Positive Vibes, No More Bitterness

Okay, so I admit I have been bitter for the past days when everyone in Canada Visa Forum is getting an ITA except me. Oh, I cried especially that I am under Second Priority too. Please don't be pissed with me. Just understand why I really wanted this ITA from NB PNP, it has always indicated in my previous blogs.

Anyway, just a recap, I have sent my EOI on 11 August 2015 to NB PNP with NOC 1242. You will see in my last post the NOC Code that were so lucky to have been given an ITA from NB. And, I have to put it here that the demand NOCs for NB PNP are as follows:

Table 1: Given the large number of EOI received so far, we will accept applications from professionals with experience in the following occupations:

• - Information technology: programmers, analysts, technical customer support, sales
• - Business analysts
• - Retail trade managers
• - Hospitality managers, chefs with formal professional education
• - Manufacturing managers
• - Industrial mechanics
• - Industrial electricians
• - Bookkeepers
• - Translators (English-French)
• - Financials analysts and accountants (certified in Canada) [See Here]

Thus, I actually planned to change my NOC but my dilemma comes in getting the maximum score of work experience in NB PNPs EOI. I have asked my co-forumers: genuinelyjenny and fjd2011 about it. Both of them received ITAs. fjd2011, has already sent his application and has received an AOR from NB PNP since he is from June applicant. According to him, he has a consolidated work experience from different NOCs. Amazing, isn't it? So, I can change my NOC. That is my Plan B. I will change my NOC and submit another EOI in September. I am doing NOC 1242 and NOC 1311 in my present work with a 4 years experience and NOC 1242 in my previous job for 8 years. With this, I can still get the maximum score of 15 points in the Work Experience category of NB PNPs EOI.

I told this plan to, Sandip13, a co-forumer from India. Both our NOCs are not in the priority of NB PNP. He, however, told me that he just received ITA last 21 August 2015 after calling NB PNP. He advised me to not change my NOC but instead call NB PNP first to follow up on my EOI.

Thus, on the night of 24 August 2015 at 9:45 PM, after coming home from a vacation, I called right away NB PNP. It is also 24 August 2015 in NB but at 9:45 AM. I dialed PLDT 108, an International Operator Assistance in the Philippines. I was debating in my mind which number to call in NB. Is it the General Information or call directly Sir Jake? Sir Jake is one of the speakers who conducted Information Session here in Makati City last 17 July 2015. So, General Information's Number is (506) 453-3981. Same number as the Administrative Assistant of Population Growth Division. I opted to give the PLDT Operator the number above since in our country, there is a hierarchy in everything. Receptionist first then Secretary then the boss. However, the PLDT Operator asked me whom I am calling. Oh, my bad, I only know the full name of Sir Jake so I do not have any other recourse but to tell Sir Jake's complete name.

I am really expecting that the PLDT Operator will pass to me the call once she dialed the number I gave her but no, LOL. Once the other line answered, the PLDT Operator says: "This is a long distance call from the Philippines for Mr. Jake A___." Oh my, I don't think I can talk directly to a boss especially he is from Canada. Then the Administrative Assistant says: "Okay, hold on." That is the time the PLDT Operator pass the conversation to me and directly to Sir Jake. LOL, I was so tense because this cannot be done in the Philippines.

Then came the voice of Sir Jake. I am in the height of panicking, praying he will not get offended because I called but then I said: "Good morning, Sir Jake. I am calling from the Philippines to follow up on my application." What comes next brought my blood pressure down, LOL. He said: "Oh, okay shoot." Imagine. I am really amazed because I have been doing Secretarial work for the past 10 years and talking directly to a senior officer or to the boss is a no, no, especially if through a telephone call.

Anyway, Sir Jake really answered my question. He even look unto their database to find my name and NOC. I told him I attended an Information Session which I know it is recorded on their database. He told me to give them time since I only send my EOI on 10 August (11 August in the Philippines) and usually they send out ITAs 2-3 weeks after receiving an application. He even asked me what is NOC 1242 and I told him it is a Legal Administrative Assistant profession. He can say directly to me that it is not in their demand NOCs but he really chooses the right word maybe for me not to take it negatively. He said: "As of the moment, we are still sending ITAs to different NOC but rest assured that we will prioritize those who attended an Information Session." There, all the bitterness I felt in the past days slowly fade away. In addition, he told me to wait until the end of August for an invitation. If and when I did not hear from them, he advised me to send another EOI until such time they send ITAs under my NOC code.

Since this is my chance to ask regarding the work experience category, I asked Sir Jake how to get the maximum score in it. He says: "It doesn't matter what NOC you have for as long as you have a continuous work experience for the last 10 years then you will get the maximum score. Just be sure to provide proof of your jobs." I am elated with this good news especially talking to someone from NB. At least I got the right answer.

So there, positive vibes only no more bitterness. Our time to get ITA will come through God's grace.

