Paramedic from Michigan moving to Ontario, express entry route, have questions

[Medic]

Hey all, been following the forum for a while now and decided to register and ask a few questions.

I've been researching this for the past year or so. I've called a few immigration attorneys, however most seem to be overwhelmed, and don't call back, and no, I'm not doing this for political reasons.

I am 30 years old, and I live in Michigan. I have been a Paramedic for about 5 years, and EMT for 4-5 years prior to that. I also have been a Firefighter for about the same time. I am currently in the process of obtaining my Primary Care Paramedic through the Ministry of Health certification equivalency process. I strongly feel I will have no issue obtaining my PCP. However in order to get a job (it's a competitive market), one must have a permanent residency card or be a citizen as we most know. Every agency I have spoken to will not give me an offer of employment in writing unless I have my PR card in hand.

Personal wise, I have been dating a girl that is a Canadian citizen for the past 2½ years. She is a teacher, and has settled down into a permanent position. She lives on her own, and we're going to live together. I looked into the conjugal sponsorship route, however it appears that I don't qualify that route unfortunately since money and getting settled down was the biggest hurdle. Unless someone knows a loophole to this since we're not currently living together or married.

This past Friday, I took my CELPIP exam in Toronto. I paid the extra money to have my results expedited, so I hope to see them by this Wednesday. I am pretty confident I did fine on it since English is my native language. I will admit the speaking portion was very awkward and I did say 'um' a lot to pass the time.

Anyway, while I wait for my results, I am reading through double checking some things out. It looks as if I need to obtain an Education Credential Assessment. From everywhere I have looked, this costs another couple hundred dollars. So before dumping any money unnecessarily I need to give some background and get some guidance:

I went to college for just over a year, part-time. I obtained something like 36 credits. Never obtained a degree. There was a schooling nearby (not college or university) where I obtained my EMT-Basic in 2007. I attended the same program from 8/2009-12-2010 (16 months) where I completed my Paramedic program. This is done more like a trade school here in the states, and we are issued certificates.

When doing the Education Credential Assessment, should I pay to even have my college transcript reviewed, or because I never obtained my degree, it would be useless? Do you feel I will face hurdles getting my Paramedic certificate and program assessed due to it not being an actual college/university? If all else fails, I can submit my HS diploma, however I don't want to spend the extra money if I don't have to. What is the cheapest route for this to be done?

Speaking of money, I was reading about the proof of funds unless obtaining a job offer. I wish I had $12,000+ that I could sit on. I will be registering on the job bank website once I get my language results so I can get my express entry number since I do not have a Social Insurance Number. Honestly, I'll work anywhere for a while just for a few bucks (she will be the main support) if they are willing to be my letter of employment. Do most of the jobs on the website provide the letter for candidates that they are interested in?

And finally, what is the best route of obtaining my social insurance number currently? Is this something that I will have to wait till after getting my card?


Thank you everyone for all the information. If anyone has any tips, suggestions, loopholes, or contacts, please let me know. I will be responding and updating this post as I go through the process.

 

[kryt0n]

You won't need a social insurance number until you live in Canada.

You need the minimum funds to create your EE profile.

You should get your ECA to increase your points score.

At the moment, you're looking at 350-400 points.

Use this code calculator to see how many points you could get
https://www.canadavisa.com/comprehensive-ranking-score-calculator.html

This post should help with step by step we instructions:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/express-entry-step-by-step-instructions-t273928.0.html

As for a "loophole", dude, many of us here have been waiting years to be in Canada. There are no loopholes.

You need a good education, a good language score, a good work history or a sponsored job or PNP.

 

[kryt0n]

Also, this: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp

I'm sorry dude, but if you've been looking at this for a year and on the forum for a while then you should know that half of what you said isn't true or the correct order.
You can't join job bank without an ee number. You can't get an ee number without being eligible to apply.

Here, extract from the other thread.

Good luck to you, because without the ECA or funds, you're in for a bumpy ride at the back of the queue.

But...

(Please note that this info does not apply to the Federal Skilled Trades Program)

1) Determine your eligibility by doing this CIC quiz http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/ee-start.asp

2) Get your language test(s) done. You must get at least CLB 7 in each of the four sections for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) streams. But getting CLB 10 gives you maximum points for language.

How does CLB match back to the language tests? That info is here --> http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/language/charts.asp

3) Get your qualifications assessed by doing an Education Credential Assessment. Details here --> http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assessment.asp

4) Determine the code that best applies to you on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/noc.asp

The occupation must be NOC 0, A, or B for FSW or CEC.

