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

[kaziahmmed]

Wait until you get your refrence letter to be in the safe side.

Hey guys I have a question although it might be already answered. Do you know that CIC consider the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) money as transferable money. My bank told me I can withdraw or transfer this money anytime I want but wondering anybody have much detail idea about TFSA.
Many thanks for your concern.

 

[kaziahmmed]

http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/banking/investments/tax-free/tfsa-essentials

this link says (A TFSA is especially well suited to

Unlike an RSP, you can withdraw money from a TFSA at any time without tax consequences

 

[Stuck In Quebec]

beh and kg.jadu were initially assessed by this officer. I guess eligibility on my file should also have been run by now considering we have about the same timelines. What is the due date for your eligibility? and when did you order your notes?. I am guessing I would have flunked the initial review too.
Maybe this explains why Mohazy got his medical request well ahead the rest of us. Maybe he passed eligibility...

Hi S_Govind

My lock in date is 26th october according to GCMS. I applied on August 27th but it took them forever to open the file and assess. PER on 8th Nov. So I am assuming that the lock in date is the due date too. Plz advice.

I think you are right, if you pass initial eligibility, then they might send medicals faster. I ordered the second set on 24th May, received yesterday.

Hope it helps.

 

[Stuck In Quebec]

So, is it the first time you are updating your reference letter? I am bit surprised since I found u are a very active member in the forum then what made u not to update the reference letter so far? Sorry may be I am wrong, the reason I am asking if you have already send any updated letter then why they still missing the main duties or lead statement in the letter, could you please share ur previous letter or the one u have sent now, may be we could better suggest or could get some help.

Hi Kaziahmmed

I didn't update my reference letters before as till jan problem was the letter from university and then it bacame lead statement and assists the professor thing. I didn't claim RA/TA as my department is highly technical and we have no undergrads, so no TA, but RA yes. But we have no contract and everything is presumed, assumed and implied, so getting a letter is a pain. Thats why I was advising this friend to update RA as he has less workex. The problem with other NOC codes was not there initially but when people started getting not enough duties on other NOC, I asked my referees to send me updated ones, but travels and out of town etc etc on their end .

I wanted to update earlier but couldnot get the letters. Finally all them came and many of the points from NOC were there depending on what I did. I updated the letters yesterday as it took forever for me to get them again (coming from hardcore bureaucratic system). Finally I got them and updated last night as I didn't expect them to run eligibility so soon. Now SL ran it and wrote all the things that I mentioned before and I got these GCMS few hours after sending the updated letters. So I sent them new letters again today with the NOC duties in bullet form as my referees wrote them in a paragraph. Wanted to make it more clear as SL mentioned something like 2/14 duties done, 1/14 duties done so not enough work ex.

I sent them new letters today and have ordered new set of GCMS to see whether they received the letters and it was attached to the file or not. Also have shot them email to enquire about the receiving the letters by email. Have sent them RA too from my supervisor as department refused. My friend sent it too, and I followed but as discussed in this forum, it might not hold good as the initial application had no NOC for that work ex. Hoping the visa officer will use discretionary power if he wants too.

I hope they dont open the application for next two weeks until they have attached the letters to the file.

Will see how it goes, but order the GCMS everyone as if you find prenotes and chances of them rejecting you, fix it with proactive countermeasures.

 

[Stuck In Quebec]

I think that is very reasonable speculation and thanks for thinking in such depth. When I have received my GCMS (May 21st) I found they gave me 9 adaptibility points (for my canadian masters and spouse education), gave 19 points from experience (Total = 73, I am not sure which office awarded these points, may be in their first first pre-eligibility check) although in note section (office name given CIO) it was said PA had equivalent to one year or more work experience but the reference letter has not verified.

In your case it is still CIO only, but you are gonna be ok.

 

[Stuck In Quebec]

I think he thought that he had time until August to update since it takes almost a year for them to assess our files against the selection factor. What we all missed is that they run a pre-eligibility check after getting whatever documents they would like to. My bet is that the selection factor is done by two officers-initially one gives his/her recommendations and then the other either accepts or overrides it (in the case of nevergiveup, kg.jadu etc). This again depends on any new evidence like letters that we choose to give.

Stuck at Quebec: From what I see on your notes, I think the adaptability points may be crucial for you to pass even if they accept your letters of reference. If you could convince them to give you 5 points for your education (masters equivalent) that could balance out not having the adaptability points. Am I correct?

I think you are right, this might be the case. I was thinking till August but was mainly struggling with procuring them. It was just by chance I ordered GCMS again and found these death sentences like observations from SL. I had sent the letters though by then, just few hours before and again today, more polished and clear.

