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26 July 2013

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.

    17 July 2013

    How Relatives Can Help Your FSW Application

    Your relatives in Canada are your life savers once you arrive there.  They are the ones that can help you in case you need support, may it be financially or emotionally. They can also help you with your application for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.

    How Can Relatives Help?
    Canada FSW have a point system where they base the eligibility of the applicant.  This system is composed of different selection factors and one is the Adaptability.

    In the Adaptability factor,  an applicant must have a relative living in Canada who is a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident and 18 years or older.

    Your relative should be one of the following:
    • Grandparent
      • -  The parent of your mother or father
    • Parent
      • -  Your mother or father
    • Spouse
      • -  Your wife or husband
    • Child
      • -  Your son or daughter who is 18 years of age or older
    • Grandchild
      • - Your grandson or granddaughter who is 18 years of age or older
    • Siblings
      • - Your brother or sister who is a child of your parent (mother or father)
    • Uncle or Aunt
      • - The child of your grandmother or grandfather
    • Niece or Nephew
      • - The grandchild of your mother or father

    If you have one of this relative, you can earn a maximum of points.

    What are the Primary Documents Your Relatives Should Provide?
    If your relative is a Permanent Resident, he or she needs to provide one of the following:
    • Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or
    • Confirmation of Permanent Residence or
    • Permanent Residence Card
    If a Canadian Citizen, your relative should provide one of the following:
    • Photo page of the Canadian Passport or
    • Canadian Citizenship Card
    They also need to prove that they are living in Canada,  may include copies such as:
    • Lease Agreements
    • Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (latest)
    • Employment Letter confirming employment
    • First page of monthly bill, telephone bill, etc...
    • Credit card invoices and bank statements
    This should show the full name and address of your relative and must be 6 months old from the date of your application.

    How to Prove that you are Related?
    To show the relationship between you and a relative in Canada, you should provide the applicable document such as:
    Grandparent - Birth Certificate of your grandparent and your father or mother (the child of your grandparent)

    Parent - Birth Certificate of your mother or father

    Spouse - Marriage Certificate

    Child - Birth Certificate or an Adaption certificate (if applicable).

    Grandchild - Birth Certificate of your grandchild and parent (your child).

    Siblings - Birth Certificate that shows your common mother or father's name.

    Uncle and Aunt - Birth Certificate of your Uncle/Aunt and your parent (mother or father, his or her sibling)

    Niece or Nephew - Birth Certificate of your Niece or Nephew and his or her parent (your sibling)

    Where to Send the Documents?
    I have a sister in Canada, she prepared the documents above and sent it through a registered mail. Although it was one of the best way of sending the documents, but I recommend that they can just scan each document in A4 size (jpeg or PDF) and send them through e-mail and print it yourself.

    This is the quick way since Canada only wants the copy as of this moment of your application.  But, in case they ask for the original, the registered mail is quite feasible.

    Aside from being cheaper than the DHL, Fedex or any other courier, sending by registered mail from a Canadian (Canada Post) to a Singaporean (SingPost) post offices are efficient and you can even trace the mail online.

    It took 8 days of the document to arrive from Canada, which is not bad at all since I'm also preparing for some of my other documents.

    The best thing to do now is call your relative about these requirements and ask them to send it to you as soon as possible.

    You can let them read my blog.  If you or they have questions regarding these requirements, please feel free to leave a comment below.

    15 July 2013

    When to Take IELTS for FSW?

    This is just my friendly advice to you, so that one's mistake will only be somebody's lesson...that includes YOU.

    What is the Validity of IELTS?
    IELTS is only valid for two years.  It's enough to say that once you take the exam, the validity time is now ticking.  After two years, your investment will be gone and you need to take another exam with the corresponding fee.

    I took my IELTS last year 2012, knowing that I will submit my application.  But, I was surprised, the job that I was applying for in the Federal Skilled Worker stream was already closed.  I think you feel how I felt at that moment.

    That is why I was hoping that Canada will release a new job listing that will include my current job on 2013.  Now, I got lucky because my current job and its description is eligible for Federal Skilled Worker stream, a perfect fit.

    Recommendation for Taking the IELTS
    This is just one lucky incident, what if my job was not included?  It is just a total waste of time and money because Canada will only release the next rules next year, May 2014.  At that time, my IELTS is already expired.

    My recommendation is that you take the IELTS only as soon as you know that you are eligible with the new rules for the Canadian FSW.  Do not take it in advance.

    06 July 2013

    Things to Consider in Finding a Job in Canada

    Imagine yourself in Canada, but jobless!

