MM2C Podcast by Ben Alagnam

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31 July 2014

Years of Work Experience, How to Compute?

One of the eligibility factors for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) in Canada 2014 is the Work Experience.  For some, it is a little bit confusing on how to define the number of years of work experience.

This is the frequently asked questions from my email Subscribers:

"What are the occupations that I should include in my years of work experience?"

What Are the Skill Levels 
In the application requirements, it states that your work experience for the past ten years should be in the Skill Type 0 , Skill Level A or B of the NOC 2011 list.

Here are the definition of each skills:

  • Skill Type 0 - These are from the Management Occupations and starts with a code number "0"
  • Skill Level A - Occupations that usually require university educations.
  • Skills Level B -  These are the occupations that usually requires college education or apprenticeship training.

Don't worry, I have found an easy resource for you to verify your work experience.  It is the National Occupational Classification Matrix 2011.

This will be your guide to know whether your previous occupation can be included in the years of your work experience. Click the photo...



How To Compare Your Occupation with the NOC 2011?
This time, you've probably determined the NOC Code of your occupations that was at the NOC Matrix 2011.

Now, the next thing you do is to use that NOC code and verify if the main duties or also called as the Job Description (JD) at the NOC 2011 is the same with that of your current or previous occupations.


You can click on this link, NOC Quick Search, to visit the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada website.

At the bottom-left part of the site, you can find the Quick Search box.  Please see the reference photo below.

Source: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 

Key in the NOC code and it will redirect to the list of the main duties of that particular code.

Example: I am an Engineer. If I had experienced working as a Librarian for a year, for the past 10 years of my working career, then I can include 1 year for my Work Experience because this job is at the Skill Level A, according to the NOC Matrix 2011.
The NOC code of Librarian is 5111.  I keyed in 5111 at the Quick Search box and it showed this. 

Then I need to provide the Certificate of Employment (COE), with the same main duties or JD, from my employer, as a proof of my work experience.
Since Librarians are not included in the 50 eligible occupations list, I cannot make it as my Primary eligible occupation.  It will just be supplementary for my years of Work Experience.
Years of Work Experience Computation?
Provided that all occupations had their corresponding COEs. You can list and compute for the number of years of work experience like this.

Primary Occupation:
NOC 2172 Data Base Analyst  - 2 years (included in 50 eligible occupations list)

NOC 2234 (skill level B) Construction Estimator - 11 months (Not included in the computation)
NOC 2234 (skill level B) Assistant Estimator - 4 years
NOC 7251 (skill level B) Plumber - 2 years
NOC 5111 (skill Level A) Librarian - 1 year
NOC 9526 (skill Level C) Mechanical Assembler - 2 years  (Not included in the computation)

Total Work Experience : 9 years

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___________________________________
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.

28 July 2014

Reasons To Evaluate Our Credentials for Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada 2014

In this video, it explains the importance of having our credentials assessed in a Canadian accredited institution like World Education Services (WES).

 WES evaluation is important if you will migrate to Canada, for the following reasons.

  • Employment
  • Higher or Continuing Education
  • Licensure in regulated profession
  • Apprenticeship
  • Immigration

Watch the video for the complete details.
    

Log In to your WES Account

26 July 2014

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.

Back to HomepageUPSFedEx Home

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.

21 July 2014

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.


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)
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)
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
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.

18 July 2014

Which Province In Canada To Live and Settle?

There were questions in my email inbox that I need to address.  Many were asking about it and this is the perfect time to answer those queries.

I took one question from my Me Moving To Canada (MM2C) email subscriber.

"...as to which province you choose and the pros and cons, we will definitely appreciate to receive your inputs." - Faith

First of all,  I will be concentrating on the pros here, which I have some data to provide, because the disadvantages are relative depending on one's perspective.  

In considering the perfect place to settle down, we need to see the following criteria:
  • Adaptability
  • Employment opportunities
  • Education of our children or future clans
  • Health 
These criteria depend on our priorities in life so we need to weigh each factor.  We can have many on the list, but we need to take down the important ones.  Let's discuss it one by one.

