Applicant from PhD program after 5 Nov, 2011 connect here to get status

[phdapplicant]

When I applied, my lawyer said the envelope doesn't really matter, as they confirm the information with IELTS themselves.  I think the procedure it to return everything if you didn't get PER at CIC level. It may take a while though!

Yeah, IELTS might be different. I took CELPIP, which requires a sealed envelope:

http://www.celpiptest.ca/for-test-takers/scores/

As of June 26, 2010, you need to submit your original language test scores with your application form to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
We now provide a sealed envelope containing your original test scores. This sealed envelope will be sent to you at the same time as your Personal Score Report.
Note: You must not open the sealed envelope. Score reports are not considered official if the seal is broken or tampered with.

Better safe than sorry

[TyrusX]

Thanks again. My IELTS was never submitted sealed or rather I opened the envelope to see my score, and then enclose it with my application without sealing it again. While gathering my documents again, I'm thinking of sending them a copy of the letter from my supervisor along with a sorta appeal letter asking them for re-consideration of my application. What do you think?  

Yes. I advise you to read the Operational Procedure 06 - OP6 and write a cover letter stating your points and your reconsideration request. Give a look at the forum, too. Lots of good information after page 60.

[Cutty]

Yes. I advise you to read the Operational Procedure 06 - OP6 and write a cover letter stating your points and your reconsideration request. Give a look at the forum, too. Lots of good information after page 60.

Sounds good. Please where/how can I find the OP6?

[TyrusX]

Sounds good. Please where/how can I find the OP6?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/

[Aaron2012]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/

I think we should refer to OP6b which is for the applications received after June 26, 2010.

[asbereth]

I mentioned several days ago that I sent an email to Ottawa, asking them whether they have received the corrected forms I sent to Buffalo (I told them I don't want to be guilty of misrepresentation, and looked forward to ensure that the corrections have been properly made), and today, I received an email with the following message:

"Due to the very high volume of mail and files being sent to this office, we cannot confirm the receipt of documentation at this time.  Your file is currently awaiting assessment by an officer.  Once this is done, you will receive further communication from us.  Your continued patience is greatly appreciated."

Apparently it is currently still 'awaiting assessment by an officer'. Not sure what that means, but definitely not in process yet It does look like that they're processing files based on the dates they are received by the CIO, not when they're forwarded (provided, of course, that PER has been issued). It will still be a while I guess before they start processing my application

However, since am applying just with my current RA/TA employment, none of these letters stated my main duties as an RA/TA and this is the major reason for my NER.
What do you suggest I should do? Also, without the 5points from adaptability (having been a full time PhD student for more than 2yrs but without any degree yet), I will just be shy of the 67point ELIGIBILITY mark.

Hi Cutty, as others have mentioned, it is probably not a bad idea to start gathering all of the other documents, detailing your responsibilities (since it seems to me that you got the total number of hours covered already). Make sure though, that there will be no contradictory information between the new documents, and the documents you have submitted.

One problem here is that, there is still the ambiguity whether the five adaptability points will be awarded to those who have completed two years of full-time study in a program, but not having completed it yet. The CIO seems to be of the opinion that these five points should be awarded in such cases (in most cases, after the applicants appealed), but we know not yet whether Ottawa (who will have the final say) would agree with CIO's (and our) interpretation. The wording does state that the program needs to be 'completed'. At the face value, we might think that, without having completed the program, the five points would not be awarded, but then again, it is explicitly mentioned that any sort of credential need not be obtained.

Instead of emphasizing that the program needs to be completed, why did they choose to say that a degree or a credential doesn't need to be obtained? It seems to me that the clause was written with two different intentions in mind, which makes it look like that, initially they thought that the program needs to be completed, but later on they changed their minds, and only two years of study need to completed (provided that it is done within a single program; there was a case where an applicant tried to combine two one-year programs, and it was rejected).  

There has been a case (phdapplicant) where it seems that these five points would not be awarded (by Ottawa) for only having completed two years of study, and he is appealing now. Let's wait and see how that goes. If you have to rely on these 5 points to get above 67 points, you should probably wait a bit until things get cleared a bit more, though it will probably take some time before you get all your documents back anyway (hopefully, by then phdapplicant would have heard the good news).

[hossein61]

Hi Admin, Please add my information in the spreadsheet:

Application reached CIO   CC/BD: 17 January
encashed: 16 Feb
PER issued (CIO): 23 April
Current eCAS status: In process
No. of persons in the application: 2
TA/RA Experience: Included+other
Nationality: Iran

Thanks

[informer2000]

Hi All,

Just a quick question regarding the photocopies. Do they have to be certified copies? I was just about to send my application to Sydney but this question suddenly popped up. I just included photocopies of my passport and my school and college certificates. According to the checklist, the only copies that need to be certified are notarized translations. Is my understanding correct?

Thanks in advance..

[asbereth]

Hi All,

Just a quick question regarding the photocopies. Do they have to be certified copies? I was just about to send my application to Sydney but this question suddenly popped up. I just included photocopies of my passport and my school and college certificates. According to the checklist, the only copies that need to be certified are notarized translations. Is my understanding correct?

Thanks in advance..