My Opinion on EE and PNP

Dreaming to land in Canada with a permanent resident visa entails too much patience, hope and faith. It is not easy and it requires a lot of time.

After doing the initial ECA and IELTS requirements for almost 2 months or exactly 54 days, I have finally registered with the EE pool and Job Bank. To date, while I am writing this post, we are know on 60 days waiting period or exactly 2 months after entering the EE pool. It seems to me that this part is like forever especially when having a low CRS score. Job Bank is still not working which is not helping in the whole process of the 2015 EE FSWP.

I opted a shot with the PNP, particularly in the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. However, this too, the PNP, is not as easy as I thought it is. In EE pool, an applicant should have a high IELTS , CLB 8 or the close to perfect score CLB 9, to help boost your CRS score. Additionally, having a diploma in a good school in your country is a plus factor which will give an applicant a good score on education. And, don't forget the age. Yes, I believe it is a factor too because an applicant will have a higher score having an age 30 and below. These three factors increases an applicant's chances to getting the golden ITA from CIC. The lowest so far in the CIC draws is at 451 CRS point. See, so it is not beneficial for EE applicants, like us, who are in the 300-400 CRS points but of course we are not losing hope that the scores will go down. Afterall, we are not CIC to guess.

Here comes my dilemma with the PNP side. I believe, not I think but I believe, that Canada's respective provinces PNP programs are more keen on an applicant's score and connection plus taking into consideration his or her NOC. Unlike in EE pool, we get invited because of our score regardless of what NOC we have. In PNP, they consider an applicant's NOC as a factor before giving out their golden ITA. Based on my experience and observation,  the NOC's that are considered to be a priority are those in the Engineering, Information Technology and Programmer professions. Regulated professions and other administrative professions, like in my case, is having difficulty in accepting an ITA. Take for example in the provinces of Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, if you visit their websites and check on their PNP, I believe you will agree on me on this particular NOC factor.

I am saying this because I have sent my EOI in PEI PNP in 2 June 2015. Based on Canada Visa forum, PEI government has already sent ITAs to NOC 3012 (Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse), NOC 2174 (Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers) and NOC 2281 (Computer Network Technicians). So far, these NOCs are the ones listed on my list. On the other hand, I also sent my EOI in NB PNP on the following dates (1) 2 June 2015, (2) 23 July 2015 after attending an information session with the Government of NB, and (3) 11 August 2015. However, based on my list and that of Canada Visa forum, the following professions are NBs priority and to which they already issued ITAs: NOC 2173 (Software Engineers and Designers), NOC 2182 (User Support Technicians), NOC 2171 (Information Systems Analysts and Consultants), NOC 2132 (Mechanical Engineers), NOC 2281 (Computer Network Technicians), NOC 2134 (Chemical Engineers), NOC 2174 (Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers), NOC 4161 (Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers), NOC 1122 (Professional Occupations in Business Management Consulting), and NOC 0125 (Other Business Services Managers).

So there, we are a little disappointed especially on NB PNP because we really wanted to land in this province. Yeah, some or most of the applicants wanted bigger cities and provinces in Canada, like Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, but as much as possible we wanted a smaller province, like in New Brunswick, that is conducive to work, family and, of course, to TTC couples like us, all in one place. I am done with bigger cities. We have seen the place and did a research about it through my friend google and in the Information Session we have attended last 17 July 2015. Nevertheless, and as I have said earlier, we are not losing hope that, just maybe, NB PNP is just sending out first ITAs to applicants that are on their top profession priority lists and soon they will be sending ITAs to other professions that are not in their demand lists. And yes, NB PNP is still not capped so for now we pray and hope for the best. Also, wait and pray until CRS scores go down towards the last quarter of this year.

Honestly, waiting really disgusts me too much because we have been waiting for almost 7 years now to have a baby and the waiting game for ITA or PNP is like starting the process all over again with our TTC. You can say I am running out of patience but no it is just tearing me apart psychologically, emotionally and mentally. It does not matter explaining my side here because, for sure, you will not understand it. 

Anyway, moving forward, my husband and I needs a lot of positive minds and hearts. We know we will get through it. God has brought us to this Canada immigration thing, we believe He will bring us through it.

Documents Checklist

Pursuing our Canada dream for our little R entails so much documentation, processing, payments and so on. Thus, as soon as we decided to pursue our Canada dream in April 2015, we started gathering our papers in preparation for PNP or ITA. Yeah, that is how positive we are because we needed this one chance for little R. Thus, setting our minds and hearts to it and believing that, through God's grace, nothing is impossible in making our dream into reality solely for little R.

I ask my friend google what are the documents we should prepare while we are still starting, registering, applying and still waiting for PNP or ITA and it course me to this link. This is a pdf file provided by CIC containing Document Checklist for Permanent Residence - Federal Skilled Worker Class which falls under IMM 5612 (10-2014) E. I do not know if this is the latest checklist but just the same we prepared our documents based on it. If and when there are still documents we missed out then at least we can provide them without the rush. The Document Checklist contains 7 pages so let us deal with it per page.

