FSW Canada 2014 Application Rejected: What's Next?

You were done with your full application and was so excited to go to the courier station.  Few months after, you received a correspondence from the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Canada,  informing you of their decision.

You were so excited opening up that email.  As you clicked the message, it turned out to be....

"...unfavorable decision, it's a Negative Eligibility review."

You have failed to show that you are eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker 2014 maybe due to the following reasons:

• lack of evidence to show that you are eligible to apply for the FSW2014.
• your points has not reached 67, etc...
• The occupation has reached the quota

You begun to ask CIO's decision and started to get depressed.  The world seems so cruel that you don't want to make a move anymore.  Then you heard this song on the radio...

"...Why you gotta be so rude? Don't you know I'm human too!" - Magic! 

You begun to question all the authorities of Canada at the back of your mind.

You then swear not to lodge any applications anymore and do a bit of sour graping.  The worst thing is that you don't want to eat for few days, leaving the worries on your family.

STOP!!!

There is nothing more depressing than having been rejected by FSW Canada 2014.  This is your dream, yet was taken away from you just because of mere technicalities.

Before you continue with your depression, let me share you my story...

My Federal Skilled Worker Canada Application

My journey to Canada have not started on 2013, when I sent my full application to Nova Scotia.  It actually started on 2003 and it's when I paid an agent to help me with my application.

During that time, I have to submit all my ORIGINAL documents together with the full application forms to the agency in preparation for the FSW 2003 Canada and will wait at least 2 years to know their decision.

Busy at work, lack of proof of funds, and a strict rules implemented by the agency, requiring me a lot of original documents and an almost perfect Job Descriptions, my application was not submitted at the Canadian embassy and was stuck at the agency's document vault.

Four (4) long years past, on 2007, the agent made a call and informed me that Canada had a new set of rules regarding their immigration.  This time, its simpler, so simple that they call it the Simplified Application Process (SAP).

Burning with excitement, I jumped out and informed my agent that I need to go to their office to apply for the new process.  As usual, I have to take a leave of absence just to sign a new set of forms.  My agent would never let me bring the forms back home.

I only filled up the SAP forms and the agent submitted it to the Canadian embassy with the processing fee in a form of a cheque..  It was estimated that it will take 2-3 years for the whole process, then the Canada Embassy was supposed to send us a request of update.

Two years past, then 3, until 2011, Canada surprisingly announced that they will return all applications that were submitted before 2008.

Guess What?  My application was included on that new set of rules.  You can't imagine how depressed I was, taking in consideration of my 4 years of lost waiting time.

It seems unfair but we can't do anything.  Some of my batch-mates had filed a case against the Canadian government.  They took the service of a foreign lawyer. Oh well, good luck to them!

While working in Singapore, I waited for the return of my application fee.  It's my hard earned money and was sleeping for 4 years.

Then, another set of rule was released on 2012,  I prepared my IELTS and since my documents are ready, I just filled up the new set of forms.

Another setback, although the caps has not reached the quota under my NOC, Canada stopped to receive any application until May 2013.

By the way, I applied for a Permanent Residence here in Singapore.  Unfortunately, it was rejected.

On 2013, I never wasted any second of my time. As soon as Canada released the May 2013 new set of rules,  I immediately sent my credentials to WES and filled all the forms.  Then I submitted my full application on July 1, 2013 and the dates followed...

It's Not Your Perfect Time Yet

Every application failure is not the end of the World. It is just not your time yet , maybe there's a perfect plan for you out there.

That is why I've always emphasized that if you have the opportunity today, do not hesitate to apply as soon as possible.  This may be your chance.

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VISA-Stamped Passport : New Update from the CVAC Singapore

Got an email from the Canada Visa Application Service (CVAC) in Singapore informing me that our processed passports were dispatched from the Canada Visa Office and is ready for collection.

I paused for a while, still holding my mouse, bowed down, closed my eyes facing the floor and said "Thank's God!", with a sign of relief.

At my previous post about sending my passport to CVAC, I had explained there on how to go to their office.  You can follow that post here.

What I Felt at the CVAC Office?

With no time to waste, I went out of our office and headed to CVAC.  I had to hurry because the collection schedule of the passports was from 2:00pm to 4:00pm only.

My heart was beating fast, feet felt numb and had butterflies in my stomach.  This is weird, even if we were already informed from the previous month that our visas are approved, the excitement was still intense. 

Knowing that our passports will be on my hands and touching it in a little while, had me realized that time really flies fast, and now, this is the real thing!