Adaptability
At our first application, Canada gives points for our spouse's IELTS, having relatives in Canada, and work experience in Canada.  Let us focus more on relatives in Canada since for me, it is more important.

If we have a relative in Canada, we have a 99% chance to survive in that country.  Once we arrive at the airport, we can consider ourselves blind from the country's culture and environment because we were only relying on Google and advice from acquaintances.

This is where relatives plays an important role for our success in Canada.  They are our eyes, a reliable one, that had seen the beauty and the ugly side of Canada.  

Our relatives can orient us even before we arrive there, advice us what to bring or not, where to find a job and etc...

I have relatives in Canada, specifically in Toronto, such as my sister, cousins, aunt and uncle.  I thank God that I have them as my guide and support.  That is why I chose Toronto, Ontario as the place of destination.

This is the reason why Canada gives points for the Eligibility Factor - Adaptability.  

Employment Opportunity
Job opportunities are everywhere, it depends on your current status and your preferences.  This is one of the difficult topic to discuss because everyone has his own idealism.

Once we land in Canada, keep our Ego to the lowest level because we are only noobs (newbies or newcomer). 

Yes, I'm an Engineer in Philippines and also an Engineer working in Singapore, but I will always  remind myself to wake up, this is Canada.  It's a different country with a new set of rules.

As advised by my relatives, there are a lot of jobs waiting for me, BUT I should not choose first.  The industries there needs a Canadian Experience.  

How to get it? Apply as a newbie employee, such as survival jobs, and eventually look for a job that really fits you.

Maintain your cash flow first to sustain your monthly expenses while waiting for the right job.  If your lucky to get the perfect job once you arrive, please buy me a coffee. :D

To make sure of our employment, lets look at the statistics.

The data table for this graph is located below

Based on the data above, unemployment decreased from 2012 to 2014.  This is a good indication that me and my wife can land a job, 90% chance, in Ontario.

If you want to find the employment statistics at your place of destination, please choose from this link:



Education of Our Children or Future Clan
As we all know, Canada has one of the world's best education system.  

At a 2013 poll survey done by the New Jersey Minority Educational Development (NJMED), Canada ranked the 7th in the world.

There is no doubt that the future of our children will be brighter when they are studying in any province of Canada compared to other countries ranked 8th and above.

Looking at the provincial view inside Canada, which is the best place to have your children educated?

Let's take a look at the ratio of educators to students in each province compared in an 8-year gap (2000/2001 and 2008/2009).  This indicates how our children will be given the most attention in school.

Chart 4: Student-educator ratio, by province and territory, 2000/2001 and 2008/2009

Given with this data, Ontario is still considerable.

From the rankings, one of the Top 20 of World University Rankings 2013-2014 is in Ontario, the University of Toronto.

Health of Our Family
Health is one of the most important status in our family.  That is why we need to see which province is the best health care in terms of value-for-money.
Relative health-care value-for-money, according to the Fraser Institute (zero to 10, 10 being the best)
Quebec — 10
Ontario — 7.43
New Brunswick — 5.87
Nova Scotia — 4.73
B.C. — 4.12
Manitoba — 3.66
Alberta — 3.35
Saskatchewan — 1.17
P.E.I. — 0.48
Newfoundland and Labrador — 0
Source: National Post
Ontario is ranked the second for the best value-for-money in terms of healthcare in Canada.

The above reasons are just supplemental data for me to decide on Toronto as my place of destination.  

The most important factor for me is staying near with my relatives and family, given that being inside Canada itself is already the best place to live in, always at one of the Top of the World's Best.

*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.

16 July 2014

Passport Submission at Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC) Experience

Now is the start of my preparation for my Moving to Canada or shall I say Migrate to Canada.

After receiving the Visa Approval letter from the Canadian Embassy in Manila, I was instructed to submit the required documents to the High Commission of Canada in Singapore.  

