Detailed Information For Those That Want To Migrate To Canada -Part 2

This information is for those who want to travel out of Nigeria and have the money but don't know the first step.

If you also can access the money from friends and relations then you can proceed.

 If you don't mind temperatures of up to -40 degrees and paying a lot of taxes but still having basic amenities provides for you with peace of mind, then my dear Canada is for you. All of these information was done by my own research from the government of Canada website and naira***d ( you will have to spend time doing your own research as well)


For study visa, you will need at least N10m as proof of funds sitting in your account or a sponsors account for six months before applying for visa.
But you research for schools first, apply to them with your transcripts (2.2 and below would have to go for a Post graduate diploma while 2.1 and above can apply for a masters direct)

Get admission, then pay acceptance fee, before applying for visa. You would also need to write the IELTS academic and score at least L7,R7,S7,W7.
School fees is about 4m to be paid in two installments. It's best to look for a 2year program so you can apply for a 3year post graduate work permit which will give you enough time to apply for permanent residence after school. Which is the ultimate goal of going through study visa.



PART 2

This is the detailed step by step process for Express Entry (EE) migration.  

The truth is that there are lots of ways to migrate legally to Canada but many of us (myself included) usually opt for the EE because it is the easiest (in my opinion).

First step is have your proof of funds(POF) sitting in your account before you start or hopefully like 2 months into when you have begun the process. The reason is that when Canada invites you to submit an application for permanent residence, you will be required to submit your last six months bank statements and if any huge amount that can't be explained has come into your account, they will assume you borrowed that money so you don't have enough to live on in Canada until you get a job. 

Important information, if you can, withdraw your money, buy dollars and save in a domiciliary account. E get why. Naira loses value everyday, and while you may have your complete POF when you start the process, by the time you are invited, naira may have lost its value again and you would have a deficit.

 I I wish I knew this at the beginning of mine. I needed 7.1M for my size of family, six months later naira equivalent needed was 8.2M. But if I had saved it in dollars I wouldn't have needed to source for extra money. To know the correct amount needed for a single person and other family size just google "proof of funds for Canada migration".

Next step, have your highest degree evaluated with a foreign body. Those in the medicine line, google yours. Law degree will open an account with IQAS or ICES (google the correct spelling) all other degrees can evaluate with WES (which I did)
Create an account with WES (on their website) enter your details, pay a fee of 230CAD (about 80k or so) then go to your Alma mater and request transcripts of your highest degree. 

Pay for it. Ensure you take a number of someone there to help you follow up. When the evaluating body receives your transcripts they will acknowledge you, then they will send photocopies to your institution to verify that they actually sent those papers. Some schools, you will pay extra for verification. (I know, the process is tiring. You need a basket of patience and prayers to embark on this journey). 

Follow up with your school on the verification matter otherwise time would be going and nothing will be done. This process takes a while(mine took four months, a friends own took one year) so start as soon as possible.

Next step, IELTS. Spend 2-3 months studying the techniques of the exam, the different patterns needed in answering the Speaking part, the grammar they need in the Writing part, how to concentrate for 23minutes listening to various recordings and answering the questions at the same time for the Listening part, and then master True/False/Not Given in the Reading part. 

Don't worry, by the time you start practicing you will understand what all these means. I aced my ielts at one sitting with the grace of God and intense practice for four months. My ID name should tell you I was a telemundo fan, but during my IElts practice I never watched TV for one day. The exam is written twice every month and it costs 79k per exam. That is not chicken change so you want to spend a lot of time preparing for it. Some persons I know wrote it 3,5,9 times. Someone I know spent over 700K writing IELTs.

You can practice with IeltsLiz, Crack Ielts with Rob (YouTube) E2 language (YouTube) get practice questions from IELtS British Council website and IDP/MOD.


Someone asked me if the study route favors family. 

 You get the admission then apply for study visa for only yourself. If granted (the visa officers have to be convinced you are coming back to naija hence you apply for only yourself) you travel, start school then apply for your spouse and kids to join you. Your spouse gets a work permit and your kids attend free school. I don't know if healthcare is free for study visa holder's but it's free for permanent residence. All these free healthcare and kids education comes out of the heavy taxes residents pay though.

TO BE CONTINUED

BY BV Biana Bruno