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

[phdapplicant]

@ Phdapplicant : Is there any update on your case? Did you get any response from Ottawa on your appeal?

Hi Dani1982, I haven't heard anything from Ottawa about my appeal yet.

 

[Dani1982]

Hi Dani1982, I haven't heard anything from Ottawa about my appeal yet.

You can go to your local MP and explain your case, Those guys are nice and they will conatct the Ottawa's office, you can go to a conservative one, because they are running the goverment now

 

[asbereth]

Dani1982, that's encouraging. Hopefully they'll add some sort of a clarification regarding the previous study adaptability points, now that PhD stream has been introduced, and these points have proven to be relevant for a lot of (current and future) applicants. MI-4 is probably the first time where this ambiguity has become such an issue since if our interpretation is the correct one, then having completed two years of PhD at an accredited Canadian institution would necessarily mean that ALL applicants deemed eligible to apply under MI-4 are eligible for these 5 points.

And with most having completed Master's degrees, and since we have confirmed that TA/RA experience counts (and the fact that most PhD students receive some form of funding), then just by the virtue of having completed the first two years would make a significant portion of international PhD students eligible under this stream (provided, of course, they have high enough IELTS scores).

 

[zedd4x]

Hi all,

So I transferred from Masters program to PhD and initially my graduate program refused to give me a letter saying that I was registered for 24 months in the PhD program since the transfer happened about 18 or so months ago. But just today they issued me a letter saying that there's a new development where such transfers can apply under the PhD stream too. I thought I should let you guys know in case someone is in a similar boat.

So I had a couple questions regarding imm0008 schedule 3. I was going to fill in my work experiences there. I was a RA/TA for the past almost 3 years. So would I use the NOC code 4012 ? Also in the letter the department issued me they seem to have rehired me each term, although there are no gaps. The problem is that sometimes they have called me Graduate Academic Assistant and other times they have called me Graduate Reaching Assistant, and well also the Graduate Teaching Assistant. But the first two mean the same thing. I don't have a letter stating that these two are the same thing. Do I need one ? Also should I put in each of these term separately while filling the form ?

And my second question was about settlement funds and Assets. I receive funding from the department for which I already have letters. So do I need some extra funds ? What number should I put there. I don't have too much money in my bank account like most of the PhD students out here. Do we need to show the 11K funds ?

Thanks !

 

[Dani1982]

Dani1982, that's encouraging. Hopefully they'll add some sort of a clarification regarding the previous study adaptability points, now that PhD stream has been introduced, and these points have proven to be relevant for a lot of (current and future) applicants. MI-4 is probably the first time where this ambiguity has become such an issue since if our interpretation is the correct one, then having completed two years of PhD at an accredited Canadian institution would necessarily mean that ALL applicants deemed eligible to apply under MI-4 are eligible for these 5 points.

And with most having completed Master's degrees, and since we have confirmed that TA/RA experience counts (and the fact that most PhD students receive some form of funding), then just by the virtue of having completed the first two years would make a significant portion of international PhD students eligible under this stream (provided, of course, they have high enough IELTS scores).

I think you are right. Actually the first time that these guys ran in to this ambiguity was in CIO which after spending some times on this issue they gave the PhD students this 5 adaptability points, but here in VO, they ran in to it again, So we have to wait and see what is their interpretation , until now it is not affirmative

 

[zedd4x]

Also just another question popped up in my head. Did you guys include cover letters for different sections ? Like explaining your work experience, or relatives in Canada sections ? Otherwise I think its hard for the visa officer to understand what document is for what. Especially for the relatives in Canada and like the above complication I mentioned about different terms in work experience...

 

[TyrusX]

Hi all,

So I transferred from Masters program to PhD and initially my graduate program refused to give me a letter saying that I was registered for 24 months in the PhD program since the transfer happened about 18 or so months ago. But just today they issued me a letter saying that there's a new development where such transfers can apply under the PhD stream too. I thought I should let you guys know in case someone is in a similar boat.

So I had a couple questions regarding imm0008 schedule 3. I was going to fill in my work experiences there. I was a RA/TA for the past almost 3 years. So would I use the NOC code 4012 ? Also in the letter the department issued me they seem to have rehired me each term, although there are no gaps. The problem is that sometimes they have called me Graduate Academic Assistant and other times they have called me Graduate Reaching Assistant, and well also the Graduate Teaching Assistant. But the first two mean the same thing. I don't have a letter stating that these two are the same thing. Do I need one ? Also should I put in each of these term separately while filling the form ?

And my second question was about settlement funds and Assets. I receive funding from the department for which I already have letters. So do I need some extra funds ? What number should I put there. I don't have too much money in my bank account like most of the PhD students out here. Do we need to show the 11K funds ?