At the 11th floor, one lady applicant was in front of me, holding her folder.  I can also sense how she feels right at the moment.  She's so excited to go inside the CVAC main door, and so was I.

When it was my turn, the guard gave me a queuing number and I'm the second person to collect.  My hands trembled from the excitement.  I can't explain why I am feeling this way, it could be because of the FSW Applicant Syndrome.

How Our Immigrant Visas Look Like?

The attendant pressed the button for the next queue number, and it was my turn.

I handed her my Identification Card (IC) and the CVAC receipt for verification purposes.  She went inside the small room and came back bringing 4 big brown envelopes.

Each envelope has a sticker on it, labelled with our names and particulars. She instructed me to inspect the details of each passports before leaving the room.

I sat down, hands still shaking.  As I ripped off the sealed envelope, I saw my passport initially opened at the center page, with the most valuable sticker in the World, my FSW Immigrant Visa!!!

The most valuable sticker in the World, my FSW Immigrant Visa!!!

The feeling of fulfillment is within me at that moment, I was at cloud nine.  I can still recall the years of anxieties that I have been through, it was refreshed at an instant by this one thin piece of sticker.

What are the Other  Enclosed Documents?

Aside from the passport,  it enclosed 2 sheets of paper and a brochure.

• The paper is the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), one copy has the photo of the applicant. 
• The brochure is for the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP).

You can see my Timeline for the bird's-eye view of my FSW Canada journey.  Press LIKE if you have also felt the excitement.
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Photo Requirement: Make a Good Quality Photo But Cheaper

When I started my Federal Skilled Worker Program application in Canada, I encountered this small problem.  It's about the photo that I need to provide.

It was stated at the FSW form IMM7000 - Appendix A that the photo should follow a certain standard size.  There is a minimum and maximum size of the face and it should look like this...

3 Ways to Have Your Photo Taken

1. Have your photos taken professionally.
2. Photo booth it!
3. Do it yourself.

Have Your Photos Taken Professionally

Have your photo taken by a professional photographer, the one with pricey cameras and photo editing softwares in a studio, who charges you around SGD10.00 or more.  This is for applicants who has no more time to look for photo booths and can spare extra costs.

The good thing for this approach is that you can have a nice image with a quality photo paper.  Studios have the proper lighting and you have the option to choose which suit you would want to have.  They can even edit a picture of a suit and insert it at your photo to make you look professional.

It is more convenient since you only have to show the Appendix A form and they'll know what to do next, it's because they are professionals.

Photo Booth It!
If you want a brand new set of photos but with lesser quality than the professional ones, you can have it at a photo booth located inside the Singapore malls and other public places.

I saw one near the Choa Chu Kang MRT Station and bus interchange...it is specifically located at the corner of Block 304 , just beside the OCBC Bank.



Another location is at the Jurong Point Mall at Boonlay MRT station.  You can see it at the bus interchange waiting area of Bus # 193, 181.

If you don't have an idea on how it looks like and though it's a common machine, it should look like this.

Photo Booths in Singapore

Take note, you need 6 photos for the FSW application and this booth will only provide you 4 pieces for a price of SGD7.00.

Do It Yourself 

Because of this Settlement Fund issues, I am now tight with my budget.  Even a few cents makes a big impact on my view of my money.  Saving for the Proof of Fund is serious and you will know it once you have been approved.

Inside my wallet, I had a passport size few-week-old photos, but left 2 pieces of it because I already used some for other important matters.

The problem is that I need to provide 6 pieces for the FSW Canada full application and that also includes all my dependents.  I don't want to waste these 2 photos.

I thought of a way on how to save it.

• I scanned one of the photos and edited it in a free photo editing software, then pasted it in the Microsoft Word.  Arranged it to fit at the photo paper.
• Printed it in a photo paper that I bought from the Popular office supplies. 
• Cut it using scissors and it's good!

What if I don't have any existing photos?
Well, your problem is not a problem.  It is a matter of a simple tactic. If you have an iPhone or a DSLR, then use it.  If you don't have, ask a friend that has one. Take a photo of you with a proper suit, position and a good lighting.

Take note, DO NOT TAKE SELFIE!

Have a white background to ease up the editing.  Edit it using the free photo editing software.  I recommend to use the Paint.Net, which I'm using it for 5 years now, by the way.  If you want to learn more, ask me then.  If you don't know how, I can also do the editing for you.

Then print the photos as what I did with mine.

Photos are required during these stages in FSW.

• When you submit your full application package.
• Medical Exam
• Visa Stamping

You will appreciate this technique when you have a family of 4.  Press the Like button below if you agree.
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Abbreviations Used in Forums and Blogs for FSW Program Canada

Here are the abbreviation used in forums and other blogs. This will be helpful if you come across forum threads (forum topics) with lots of abbreviated words.

