Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

I waited for the 11th draw of the CIC before posting about PNP. It is Saturday here in the Philippines and a Friday in Canada so the the 11th draw just happened on the 26th day of June 2015 (Canada time) and the result is this.

This is actually our first time to experience draws in the Express Entry (EE) pool since we just lodged our EE profile only on 16 June 2015. And, from the last draw standing at 469 points, our Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is way to low to receive the golden Invitaion to Apply (ITA) from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). So, since the start of completing our basic requirements, I have been reading PNP programs offered by some provinces of Canada.

First, the province of Alberta is our choice of settlement because my husband has relatives in Edmonton and I have lots of close friends in said area. The sad news is that based on their website, Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP), we will only fall under Employer-Driven Stream which will mean that a candidate must have a valid job offer with Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before a nomination will push through. So, AINP is crossed-out from the PNP lists.

Second, Ontario province is a good choice also because I have close friends and both of us have relatives there. However, Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OPNP)'s website under its Ontario EE Human Capital Priority Stream, only gives PT Notification of Interest to candidates in the EE pool with minimum CRS score of 400 with or without job offer. Crossing-out OPNP from the PNP lists too.

Third, British Columbia province is okay with us. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), however, temporarily stops PNP intake for 90 days and will be open on July 2015 as instructed in their website. The old process of BCPNP intake of PNP is the same as AINP but we are hoping a much easier process by July like taking into consideration a candidate's EE profile.

Fourth, Manitoba province. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), I think, provides a heartbreaking program for skilled workers without relatives and/or friends because a connection is a must as per their website. A job offer also is not necessary in MPNP. I scored more than 63 out of the minimum score of 60/100 in their initial assessment without providing a connection but when it goes to their CRS scoring I only got less than 250/1000 score. Why? There scoring changes in the CRS side making age, language and education lesser in points. Work experience is just okay but without connection is as good as failed because close relative will give a candidate a precious 200 points and 50 points for a friend or distant relative. MPNP also gives a -100 points in your score when you have relatives from other provinces. Thus, a crossed-out from the PNP lists.

Fifth, Saskatchewan province. We are under the International Skilled Worker Employment Offer Sub-Category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) as stated in their website. A job offer is not necessary here but what is frustrating is that I lacked 1 point only, 59, to get the minimum score of 60 out of 100 to qualify me in this program. Again, crossed-out from the PNP lists.

Sixth, Prince Edward Island province, the smallest province of Canada. Under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), a candidate is required to have a valid EE profile which will qualify him or her to the EE Stream. A pdf document is available in their website where a candidate will provide his or her EE profile number and job validation code and answer why they would like to immigrate in PEI. This document will just be sent via email to PEI. We have seen PEI through my friend Google and there is no problem with the place, we actually love it, but I am just hesitant to send my document because I do not know the statistics of job opportunities in the island.

Lastly, New Brunswick province. My score stands at 68 out of 100 in New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) under their NB EE, the website, which qualifies me in this program. NB PNP only accepts application through email every 1-15 of each month. I plan to apply on 1st July but I have also to be fast in sending my email because it reach its cap in hours the first time they open in June 1. We pray that my application will go through because we also love the place plus it is near Toronto and the US.

Bottom line is, we need a PNP nomination to have an additional 600 points in our CRS score. If this happens then the golden ITA will surely be in our CIC mailbox. We know that we just lodged our EE profile and there is no need to rush but we also believe that we need to be productive in our application to reach our Canada dream not for ourselves but for our little R.

EE and Job Bank Registration

With my ECA report and IELTS result on hand, I finally registered with CICs Express Entry for 2015 on the 16th day of June 2015.

I went to CIC website and clicked on the "Come to Canada" icon found in the lower portion of the page. You have to answer every question asked in the Come to Canada tool. I actually do not know my score in the 100 points but if you were reading my blog you will know that I initially scored 77/100 during the time we went to PMS for assessment. During my registration, it did not show my score out of the 100 points but CIC says I am eligible to apply for Express Entry.

