Hi! I'm writing this post to serve as reference for others who would like to follow what I did for our Canadian Permanent Residence (PR) application. These are my first-hand experiences and personal suggestions and you are more than welcome to ask clarifications and/or deviate from the steps I undertook should you feel that it does not apply to you. This does not mean that if you follow all the steps I iterated here, will warrant you a positive result. The final decision will still be based on individual circumstances, plus a lot of faith.
So these are the steps that we took which I will also provide some detail.
1. I checked my eligibility. I used the Come to Canada tool to determine if I was eligible before spending any resources. A language test result is required, so I just made an honest self-assessment of my language skill and used that in the meantime. A credential evaluation is also required. I used the free WES online tool and used the result. I also spent some time identifying my NOC for my work experience. At first, I used my current job title as basis in the selection. This later proved to be the wrong way of doing it, as the correct way is to match the lead statement and the main duties of the NOC rather than the title. Start by looking at the skill type, then by the major group and then the sub-groups. If your NOC falls within Skill 0, A and B in the NOC Matrix, then your work experience is eligible.
2. I ordered a credential evaluation through WES. First I created an account with them. Then, I downloaded the Academic Records Request Form from their website and filled and signed all the required fields. I also photocopied my diploma and together with the form, I sent it to my university's school registrar. I informed them ahead that I was sending them the form and asked that they include in the envelope, the photocopy of my diploma before sealing it.
3. I took my IELTS General Testing exam through IDP. I did not take any preparatory courses for economic reasons and for the fact that there are a lot of free resources in the IDP website, and in the internet. I took some free lessons online to familiarize myself with the flow of the test, the format, and what the answer sheet look like and how to fill it.
4. I created my Express Entry profile in myCIC. I used a Government of Canada credential (GCKey) for my login details. I reviewed the information in my profile that were carried over from the Come to Canada tool. I used my myCIC profile to check my Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, EE profile number and other information.
5. I did not have a valid job offer from a Canadian company, so I registered with Job Bank in order to activate my profile. I used my EE profile number and the Job Seeker validation code from message in my myCIC profile.
6. My CRS was only 328 points, and the minimum CRS points that were invited was 450 points. There were several options to increase my score. One was to look for an employer who will give me a valid job offer. I did send resumes and cover letters to a couple of companies, but I did not get an offer from any of them. The next logical option was to apply for provincial nomination. I sent my Expression of Interest (EOI) to Prince Edwards Island (PEI) but did not get anything back from them. Then came the New Brunswick (NB) Information Sessions. I attended one of the sessions and found out in the session that attending the session was one requirement in the province's provincial nomination program under their NB Express Entry Labour Market Stream (NBEELMS).
7. I sent my application to the NBPNP and after having been nominated and accepted the nomination, my CRS score was then 938 points. The following day, a draw of the Invitation To Apply (ITA) for PR in CIC happened and I received my ITA on that same day. The rest is history.
There is already a blog for the NBPNP application and the PR application in CIC. I used the blog by PJ as my guide. She has done a pretty good job at covering everything and providing detail every step of the way. Here is the link to her blog.
Should you have any other questions not answered on this blog or on the blog I referenced, feel free to shoot me an e-mail at od.barr@gmail.com. I will try and respond to them in a timely manner.
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