To make it easier for you, I have come up with a list of terms and abbreviations that are related to the Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada.  

I will update this list quite often.  Just visit this post to see the latest updates.

A
AB - Alberta
AEO - Arranged Employment Opinion
AO - Assessing Officer
AOR - Acknowledgment of Receipt
APNP - Alberta Provincial Nominee Program
AO - Assessing Officer
AOR - Acknowledgement of Receipt

B
BCPNP - British Columbia Provincial Nominees Program

C
CAIPS - Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System
CEM - Canadian Embassy Manila
CHC - Canadian High Commission
CIC - Citizenship and Immigration Canada
CIIP - Canada Immigration Integration Program
CIO - Canada Intake Office
CLP - Common Law Partner
COPR - Confirmation of Permanent Residence
CPR - Canadian Patent Reporter
CPR - Certificate of Permanent Residency
CTC - Certified True Copy

D
DM - Decision Made

E
e-CAS - E-Client Application Status
ECAS - Environmental Compliance Assessment System

F
FSW - Federal Skilled Worker
FSWP - Federal Skilled Worker Program

H
HRSDC - Human Resources and Social Development Canada

I
IA - Initial Assessment
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
IRPA - Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

L
LCP - Live-in Caregiver Program
LICP - Live-in Caregiver Program
LMO - Labour Market Opinion
LOA - Letter Of Approval

M
MCE - Manila Canadian Embassy
MPNP - Manitoba Provincial Nominees Program
MP - Member of Parliament
MPNP - Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
MPP - Member of Provincial Parliament
MR - Medical Request

N
NER - Negative Eligibility Review/Response
NOC - National Occupational Classification
NSO - National Statistics Office (Philippines)

O
OHIP - Ontario Health Insurance Program
ON - Ontario

P
PDOS - Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar
PER - Positive Eligibility Review/Response
PNP - Provincial Nomination Program
POF - Proof of Funds
PPR - PassPort Request
RPRF - Right of Permanent Residence Fee
PR - Permanent Residence

R
ROLF/RORLF - Right of Landing Fees/Right of Resident Landing Fees

S
SAP - Simplified Application Process
SECPA - Security Paper (NSO)
SF - Settlement Funds
SIN - Social Insurance Number
SINP - Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
SOWP - Spousal Open Work Permit

T
TEF - Test d’évaluation de français (Language Test in French)
TFW - Temporary Foreign Worker
TRV - Temporary Resident Visa (Visit Visa)
TWP - Temporary Work Permit

U
UCI - Unique Client Identifier

V
VO - Visa Officer

W
WP - Work Permit

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The Complete Mindset of an FSW Canada Applicant

Arranging an appointment for the IETLS test takes a long time.  The test results may reach 6 weeks or even 8 weeks to be delivered to our doors.

During the waiting period, we are there worrying about our band score and how well our results be, can it reach our expectations?

The educational assessment, another thing that we are worried about.  Could it be 4 years, 3 years or just 2 years equivalence?  What if it falls only at the high school/secondary level , what will happen to my FSW points?

Yes, I know...I also experienced those.  I've been trapped with the situation that I couldn't help but get worried about it all the time.

This post is to let you know that you are not alone with your anxieties.  Some applicants will say that they applied just for the sake of experience, but deep inside, they feel the same way too, I'm sure.

One applicant asked me if should he apply now or wait for the Express Entry next year.  He was worried if it might be too late for him, MAYBE the caps for his NOC category will be closed at the time he submits his application.

The only answer to his question is simple.

• Don't worry
• Monitor the FSW Canadian applicant's update and you'll end your misery.

What's the Canadian Dream Killer?
MAYBE...is a word that will kill our hopes and dreams to go to Canada.  It is a killer of our mindset and the future of our families!

Here are the killer MAYBE's:

• Maybe the caps of my NOC will be closed
• Maybe my points are not enough
• Maybe I can't reached the submission deadline.
• Maybe my ECA has a low equivalency report, I will not reach the desired FSW points.

Let me explain for just a short while.

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If you really want to migrate and live the rest of your life to another country, do whatever you can to reach it.  It's you and only your mind can achieve that goal.

Your mind dictates your body.  If you're worried, the body will be weak and will never stand up to carry you and start your application.

Even the great Nostradamus can not predict what the Canadians are planning for the next Immigration.

Who have known, on 2007, that they will release the Simplified Application Process? Who have known that they will cancel all applicants who applied before 2008?  As a result, they returned all applications and that includes mine.