It then directed me to the MyCIC website where I have to register for my GC Key and fill out some forms online. Afterwhich, you will then receive an email from MyCIC containing a 2-page pdf file welcoming you on the EE Pool as shown below:

Page 1 Only

After all the forms were filled up, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was automatically generated based on the given data I entered. Note, however, that the image below is not the official presentation found in MyCIC account. I just have to tweak my presentation to show you the maximum score given by CIC compared to my score.

Phew, my CRS score is way to low as compared to the previous draws CIC has already issued.:(

Anyway, couples has the option to have their husband evaluate their school credentials and take IELTS exam. Not an option for us because imagine spending almost Php12,000.00 to WES and Php8,900.00 to IDP or a total of Php20,900.00 for an additional maximum score of 30 points only (see above). Not practical, we do not have the "extra money". Our best option here is the so called Provincial Nominee Program to which I will discuss in my next blog as I am still gathering some facts.

So back with my Express Entry Registration. After CICs confirmation that my Express Entry is received, a pdf file is sent together with the message from CIC. The pdf file contains my EE Profile Number and my Job Validation Code. These number and code are needed in the next step, the Job Bank registration. See below:

Go to Job Bank's website and register. Note that my Job Bank and Express Entry profiles are linked together. How did I know? I confirmed this with a co-forumer in Canada Visa forum. If it states in your Express Entry profile that Job Bank Registration is accepted, then they are as good as being linked together. My MyCIC Account now shows:

Application/Profile Status: Open
Province/Territory Nomination: No nomination at this time
Job Bank Registration: Accepted
Review of Minimum Entry Criteria: Met
ITA Status: No invitation at this time
Review of submitted documents: blank
Federal Skilled Worker: Met
Provincial Nominee Program: Not Met
Canadian Express Class: Not Met
Federal Skilled Trades: Not Met
Overall Score: 313 x x x

Then the waiting game for Invitation to Apply (ITA) starts after finally meeting the basic requirements and registrations with Express Entry and Job Bank websites.

IELTS Timeline and Report

In my opinion, taking the IELTS exam is the most difficult part of the 2015 EE FSWP. 

Imagine consuming 1 month to review not to mention all the stress and panic mode I have to deal with especially that I am the nervous type of person. Oh, and did I not remind you it is worth Php8,900.00. That is a big amount! Hah, at least I can share to you that I passed my IELTS exam on my first try after all my crying moments, LOL.

I took my speaking module test on the 27th of May 2015 at Salustiana D Ty Tower, Makati City. My interviewer is a Chinese woman with a very good accent.:) I was amazed by how she speaks and was intimidated actually, LOL. But she is very nice, thank you Lord. She was actually guiding me in the interview especially when I stop talking for a second or two. I mean, she will continue to ask question so I will have to continue talking. I think in speaking test, what they really like is for the IELTS taker to just talk and talk in the 11-15 minutes time frame. Note that your speaking test are recorded and this will be sent to IDP Australia for further evaluation.

The listening, reading and writing modules were all scheduled on the 30th May 2015 at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Makati City. Please bring your jacket when taking your exam because you will really shiver not in nervousness but in the full blast aircon of the hotel.

I really felt bad in my exam day. In my listening test, I have a hearing problem on my left ear. I called IDP Philippines Makati and informed them about it but I was too late to call them. They required me to provide a medical certificate but my doctor is in Baguio City so I cannot provide them with it for only 5 days left before my exam. As predicted, and since I practiced using a headphone, I did not hear the passages clearly because the speaker is located at the left side and I at the second to the last row of more or less 500 IELTS test takers. What I did, I turned my chair and myself facing my co-test taker and my right ear fronting the speaker. Problem solved. Good thing, no one confronted me.:) Bad thing, I already missed some of the passages.:(

