encourage a lot of people

 

[Mabertia]

What a smooth ride and nice landing story. Congratulations on your becoming a PR ibadanchap now canadachap

My Story

I stumbled on this thread while researching how to send prepaid return envelop to Accra with my PPR. Since then I have been amazed at the family like atmosphere in this thread. This is really wonderful. I have decided to share a timeline / story of my own Canada journey below. I hope I don't bore you and some of the information may be useful to others now or in the future.

February 2012: Wifey landed in Canada with study permit
June 2012: Went on visit to wifey. Met with a lawyer on possible migration path. At this time my NOC was not qualified for FSW. We planned for CEC
December 2012: Went on another visit to wifey. This time along with my children. We were all on visit visa
January 2013: Children enrolled and started school. I applied for WP and TRV for children while in Canada. I returned back to Nigeria
April 2013: WP and TRV granted.
June 2013: I returned to Canada using my visit visa. Started job hunting
Nov 2013: Started working.
October 2014: My NOC now qualified for FSW. Applied through FSW. Application sent to Sudbury in Canada. NOC 2281 and NOC 2171
March 2015: Application transferred to Accra
June 2015: Wifey graduated and got 3 years post graduation WP
July 2015: Medical requested
August 2015: Meds done
September 2015: Wifey got work with one of the big four Accounting / Audit firms. All glory to God
December 2015: Wifey asked to report to Peel Region Health as follow up on her medicals
December 2015: Renewed my WP and children TRV as it was set to expire January 2016.
March 2015: Got extension of WP and children TRV till May 2018, the end date of Wifey's WP.
March 30 2015: PPR, RPRF request. Also included request for POF update and police clearance for Canada and Nigeria which we did not submit earlier with app.
April 13 2015: Passports and other documents sent. Documents arrived Accra on 18th April.
May 4 2015: PUM
May 2015: Applied for US visa in other to go out of Canada and come back in to formalize PR. Discovered later that this step was not necessary as there is something called flag pole that we could have done. You just drive to the US border and tell the US border agent you are there for flag pole. They then give you some paper and ask you to turn back into Canada. I confirmed the validity of this when we drove across the US border. In fact the agent asked us if we wanted to do flag pole in which case we wont be stamped as entering US. But we wanted to use the opportunity to shop in the US so we declined flag pole.
May 28 2015: Officially land as PR at the Peace bridge (Fort Erie) Canada border. (Got the welcome to Canada thing even though we have all been here over 3 years .

Looking back to around 2011 when we started planning this, our way and thinking was not how it turned out. But we than God because it ended in praise and the PR came at a perfect timing.

For all those who are expecting one update or the other, don't worry, it will soon come and it shall end in praise IJN. Amen

 

[kuskus]

Yes. And all glory to God. Thanks Unibadan

Interesting and exciting story, however, some of the dates needs to change, I think.

 

[engrted]

@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.

ur not mentioning the advantages of Nigeria over canada abi is there none?
Remember no country can give u the naija spirit of huzzling and finding ur way......the naija sense......the naija way of surviving......kids need the naija experience too.
i was impressed to see a 9year old naija boy taking his grandmum from lagos to london....and he passed through immigration and filled all forms...dragging his grandma....dats an example of the naija spirit......
2ndly, ur choice to move to canada asap also depends on ur earning power

 

[Flosure]

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.

 

[Flosure]

@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.

I am highly impressed by your post. It has given some rays of hope to some forumites. The takeaway for me is POSITIVE MINDSET which I have developed long before now. May God help us.

 

[Ebube]

Thanks a lot. This is most helpful.

I don't know the airport procedure since I did not use that route. We drove into Canada through the Peace bridge at Fort Erie. The Canadian border agent just asked us what we are coming to Canada for. We told her we were there to formalize PR. She then asked where we lived in Canada and what we did in the US. She then gave us a piece of paper and asked us to find somewhere to park and go inside a building.

Our passports and the yellow paper were collected by another agent who also informed us that there is a bit of wait time. We ended up waiting for an hour before our names was called.

The agent who called us asked us if we had any goods to follow which we replied no. (We practically had no luggage except for the few cloths we bought in the US)
She then signed the CoPR and asked each one of us to sign. Then after that the blah blah blah about your rights and requirements to keep PR and gave us back our passports and CoPR. All in all we spent about 1hr 40 minutes in total.

If you are driving a rental car or a friend is driving you I think you'll be fine. Just factor in some wait time. If you are planning on going in a public coach, I don't think that will be possible with the potential wait time though.

 

[Ebube]

Hi PH, I sent you a mail. Kindly check it.

 

[BigDon]

Hi Earl76, I had dead silence too that lasted for up to 10 months until I was notified that my Visa will expire august and specific Docs were requested including my PP. I think your next correspondence may need you doing multiple things due to the short time so get ready. If your police certificate has expired, be ready to do a new one, as your next correspondence with Accra may ask you to provide it with your PP. The trend I see as in my case is that they will get back to you before the expiration of your medicals. Just be sure say ya POF dey Kampe since as at their last correspondence that was what they where focusing on. So get ready

@TENMEN,i'm very much encouraged by your post.I've been waiting for over eight months since after my medical done date.The silence is depressing at the least.My patience has been stretched but i'm just hanging in there and believing GOD to complete his work.
Please when did you do medical and when did you get PPR?Between,did you do anything,maybe sending them mail before you got your PPR?
All the best brother.

 

[Innercircle]

Oh Lord remember us this new month of JUNE...Our MRs

AMEN!

 

[TENMEN]

@ BigDon see my time line below, am a newbie so I don't know how to add my timeline at the top left of every post like the seniors. And yes I sent them lots of CSR asking for updates most of which was seemingly ignored. But the 2 times they responded I was told I needed to add my spouse IELTS and police certificate for me plus our PPs.

Application received October 20, 2014.
Processing started January 13, 2015.
Application sent to Accra January 20, 2015.
Medical request August 19, 2015
Police certificate/PPR May 17, 2016.

 

[Dotsngr]

My wonderful forumite, I hail oo with two hands up.
Nice to know that loads n loads of positive update have occured.
Wishing all of us the best. For dose still waiting for update from AVO.
Fear not, you are closer to your Canadian dream each passing day.

 

[Dotsngr]

Some do I think, but before you open a bank account, you will need to have your SIN, I am not very sure if that can be gotten at the weekend, maybe PH can throw some more light there, but basically if you don't have your SIN, you can't open an account. But if you do, some banks issue you a debit card immediately and a credit card comes in the mail about a week or two later, or you pick up at the branch. My suggestion if you open the bank account and collect your Debit card, ensure that you have online banking operational, then make a transfer with INTERAC, ask the bank they'll put you through on this.

True, they do ask for SIN, but I usually advice that one can explore th services of Service Canada righ there at Toronto Pearson- for those landing in Toronto. U will get ur SIN in a jiffy.

 

[Dotsngr]

@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.

Aptly said my in-law. Aptly said. One plus for your profile