Yes, you'll say, I knew it!.. but it'll be too late.

Stop saying MAYBE...and changed it to CAN BE!

What Is the Best Thing to Do Now?
This time is your chance to apply for the current FSW Canada.  Remove all your worries, it will be your burden.  Focus on the gathering of documents, consolidate them as soon as you can.

Use all your resources, ask a favor from your friends and relatives to help you with some of your documents.  This is helpful specially when you're working abroad.

Ask and call them, but don't forget to leave some for their snacks and Starbucks.

   

Gather and collect your documents as soon as you can.

Do the things first that takes time to accomplish like taking the IELTs and sending your credentials for Educational Credential Assessment, and expired passport renewals.

Go on, gather them all and ask me some of your questions along the way.

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Spouse IELTS and CLB in FSW Canada 2014: How to Compute?

To increase the points for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program in Canada, it's either you have an arranged employment in Canada or have your spouse take the IELTS test.

Applying for a job in Canada when you are outside of the country is difficult to attain, unless your skills or talent is unique and in-demand.

I suggest to have your spouse take the IELTS General Training test.  The band score that he/she can get will have a CLB equivalence, which corresponds to points in the FSW Adaptability factor.

It is stated at the Adaptability factor that you can receive 5 points if you have an evidence of the language skills of your spouse.  The only way to provide such evidence is by producing the IELTS test results.

How to Compute for the Spouse Language Skills Points?

After obtaining the IELTS test results, which is in reading, listening, writing and speaking.  Each type will have its corresponding band scores.

These band scores also have a corresponding FSW points and you need to compute it to know whether you have an additional 5 points.

The requirement states that your spouse should get a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level of 4 and above in English or in French.

Since the IELTS are measured by band scores, we will use that to get its equivalent CLB level.

Here are the corresponding IELTS band scores in a CLB level 4.

CLB 4 = IELTS (Reading - 3.5 Writing - 4.0 Listening - 4.0 Speaking - 4.0)

If your spouse can get these scores, you can add 5 points to your FSW Adaptability factor to achieve the minimum total of 67, and submit the IELTS test results together with your full application.

Based on my experience, I decided not to let my wife take the IELTS  for the following reasons:

• My FSW points are more than 67 even without my wife's IELTS.
• The fee for taking the test is around US$300,  I'll just add it to my Settlement Fund.
• It will take time, a month, for me to provide the result and the clock is ticking. 

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Self-Addressed Mailing Labels for FSW Canada Application

Since the start of my blogging about the FSW Canada, I've been bombarded with questions about this topic.

I remembered my first day of preparing my application, specially on filling up the forms, made it sure that the details and spellings are correct.   One requirement, although it's a simple instruction, consumed my day on thinking how to create it.

You might come across this problem and hoping that what I'm sharing right now can ease your pain in dealing with this minute dilemma.

The problem is about the self-addressed mailing labels.  How do we create it and why do we need to submit this, what's the use?

In an unlucky event, there might be a problem with your document due to incomplete filing, Canada will return your application.  This is not the worst thing that will happen, but it wastes the time you spent on the whole process.

If this happens, Canada will use the mailing labels to return the application at your doorstep.  As stated at the IMM5612-Document Checklist Item #21, there are two copies needed:

• one in English or French and
• the other in the official language of your country

This way, they are confident that it will be received successfully by the applicant.

How Does the Two Mailing Label Look Like?
I printed my 2 self-addressed mailing labels in an A4 size paper, landscape setup.  Since the official language in Philippines is English, so I provided two identical documents.

What if English is not your official language?  Let's say that your country is China, the mailing labels should look like this...

First copy:

A4 Size Paper

Language: English

Here is the sample document in Chinese format.

Second Copy:

A4 Size Paper

Language: Chinese

Use the official language used in your country of residence.  This way, the postmaster can deliver your returned application correctly. Hoping it will not happen.

Insert these two documents together with your full FSW Canada application.

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Meeting with an FSW Applicant and MM2C Subscriber

Few weeks ago, I had a good experience, which motivated me in sharing more on the details of my Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Canada journey.

One of my email Subscibers asked me a favor, which he thought I will decline.  Here's what he wrote.

"Hi Ben,
I have been asking you so many questions and you have been so helpful all the times.
I am not sure you will be able to help me this time. Can we meet one day to check my application package? I don't mind if you say "No" because you have been guiding me all the way until I am ready to submit the application of Canada.
If you can, I can come to your convenient location such as restaurant/Cafe. " T.A.