Thanks !

Just write a cover letter say that they are just different names for the same thing, I think it should be enough. Just in case, ask your supervisor or department head to do one if possible. I don't know about filling the form, though.

Yes, you need the 11K funds. Some of us were require to provide 6 months of bank history to show that as well. And Yes, I added a cover letter for each session clearly explaining everything I could about my explanation.

 

[mib26]

Just write a cover letter say that they are just different names for the same thing, I think it should be enough. Just in case, ask your supervisor or department head to do one if possible. I don't know about filling the form, though.

Yes, you need the 11K funds. Some of us were require to provide 6 months of bank history to show that as well. And Yes, I added a cover letter for each session clearly explaining everything I could about my explanation.

well, the funny thing is, the funds i submitted is even less than $8k, CIO still gives me PER. ;D but Ottawa may not be so generous.

 

[TyrusX]

well, the funny thing is, the funds i submitted is even less than $8k, CIO still gives me PER. ;D but Ottawa may not be so generous.

The thing I would expect is them to realize that we do have an offer of employment, since we do have jobs, then the fund part would be not needed, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[GeoCanadian]

The thing I would expect is them to realize that we do have an offer of employment, since we do have jobs, then the fund part would be not needed, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Well, the thing is that they may go by THE letter of law - the only substitute to the proof of funds listed in their instructions is the job offer, PLUS a labour market opinion. Therefore, even though we may be earning more than the required minimum in our respective jobs at our institutions (under the Study Permit conditions), the CIC may still demand actual cash sitting in our accounts... Unless they catch on this new reality for the PhD stream and issue a new operations manual allowing us to submit proof of income from these P/T jobs as evidence of funds... We'll see - there are lots of "firsts" for them due to this new stream.

 

[ejamal]

For those who applied for OHIP using their PER email, did they accept your applications? if not, would they accept the Medical request?

Also, I checked OHIP's website and it states that in order to be eligible you have to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the newcomers to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act. I searched the Act for the definition of newcomer but I couldn't find anything. Can you please shed some light on the definition of newcomer?


Cheers,

 

[sarsanballa]

For those who applied for OHIP using their PER email, did they accept your applications? if not, would they accept the Medical request?

Also, I checked OHIP's website and it states that in order to be eligible you have to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the newcomers to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out in Ontario's Health Insurance Act. I searched the Act for the definition of newcomer but I couldn't find anything. Can you please shed some light on the definition of newcomer?


Cheers,

May the following info helps. ;D

OHIP Eligibility

You may be eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if you are included under one of the following categories:

you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or landed immigrant, or are registered as an Indian under the Indian Act;
you have submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada ;
you have applied for a grant of citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act (Canada), and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for citizenship (i.e., children adopted internationally by Canadian citizens);
you are a "protected person" - i.e. a Convention Refugee or a person in need of protection;
you are a foreign worker who holds a valid work permit or other document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) permitting you to work in Canada, and you also have a formal agreement in place to work full-time for an employer situated in Ontario which sets out the employer's name, your occupation, and confirmation that you will be working for no less than six consecutive months;
you are a member of the clergy who is legally entitled to stay in Canada and will be providing services to a religious congregation in Ontario for at least six months;
you hold a Temporary Resident Permit with case type 80 (for adoption only), 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94 or 95;
you are the spouse, or dependent child (under 22 years old or 22 years and over if dependent due to a mental or physical disability) of an OHIP-eligible member of the clergy or OHIP-eligible foreign worker;
you hold a valid work permit under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program;
you hold a valid work permit under the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program;

AND

you make your primary place of residence in Ontario; and generally,
you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date you establish residence in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residence); and
you are in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.

Tourists, transients or visitors are not eligible for OHIP coverage.

Your eligibility for Ontario health insurance coverage is based solely on:

you having one of the above OHIP-eligible citizenship or immigration statuses, and
you making your primary place of residence in Ontario, and
meeting the physical presence requirements.

Everyone, including babies and children, must have their own health cards. Always carry your health card with you. You should be ready to show it every time you need medical services.

 

[ejamal]

you have submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada ;

Would they accept Medical Request as a proof of being eligible?

 

[sarsanballa]

Would they accept Medical Request as a proof of being eligible?

My understanding is that you should be able to apply for heath card with the PER e-mail, unless they have different interpretation of this clause of the act as always. :

 

[moonbow2010]

My understanding is that you should be able to apply for heath card with the PER e-mail, unless they have different interpretation of this clause of the act as always. :
[/quote/]

No, I failed my application with PER email. They request anything in formal letters.

However, it is worth for you to try with medical requests.