It's a bit confusing at my part because the Canadian Embassy in Manila has been processing my documents and medicals, but as for the submission of passports, they handed it over to the High Commission of Canada in Singapore.

Anyway, it's their rules and I should just follow it.  I was instructed to prepare the following documents.
  • Original Passports for me and all my accompanying dependents
  • Appendix A - a tabular form that was included in the letter, which I need to indicate all our passport details and other information.
  • Photos (2) pieces passport size - this is specified in the Appendix B, which is also included in the letter.
  • Although the letter itself was not included in the list, better bring it along.  They need it.
I was given 30 days to submit the requirements or else my application will be refused.

Where I Submitted the Required Documents?
It was a perfect timing when I went to Philippines for a vacation because I was given an opportunity to get the passports of my dependents and our photos.

The letter states that I need to submit all the required documents at the Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC). So, I researched the center's location in Singapore. I got these information:


Canada Visa Application Center

20 Cecil St.
#11-02 to 05 Equity Plaza
Singapore 049705



My Experience at the Canada Visa Application Center
Lucky enough that I was given a free time and a chance to go to the Canada Visa Application Center (CVAC).

The night before that, I prepared all the required documents to avoid panic on the next day of submission.

As instructed on the letter, I did the following:
  • Organized the passports according to age (principal appicant to my youngest son).  Removed the plastic covers, left it bare.
  • Placed 2 photos inside a small envelope for each of the dependents and labeled with the details below.  I have a total of 4 envelopes.
Application Number
Name of the Photo Owner
  • Filled up the appendix A and placed the following information at the top left most part of the document.
Name of Applicant
Application Number
Return Address
Contact Number/s
  • Inserted all the documents inside a big envelope for easy handling to CVAC. 
The next day, I prepared the things as early as I can.  Took the MRT GREEN line and alighted at Raffles Place MRT Station.

I followed the way to EXIT E, which is going to the Equity Plaza building.  This is how it looks like standing outside the exit.

Way to Equity Plaza Building
I crossed the D'almeida St. heading to the brown building.  The Equity Plaza is at the next building.

Walked the isle heading to Equity Plaza
I walked pass through the isle going to the Equity Plaza building and saw this entrance.

Entrance of Equity Plaza
 At the right side of the building, there's a small entrance leading to the lobby.

Equity Plaza Building (Canada Visa Application Center) Lobby

At the lobby, the guard asked for my Identification Card (IC) for their recording.  Then he pressed the button to open the gate.

I proceeded to the 11th floor and found few people at the entrance.  The guard at the entrance instructed me to turn off the cellphone and checked my body with a metal detector.  Then he gave me a queuing number.

I went into a small room, labeled VFS Canada Visa Application Center.  There are only two counters because of the room size.

The lady called my number and asked me about my purpose.  After telling her the reason, she instructed me to produce all the documents and asked me to wait for a while.

After 5 minutes, she stamped stickers on each passports and the letter.  Then she asked me to pay for the 4 passports and also offered me if I prefer to collect personally or use the service of a courier.

They also have an SMS service where they will inform the customer about the status of the passport though text message.

For me, I'd rather collect it personally to avoid conflict of time at my house and at least the passports are secured at their premises.

I did not avail of the SMS service since I can check the status online.

Each passport costs SGD32.85.  So I paid a total of S$131.40 for the four of us.  The lady informed me that the process takes 3-5 days if no problem arises.  The whole process took around 30 minutes to finish.

This is it, I need to prepare for our airline tickets.  Follow me by checking my blog from time to time.  I will post the status of each procedures until I reach Canada.

Is the blog useful to you? 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


12 July 2014

VISA APPROVED for Federal Skilled Worker Canada: My Experience

Let me record this date so I can’t forget it for the rest of my life.  

On 10 July, 2014, at exactly 12 months since the submission of my Full Application to Canada and a day before my son’s birthday, is the one of the most celebrated day of my life! 