Reading his email has made me realize that throughout my blogging, on FSW Canada, I had helped and touched a person's life.

I am very glad and honored that someone trusts me and believing my advises even though we are fiber-optically apart.

Where Did We Meet?
Finally, after exchanging few emails, we came up with time and place to meet. We planned meeting at a convenient place where there should be a wide table to lay down the documents.  The wider the table, the better.

My job in Singapore and overseas is communicating with customers through online and offline, so it's not a problem for me to interact with strangers.

We met at a hawker station and have a little conversation before we begun to check his Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Canada application.

During the review, we came across few things that were needed to be revised and learned some lessons as well.  So here are some list of the issues.

The 4 Important Tips
1. The order of the work experience or any dates should be arranged from present (top) to past (bottom).
2. Bringing the complete supporting documents and forms helps a lot in filing.
3. Have 3 hours alloted for the document review.
4. Fill up the forms using a pencil first, so it's easy to edit it during the review and it would be faster to fill it in the PDF forms later.

Due to time constraints, we were forced to transfer to a new venue, from the Hawker station to the 24-hour McDonald outlet.  Although it's a good venue but it has a small table to lay down the documents.

We've done the review for about 3 hours, including few discussions on other issues.

What Happened After the Meet-Up?
Few days had past since our last meet-up, he gladly emailed me that his application was already submitted to Nova Scotia, Canada.  I was so happy to hear that.

The best words that he said was thanking me and he should have a difficulty in filing the application without my help.

For me, the statement was pretty strong.  It made me realize that I have a purpose to blog more and meet people that needs help.

Now, I am hoping for the success of T.A's application and hope that he will update me soon.  If he does, I will definitely post it here.

My Idea for MM2C
There's nothing more exciting than meeting my blog readers in person. This way, we can do these activities:

• See each other, eat snacks and chat all we want
• Share knowledge about the FSW Canada application
• Ask questions to other MM2C Subscribers about FSW matters.

If you are interested on this idea, please email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.

Important Update on my Blog
You can now input and update your application's timeline at my Google drive here.

How to Add Your Timeline?
To access my Google Drive, just click the link below.

Adding your timeline in my Google Drive can get you these benefits:

• You can view and update your timeline online at any time.
• You can compare your timeline with mine and other applicants
• You can track your progress online
• View other timelines and give a comment.

Click the link below to view and add your timeline.

 CHECK MY TIMELINE AT GOOGLE DRIVE AND INSERT YOURS TOO!

Sample Snapshot:

Check out the New Menu bar below for faster navigation.

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My Timeline: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Canada 2013 Application

To understand more about the response time of Canada to our application for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, I had prepared my Timeline here so you can estimate the flow of your application.  Take note that this is a FSW 2013 timeline and just a guide for you.

I will discuss here one by one regarding the activities on each event update.  You can click the links provided so you'll see the complete details of that certain activity.

(days) or (months) - red refers to the time difference of a Update from a previous date.

(days) or (months) - green refers to the time difference of an Update from day (0).

Here it goes...

Update 1 (0 days) (0 days)

July 1, 2013 

The full application was ready for submission and I prepared it inside a white envelope and went to DHL to send it to Nova Scotia, Canada.

Update 2 (7 days) (7 days)

July 8, 2013 

I checked with DHL with the help of the DHL online document tracker and found that my documents have been received by the Centralized Intake Office.

Update 3 (3 months) (3 months)

October 10, 2013 

An email was received from the Centralized Intake Office, Nova Scotia Canada.  It has a letter stating that they had received my full application with a positive determination of eligibility and indicated my Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and Immigration Application number. 

At this time, my application was accepted for processing, the CIO had sent it to the designated Canadian Embassy.   They sent my application at the Canada Embassy in Manila (CEM).

Note: In my application, I indicated Singapore as the "Immigration Office requested for processing this application" but they sent it instead to Manila, Philippines.  The reason might be because I am not a permanent residence (PR) in Singapore.

Update 4 (6 months) (9 months)

April 15, 2014 

A request for Medical for me and my dependents and additional documents (Passport copy, Singapore police clearance, Philippines police clearance) was received though an email from the Canada Embassy, Manila. 

Update 5 (6 days) (9 months)

April 21, 2014 

Went to Raffles Medical in Singapore for my medical examination.  Discussed with my current boss about my future resignation.

Update 6 (4 days) (9 months)

April 25, 2014 

The result of the medical examination was sent by the hospital directly to the Canada Embassy, Manila.

Update 7 (1 month) (10 months)

May 28, 2014 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, my dependents' medical examination were delayed.  They took their medical exam at the IOM Manila Health Center.

