Abuja – October 22 – Mediaage NG News – Canadian professional lawyer and travel expert, Sonia Sidhu has told Nigerians that it is not in the best position to lie about their intentions of traveling to Canada.
She said it is better you let the Canadian Embassy in on the reason for wanting to travel to the country.
“There’s no reason to lie about your intention. The law allows you to go to Canada temporary but, also have the intention to apply for permanent residence. If you told them upfront, they are still going to issue you the visa”, Sidhu said.
She also said with Nigeria ranked as the fifth top country whose citizens annually travel to Canada, the relationship between the two countries could be used to the advantage of Nigerians hoping to travel to Canada.
Ms. Sidhu stated this on Saturday, in an event covered by Mediaage NG, titled Unlocking Your Canadian Dream, hosted by Zinchi International in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. She said it’s important for Nigerians to have the right knowledge on why they want to travel out.
At the event attended by would-be travellers to Canada, she made them aware that only licensed professionals are allowed to secure immigration application for them and they have to be licensed in Canada.
“They have special numbers included on your application form. There’s not a single practitioner that can practice Immigration in Canada that does not have that licensing number, Sidhu said.
“Canada also knows there’s a lot of fraud here (Nigeria). A lot of people go with the aim of not coming back and did with a lot of pretences. So, that is an area the Immigration office is working on, to make sure the right Nigerians get there”.
Sidhu also said finances, travel history, length of stay, lack of employment prospect for home country are some of the “common reasons” application for a Canadian visa is usually turned down. A lot of persons she alluded don’t have a travel history. Although, it can’t be used as negative if they have not travelled elsewhere.
“But, if you have, it can be used as a positive and that could include travel to any country. If you can show that you abided with the rules of other countries, Canada would be more excited to give you a visa because, you can abide by the rules of the country, she said.