    This video will surely be a great help to those immigrants who are just planning to move and those who have just arrived in Canada as well.

    In this video, you will learn how to find a job in a right way.  Of course, once you are jobless like what I experienced in Singapore, money and time are very essential.  

    You don't want to waste your effort on finding a job in a wrong way.   This will help you to be on track by learning the techniques and recommendations on ways to network with people. 


    04 July 2013

    How to Take IELTS in Singapore

    IELTS is one of the requirements for a skilled worker to be eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker(FSW) program in Canada.  This is considered as the measure on how good your English is, the Language Ability.

    What is IELTS?
    IELTS is the International English Language Test System that measures your ability to speak, listen, read, and write in English.

    Based on the score that you get from this test, it has a corresponding points for the FSW program eligibility.  The maximum points you can get for the Language skills is 28 points (24 for English, and 4 for the 2nd language French). The score that you get from the IELTS is what they call the band score.

    There are two options for the reading and writing tests, these are the "General Training" and the "Academic. For the application of FSW, you MUST take the General Training option.
     

    Here is the corresponding points from the IELTS band score to the Canadian points system:

    LB LevelIELTS test results for each abilityPoints
    (per ability)
    SpeakingListeningReadingWriting
    76.06.06.06.04
    86.57.56.56.55
    9 and above7.0 – 9.08.0 – 9.07.0 – 9.07.0 – 9.06
    CLB LevelIELTS test results for each abilityPoints (total)
    SpeakingListeningReadingWriting
    5 and above5.0 – 9.05.0 – 9.04.0 – 9.05.0 – 9.04
    Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca

    Where do I take IELTS in Singapore?
    There are two test centres here in Singapore.  They are the British Council and the IDP Education Pty. Ltd Singapore.  You need to set an appointment to them for the exam and pay the fees first.

    I took my IELTS at the British Council, they also provided me the online reviewer.

    Here are their contact details:

    British Council
    IELTS Administrator
    30 Napier Road
    Singapore 
    258509
    Tel: 65 6470 7148
    Fax: 65 6475 3885
    Email: contact@britishcouncil.org.sg
    Web: http://www.britishcouncil.org.sg/ielts-and-exams/ielts


    IDP Education Pty. LTd Singapore
    IELTS Administrator
    4th Floor, RELC Building
    30 Orange Grove Road
    Singapore
    258352
    Tel: 6736 7025 / 40 / 41
    Fax: 65 67 371 736
    Email: info.singapore@idp.com
    Web:http://www.singapore.idp.com/student_services/examination_services/ielts.aspx


    Do not forget to scan your passport and your Identification Card (IC), this is one of their requirements.  At the future post, I will discuss my experience in taking the IELTS at the British Council.

    Please leave your comment below if you have any questions or clarifications regarding IELTS.

    02 July 2013

    Tracking My Document in DHL Singapore

    At last, I had finished the long preparation of my documents.  This is it!

    Together with my cousin, we went to the nearest Cheers store in Singapore where the DHL drop box is. I had checked the locations of DHL drop station beforehand and found that the nearest is the one in the Cheers inside Jurong Point, Boonlay MRT Station.

    How Much is the Cost of Sending Documents from Singapore to Canada?
    The enclosed document is about 1 inch thick and was placed inside a 9" x 12" white envelope addressed to as instructed by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Here is the complete address:

    Citizenship and Immigration Canada
    49 Dorchester Street
    Sydney, NS
    B1P 5Z2
    Canada

    The Cheers attendant handed me the DHL Express Shipment Waybill form and I filled it up with my information, handed back to him and he then asked me for the payment of S$50.00.

    How to Keep Track on My Documents in DHL Website?
    Got the receipt and so excited to see how it goes.  For me, it's the ultimate goal of my life, to be able to move to Canada.

    The following day, I started to get more and more excited.  I wanted to know where's the location of my documents.  The good thing about sending your document to a courier is that you can track the exact location of your document through online.  This is the benefit of the S$50.00, unlike the "old-fashioned" way...

    I logged in to the DHL Website (www.dhl.com.sg) and looked for the Track DHL Express Shipments.

    The most important thing to do before doing this is that you need to have your waybill number.  This is found at the DHL Express receipt, on top of the barcode (10 digits).  I keyed in the number and found "No Result"...I found out that it was less than 24 hours since I sent it at the Cheers, sorry, I'm just too excited...

    Other locations of DHL in Singapore
    The locations of the DHL service point in Singapore can be found at this link..
    Ben Alagnam - MeMovingToCanada