Update 8 (2 months)  (12 months)

July 11, 2014 

YESSS!!!!

Our Visas were approved.  This is the happiest moment of my life.  I made a dedicated post for this event at "VISA APPROVED for Federal Skilled Worker Canada: My Experience".

I received an email from the Visa Office of Canada Embassy, Manila informing us that our immigration visas are ready for stamping.  They requested to submit our passports, 2 recent photos and the Appendix A form.

The passport should be submitted at the High Commission of Canada in Singapore through their accredited courier Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC).

Update 9 (5 days)  (12 months)

July 16, 2014 

Sent the passports to Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC) in Singapore.  Here is the post on how I submitted our passports to CVAC "Passport Submission at Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC) Experience"

July 23, 2014 Tendered my resignation verbally.  I informed my employer 2 months ahead so they can hire a replacement for me, and transfer my knowledge professionally.

Update 10 ( 32 days)  (13 months)

August 16, 2014 

As indicated in our passports, the High Commission of Canada in Singapore stamped our visas.

Update 11 ( 12 days)  (13 months)

August 28, 2014 

The Canada Visa Application Service (CVAC) in Singapore informed me that our passports are ready for collection. I personally went to CVAC office to collect the valuable goods.  Feel the excitement at my post here.

September 2014 
Returned to Philippines from Singapore and rendered my final resignation. Cancelled all credit cards, debit and apartment rentals.

October 2014 
Went to my hometown to visit my relatives.

Attended the seminars in Manila.
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) - required by the Philippine Government
CIIP - Optional, but it's all about how to find jobs in Canada (recommended)

 November 2014

Had landed successfully in Canada.  Got a job after 5 days and worked as an Assembler in  a small scale factory.

 February 2015 

Got a new job in my field of expertise after 3 months of working as an Assembler. Passed a G1 driver's license written test but needs to be with a fully licensed driver to drive.

 March 2015 
Passed the G2 Driving license, and was allowed to drive in Canada alone.  I was also allowed to drive on highways like 401, 407, 427, and etc...with maximum speed of 100kph.

 April 2015 
Went to Quebec specifically in Montreal.  It was the same as Toronto except that drivers can't turn right on a red traffic signal.

Visited Ottawa for the first time.

 May 2015 
Went to Sarnia, Port Hope, Peterborough, Cambridge, Guelph, Brampton and Middleton.   These places are beautiful in many ways.  I've been blessed to have a chance to visit these places.

 June 2015 
Went to Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta and have a chance to visit my best friend there, whom I haven't met for 7 years.

 Present Day 

Now working in my field of expertise taking care of the whole Canada.  This is an opportunity for me to blog more about the country.  So far, I've seen the beauty of the place while it was covered with snow.  Let's see when the spring comes.

The scenery is stunning, for the first time, as I was used seeing places in a tropical and middle eastern countries.

How to Add Your Timeline?
 You can add your timeline in my Google Drive to get these benefits:

• You can view and update your timeline online
• You can compare your timeline with mine and other applicants
• You can track your progress online
• View other timelines

You can click the link below to view and add your timeline.

 CHECK MY TIMELINE AT GOOGLE DRIVE AND INSERT YOURS TOO!

Sample Snapshot:

Click the photo to Visit

Check out the New Menu bar below for faster navigation.

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Principal Applicant Will Land First and Dependents Will Follow

Someone had asked me, "Why do you need to bring all your family together to Canada instead of you going first?"

The idea is, when our Visa arrives, I will purchase my one way ticket only.  Then pack my things, get to the flight and arrive in Canada.  After that, find a job that fits or potential for retirement.

Once stable, I will purchase one way tickets for my dependents so we can be together in Canada forever...

This is doable and there are advantages for this move as well.   It's financially convenient and I will be more flexible.

Yes, this is a good plan, wherein I don't need to a have huge amount of budget to be able to survive in a new environment.  Wherever the work is, I can transfer to any place at any time, no hassles.

Reasons Not to Leave my Dependents Behind
Some of you might disagree with me, of course, this decision is not for everyone.  For me, this is not what I want that is why I need to explain this further to clear things up.

It's good to have these kind of suggestions so we can have our other options.  But, as a human being, I'm still allowed to do my own actions.  Let me tell you my reasons.

For several years, I've been away with my family.  In fact, the reason why I applied for this Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada is to be reunited with them and fulfill my long time dream.

If you have not experienced what it was like to leave your family behind, I envy you for that.  For me, it's a huge sacrifice for my whole life.  Seeing my children grow through Skype is depressing and regrettable.

