Finally got PPR email today, my experience with the process is outlined below.
First my timeline:
Initial Express Entry profile started with 433 points
Category........: CEC Inland-479 points
App. Filed.......: 7-10-2015
Nomination.....: OINP-7-16-2015-Declined it
ITA-11/27/2015
App submitted- January 7 2016
AOR- January 8 2016
Meds Passed-January 15 2016
Background Check In Progress-May 27 2016
PPR Request-June 8 2016
Passport sent-Jun 8 2016
1. Creating a profile:
Creating a profile is pretty straight forward especially for single applicants.
Make sure all your NOCs and other info are accurate to avoid ineligibility.
All information you enter in the Express entry profile MUST be backed up with proof once you get an ITA. So be truthful and only enter information you can prove.
Include all your skilled work experience regardless of how long you worked at a job. This will help increase your points. I worked 3 months at one of my jobs and still included it.
For international students- I’ve heard some international students are ignoring work experience acquired outside of Canada. As long as the job falls under NOC A.B,0 and can get a letter of employment from your employer, use it. My foreign experience helped increase my points.
2.English tests:
I took two CELPIP tests. On the first test, my scores were 8,8,9,11 and my overall CRS score was 433. I redid the test, scored 11,11,9, 12 and my score shot up to 479. The easiest way to increase your points regardless of Express entry category is to redo the test or have it remarked. I’ve read on the forum that the CELPIP is the easiest. I think it goes down to preparation and test selected for that particular day. The first I did was quite hard (I could tell right after I walked out). The second was easy and I knew I was going to pass it. Go to your local Library, there several CELPIP books that will help give you an idea of what is in the test
3. Proof of funds:
I didn’t receive any monetary gifts so this portion was pretty straightforward. I had enough funds so I submitted copies of all my bank statements and credit cards. You can print these yourself and have a bank agent stamp them otherwise you’ll be charged about $7 per page. If you’ve received gifts, see the link below on how to nail the proof of funds question.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/a-complete-way-to-nail-source-of-fund-dilemma-t349224.0.html
4. Receiving an invitation:
Make sure you avoid any unnecessary mistakes. With that being said, use this forum as much you can. I can say that I avoided a lot of mistakes by asking questions on this forum. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Ask ask ask ask!!!!!!
To avoid unnecessary delays to your application, submit all documents at once e.g. medicals, fees, language tests etc
5. Proof of employment
Follow the guidelines as outlined by CIC when writing the letters All letters should include the duties and repsonbilities in the NOC code as outlined on the CIC website. All my employers were gracious enough to let me guide them through the whole letter writing process. In some cases we had to make sure the duties were as indicated on the this website- http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/OccupationIndex.aspx
See guidelines on how to write proof of employment letter-
http://www.canadim.com/how-to-write-a-great-reference-letter/
6. Letter of Explanation
If you have doubts about a section in your application, explain it in the Letter Of Explanation. You have nothing to lose by doing so. When I received ITA, I wasn’t asked to include my language tests. I submitted them anyway, together with my Education transcripts and explained it my Letter of Explanation.
7. Last
Do your medicals and pay all PPR fees in advance, it will save you time and cut down delays to your application
I know a lot of people get impatient and order GCMS notes. They cost $5 each and take about a month to be delivered. I never bothered to order any as I wanted to avoid stress at all costs. Truthfully speaking, I think you only need those if your application hasn’t moved after 6 months.
If you feel the need to order notes, see link below:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/atip/requests-atip.asp
Last but not least, if you can avoid over checking the forum, do it. Otherwise you might get a heart attack reading peoples horror stories.
A special shout out to Asivad Anac and Rafzy. You probably don’t remember but you offered a lot of help when I felt hopeless. Thank you guys!!
Good luck to all of you as you continue to pursue your Canadian dream.
First my timeline:
Initial Express Entry profile started with 433 points
Category........: CEC Inland-479 points
App. Filed.......: 7-10-2015
Nomination.....: OINP-7-16-2015-Declined it
ITA-11/27/2015
App submitted- January 7 2016
AOR- January 8 2016
Meds Passed-January 15 2016
Background Check In Progress-May 27 2016
PPR Request-June 8 2016
Passport sent-Jun 8 2016
1. Creating a profile:
Creating a profile is pretty straight forward especially for single applicants.
Make sure all your NOCs and other info are accurate to avoid ineligibility.
All information you enter in the Express entry profile MUST be backed up with proof once you get an ITA. So be truthful and only enter information you can prove.
Include all your skilled work experience regardless of how long you worked at a job. This will help increase your points. I worked 3 months at one of my jobs and still included it.
For international students- I’ve heard some international students are ignoring work experience acquired outside of Canada. As long as the job falls under NOC A.B,0 and can get a letter of employment from your employer, use it. My foreign experience helped increase my points.
2.English tests:
I took two CELPIP tests. On the first test, my scores were 8,8,9,11 and my overall CRS score was 433. I redid the test, scored 11,11,9, 12 and my score shot up to 479. The easiest way to increase your points regardless of Express entry category is to redo the test or have it remarked. I’ve read on the forum that the CELPIP is the easiest. I think it goes down to preparation and test selected for that particular day. The first I did was quite hard (I could tell right after I walked out). The second was easy and I knew I was going to pass it. Go to your local Library, there several CELPIP books that will help give you an idea of what is in the test
3. Proof of funds:
I didn’t receive any monetary gifts so this portion was pretty straightforward. I had enough funds so I submitted copies of all my bank statements and credit cards. You can print these yourself and have a bank agent stamp them otherwise you’ll be charged about $7 per page. If you’ve received gifts, see the link below on how to nail the proof of funds question.
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/a-complete-way-to-nail-source-of-fund-dilemma-t349224.0.html
4. Receiving an invitation:
Make sure you avoid any unnecessary mistakes. With that being said, use this forum as much you can. I can say that I avoided a lot of mistakes by asking questions on this forum. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Ask ask ask ask!!!!!!
To avoid unnecessary delays to your application, submit all documents at once e.g. medicals, fees, language tests etc
5. Proof of employment
Follow the guidelines as outlined by CIC when writing the letters All letters should include the duties and repsonbilities in the NOC code as outlined on the CIC website. All my employers were gracious enough to let me guide them through the whole letter writing process. In some cases we had to make sure the duties were as indicated on the this website- http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/OccupationIndex.aspx
See guidelines on how to write proof of employment letter-
http://www.canadim.com/how-to-write-a-great-reference-letter/
6. Letter of Explanation
If you have doubts about a section in your application, explain it in the Letter Of Explanation. You have nothing to lose by doing so. When I received ITA, I wasn’t asked to include my language tests. I submitted them anyway, together with my Education transcripts and explained it my Letter of Explanation.
7. Last
Do your medicals and pay all PPR fees in advance, it will save you time and cut down delays to your application
I know a lot of people get impatient and order GCMS notes. They cost $5 each and take about a month to be delivered. I never bothered to order any as I wanted to avoid stress at all costs. Truthfully speaking, I think you only need those if your application hasn’t moved after 6 months.
If you feel the need to order notes, see link below:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/atip/requests-atip.asp
Last but not least, if you can avoid over checking the forum, do it. Otherwise you might get a heart attack reading peoples horror stories.
A special shout out to Asivad Anac and Rafzy. You probably don’t remember but you offered a lot of help when I felt hopeless. Thank you guys!!
Good luck to all of you as you continue to pursue your Canadian dream.
