Express Entry Guide 2017 for FSW Canada: Video

Found this video very useful for someone who wants to immigrate to Canada as an Experienced Professional and Skilled Worker.

But, before you start creating an Express Entry profile, make sure that all your documents are ready because it needs most of your information.  Have a list of documents that you need and most importantly, prepare the proof of fund.

Have a quick look on how the Express Entry works.

You can also read more about Express Entry in www.cic.gc.ca.  Here's the link:

EXPRESS ENTRY

If you need the sample documents and some guides to fill up the documents that lack spacing, visit the Resources page of my blog.

MM2C RESOURCES 

Is this information useful? Please tick the Like button below.

__________________________________

If you want me to post a certain topic,  you can leave a comment below or email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by BenAlagnam's FeedBurner

HAVE MORE ON THIS BLOG

EMAIL	RESOURCES	ASK ME	ARCHIVE	SUGGEST

Canada Child Benefits (CCTB, UCCB): Our Application Experience as FSW

If you had just landed in Canada, you must be aware that there are benefits for your children under the age of 18.

During our first week in Toronto, we immediately sent the child benefits application.  It was helpful for us, especially when we don't have jobs yet to make our cash flow positive. There were many benefits that our child had received, given that our income was at the minimum.

In order for you to receive the corresponding benefit, you need to send an application to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Who should apply?
The one who's primarily in charge of upbringing and care of the child.  For us, even though we were not yet working during the application, we agreed that my wife will be the applicant. That is usually the case for new immigrant couples.

For the New Immigrants, let me show you the step by step procedure on how to apply for the child benefits.

STEP 1 (Gather the Documents)
Gather all documents to establish your relationship with your child.

1.  Marriage certificate (copy)
2.  Birth certificate (copy)
3.  Copies of the COPR (copy)

This will not be difficult for newcomers as we had all the documents with us upon landing.

Prepare your bank account details.  If CRA fails to send payment to your bank, the benefit will be paid to you by cheque.

STEP 2 (Print the Forms)
Print the necessary documents at the Canada Revenue Agency website as follows:

1. Canada Child Benefits Application RC66
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc66/README.html

2. Status in Canada / Statement of Income RC66SCH
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc66sch/README.html

Fill out the necessary details legibly.

STEP 3 (Sending the Application)
1. Place the documents and forms inside an envelope.
2. Mail the completed forms with the supporting documents to the province where you reside.

Click the province below for the mailing address.
Source: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/ddrss-eng.html

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Where to Mail the forms?
Go to the nearest Canada Post branch.  Before you click the link below, you must know your Zip Code (ex: J2M H2T)

Canada Post Locator

The mail will be delivered to the CRA within 3 days.

STEP 3 (Wait for the Payment)
Once your application is complete and no additional documents needed from the CRA, you will now receive the Child Benefits through your bank account or by cheque.

CRA uses your application to determine if you are eligible for other child benefits.  So, you will receive payments from different branches of the government.

Note:
Don't forget to contact CRA if your status and personal information had changed.

If you have questions regarding my experience in this application, contact me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.  I'll can help you as fast as I can.

Please tick the LIKE button below if this is helpful and Share to new immigrants as well.

Helping Other Applicants: Be An MM2C Contributor

It's been two years since I first wrote my first post, Moving To Canada: A Dream.  At that time, I was not sure if my application will pursue because of my repetitive failures of my previous FSW applications.

Sharing my experiences made me more confident in expressing myself to my readers.  Even though my English was not that good, but at least the thought was there.  

Because of this blog, I know that I helped some people along the way as they themselves kept in touch with me sharing their good news.

It's been a fulfilling part of my life when I had helped people along their way on getting their FSW Visa.

I can feel the anxieties and excitement felt by applicants during the process of their application.  The moment they emailed me that they have received their Visas, me and my world cheered with joy.

