11 June 2026
On a previous post, we mentioned that Chibuike’s visa/student permit application to Canada had an issue. Because of an incorrectly answered question, his first submission was denied but was invited to reapply to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Over the past three weeks since that denial. Chibuike has been working closely with an advisor at the University of Victoria’s International Center for Students (ICS).
He worked on some major re-writes with her over three exchanges of drafts. The wording was strong to start but reorganizing and creating headers proved to highlight those areas important to a visa officer’s likely interests. That included a thorough explanation of the mistake made in the first application. Chibuike was also able to solicit for additional letters of support from MUSON faculty as well as other supportive materials and documentaiton ICS felt would advance him towards approval. The application to the IRCC was resubmitted Monday, June 8.
Now what? We wait.
Research we have done tends to predict a 3-6 week turnaround until a decision is handed down from IRCC, with the likelihood of 4-6 weeks, which gives us a spread around June 29 to July 20 But the research also says maybe longer. It’s kind of like weather predictions around the Mid-Atlantic states in the winter: “Could be a dusting to 5 inches, or more, maybe less!”
In the meantime, Hank will be traveling to Lagos—using miles and on his own dime—leaving Tuesday, June 16, to see Chibuike’s final concerts at MUSON. The hope then is to make the trip up to Victoria in mid- to late-July, provided Chibuike’s visa is finally approved. That will also be done on his own dime with the plan of finding additional donors as well as affordable housing for when Chibuike arrives which would be early September—again, provided the visa/study permit is approved.
Another development was that Hank had a Zoom meeting May 25 with three people already in significant support of Chibuike’s move to Victoria. The call included UVic’s Dean of Fine Arts, Director of the School of Music, and the cello professor. They are very excited about Chibuike’s pending arrival at UVic and feel that, once his visa is approved and especially after he arrives, there will be support for his future as there continues to be from people in and associated with Indiana, PA! The call also confirmed an additional generous one-time scholarship award from the Dean.
HEADS UP: Provided his visa is approved – fingers crossed and prayers if so inclined, please – we are going to need support to fly him to Victoria. We have been very conservative with the fund, but given there has not been much sustained or significant activity for nearly a year, available cash is low. And to get him started, he will need new technology including an upgrade to his computer, an iPhone and appropriate data plan, updated digital pad, and probably other equipment and materials and software before he even steps into his first class and before he begins to earn some income. Hopefully, UVic will have student technology discount plans similar to IUP. As indicated previously, it is the hope and expectation that there will be people in Victoria–including 3 Nigerian-based community organizations—that will be able to help. But that will take some time to establish and solidify.
Join Chibuike in holding onto hope!
Hank Knerr, Fund Manager
Raising Arts ... Serving the Arts Community 