The Choice was an easy one to make – Canada. Going through experiences, procedures and requirements for the immigration programs for New Zealand, Australia and Canada, Canada was our number one choice. This wasn’t because other programs were ineffective or not well laid out, but they were just too complicated. As a result Canada fared really well in terms of:

• Ease of Application and Documentation.
• Lower overall cost to Applicant.
• Simplicity in attaining all Pre-Requisites.
• Ease of understanding the system.
• Easy planning and execution overall.

Why does everyone opt for easy?

Because complicated is something that no one wants to do. If the basic process in a system is difficult to accomplish, what makes you think the remainder of the process is going to be any different?

What made it the right choice?

For beginners, the platform that Canada has created for all immigrants is simple and straightforward. Information is readily available and you don’t have to jump through hoops, sorry jump through websites to get to the right place. You just go here and…. That’s all.

Secondly, Canada has an option for everyone. Remember I told you about my brothers? Well, we all had our educational and professional streams listed on the Canadian National Occupation Category (NOC) list. What does that mean? You all can go as a family and be together. Now that was not a bad bargain. Having the option of being with family in a new country is a plus point for sustainability. But, majority of the immigrants do come here alone. Either themselves or just their spouses and/or kids. This doesn’t mean that you got a bad bargain, just means that it might take you longer to settle.

Lastly, the timing was right. A decision taken at the right time, at the right place can change your future. This statement is so true. Canada had decided to introduce the Express Entry system in 2015. So…

What did that mean for us? Express Entry

Well you keep on researching on a certain product and all of a sudden that product is obsolete and you have to move on to a different product, how would that make you feel? Change is sometimes difficult. Either you opt-in or get opted-out. I had researched for so long that I didn’t want to research a new system and a new process. This made it imperative for me to step forward and make a move. Remember, the first punch always lands you in the winner’s circle at a bout!

So, we went ahead and applied for Federal Skilled Worker Program in 2014 and were approved as Permanent Residents in a mere few months by 2015.

How did it come to be?

In June 2014 I had decided that I will take my chance and apply for the Permanent Residency status. I didn’t have Harry Potter’s wand or broom to swoosh and get it done or fly out to Canada without needing a visa or status. But I had made a choice and I had to accomplish it. As a result I decided to start the process and complete the application for Permanent Residency under Federal Skilled Worker’s program.

English Language Assessment – IELTS

I had to take an IELTS Test, being a Test Day Supervisor myself, I wasn’t allowed to take an IELTS Test at the same Centre (Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi). This was because everyone knew me including Examiners and colleagues. If I show up for a test, no one would examine me or allow me to sit in the test. Therefore decided to take the test with British Council.

Did I choose not to study?

People said I knew it all, the test, the system, the processes, the ins and outs. No. Why? Working with IELTS doesn’t give you an edge and you are still graded on the language you produce. I did study for two weeks straight in order to score better. I practiced and completed 4 books of Cambridge IELTS for Listening, Reading and Writing and went through multiple sources for IELTS preparation.

Why was I spending so much time on my preparation for IELTS?

Because IELTS scores decided where you stand in the Canadian Immigration pool by applying multipliers. The more you score, the higher up in the pool you are. And this is still a fact for the new Express Entry System. Did I get the desired scores, YES, I overachieved and got the maximum scores to achieve a CLB 10.

What’s Next? Education Credential Assessment (ECA)

Next I had to apply for the assessment of my Educational Credentials. I knew this would be a pain as WES was not taking applications for individuals with Master’s degree from Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto of Sciences and Technology. Why? It wasn’t on their list. I had to apply to ICAS for my ECA. They were taking 3 months to complete your assessment.

Did I Choose not to proceed?

A definite No. I went ahead and applied for the ECA via ICAS. The documents were submitted in July 2014 and they got back to me with the ECA Report by the end of October 2014. The plus point, they had awarded me Master’s degree equivalence which garnered 2^nd highest points in the Immigration application. I received my ECA Report just in time to submit my application within the deadline to be considered under the FSWP category.

The Application

JIT or Just in Time is a terminology I was very familiar as I was running a Logistics and Production Department. Submitting your application Just in Time still meant that I was within the time-frame. My NOC (National Occupation Category) was Purchasing Manager (NOC 0113) as that was the most relevant designation and JD within the Canadian Immigration systems in lieu of my JD and designation. You have to decide your NOC prior to submitting an application. This is still true under the Express Entry (EE) system. Find yours here.

During those times, with the old system, we had to submit paper application with all the necessary application forms and supporting documents. It was a pain just collecting, gathering, harvesting forms and filling them out and compiling them in the necessary format for the case processing agent to asses your application.

Imagine, you couldn’t even staple any of your documents together.

List of Documents:

• Generic Application Form to Canada (IMM 0008)
• Schedule A: Background Declaration (IMM 5669)
• Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)
• Schedule 3: Economic Classes – Federal Skilled Workers (IMM 0008 – Schedule 3)
• Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
• Travel Documents and Passports (Copies)
• Proof of Admission (Copies)
• Proof of Language Proficiency (Original IELTS TRF)
• Work Experience (For Principal Applicant – Specific Format)
• Education Credential Assessment Report (Copies)
• Settlement Funds (Bank Certification Letter) – Readily available funds for Settlement
• Identity and Civil Status Documents (Copies)
• Photo Requirements (6 Photos)
• Fee Payment – Submission of Fee Payment Form (IMM 5620) – Original
• Mailing your Application – To, CIO, Sydney, Nova Scotia

Just listing these down made me huff and puff. Imagine what it would have been like to complete these documents. There were small details in most of the documents and extra documents also had to be compiled.

Did I hire an Immigration Consultant?

No. Why? There is nothing better in an immigration process than to know what is being entered and submitted in your application. You might think, what If I made a mistake? Was there a way of knowing? Yes, I got the documents checked and double checked. Two of my brothers were applying for the Permanent Residence status for Canada as well. They checked my application for errors and I went ahead and checked theirs. It was a good barter. In essence, you need to ensure you don’t make mistakes filling out important documents when applying for any type of visas, immigration status etc. Why? You are held accountable for any misrepresentation in your immigration application.

The Immigration process was easy, hardest part was to compile a all the documents to be submitted under the paper application. This led to an online System known as the Express Entry which made life easier. It was a journey worth taking and applying on my own accord, saved me quite a bit of money and time. Eventually it did save me from the clutches of cheating Immigration Consultants who were taking people’s hard earned money and disappearing.

Well that was some trip down the memory lane.

Did we have problems and follow-ups in the process?

Yes. Nothing can be as simple as Submit and Done. There are always follow-ups and some questions that might need clarifications by the case processing agents.

What were the hurdles faced and the opportunities availed on my Road to Canada? Will talk about it next … stay safe stay hooked … do like my pages on social media for early bird insight on what is coming next … see you!