I made this post, to let you know that Me Moving To Canada is open for FSW applicants to share their experiences.  Let's share our experience to others and help them succeed and be part of the MM2C community.

Your experience means a lot, you can share with us where you're now in your application.  Give some advice and lessons learned during the process.

To be a part of the Me Moving To Canada Experience, "MM2C XPrience (#MM2CXPerience)", you can contact me or share through these media.

1.  Blogger - send me an email to benalagnam@yahoo.com if you are interested to be added as a contributor to this blog.

2.  Facebook - Post your experience on my facebook page (BenAlagnam.com).

3.  Email - send your written experience to benalagnam@yahoo.com, let me know if you want your name and initials published or remain anonymous.

Helping one another through sharing will make the process of immigrating easier.

I'LL WAIT FOR YOUR MESSAGE!

Will this be helpful to you or other applicants, please tick the LIKE button below.

Immunization Record Requirement for Federal Skilled Worker in Canada

In Philippines, we do have immunization for our kids and even for adults.  Some may avail it for free, but others prefer to have it from their private doctors.

If you had been religiously following the vaccines for your child, that is a great move.  But having your child immunized is not good enough if you don't have the immunization record.

Immunization Record is the way to trace and monitor your child's vaccine schedule and to know what's next.  This is helpful for pediatricians for them to assess the status of your child's health.

What is the Importance of Immunization Records in Immigrating to Canada?
If you are planning to apply for the FSW Canada or waiting for your Positive Eligibility Response (PER) from the Centralized Intake Office (CANADA) and has children below 16 years of age, please read this post further.

Children are supposed to be immunized from deadly viruses and should be taken serious consideration from the parents.  Some countries don't have a proper concerns about this vaccinations and is taken for granted, passing the great responsibilities to parents.

As a parent, we are responsible for the health of our children and should bring them to their pediatricians to have their periodic check-ups and immunization.  Usually, when we bring them to the doctor, all the medicines and vaccines given  to your child is recorded, it's either in index cards or computer database. It doesn't matter where they record the data as long as it is held and can be retrieved anytime.

These records can be requested at any time.  It comes with a doctor's professional fee or may be FREE.  For me, I paid PHP600.00 for the immunization record.  I will place the link of the Immunization Record form below for your reference.

Now, why do we need to secure an immunization record from the pediatrician?

Canada takes a lot of effort to protect our children and adults from dangerous and deadly viruses.  That is why they urge parents to have their children vaccinated periodically.

For new immigrants specially the Federal Skilled Workers or Provincial Nominees, we are required to submit the Immunization Record of our children who are 16 years of age and below.

This is not required during our landing in Canada and Custom's inspection, but during the enrollment in schools.

How does the Immunization Record Form look like?
Usually, during the approval and stamping of passports for the Immigrant Visa, Canada provides an Immunization Record form that is readily available for the doctor's signature.

Unfortunately, when our visa-stamped passports arrived, there is no Immunization Record attached with it.  Is it luck or just fate? Oh well...

So, what did I do?

I informed my sister about it and searched online for the form.  But, it's nowhere to be found.

Luckily, she had the previous record of her son and so I asked her to show it through Skype.  It looks like this.

Immunization Record Form for FSW Canada Immigrants

It was written in the form that it can be photocopied, so I made my own form with all the similar details in it.

I had uploaded the form to the community website and if you want to have a copy of it, you can click the photo below and access the copy.  This is what my form look like, have a quick look at it.

Immunization Record (blank)

Once you had requested the link, print it and have your pediatrician fill up the form and make sure to let her sign.

Here is the link of the Immunization Record form at the community Website. www.memovingtocanada.com/resources

"For children attending school in Ontario, a written immunization record or proof of immunization is required, by law, for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella unless there is a valid written exemption."- OntarioImmigration.ca

What we did with the Immunization Record?
When we were still in the Philippines, we went to our son's pediatrician and ask her to sign the Immunization record.  She scanned though our child's baby book and records and wrote all the immunization dates in the form.  She then signed the space provided and asked us to pay PHP600.00.