For my son TOM,
This is the best birthday gift that I will give you and your Kuya that will change your future.

Someday, when you start to read and digest sentences, you’ll be able to understand why your Dad had to be working in Singapore, away from all of you. 
Read this story and the rest of the blog because all of these are for you and your Kuya. 
- Dad
How I Got the Good News?
The smell of durian was all over inside the MRT, it was from the plastic bag carried by one of the tourist.  He doesn’t know that bringing durian inside the MRT is prohibited and he could be penalized for doing that.

This reminded me of Geylang, where you can eat durians 3 for $10. 

My luggage weighed 10.35kg and I’m sure that they won’t bother to fine me for this extra 0.35kg.  To make sure, I carried my laptop bag at my back and placed some things at my jacket.

At the check-in counter, I placed my handcarried luggage at the weighing scale.  As usual, without check-in baggage.  Then, the booking lady handed me my boarding pass with an isle seat, which I’ve requested beforehand.

The immigration was full of passengers queuing at each counter.  It was not a problem for me since I can pass through using the automatic immigration clearance machine for Long Term Pass holders.

Inside the Terminal 2, I bought the Bee Cheng Hiang "bak kwa"" for my sons.  They love it a lot.

At the second floor of the Terminal 2, I found a Subway outlet and bought a vegetable patty sandwich.  It caused me SGD6.90.  Ate it while on my way to the gate.

I sat down and set my phone to tethering mode /hot spot so I can access the internet with my laptop.  

Feeling full and comfortable, I opened my laptop to see the latest news at my FB account and posted at my www.benalagnam.com website a new post.  


Then, I wondered if what was in my Yahoo mail account.  Logged in with my user name and my password and pressed Enter.

The browser displayed the latest emails in Bold letters and one of them was the news that came from the sender MANILImMIGRATION@....

At this moment, I knew that there will be tears or a smile once I opened this email.  Took a deep breath with a closed eyes, then I clicked on to the message.

My eyes don’t know where to start reading as I’m looking for the word Approved or Regret.

Then, I read the words:

“Dear Applicant,

Please find the attached letter for your application for permanent residence.”...

My heart starts to pound to the heart rate that I usually don’t feel.  Another breath of air to my lungs with a slight contraction from my stomach.

I scrolled down and opened the attachment with my name labelled on it, hovered and clicked the mouse to open the document.

Then a letter appeared from a shocked and focused eyes with the following words.

Dear BEN ALAGNAM:

This refers to your application for permanent residence in Canada. We are now ready to issue your immigration visa(s).

Your visa(s) will be valid for your initial entry to Canada until (mm/dd/yy).

In order to complete the process, you must submit all of the following:”…..

The moment I read the words READY TO ISSUE YOUR IMMIGRATION VISA, I stopped reading the letter and looked up to the ceiling, felt the air-conditioned room inside the boarding gate.  

The sound of the television, screening the football game of Argentina vs Netherlands, was passing through both of my eardrums.

Stilled looking up the ceiling, I closed my eyes and whispered slowly “Thank you Lord”, while hands uncontrollably trembling.  

One of the best feeling that happened to me since my wife told me her sweet YES.
________________________________________ 
If you are touched by this post, please tick the LIKE button below.  Your questions are welcomed at the comment below or at the ASK ME section of this blog.


Any personal message to me, you can send me an email at benalagnam@yahoo.com

09 July 2014

How to Check the Application Status in ECAS for FSW Canada?

After sending the complete application to Nova Scotia, Canada, I waited for 3 months to receive an acknowledgement letter from the Centralized Intake Office in Canada.

The letter simply stated that they have received my application and it is now subject for review.  That means, another letter will be sent to me if my application is eligible for further processing.

At that stage, I was given the Immigration Application number.  This number is important because it is used for transacting with the embassy.  Any email correspondence should indicate this number and also for checking the updates of my application.

In order for me to know the status of my application,  I usually visit the ECAS update at the official website of Canada.  This makes the immigration application number comes in handy.