Page 1 of 7

Page 1 is merely an introduction with important guidelines as to collating and documenting your documents.

Page 2 of 7

Page 2 mainly contains the Forms List needed to be filled out by an applicant. I did downloaded and saved IMM 0008, IMM 5669, IMM 0008DEP, IMM 5562, IMM 0008-Schedule 3, IMM 5406, IMM 5406 and IMM 5476 for the purpose of answering them but I did not do it. I tried but I stopped, LOL. Too much information, too many questions to answer and it is causing me headache, LOL. It is true so I will just do it next time. I really have to so I will just copy it when ITA comes.:)

Comes now the Documents List No. 8, Travel Documents and Passports, also in Page 2. It says there: "Include only copies of pages showing: (1) the passport number; (2) date of issue and expiry; (3) the photo, name, date and place birth; and (4) pages showing any amendments in name, date of birth, expiration, etc." I believe I only have to scan (for clearer output) and print the first page of my passport and that of my husband since it says "copies only". I have yet to read if it is inclusive of those pages showing our travels abroad.

Page 3 of 7

Page 3 shows Proof of Admission which is not applicable to us. No. 9 Proof of Language Proficiency, original copy. So, I have to send the original copy of my IELTS result to CIC. Nos. 10 (Letter of Attestation or Official Transcripts - for PhD) and 11 (Arranged Employment) are both not applicable to us.

Page 4 of 7

Page 4 at No. 12, Work Experience through Letter of Reference from my employers for the last 10 years, either past or present. I have read that I can either get a Letter of Reference or a Certificate of Employment (COE) which is okay for as long as it is a detailed one as stated above. I am the principal applicant and my NOC is at 1242. At first, I was having problem getting a COE with my past employer, FTC, since they only issued to me a pro forma COE in April 2015. Another problem is that I am under FTCs payroll but were actually assigned to the group's legal department, OGC-LTGC. Worse, FTC told me that they have a change in management so they cannot give in to my request. Thus, I executed an Affidavit attaching therein my payslips, ITRs, IDs, etc. to attest that I have worked with FTC seconded to OGC-LTGC under NOC 1242. I intend to submit this, if ever, to CIC but  I realized it is too bulky. So, I again tried to request for a detailed COE through the help of an officer of the group. Luckily, the officer-in-charge signed my COE but to the extent only of my position, number of hours work, salary and to where I was assigned. This COE is way better than the first one they issued. What I did next is I contacted and requested one of our Senior Counsel of OGC-LTGC to sign my detailed COE which I sent to him via email. Without second thought, my former boss signed my COE minus the salary. So, for my past employer for 8 years, I will have two COEs. I already have a Letter of Reference with my present employer for 4 years under the same NOC. Problem solve with No. 12. Thus, we will be sending "copies only" of my work experience with CIC.

At No. 13 also of Page 4, Canadian Educational Credential or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report. It says I have to send the original copy of my ECA report along with proof of the foreign educational credentials as proof of my education. I have to ask my co-forumers if the diploma and transcript of record (TOR) must be both original or certified. Oh, and I need to request for a copy of my TOR with my school because the one they send to WES is a new version of TOR, that is with picture attached to it. I have an original TOR with me given in year 2000 but to prevent any delays in the future I believe I need to get a new original TOR with my school.

Page 5 of 7

Page 5 at No. 14, Proof of Relationship in Canada is not applicable to us. At No. 15, Settlement Funds, I have to make another post for this category but we do have a Settlement Funds as provided in the Proof of Funds in CIC website. At No. 16, Identity and Civil Status Documents, we already have original copies of our birth certificates and marriage certificate. I have yet to know if we miss something like a document showing the change of my maiden name to my husband's surname.

Page 6 of 7

Page 6 at No. 17, Children's Information. Well, not applicable to us.:( At No. 18, Police Certificates and Clearances. I have read that, in our country, an NBI clearance will do. However, if you are in another country you need to obtain a police certificate from that country plus an NBI clearance here in the Philippines. We already have an NBI clearance and we need to submit an "original copy". At No. 19, Photo Requirements. We will do this once we receive ITA. At No. 20, Fee Payment. I still have to do a lot of reading on this category since I know there are two Government Fees we need to pay: (1) Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) at CAD$490; and (2) Filing Fee (FF) at CAD$550. Total RPRF of CAD$980 and a total FF of CAD$1,100 for me and my husband. We intend to pay the RPRF through my credit card and the FF through bank draft or money order. We will deal with this in ITA stage.

Page 7 of 7

Lastly, Page 7 at No. 21, Mailing Your Application, LOL. We will come to this point. I know we will. For now we wait and be prepared. Good vibes only because we believe God will provide.