Tip: Bring along your children's baby books.  This is very important as some of the pediatrician don't have a proper filing of their client's records.  It is also possible that you have two pediatricians attending your child's care.

After a few days of arrival in Canada, we visited the school and inquired about the enrollment.  The registrar gave us some forms and one of the requirement is the Immunization Record. After completing the forms and requirements, our son immediately was admitted to the school for FREE.

Is this a useful information? Please tick the Like below.
__________________________________

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

Enter your email address:


Delivered by BenAlagnam's FeedBurner

HAVE MORE ON THIS BLOG

EMAIL	RESOURCES	ASK ME	ARCHIVE	SUGGEST

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.

*If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.
___________________________________

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

Enter email and Get Updates:

Delivered by BenAlagnam's FeedBurner

HAVE MORE ON THIS BLOG

EMAIL	RESOURCES	ASK ME	ARCHIVE	SUGGEST

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.

___________________________________

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

 ARCHIVE      RESOURCES     ASK ME        SUGGEST       DISCLAIMER    EXPENSES  

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

How to Check Your FSW Program Canada Application Status?

You've read the Red Maple Leaf eBook, I assume that you have done gathering all the documents in your full application for the FSW Program in Canada.

You have packed and sent the full application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Nova Scotia, Canada as instructed.

So, What's the Next Step?
Like me, you probably used the services of couriers such as DHL, Fedex or UPS in sending your application to Canada.

You should have a tracking number by now, which you can track the documents online and even know the name of the person who received it.

If you used a courier, other than the regular mail, you can click the links below to track your documents.

DHL Online Tracker
FEDEX Document Tracker
UPS Tracker

It will specifically indicate the time and location of your documents.  This will ensure you that it will arrive at the destination on time and have a peace of mind.

How Do I Know If My Application is Being Processed?  

You've tracked your documents and found that it was already received by a CIO personnel.  The next question that you might ask is,

"How do I know the status of my application?" 

The procedure is that once the CIO had reviewed your documents and found that you're eligible for the program, they will send you a positive eligibility response to your email and by a regular mail, and provide you the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) and Immigration Application number in the letter.

This time, they will encash the cheque or process the credit card payment of your application fee.

Take note that the application number will be useful in checking your application status in the Canadian Application Status (eCAS) at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.

The CIO will inform you that your application will be forwarded to a visa office for further processing.  The assignment of the visa office depends on where your current residence or country of origin is.  It's up to the CIO to decide.

Based on my experience, although I'm working and staying in Singapore as a Pass holder, and had chosen Singapore as the visa office in my application, they still sent my application to the Canadian visa office in Manila, Philippines.

You might have used a bank draft, a credit card or a manager's cheque in paying the processing fee.  This is the perfect medium where you can trace your application if it has been successfully processed in Canada by simply asking the bank's manager if your cheque had been encashed.

If you used credit card, log in to your account and check whether the fee was billed in your statement.  If it's  billed, you are now confident that CIO has started processing your application.

It took 3 months for me to receive the positive eligibility response from the CIO.

*If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.

___________________________________

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

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.

IELTS Test Centers and Locations with Free Practice Materials and My Experience in Singapore

One of the requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program in Canada is to provide a proof of your language skills.  To do this is to take the International English Testing System (IELTS) exam.

The exam is to check your skills in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.  Each skill will be measured by a band score, which is then used to compute for the points at your FSW eligibility under the language skills factor.

There are two types of the exam, one is Academic and the other is the General Training.  If we are taking the test as a proof of our language skills for the FSW in Canada, we only need to take the General Training test.