How to Check the Application Process Using ECAS?
ECAS is short for Electronic Client Application Status and is used to track the application status of an FSW Canada applicant online.

The first step is to go to the ECAS Canadian website and key-in all the information.  For your convenience, I'll give you a brief instruction on what to expect when you get there.

Please take note that you need to have the FSW Canada Immigration Application to access the site.

At the provided link , this will prompt you the the following screen:

  • You need to select the category of your application at the drop-down menu and choose Permanent Residence Outside Canada and click SUBMIT.

  • Then, another menu will appear with another question on which category of permanent residence, you will choose Federal Skilled Worker, then click Submit.

  • At the next page, you need to scroll down to see and click the Check Application Status button.

  • Once you pressed the button, it will take a few seconds, around 6 seconds, to open a new page.  This time, you have to tick a small box that has under-label of "I have read, understood and agree with the above Terms and Conditions." and click Continue.

  • At the next page, you need to key in some important information and the Immigration Application Number provided. Key in or choose the following;
    • Identification Type: Immigration File Number / Application Number
    • Identification Number: key in your Immigration Application Number, this will be hidden as dotted characters for protection.
    • Surname
    • Date of Birth (follow the format as indicated)
    • Place of Birth
  • Press Continue
You can now view the status of your application and it looks like this.

I hope that this can help you with 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.

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.

04 July 2014

Why CANADA and Not AUSTRALIA?

One of my reader requested me to explain why I wanted to immigrate to Canada instead of Australia.  She wanted to know so she can decide where to apply.

The request came from Ms. X.L..  (If you read this post, please let me know if you want to put your full name or leave it as is so I can edit it for you).

My FSW Canada Application History?
Now, this is my chance to explain the advantages and to defend the future country of my son, my grandchildren and great grandchildren. "Hopefully"!

First of all, I want to give you a brief history of my Federal Skilled Worker in Canada application that started since 2003.

During that time, the only relatives that were living there are my cousins and aunt.  They were not close to me but we have already met each other in some occasions in the Philippines.

It was clear to my mind that my goal is to be in Canada no matter what.  Australia was never in my list.

The reason is that, every time my relatives visit us in Philippines, they always say something good about Canada.  It's obvious in their reactions and expressions that they were happy in that country and the way they convince us are all genuine.

Their faces looks happy and fresh, and the way they speak in English are Superb, that was me listening when I was in secondary/high school.

Since then, I had set my goal, to be in that country when I grow up.

Fast forward to 2002, my aunt and relatives were still encouraging me to go there but my dilemma is that I don't have enough money to show to the immigration officers and my work experience is not enough to be in their workforce.

I waited for the time that I can send my full application until 2003.  I hired an agent (another story) that delayed my documents due to the vast amounts of demands of revisions.

This is due to the changes of the agency manpower, they keep on re-assigning the document controllers.  One day, you will be surprised that the one in-charge on your documents has resigned.

It took me 4 years to complete all my documents until the new FSW rules, which is the Simplified Application Process, was implemented on 2007.

Because of my experience since 2003 and the research that I made, I considered myself as an expert in this field.  This time, I helped my sister to apply for FSW Canada and my brother in law's cousin' Spouse Sponsorhip application.  They were then approved within a year.

I was happy but confused. I'm the first to apply for this program, but still left waiting for it.  What was in me that Canada doesn't want?

When I submitted the new SAP application, I thought that my application will be faster this time, but all were in vain, they stopped my application by returning my processing fee on 2012, because Canada set a new rules on 2008. What the....!!!

The waiting never stopped until 2013 when I submitted my application and is now waiting for the approval of my VISA! (Hopefully!!!)

Why Did I Chose Canada?
As based on my story, my relatives are there ahead of me and I have someone to lean on to.  This is the primary reason why I chose to be in Canada rather than in Australia.

But, I was not contented about it.  I want to know the future of my family and soon to be my clan.  Then I asked few people about the advantages and searched some of it online.