In Reading module, on the other hand, I thanked Father God that the composition of our exam is mostly the fill-in the blank type. During my practice tests, I really got confused with the true-false-not given/yes-no-not given sections of the reading module. Also, the multiple choice, funny, but yes, I have troubles with the a,b,c,d choices.:) And guessing an answer is not an option for me but is the right thing to do when you does not know the answer. It is a must for test taker to never leave a number without an answer to it. Guess the answer, it might give you an additional point.:)

Writing module? Well, I am a blogger, in my work I usually do writing, so I really felt bad with my score. So the tip here is practice writing not less than 150 words in Section 1-Letter composition and 250 words in Section 2-Essay. Why? Because I failed to reach 250 words in my essay just when I thought I am done. I counted my essay 10 minutes or less out of the 60 minutes time frame and I failed to reach it. Minus points to me.:(

Done with the IELTS exam but the waiting game for the results of it made me a crazy freak. I know it is not normal but I really wanted to pass my IELTS and advance to the next stage of our EE FSWP. I even cry out praying to our Father God that He passed me on my IELTS exam. Who does not want to pass? Who wants to pay another fee of Php8,900.00? Certainly not me so praying is really my greatest weapon here.

During our exam, IDP Philippines Makati announces that we can view the result of our exam after 13 days here. But after 13 days, 13 June 2015 to be exact, or the day after that and the day after it, no result has ever popped out in said website. Imagine the agony I again encountered. I was crying to my husband. Oh, I know I am very emotional, I know I am not alone.:)

On the 16th day of June 2015, my husband woke me up at 5:30 AM with a big smile on his face and with a cellphone on his hand. Hahaha, I know from that smile I passed my IELTS exam and I was right. The results are there showing me the following: Listening - 6.0, Reading - 8.5, Writing - 6.0, Speaking - 7.0 and an Overall Band Score of 7.0. Thank you, Lord.

So, when I went to Makati to work, I also went to IDP Philippines Makati to pick up the original copy of my IELTS Report Form as shown below.

Finally, as I have said in my previous post: practice, time yourself and pray. That is the formula of passing your IELTS exam.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Another basic requirement for the 2015 Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program is the language ability. It is also a must to take a language test before applying to the EE FSWP as stated in the CIC website and I quote:

Language ability

You must:

• meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, and
• take a language test approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that shows you meet the level for speaking, listening, reading and writing.

You must show that you meet the requirements in English or French by including the test results when you complete your Express Entry profile. Your test results must not be more than two years old on the day you apply for permanent residence.

The language test to be taken as approved by CIC are either a (1) CELPIP or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, (2) IELTS or International English Language Testing System, or (3) TEF or Test d'evaluation de francais (proof of French language skills.

I, as the Principal Applicant, is required to take an IELTS test. IELTS has two options for its reading and writing tests: General Training" and "Academic Training". For the 2015 EE FSWP, we must take the "General Training" option and must meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7. It means that for each 4 module (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing), we must have a minimum band score of 6 which is equivalent to CLB 7. You are not allowed to go on with your Express Entry if and when you scored even a 5.5 band score in 1 of the 4 module. Bad news is, you have to re-take it.

There are 2 test centers in the Philippines, British Council and IDP Philippines. I took the services of IDP Philippines Makati as it is near my workplace. I first registered in IDP Philippines website and booked my test on the 30th day of May 2015 which will give me approximately 1 month to review. After registering and booking online on 4 May 2015, I went personally to IDP Makati to pay my General IELTS test in the amount of Php8,900.00 through credit card.

IDP Philippines Makati has given me a free booklet of IELTS reviewer plus an activation code with Macmillan Practice Online website where I can have a free access of General IELTS reviewer. I did not, however, used the reviewer after I activated it because I believe I need to review by doing an actual practice tests.

As suggested in P2C forum, where I am a member, I downloaded Cambridge IELTS 1 to 10 practice tests, with audio and answer. You have to be friends with my good friend Google if you want to download said reviewers, if you know what I mean.:) I printed each booklet not knowing that all has an Academic Reading and Writing Tests, LOL.