Where to Take the IELTS?
There are many test centers for IELTS that you can choose from.  For me, I took it with the British Council examiner for the following reasons:

• The name itself, British Council, is legitimate enough to take the English Test.
• The website of the British Council is easy to navigate and I found no glitch when I tried it with my IELTS application.
• They will provide IELTS reviewers once the appointment fee is received.
• The test center, in Singapore, is organized, no hassles.
• The results delivered at my doorstep was on time as expected.

IELTS has more than 900 test centers and locations in more than 130 countries.  I made a link for you, so you can select the IELTS test center and locations nearest you.  It's up to you which center would you take your test with.

IELTS Test Centers in More Than 130 Countries

What to Expect During the IELTS Test? 
There are four assessments for the IELTS exam. These are the reading, listening, writing and speaking.  I'll give you an idea based on my experience taking it at the British Council in Singapore.

The test for reading, speaking and listening were done inside an air-conditioned room at the Civil Service College near the Buona Vista MRT Station.

There were 15-20 applicants inside the room seated in rows.  It was a classroom setup with armchairs and a single space gap between applicants.

We were instructed not to take a toilet break or go out from the room during the testing period.  So, for those who will take this test, do not drink a lot of water and never take a heavy breakfast.

There were two audio speakers, paper board and a projector in front that were used for displaying instructions.  The speakers were used for the listening test.

Each test category was given a time limit and was strictly implemented.

Reading - We were given a booklet, inside were articles and short stories provided.  There were three types of passages and need to respond to related questions in a given time limit.

Here are some examples of the test, take note that this is not the actual.  This is only for your reference.

PRACTICE TEST (Reading)

• Blank answer sheet for Reading practice test 
• Questions for Reading practice Test
• Answers for Reading practice Test

Listening - The two audio speakers in front of us were used at this time.  It played a conversation between two persons and we need to fill in the blanks at the questions provided.

PRACTICE TEST (Listening)

• Blank answer sheet for Listening practice test 
• Questions for Listening practice  test 
• Answers for Listening practice test 

Writing - We were given an specific topic wherein we need to write about it.

PRACTICE TEST (Writing)

• Questions for Writing practice test 
• Answers for Writing practice test 

Speaking - This was taken at a different location, at Napier Road. At the moment I entered the room, the examiner asked me about my personal background.  I never thought that it was part of the exam, so I just answered her questions normally.

The next question that she asked me, the actual test topic, was "Do you read newspapers? What do you think about the future of newspapers in this digital world?".

This time, I was quite nervous thinking that it's the actual test question.  What I did was to say everything that I needed to say, the best that I can in an orderly manner.

PRACTICE TEST (Speaking) AUDIO

• Questions for Speaking practice test Part 1
• Questions for Speaking practice test Part 2
• Questions for Speaking practice test Part 3

I got a good score with each of the test and so with my FSW Canada points for Language Skills.

Source of the sample tests and audio: http://www.takeielts.britishcouncil.org

Do You Think Your English is Good Enough for the IELTS?
If you're hesitant on your language skills, you need to study more on it.  Below is one of the IELTS Reviewer that you can purchase at a reasonable price.

You can click below to redirect you to Amazon.com website.

What to expect from this book?
Barron's IELTS Superpack, 2nd Ed.

• Academics and professionals looking to validate their English language proficiency by taking the IELTS get the most comprehensive preparation available anywhere with Barron's IELTS Superpack.
• It consists of the new 3rd edition of the Barron's brand-new IELTS manual with 2 audio CDs, 
• IELTS Practice Exams with 2 audio CDs, and
• Barron's Essential Words for the IELTS

Other Reviewers for more choices: 
Language Skills (CELPIP, IELTS and TEF) Reviewers

Disclosure: Whenever you buy the products at those links, I can get an affiliate commission and I Thank You for doing so.

*If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.

___________________________________

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

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.

Two College Degrees: How to Compute the Number of Years

What if you had 2 degrees in college, how do you compute for the total number of years of your studies?

To explain it further, I will use my experience as an example that suits this problem perfectly.

