I want to do a thread about life and living in Canada with the challenges immigrants face when they finally land in Canada. I would be speaking specifically to my 9ja pipu as it concerns us.
Your permanent residency visa has been approved. Congratulations, now your work begins. Canada is like a mine field, you need support system to navigate this water cos one simple mistake could take you years to fix and then frustration sets in.
You probably know little or nobody in Canada but in a couple of months you would be leaving your familiar environment for the unknown. It can be daunting to say the least. It’s a different ball game when you come on vacation compared to when your move finally.
First and foremost, when you land you need a house asap especially if you are coming with kids and you happen to come during winter. Choi! Na die you dey.... so here is the tricky part, houses plenty but nobody want to rent their house to someone without a credit history.
Credit history...that word is as important as your stay in Canada. The difference between living and living from hand to mouth. Credit history is what you build over time. Let me not bore you with that but please study about it online before you waka come.
So to get a place you either come with shit load of 💴 or find an agent and begin discussion about getting you a place and it’s important to find the right agent. Most average Nigerians who come in start off with a decent walk-in basement of 2 to 3 bedroom and
rent hovering around $1200 to $1500 per month not per year and depending on the area shey you 👂. Now you just don’t want to leave anywhere. If you are married with kids Mississauga is the in-between place. If you are on a budget for rent Brampton is ok. Married without kids
definitely Toronto but not downtown sha...say like Etobicoke or north York. Easier to find job faster in Toronto cos many job centres. Peel region where you have Mississauga has the best educational school board for kids.
Ok am off to bed it 3:34am would continue later in the day. If you have questions you can @ me....sensible questions if you have private questions my DM is sort of open sha.
Ok...am back. So where were we....ah! Housing and stuff.
So secure an apartment first cos you don’t wanna be spending your limited cash for hotel bills. Most landlord require to sign a one year lease agreements.
Canada has a lot of jobs but certificate and all the Wes.org stuff doesn’t cut it. A Canadian education and experience would do the magic. Now Canadian work experience is important even if you work in MacDonald it’s considered a work experience.
When you land, the first couple of days and months can be overwhelming cos you would suffer from information overload. You have to play catch up. The difference between enjoying all Canada has to offer and suffering is information. And Canada has tonnes if it.
As a PR holder you can’t access the health system until you get your health card which takes about three months before it arrives. So buying a private insurance from say bluecross.ca is your best bet. Even after your health card arrives for the adults above 18
You would need the insurance to cover your medical expense the OHIP doesn’t cover but for the kids drugs prescription is free. Kudos to the liberal party
Next would talk about how to get a job in Canada but first some truck and tips no one tells you and you wonder why you haven’t been called for interviews.
So your CV needs to have certain keyword when applying for a job cos most companies outsource their recruitment services and an algorithm decides which CV is pushed to the selector who invites you for interviews. Visit indeed.ca to see copies of your CV
Visit Drivetest.ca to get full information on getting a drivers licence cos it’s one form of identification along with your credit card.
The first things you do when you come in is to open a bank account. Now @TD_Canada @RBC are good for migrant but be careful when you are issued your first credit card. You need to digest the rules behind using a credit card or else your credit history is down the toilet.
If you are a doctor who trained outside Canada, my brother and sister it’s like a camel passing through the eye of a needle for you to practice in Canada. For lawyers you have to go via the flsc.ca
Again, back to the housing issue. You would probably offer six months rent in advance for some landlord’s to accept you. Thy are usually worried that you don’t have a source of income. Having a friend or support system is of the utmost my people. Atleast know one pelzin abeg
in 🇨🇦 before you begin come here. Some of you just want to come to 🇨🇦 and where you end up is very important. Think about lagos, Abuja and PH against the rest of naija na so here be too.
It can be lonely and depressing atimes, all familiar surroundings gone. It takes its toll especially on the kids. New way of life, language yes language even if you dey speak English. It’s called washroom here not restroom or toilet....just saying🙄
On jobs: pls get a certification and by certification I mean an internationally recognized one like PMP, ITILL, Six sigma etc. Any recognized certification would do just fine to help you land a job. Omo you masters or PhD from UNilag won’t cut it. Don’t ask me why...
Except of course you are in such a well established or known in that profession.
You can transfer your driving credit on your present naija drivers license so you can go from a G1 driver to Full G license. You need naija embassy to issue you letter stating the validity of your drivers license from naija or you can get that letter from FRSC in your state.
Visit the naija embassy website in ottawa to get full detail and also Drivetest.ca to fully understand what am saying.
You would spend an insane amount of💰 to get different sets of winter coats, boots for the family. Don’t mind me not insane amount jare just joking but it don’t come cheap.
If you have any kinda flare for IT as an immigrant, visit @BrainStationTO talk to them, understand what they are about and see how you guys can come to a payment plan. After the program job enough dey wait for you.
Most immigrants go the easy and short cut way. They get advise from uneducated long timers who tell them to go do Personal social worker course for 6months. Nothing wrong with that but not everyone is cut out for that....
If you plan on migrating to Canada here my canadid advise: you can apply yourself without consulting this so called agent. Pls visit canada.ca/en/immigration… and read thoroughly. Digest and comprehend then you can apply yourself.
If you have adequate funds and good educational background you probably stand a chance of applying for an express entry or provincial nomination. Again visit this site canada.ca/en/immigration… for more info
I have been getting a lot of questions about applying for PR, student visa etc. The truth is the cic.gc.ca has enough info to help you apply yourself. Infact it has eligibility questionnaire to help determine the best possible route to Canada.
The challenge is many don’t want to read or take time to visit the site and get enough info.
Most people just want to relocate but you must have a reason why. You must have a plan, you must be mentally and financially ready for a new country. Don’t let all the razzmatazz of “Canada” fool you. It’s a tough place for any immigrant to survive.
It’s tough on families, kids. It’s not a thing you take lightly.
Here is another link. It would help in eligibility cic.gc.ca/english/helpce…