I will be ordering GCMS every two weeks now I guess and see where are they trying to turn me down now.

Yes you are right, 5 points would be crucial will fight if I am hanging as I have a letter from university stating that I transferred to PhD from masters and am a masters equivalent for my university. Besides I will fight as I am more than 2 years fulltime study in canada. Have submitted letter for submission of thesis too.

I submitted job offer as a post doc too but I dont think its very weighted as it is not a permanent job offer and not HRCSDC approved (you dont need one as a post doc) and don't know if it counts as arranged employment.

 

[Stuck In Quebec]

SL01732 had analyzed my application first and did not accept my work experience letter. However, the final decision is made by FA01772.
Since I had updated my work experience letter before the final decision, FA01772 accepted it


[/quote]

Thats good to know. I have updated them too, hope they dont open file before them getting attached in the file.

 

[Stuck In Quebec]

So, is it the first time you are updating your reference letter? I am bit surprised since I found u are a very active member in the forum then what made u not to update the reference letter so far? Sorry may be I am wrong, the reason I am asking if you have already send any updated letter then why they still missing the main duties or lead statement in the letter, could you please share ur previous letter or the one u have sent now, may be we could better suggest or could get some help.

Hi Kazi

I am travelling right now and dont have access to my oldest letter for work ex. I will update all the versions as soon as I get home.

Thanks for the offer of help. I really appreciate that.

 

[beishidashuo]

Hi folks,

Since a lot of you have already landed, and some of the landed ones even applied for PR later than me. Right now, I still do not get the medical request yet. I sent them a letter when the total time reached over 16 months, but they replied to me that there was no further requirements for me, and just let me wait..... I have already ordered a CAIPS notes weeks ago. Anything I should do right now but wait? Any comments will be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[S_Govind]

Hi S_Govind

My lock in date is 26th october according to GCMS. I applied on August 27th but it took them forever to open the file and assess. PER on 8th Nov. So I am assuming that the lock in date is the due date too. Plz advice.

The lock in date is the date on which CIO receives/opens your package. Mine reached them on the 27th of August and they opened it the same day atleast that is what I learn. They later created my file on the 25th of October and I was assessed on the 1st of November (date of PER). The due dates are different though. Please look under eligibility for this. My due date for finalizing eligibility is the 26th of October this year (close enough to my date of PER)

 

[S_Govind]

Yes you are right, 5 points would be crucial will fight if I am hanging as I have a letter from university stating that I transferred to PhD from masters and am a masters equivalent for my university. Besides I will fight as I am more than 2 years fulltime study in canada. Have submitted letter for submission of thesis too.

I submitted job offer as a post doc too but I dont think its very weighted as it is not a permanent job offer and not HRCSDC approved (you dont need one as a post doc) and don't know if it counts as arranged employment.

I would think the post-doc offer does not count as arranged employment since it doe snot require an LMO. These changes are apparently from the 4th of May, 2013 and are reflected in the link below....

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/notices/2013-03-08.asp

There is one interesting clause though

There is one exception. An LMO will not be required if the offer of arranged employment is made to an individual who:

a. is already working in Canada with a valid work permit issued under a federal-provincial agreement or an international agreement (other than an agreement regarding seasonal agricultural workers), and
b. has received a permanent job offer from the same employer listed on their work permit


I would say hang in there certainly and keep the faith !! the battle is yet to be lost it is all to play and nothing to lose for people like us !!

 

[S_Govind]

Hi folks,

Since a lot of you have already landed, and some of the landed ones even applied for PR later than me. Right now, I still do not get the medical request yet. I sent them a letter when the total time reached over 16 months, but they replied to me that there was no further requirements for me, and just let me wait..... I have already ordered a CAIPS notes weeks ago. Anything I should do right now but wait? Any comments will be appreciated! Thanks.

Try approaching your local MP. They might be able to say where exactly your file has been stuck and may succeed in getting a more detailed reply form ottawa


PS: They might not be able to speed up the process in case your file is in security review as the CSIS have their own mandate and timelines for this..

 

[beishidashuo]

What is local MP? How can I approach them? Thanks.

 

[S_Govind]

What is local MP? How can I approach them? Thanks.

Member of Parliament- One who is democratically elected and represents your constituency/riding in parliament hill in Ottawa. Just look up who this person is (google) and contact his/her assistant. Every MP will have a local office so this is were you should go to. No appointments are required for meeting the assistant I guess...

 

[beishidashuo]

Thanks a lot.

Member of Parliament- One who is democratically elected and represents your constituency/riding in parliament hill in Ottawa. Just look up who this person is (google) and contact his/her assistant. Every MP will have a local office so this is were you should go to. No appointments are required for meeting the assistant I guess...