Cambridge IELTS 1 to 10 are good sources of your practice tests. I also recommend anyone to use this especially if you are doing your review on your own. Answers to each practice test are provided on the last pages of each Cambridge booklets so you can actually check your score after each exam.

Don't forget to practice everyday and time yourself in each module. What I did? First week, I practice on listening module. I use a headphone in all my practice but in the actual test they use surround speakers and no headphones. Note that you have to score a minimum of 23 out of 40 to reach an overall band score of 6 for listening module.

Second week, I did reading module practice tests. In the Cambridge booklets, they only have 2 each for general reading and writing practice tests so you have to download additional practice tests. I encountered problem reaching a minimum score of 30 out of 40 in my reading practice. I actually panicked during those times because unlike listening, I only have to score 23/40 to get a band score of 6. In reading, you need to score 30/40 to pass the band score requirement of 6.

Third week, I did listening and reading modules alternately. In listening module, there are 4 sections which you will answer in 30 minutes. Listen carefully because the recording will only be played once. After which, you are only given 10 minutes to transfer your answer in the answer sheet. In reading module, on the other hand, there are 3 sections which are answerable in 60 minutes. Note, however, that you have to answer directly on your answer sheet because there is no time given for transferring answers.

In the final week, first 2 days, I practiced on writing module. In writing module, there are 2 sections. First and second sections are always in a letter and essay type, respectively, when it is a General IELTS Training exam. First section, letter part, is at 20 minutes only and in the essay part is 40 minutes. A total of 60 minutes. I do not know how writing and speaking modules are being scored so I cannot share it here.

In the last remaining days, except the day before my scheduled test, I practiced listening, reading and writing modules all at the same time. I believe we have to rest on the last day before the exam to at least clear our minds and be ready on the exam date. I did not practice my speaking test. I just put into my mind that I will pass the test for as long as I can communicate and express myself in English.

So practice, practice and practice and, also, time yourselves but most of all, pray and ask guidance from our Father God. Below is your guide in practicing so you will know your score after each practice tests.

P.S. I will try my very best to upload the downloaded Cambridge 1-10 in my blog.

ECA Report Timeline and Result

This is a continuation of my blog post on Educational Credential Assessment. This post will deal on the processing side, tracking of couriers and the result of my ECA report.

On 30 April 2015, I went home to Baguio City to request for my original transcript of record with my school. It felt good to finally visit my alma mater, Saint Louis University, after 15 years.:) I went directly to the Registrar's Office and I am overwhelmed that they actually know what ECA, WES and Canadian Immigration so I do not have problem explaining this and that to them. They even ask me for the form from WES, the International Transcript Request, to which I gladly handed it to them. My school signed Letter B of the form below and send the same to WES along with my original TOR.

Sadly, it will take them 15 days to process my request so I went on to pay the amount of Php1,455.00 for the express mail service. Much cheaper than going back from Manila to Baguio City and vice versa. ETA to reach WES is on 22 June 2015.

After processing my TOR in Baguio City. I went home to Manila and on 4 May 2015, I sealed the photocopy of my diploma with my WES Reference No. written at the back of the paper and on the envelope. I paid the service of LBC for an international courier fee of Php1,330.00. My personal ETA guess to which it will reach WES is on 11 May 2015 but it only took 3 days (7 May 2015) for LBC to deliver my diploma to WES as shown by the series of my tracking results below. WES also confirmed receiving my initial document on 8 May 2015 through my account in their website.

Now, with regards to my school, I actually forgot to ask the name of the registrar officer and her contact number. I asked my friend Google for the website of SLU, luckily an email address in the registrar's office is available. So, I emailed the registrar hoping they will reply and they did. Happy me. SLU confirmed sending my original TOR to WES on 11 May 2015 or a processing of 7 working days inclusive of Saturday. Thus, my personal ETA guess to reach WES is on 18 May 2015 but it took Canada Post to deliver my TOR for 8 working days or on 21 May 2015 as shown by the tracking results below. WES, however, did not acknowledge receiving my final document but changes my married name to my maiden name so it was safe concluding that they have actually received my TOR.