It happened that I got two Engineering Degrees in College, I'll just name it as Eng-1 and Eng-2.   Each degree is normally a 5-year course.

How Long Did I Finish My Two Degrees?

For the Eng-1, I finished it for just 4.5 instead of 5 years, it's because I was so excited to finish that course.  I was so enthusiastic back then.  

The school that I enrolled into allows us to take advance courses during summer.  So, I went to school to take the summer courses that was supposed to be taken on the next semester.  My classmates that did not took this program were overtaken.  

After finishing the Eng-1, now I have a vacant of 0.5 years, right?  Then I decided to take Eng-2.

Eng-2 is a 5-year engineering degree also, but the minor subjects from my Eng-1 are all credited so I just needed to finish the major subjects to graduate/finish the degree.  And, it took me 1 year to finish it.

To summarize my educational background, I had tabulated it below:

Summary

Eng-1 - 4.5 years

Eng-2 - 1.0 years

             5.5 actual years in school

How Did I Fill-up the Form IMM008 (FSW Canada) for My Two Degrees?

At the Schedule A Background Declaration (IMM5669) item #7- Education form, I counted the number of years of studies based on my secondary and post-secondary education in Philippines.

We have 6 years of elementary/primary school, which starts from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and  4 years in Secondary/High School from First Year to Fourth Year.

I indicated 6 years on the University/College.  Even though I have 5.5 actual years in this level but Eng-1 is a 5-year course and took another year for Eng-2, a total of 6 years.

For the Trade school or other post secondary school section, I left it as "0" because I don't have one.  But if you do have, like 1 or 2-year courses, you can indicate it there.

I guess had explained it here clearly. If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below or email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.

___________________________________
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.

Why You Need to Update Your Adobe Acrobat for FSW?

The FSW Canada application forms are in the Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF format. Once you click the link at the RESOURCES page of my blog, it redirects your browser to a PDF reader.

Some of the forms works well with my reader, but one file is having a problem opening.  It's particularly the IMM0008ENU.

 Have you got this type of screen when you opened one of the FSW application forms?

Problem opening a FSW application form IMM0008ENU.

This means that your browser is not updated.  You need to install the latest PDF Acrobat Reader to your computer system.

I tried to install it in my computer system but when I tried it in Google Chrome, it doesn't work but prompted me to the same display again.

It works when I tried it with the internet explorer.  I'm not sure why it doesn't work with Google Chrome.

For the PDF files that doesn't open with Chrome, I used the IE instead.  If you know the reason why it doesn't open to my Chrome, please leave a comment below. Thanks.

___________________________________
If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below.

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.

Why You Need To Check Your Spam Folder Regularly?

When you submitted you application, you probably have experienced the FSWA syndrome.  It stands for Federal Skilled Worker Applicant syndrome.

This is probably not an abnormal feeling because almost everyone of us who applied for the FSW Canada felt the same way as you.

At this stage, you feel uneasy and it keeps you thinking about the future outcome of your application and whether you missed something or not.

The checking of emails, forums and blogs almost everyday is now your routine.  I tell you now that this is normal.  This will fade away in due time.

What Happens After Sending Your Application?

Once you have sent your application to Nova Scotia, Canada, this is the period where you are now a certified FSW applicant and a life changer to your family and your life.

What happens next is the waiting period.  Once your application arrives in Nova Scotia, it will be reviewed by the officers there.  They will check each of the documents that you've sent for any missing parts or incorrect documentation and this will be the basis on your eligibility.

This is the crucial part wherein the decision of pursuing your application or not is in their hands, the better you arrange your documents, the faster they can sort and process your application.  

The officers are also humans so they have their own ups and downs.  Don't make their sorting and inspection difficult for them.

Canada Emails Are Spams?

As soon as they finalize their decision on your application, they are going to send you a request notice for a medical exam or some documents to update.  This will be sent physically through letters to your home mailing address and virtually to your email inbox.