5) When you have those in hand you create your express entry profile. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/profile.asp and register for the Job Bank http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home-eng.do?lang=eng

You'll be given points based on your age, education, number of years work experience, and language skills. The points system is detailed here --> http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/grid-crs.asp

You'll be in a pool with thousands of other applicants http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/pool.asp

Of course, the more points you have the better. The max is 1200, with 600 of those points coming from your ability to snag a PNP or a job offer with a very hard to get Labour Market Impact Assessment http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

For CEC applicants, the max is 600 but someone who has no work experience in Canada who is only eligible for FSW can only get up to 520 points.

6) Finally, wait for your invitation to apply (ITA). But in the interim you will need to do the following:

a) Have your application fee (C$550 each for principal applicant and spouse) and right of permanent resident fee (C$490 each for principal applicant and spouse) ready
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp

b) Identify how you will provide proof of funds http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp

c) check out what is required for the police certificates http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/security/police-cert/index.asp

d) find out how long it takes to get a date for the medical exam. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/medexams-perm.asp

e) contact previous and current employers about them providing job letters. You must have at least 12 months of full-time, or an equal amount in part-time, skilled work experience. Full-time work means at least 30 hours of paid work per week. Work experience while you were a full-time student does not count.

f) research cities in the province(s) where you want to live.

 

[kryt0n]

Speaking of money, I was reading about the proof of funds unless obtaining a job offer. I wish I had $12,000+ that I could sit on. I will be registering on the job bank website once I get my language results so I can get my express entry number since I do not have a Social Insurance Number. Honestly, I'll work anywhere for a while just for a few bucks (she will be the main support) if they are willing to be my letter of employment. Do most of the jobs on the website provide the letter for candidates that they are interested in?

Also, no company just writes a letter, they have to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment. The company has to convince the government they can't find a Canadian. It can take months to arrange.

Sorry dude, but you really need to read CICs website before coming here.

 

[Medic]

Also, this:

I'm sorry dude, but if you've been looking at this for a year and on the forum for a while then you should know that half of what you said isn't true or the correct order.
You can't join job bank without an ee number. You can't get an ee number without being eligible to apply.

Here, extract from the other thread.

Good luck to you, because without the ECA or funds, you're in for a bumpy ride at the back of the queue.

Right, I have periodically looked at jobs that would be a fit for me and I was curious about the job bank route. I understand that I can't join the job bank yet and until I get the ECA finished, I won't be able to obtain my EE number.

As for the ECA, I was asking how do they assess non college/university level training such as trade school? Or would it benefit me turning in transcripts for 36 or so credits for the ECA?

 

[Medic]

Also, no company just writes a letter, they have to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment. The company has to convince the government they can't find a Canadian. It can take months to arrange.

Sorry dude, but you really need to read CICs website before coming here.

I'm working on it, I got a few things twisted around and that's why I came here since you guys are much more familiar with the process.

The companies that post in the job bank, do they qualify for the LMIA or do you have to check each one?

 

[kryt0n]

Right, I have periodically looked at jobs that would be a fit for me and I was curious about the job bank route. I understand that I can't join the job bank yet and until I get the ECA finished, I won't be able to obtain my EE number.

As for the ECA, I was asking how do they assess non college/university level training such as trade school? Or would it benefit me turning in transcripts for 36 or so credits for the ECA?

I'm not sure anyone outside of the US knows what credits are.

Try their free tool to see if it's worth it. Without an ECA you might not have enough points to ever be invited to apply.

https://www.wes.org/ca/preliminary/poe.asp

 

[kryt0n]

I'm working on it, I got a few things twisted around and that's why I came here since you guys are much more familiar with the process.

The companies that post in the job bank, do they qualify for the LMIA or do you have to check each one?

Job bank isn't real. Companies who already have a worker they are trying to get an lmia for HAVE to post on job bank. None of those jobs are 'real'. It's just a formality.

ANY company in Canada has to get an lmia for you.

 

[Medic]

I'm not sure anyone outside of the US knows what credits are.

Try their free tool to see if it's worth it. Without an ECA you might not have enough points to ever be invited to apply.

Oh shoot, I thought the credits/units were a North America thing not just here. I'll do some research into that and go from there.

Job bank isn't real. Companies who already have a worker they are trying to get an lmia for HAVE to post on job bank. None of those jobs are 'real'. It's just a formality.

ANY company in Canada has to get an lmia for you.

Gotcha, I understand how that works, same here with a lot of the state job banks that companies post in.

I really appreciate the information, just trying to work on getting the highest points possible for the best chance.

 

[kryt0n]

Oh shoot, I thought the credits/units were a North America thing not just here. I'll do some research into that and go from there.

Gotcha, I understand how that works, same here with a lot of the state job banks that companies post in.

I really appreciate the information, just trying to work on getting the highest points possible for the best chance.

Well the first 3 sticky posts in this forum should have answered almost all your questions. Here's the last one:

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/express-entry-in-a-nutshell-t394158.0.html