That's how I understood it too (I could be wrong), though all of my copies were notarized, just to be on the safe side. Doesn't your school have a notary? I had mine notarized for free by my school notary, so it's probably not that much of an extra work to have it done?

[Cutty]

I mentioned several days ago that I sent an email to Ottawa, asking them whether they have received the corrected forms I sent to Buffalo (I told them I don't want to be guilty of misrepresentation, and looked forward to ensure that the corrections have been properly made), and today, I received an email with the following message:

"Due to the very high volume of mail and files being sent to this office, we cannot confirm the receipt of documentation at this time.  Your file is currently awaiting assessment by an officer.  Once this is done, you will receive further communication from us.  Your continued patience is greatly appreciated."

Apparently it is currently still 'awaiting assessment by an officer'. Not sure what that means, but definitely not in process yet It does look like that they're processing files based on the dates they are received by the CIO, not when they're forwarded (provided, of course, that PER has been issued). It will still be a while I guess before they start processing my application

Hi Cutty, as others have mentioned, it is probably not a bad idea to start gathering all of the other documents, detailing your responsibilities (since it seems to me that you got the total number of hours covered already). Make sure though, that there will be no contradictory information between the new documents, and the documents you have submitted.

One problem here is that, there is still the ambiguity whether the five adaptability points will be awarded to those who have completed two years of full-time study in a program, but not having completed it yet. The CIO seems to be of the opinion that these five points should be awarded in such cases (in most cases, after the applicants appealed), but we know not yet whether Ottawa (who will have the final say) would agree with CIO's (and our) interpretation. The wording does state that the program needs to be 'completed'. At the face value, we might think that, without having completed the program, the five points would not be awarded, but then again, it is explicitly mentioned that any sort of credential need not be obtained.

Instead of emphasizing that the program needs to be completed, why did they choose to say that a degree or a credential doesn't need to be obtained? It seems to me that the clause was written with two different intentions in mind, which makes it look like that, initially they thought that the program needs to be completed, but later on they changed their minds, and only two years of study need to completed (provided that it is done within a single program; there was a case where an applicant tried to combine two one-year programs, and it was rejected).  

There has been a case (phdapplicant) where it seems that these five points would not be awarded (by Ottawa) for only having completed two years of study, and he is appealing now. Let's wait and see how that goes. If you have to rely on these 5 points to get above 67 points, you should probably wait a bit until things get cleared a bit more, though it will probably take some time before you get all your documents back anyway (hopefully, by then phdapplicant would have heard the good news).

Hi Asbereth, thanks a lot for your insightful and detailed contribution. Yes, I met the minimum of one year work experience requirement.

I intend to get an extra document -a reference letter from my supervisor (which I didn't include with my former application) which will state my main duties as an RA/TA, in addition to the two letters (from FGSR and human resources) I submitted earlier. Could you see a potential contradictory information among the earlier submitted docs and what I intend to submit now?

Also, I read in the OP that I can't submit a copy of my IELTS if I had submitted the original with my former application provided I included a copy of my rejection letter as well as a letter explaining my situation.

By your last sentence, do you mean that I can request my documents returned to me by CIO? If yes, please do you know the fastest way to do that? Thanks again for your time and concern.

[Cutty]

I think we should refer to OP6b which is for the applications received after June 26, 2010.

Hi Aaraon, I agree with you. We should use OP6b.

[informer2000]

That's how I understood it too (I could be wrong), though all of my copies were notarized, just to be on the safe side. Doesn't your school have a notary? I had mine notarized for free by my school notary, so it's probably not that much of an extra work to have it done?

Thanks asbereth for your reply. Unfortunately, my previous schools are in Egypt. And I'm out of the country right now. So, I'm not sure where I can certify them. But the certificates themselves are in English. So, I hope my understanding is correct.

Anyone submitted photocopies that were not certified?

[TyrusX]

My friend TJ just called me to tell me he got request for 6 months of bank history. He is from China. A valid hypothesis
now it that this request is related to how much money you have presented. If just enough, they may want to know how
is your funding history.
Given that he is just a few day late of phdapplicant, we can see that they are not putting a lot of effort on our applications.
They me be very overwhelmed with so many things being transferred there.  Next in line are meteor2012
Dani1982 who have not being very active in the forum. Let's hope we hear from them soon.

[Dani1982]

Hi Guys
I just got an email from Ottawa said that I got rejected due to lack of points. They did not give me the 5 points of adaptability, So I just got 66 points . This is the table:

Age   10
Education     25
Experience    19

Arranged employment   0

Official language proficiency     12

Adaptability     0

TOTAL      66

[TyrusX]

Hi Guys
I just got an email from Ottawa said that I got rejected due to lack of points. They did not give me the 5 points of adaptability, So I just got 66 points . This is the table:

Age   10
Education     25
Experience    19

Arranged employment   0

Official language proficiency     12

Adaptability     0

TOTAL      66

Sorry to hear that. Best course of action is to appeal right away. Maybe we should create an standard letter already? Also. One thing that we haven't actually given too much importance IS THAT WE DO HAVE ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT. Most of us get RAships that are acknowledged as work experience, so may they should be acknowledge this as a job as well? Maybe attaching a letter from your supervisor saying that he will pay you until the conclusion of your degree as well?

Dany can you also shared : No. of persons in the application,   TA/RA Experience and    Nationality with us?