Ideally speaking, the email of CIC should go to the email Inbox.  But, based on my experience, some goes to the SPAM folder.  

Yes, it's only in the spam and you can retrieve it anytime...right? 50% WRONG!

If you have a Yahoo email, you can set the spam folder to clean itself at a set time.  I did this with mine.  Luckily, I realized that this feature is not a good idea at all and so I changed it immediately.

I received an email from the Canadian Embassy, Manila and I found it's in my Spam folder.  Lucky that I had not deleted it together with those spam emails.

Lessons learned: 

• Do not set your spam to auto delete 
• Always Check each spam for any important emails from Canada

___________________________________
If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below.

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.

Before You arrive in Canada

My Medical Exam Procedure at the Raffles Hospital in Singapore

On my previous blog, I mentioned about how I prepared the documents for my medical exam.

To find out which hospital should I ask for an appointment,  I checked the list of hospitals and the  doctors in Singapore  from the list provided to me by the Canadian Immigration.  

See the list of Panel Physicians to find the doctor in your area.

Canadian Immigration List of Panel Physicians

 

After setting an appointment at the Raffles Hospital in Singapore,  which I found the telephone attendant more friendly than the other clinic, I searched its address online and found that it was just beside the Bugis MRT Station.


View Raffles Hospital in a larger map

What are the First Steps of My Medical Examination?
It was Saturday and lucky enough it's not raining. The appointment was around 9:00am and I entered the building entrance facing the Victoria St.  Good thing of having an appointment is that you don't have to queue.

The lady at the desk is attentive and I informed her that I'm having a medical examination for the Canadian Immigration requirement.  She handed me a form to fill up, around 5 pages.

I finished filling all the questions for around 20 minutes.  Then I stick the photos at the forms, using the glue that the lady had provided me.

I submitted back the form to the lady and she instructed me to wait for my number to be called. She handed me a bottle, where I need to place my urine sample.

The toilet was just at the corner and so I took samples of my urine.  I dropped the bottle at the Window 8 drop box as instructed.

I sat down the waiting area and waited for my number. 

Details of the Medical Examination
First, I was called to go inside the room, where the nurse took some blood samples.  This part is the worst for me because I hate needle poking.  I told her to signal me once she starts to poke the needle in to my skin.  It took around 10 minutes for the whole ordeal.

Second, I was then asked to wait outside for another instruction.  My number was displayed on the screen prompting me to go inside another room.  This time, the nurse took my height, weight and asked me to read the letters at the wall. Easy!

Third, again the waiting never stops until my number appeared once more and so I got inside the other room.  This time, it's the doctor...she asked me questions that are also almost the same as the one in the form. 

Then, she asked me to take off everything except the underwear and asked me to lie down, she pressed few corners of my stomach while asking questions like, do I have tattoos or operations.

She took my blood pressure and thank God it's normal.

I was then asked to wait for another step, which is the x-ray.  This is the fastest procedure, when I went in, I was then instructed to take off my upper clothing and asked to press my chest against the x-ray plate, took a deep breath and it's done!

After the Medical Exam Process, What's Next?
The next 3 minutes was waiting for the x-ray film that I never had a chance to see.  The nurse instructed me to pay at the counter, where I saw my x-ray film beside the cashier, and to pay the medical examination fee. 

The nurse informed me that they will directly send the results at the Canadian Embassy, Manila.  She wrote the phone number at my receipt to dial in case I need to inquire about the document tracking.

Tracking the Result Documents
Few weeks had passed, I called the Raffles Hospitalnumber to ask about the result of my medical.  They said that they cannot provide the information of the result but informed me that my documents have already been sent to the Canadian Embassy using their USAHA courier. 

So I called the USAHA courier for the update, the guy was friendly enough to provide me the DHL tracking number.

I found out at the DHL online tracking that the Raffles Hospital had sent the results 4 days after my exam procedure. 

