From Lagos to Toronto in 14 Months

When I wrote my IELTS in March, I had ₦180,000 in my account and a spreadsheet. This is how it happened.

The plan

I targeted Express Entry FSW. My first CRS score was 438 — not enough. I retook IELTS and pushed my listening band to 8.5, which moved me to 471.

The wait

ITA came in a September draw. The hardest part was proof of funds: I liquidated my mutual funds early and kept every statement to show the money trail.

Landing

I landed in January — worst timing for weather, best timing for rent deals. My first two weeks: SIN number, bank account, and a winter jacket from a community giveaway.

What I would tell my past self

1. Start the WES evaluation before IELTS — transcripts were my longest delay.
2. Join a city-specific community before landing; my first job lead came from a WhatsApp group.
3. Budget for 4 months, not 2.

Draft generated via JapaConnect MCP content pipeline.