Let's go and have look at the facts that I've gathered and let's review it one by one...

EDUCATION
On 2012, the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA),  had done an assessment from 510,000 participating students in 34 OECD member countries and 31 partner countries.  The main focus was particularly in Mathematics.  This is the result.

PISA2012forOECDMemberCountries

Canada was ahead of Australia from all categories.  This made Canada an advantage for my children's education.

Another is the Literacy Rate Rank out of 215 countries:
Canada - #32
Australia - #36

ECONOMY- Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
This is one indicator to measure the health of the country's economy.

CANADA vs. AUSTRALIA


As seen at the table above, CANADA is doing pretty good on their economy against Australia since the year 2010.

Canada's economy is healthier than Australia and is a good indicator that my children will have a greater future for the next 3 years in Canada than in Australia.

Credit Ratings:
In general, a credit rating is used by sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and other investors to gauge the credit worthiness of a country, thus having a big impact on the country's borrowing costs.

Canada's Credit rating (TE Rating) on 2014 is higher than Australia.
CANADA - 98.06
AUSTRALIA - 96.54


PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE
CANADA - 29%

AUSTRALIA - 45%


The personal income tax in Australia is way to high for me and my children to pay.  This made Canada an advantage to work with, their government and labor force.

ENVIRONMENT
We need our children to inhale the sweet smell of flowers and the clean fresh air.

So, we need to know which country is cleaner than the other, we will compare the CO2 Emissions per Capita in metric tons.

Canada - 15.23 Metric Tons
Australia - 18.37 Metric Tons

How Powerful Is Your Passport
Canada ranked 170 ahead of Australia, 167, on how powerful the passport in the case of gaining Visa from other countries.

Source from Movehub
World Passport Power


CONCLUSION
Please do take note that this consolidated data are for your information only.  You can seek for other data that you want.

As for my conclusion and own opinion,  Canada is better to live than Australia.  This is the country where I want to bring my wife and my children to study, work, and live for the rest of our lives.

That is why I chose Canada as my destination.

I hope that this can help you with your application.  If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.

DECIDED TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA?
If you really are decided to immigrate to Australia and was not convinced on the above comparison, you can start your application now.

You might as well prepare yourself with Australia's way of life and browse job sites to know more about the workforce they have in there.  Here's one job site that may help you with that.

Australia Job Site

___________________________________
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.

02 July 2014

Singapore Police and NBI Clearance Not Included in the Full Application

What if your full application for the Federal Skilled Worker in Canada are ready but you don't have the Singapore Police and the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances yet?

At the Checklist IMM5612 item # 18 of FSW Canada, it clearly states that it is recommended to send the police clearance or certificates together with the full application, but if the applicant cannot obtain all the necessary documents, the full application can still be sent to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) without them.  The said document can be sent once requested.

The police certificates are generally considered valid for 1 year only from the date of issuance. If expired, you need to produce a new copy.

The problem is that we don't know when Canada will send us the letter to update our documents or request us to send our medical exam.  

What I Did with my Singapore and Philippines Police Clearance?
During my 2007 application, it took me 5 years to receive a letter from Canada, not a positive one, but it's a letter to return my application. 

My application was not rejected or denied.  The reason was that the Canadian government had decided to return all applications that was received before 2008.  They also returned the processing fees, which confirmed that all my hardships and 5 years of waiting were just a piece of paper thrown in a bin. 

Because of the situation, I always assume that Canada will reply to my future applications one year or more later.

Assuming that Canada will reply to me at a later date,  I made sure that my police certificates were up to date as soon as I send it to them.

I did not send the NBI of my wife and my Singapore Police clearance together with my full application.  Instead, I wrote a letter to the CIO that my Singapore and Philippines' police clearance will be submitted once I received the request letter from them.

If you want a copy of my request letter to CIO, you can email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com or simply click this link to request.  The recommended email address is Gmail, because Yahoo email will sometimes bounce back.

___________________________________
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.
Ben Alagnam - MeMovingToCanada