Sending the documents from Singapore to the Canadian Embassy, Manila took 2 days.  The whole sending process was less than a week.

Hoping for a good result!

First 2 weeks in Canada

I found a video in Youtube that will be helpful for new immigrants in Canada. This will help us plan on what to do and where to start as soon as we land. Although it's too early to plan our arrival, at least we have an idea about it so we won't panic.

What is the Daily Life in Canada?

Years of Experience to be Eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Canada 2013

The Federal Skilled Worker program of Canada changed its rules for the required type and years of experience for an applicant.

Recently, May 4, 2013 in particular, Canadian FSW showed the 24 occupations that are eligible to apply.  This is one of the eligibility factor for FSW, which is the Basic Eligibility.

If a person has one year of continuous full-time or an equal amount of continuous part time work experience within the last 10 years, and the job is included in the 24 occupations list, he will be eligible to apply for the FSW program.

What is the list of the 24 occupations for the Federal Skilled Worker?
Here are list of the occupations:

Click on the Number Code to see the detailed job description.

0211   Engineering managers

1112   Financial and investment analysts

2113   Geoscientists and oceanographers

2131   Civil engineers

2132   Mechanical engineers

2134   Chemical engineers

2143   Mining engineers

2145   Petroleum engineers

2144   Geological engineers

2146   Aerospace engineers

2147   Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers)

2154   Land surveyors

2174   Computer programmers and interactive media developers

2243   Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

2263   Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety

3141   Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

3142   Physiotherapists

3143   Occupational Therapists

3211   Medical laboratory technologists

3212   Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

3214   Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

3215   Medical Radiation Technologists

3216   Medical Sonographers

3217   Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

What are the Documents to Prepare?
If you see that you have this occupation and with the number of years of experience, you need to show a proof, such as an employment certificate (employment letter) showing the following details for all employers for the past 10 years:

1. It is written on company letterhead showing the company's address, telephone, fax, email and website and signed by the responsible officer/supervisor.  If applicable, it should be with the company's official seal.
2. The letter must include all the following information:
 - specific period of employment with the company
 - position held during the employment and the time spent on each position
 - duties and responsibilities on each position
 - total annual salary and benefit on each position
 - number of hours work per week on each position.
3. You may include the copies of works contracts and pay stubs.

source: www.cic.gc.ca

What to Do with the Documents?
Prepare it as soon as possible.  This will be submitted together with all other documents to Canada.

You take a photocopy of the documents. The original documents may be requested by the officer at a later date.

If you have any other questions or clarifications, please leave a comment below.

How to Get a Bank Certificate at POSB or DBS in Singapore?

Another requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker for the Canadian Immigration is the bank certificate. If you are in your country, I think it's easy to get one from your local bank.

Since we're here in Singapore, we need to know what are the requirements to get a bank certificate.

My account is in POSB bank and is also attached with their mother/sister company, which is DBS.  I went to the bank where I opened an account and is at POSB Jurong Point branch.

What is the Procedure to Get a Bank Certificate at POSB?
As a normal requirement, I brought my passport and my IC (Identification Card).  At the entrance of the bank, I asked the assistant about where to get a bank certificate.  This type of transaction will be at a different section of the bank, so she lead me to the right corner and handed me a queue number.

I waited for few minutes, around 30 mins for the queue.

It was my turn, I presented my passport and IC and told the lady attendant that I am requesting for a bank certificate that I need for my Canadian Immigration requirement.

How Much is the Cost of Bank Certificate in POSB?
So she asked me to fill up a form, which I finished for 5 minutes.  She asked me if I wanted to have the outstanding balance of my account printed on the bank certificate for yesterday or for today?  I requested to print the yesterday's balance because I withdrawn some cash a while ago.

She asked me to come back the next day and proceed to the cashier for payment of S$21.40.  This expense is listed at my other post, if you want to know some of the expenses in Singapore for the Canadian Immigration please check it here at EXPENSES.