I am not done yet with the tracking and waiting game because, as per WES website, I have another 20 days to wait for them to finish evaluating my school credentials, LOL. The good news is that I received an email from them on 8 June 2015 or 12 business days saying that they have completed their evaluation and that based on my school credentials (diploma and TOR) for a four-year Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Banking and Finance in Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines, the Canadian Equivalent of which is a Bachelor's Degree of three years (same as my initial evaluation). I received the original copy of my ECA report through UPS on 18 June 2015 as shown below.

I am done with one basic requirement but I need another important requirement to be able to lodge my express entry profile with CIC, the result of my IELTS.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

One of the basic requirement for the 2015 Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program is their education. For foreign applicant, it is a must to secure an ECA before applying to the EE FSWP as stated in the CIC website and I quote:

Education

You must have: x x x

• an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by CIC. [The report must show your foreign education is equal to a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.]

This ECA report is only given by the designated organizations approved by CIC as follows: (1) Comparative Education Service - University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies; (2) International Credential Assessment Service of Canada; (3) World Education Services (WES); (4) Medical Council of Canada (professional body for Doctors); and (5) Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for Pharmacists).

I signed up with No. 3, WES. Why WES? My friend Google told me that WES is a new organization and that it caters the cheapest and fastest assessment of school credentials. Thus, I went on to WES website and tried on their free degree equivalency tool here. I followed the steps as instructed and I got an initial Canadian equivalency result of Bachelor's Degree three years for my four-year course of Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Banking and Finance.

Thus, on 23 April 2015, I registered and paid the services of WES for my school credential assessment. I paid the following WES services through credit card to make the transaction faster and easier. The conversion rate with Citibank at the time I paid WES is at CAD$36.125 or the amount of Php11,634.06. I opted for international courier because as per my co-forumers in P2C, regular mail's will take 2-3 months or even longer to reach an applicant.

Then WES gave me a reference number and a downloadable International Transcript Request which I have to fill up and sign before sending it to my school. WES required documents are stated below which are self-explanatory.

Finally, my husband and I's journey to our Canada dream started when I paid for my ECA. Every applicant needs this before making an Express Entry Profile with the CIC. I was the only one who applied for ECA because I am the Principal Applicant but if you have again the "extra money" you can always have your spouse's school credentials evaluated for additional points in the Express Entry.

With Or Without Consultant: Your Choice

Did we get the service of a consultant after getting a free assessment on 20 April 2015?

Honestly, we do not have a liquid cash to cover our settlement fund at the time we did the assessment. That is why we did actually opted to get their service because of PMS' promise to lend us the amount of Php700,000.00 (rounded), the settlement fund required for a family of 2. Great isn't it but wait until you actually get the breakdown of our expenses once we hire a consultant under their premium plan. Here is the breakdown:

PMS' professional fees alone are a headache as detailed above. These professional fees by PMS are separate from the government fees required by the Federal Government of Canada once an Invitation to Apply is received. It is also separate from the expenses to be incurred in getting the basic requirements in the Express Entry, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Thus, in 22 April 2015, after reading forums, which my friend Google gave me, in Pinoy to Canada (P2C) website and Canada Visa website plus a Pinoy Blog from fellow forum member in P2C, my husband and I decided not to get the service of PMS and just process and apply on our own.

Below is a comparative breakdown of expenses, with a consultant and/or the do it your own, we made showing expenses incurred and to be incurred:

Please note that the actual amounts above are based on our actual experience being that we engaged the free assessment of PMS. Moreover, we are not here to discredit a consultant's services but just showing how to be practical in our application for permanent residence in Canada because this entails a lot of money. Of course, anyone can always get a consultant provided you have extra money to pay them. In our case, we do not have. If ever we have extra money, we might as well use them for other expenses we might incur in the future.