It's true, I have a descent amount of salary here in Singapore.  But, I don't have a descent amount of motivation, inspiration for my well-being?

What Would It Be Like Going Together With Dependents in Canada?

Do you want to have these memorable moments from your kids such as this?

• First flight with my Dad.
• We are three in a row, I'm at the window seat looking at the clouds while Dad's sleeping.
• Mom and Dad carried those heavy boxes, I hope my muscles are huge enough to do that.
• Dad gave me his coat, it's cold here in Toronto Pearson Airport.
• Our first house in Toronto.  Dad's is so excited to open the main door but got the kitchen key instead. 

Although we're not there yet, this is what I want to experience.  This journey is not for me, this is for my kids' future.

I don't want to waste my time here in Singapore.  Life is short and I need to fill up my lapses with my children and wife.

Having my family with me all throughout this journey is what my RED Maple Leaf is all about.

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How to Know Your Degree Equivalence in Canada for FREE?

After reading the Red Maple Leaf Free eBook, you still might be hesitant to submit your application. It's either you're worried that:

• The result of your IELTS can not reach the required points or
• The result of your educational credential assessment is not favorable

For the IELTS test, there is nothing more that we can do to know how good we are in English until we take the test.  But, for the educational credential assessment, we can do something about it.

Take note, for the education factor, we can estimate how much points we can get from the assessment even before we pay with the assessors of Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

As I mentioned before, I took the services of World Education Services (WES) for my ECA.  There are few reasons why I chose their services and it was stated in one of my post.

Credential Assessment at Canadian FSW at WES 

How to Assess the ECA for FREE?

The good thing about WES is that they have a FREE WES Degree Equivalency Tool.  Anyone can go online and have his degree credentials assess and it is Free, but there will be no certificate for this.

All you have to do is visit the link below:

WES Degree Equivalency Tool

Do the following procedures:

• Click the START NOW
• Key in all required details (name and email address)
• Click Continue
• Select Country of Education
• Select Name of Degree Diploma
• Select Major and  Number of Years of Study
• Search the Institution Attended

It will immediately give you the equivalent years of studies of your credentials in Canada.  

My Assessment at WES Degree Equivalency Tool

Even though I'm done with my credential assessment, I tried this tool just to have a feel of it.  Unfortunately, the result was not the same with my Educational Credential Assessment certificate.  

At the FREE WES Degree Equivalency Tool:

B.S. Engineering - 3 years

At the ECA Certificate:

B.S. Engineering - 4 years

In my opinion, WES will still check the curricula at the Transcript of Records as what they had stated at the note below:

 "NOTE: Any degree equivalency provided is based on the information you have entered. It is not based on verified information or documents and may not be used as proof that you attended an institution or earned a degree. WES may change this provisional degree equivalency upon document verification and analysis." - World Education Services

How does the ECA Certificate Looks Like?
If you want a glimpse of the WES certificate, it should look like this:

Credential Evaluation and Authentication Report

Now that you know what your education is worth in Canada, get a WES credential evaluation to verify your credentials so they will be recognized by universities, employers and licensing bodies in Canada.

After the free assessment using the WES tool, you can now prepare the required documents and payment.

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Important: Please read the DISCLAIMER Page

For questions not related to this post, leave a comment at the ASK ME.

If you want to know more about my life in Singapore, visit my blog at BenAlagnam.com

How much you need to prepare for the applications, visit EXPENSES.

Check on what are the documents you need to prepare and more info on RESOURCES.

How to Know Your NOC Code and Filling up the Work Experience Form?

I have received few inquiries from my email Subscribers. One of which is about this problem, and it's time to clarify the issue.  Here are their messages...

"..my job positions are not exactly matched stated but the job description as I believe are all the same. One of example is System Administrator and my current position is Systems Engineer. There was no indicated main duties on the website but in general, the main duties of Systems Engineer covers with System Administrator description. I have a lot of positions where the job descriptions are covered on the list in NOC but the titles are not match.

Do you think the Canada Visa office would recognized that? Most of my COE has no job description included and even in contract letter has not stated as well..." - J.C. (please let me know if you want your name divulged)

______________________________________________ 

"...im still confused. what will i write on the IMM0008 (E Schedule 3) work experience part:
From To Occupation NOC Years of Experience Main DutiesAsst. Res. Engineer 2131
Should i write my current job position under the Occupation Part or the equivalent based based on job duties?..." - M.A. (please let me know if you want your name divulged)

The advice and tips that I will provide you is based on my experience when I applied for the Federal Skilled Worker Canada.  I recommend that you seek second or third opinions to other advisers or agents as well.

Job Position or Title Explained
In every country, they have their own job titles which they think will easily attract the job seekers or also known as talents.

Like in Canada, a person who goes out and meet customers, repair the machines at the customer's site is called the JourneyMan.  While if you do this kind of job in Singapore, you can be called as a Service Engineer or Service Technician.  Doing this same kind of  job in Philippines is a Technician.

"a person who goes out and meet customers, repair the machines at the customer's site"

Canada - Journeyman
Singapore - Service Technician or Service Engineer
Philippines - Technician

As you can see, they are all doing the same kind of job, but they are tagged differently.  They differ in their job titles because of the terms used and according to the country's history.

Another example is the AutoCad Draftsmen and the AutoCad Draughtsman.  These two jobs have a similar job descriptions, but they have different job titles. This is because,

Draftsmen - American English
Draughtsman - British English

Job titling almost has the same concept of marketing, which you have to create the best name of the brand, in this case is the job, making it more locally recognizable and egoistically appealing.

Who doesn't want to have a job of cleaning floors with a namecard description of "Floor Manager"?

Same job, different titles.

What is NOC in Canada?
In the Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada, we can encounter this name NOC or the National Occupational Classification.

According to the the Employment and Social Development in Canada (ESDC),

"The National Occupational Classification (NOC), provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counselors, employers and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data and describe and understand the nature of work." -ESDC 

To ease up the confusion of job titles and descriptions, Canada had created a standard and listed it in the NOC with versions on year 2006 and 2011.

At the NOC, each job title has its own code, depending on the skill level, and it is classified and described in accordance with the standard.

How To Determine the Equivalent NOC 2011 Code?
The NOC 2011 occupation code is important when applying for the FSW Canada program.  It is the first factor that determines the eligibility of an applicant.  The applicant's occupation should be included at the 50 eligible occupations list.

But how do you know if your current or previous job is included in the list?

To have a complete NOC 2011 equivalency of your current or previous occupation, you need to provide an evidence such as a complete Certificate of Employment (COE) indicating the job description of your occupation and other details as required by the FSW Canada.

Check out the complete requirements at the STEP3 - Document Checklist (IMM5612) item #12

Now, this is the tricky part wherein you need to compare the job description of your occupation, that was written at your COE, with the occupation at the NOC 2011.

Let's take Equipment Engineer as our sample occupation .  This job title is totally out of the NOC 2011 list, but we can find a code for this and it takes time and effort.

Given that the following details were written at the COE:

Equipment EngineerAugust 2010 - August 2014

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Write equipment handling specifications, technical reports, capacity computations, maintenance manual specifications, and maintenance schedules.
• Conduct design reviews, inspection, and evaluates the performance equipment.
• Troubleshoot machine using technical software.
• Read and interpret electrical diagram.
• Responsible for the layout preparation, scheduling, mobilization and installation of machines for production use.

We will visit the NOC 2011 Website and select the Classification structure menu (see photo below).  Then choose the classification that you think has the greatest similarity with the Equipment Engineering job and its corresponding responsibilities. 

So, we will choose #7 (see the photo and click to visit the site)

The Skill Type 7 will have a long list of occupational codes.  Scan through each occupation and find the closest match, and that is NOC 7242 (Industrial Electrician) with responsibilities that are similar with that of an Equipment Engineer.

7242 Industrial ElectriciansIndustrial electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls

Now, we can therefore state that the equivalent NOC of Equipment Engineer is NOC 7242 Industrial Electrician.

How to Fill Up the Form with the NOC Code?
Alright, we have now the NOC equivalent code.  Go to the application form IMM008 Schedule 3 Economic Classes - Federal Skilled Worker, item #12 - Work Experience

If you have another occupation and declared as your Primary, e.g. NOC 2241- Electrical and electronics Engineering Technologists and Technician , it should be in included in the 50 eligible occupations and meet the criteria for FSW Canada. 

Since NOC 7242 is a Skill Level B occupation, we can include this in the Work Experience.  Even though it has more than 4 years of experience, we can not make it as the primary because it's not included in the 50 eligible occupations list.

Take a look at the table below.

The space provided for the Main Duties is always not enough, you can write "Please refer to attached page" and create a document in A4 paper with the complete details of the duties.  Include it in this form as attachment.

Other Related Post:
Years of Work Experience, How to Compute?
Certificate of Employment or Letter of Reference for FSW Canada Concerns


Hope that this this post will help in your application. If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.

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If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below or email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.

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If you want to know more about my life in Singapore, visit my blog at BenAlagnam.com