+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Applying for express entry a masters graduate in Canada with foreign work experience

sphng

Star Member
Jun 5, 2019
121
24
I submitted my application and it got accepted in the Express Entry pool. They gave me a CRS score of 454 but the CRS calculator showed me that I got 497.
Now I just need to wait and see if I get an invitation. Fingers crossed.

Thanks, everyone for their valuable help. Much appreciated.
Now that the system has given you a profile, you can actually go in and look at the points allocation to figure out where your 43 anticipated points went because 454 doesn't sound very promising with the current trend. The cut-off was 473 for the January 8 draw (https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/ray-of-hope-135th-draw.672337).
 

e.john

Member
Jan 11, 2020
16
0
30
NOC Code......
2133
Now that the system has given you a profile, you can actually go in and look at the points allocation to figure out where your 43 anticipated points went because 454 doesn't sound very promising with the current trend. The cut-off was 473 for the January 8 draw (https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/ray-of-hope-135th-draw.672337).
Yeah, it doesn't look promising :(

It seems like the EE system doesn't allocate points for 'Study in Canada' and 'relatives' which is 30 and 15 points respectively. This makes a total loss of 45 points when compared to the CRS calculator tool.

Assuming they only consider your relatives to be siblings which I don't have but an Aunt who is a citizen, I should accumulate at least 483 points.

But the main issue comes down to me not getting those 30 points for my Canadian study. I have double-checked all the data entered for my application and CRS calculator and I can't find any errors.
 

ContactFront

Champion Member
Feb 22, 2017
2,482
707
Yeah, it doesn't look promising :(

It seems like the EE system doesn't allocate points for 'Study in Canada' and 'relatives' which is 30 and 15 points respectively. This makes a total loss of 45 points when compared to the CRS calculator tool.

Assuming they only consider your relatives to be siblings which I don't have but an Aunt who is a citizen, I should accumulate at least 483 points.

But the main issue comes down to me not getting those 30 points for my Canadian study. I have double-checked all the data entered for my application and CRS calculator and I can't find any errors.
You probably didn't answer correctly all the questions on your Canadian degree. Post you answers.
The most common mistake is answer yes to "Was more than half the study program English or French as a 2nd language course"

You don't get additional points for your aunt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: e.john

e.john

Member
Jan 11, 2020
16
0
30
NOC Code......
2133
*Has Eric John finished high school or any higher education (including university, college or vocational training)? (required)
Yes

*Field of study (required)
Science, Applied

*Since what year?
2017 | September

*This is my current study (required)
No

*To (required)
2019 | May > [ The month I completed my program requirements. Should I put the graduation month of November instead? ]

*Complete/full academic years (required)
2

*Full-time/part-time study (required)
Full Time

*Standing at the end of study period (required)
Certificate or diploma or degree awarded

*Country of study (required)
Canada

*Province or territory (required)
Ontario

*City/town of study (required)
Waterloo

*Name of school/institution (required)

University of Waterloo

*Level of education (required)
Master's degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession

*Was Eric John awarded a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate for this period of study? (required)
Yes

*Was this degree, diploma or certificate:



    • from a public post-secondary school, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or CEGEP (in Quebec)
    • from a private post-secondary school that operates under the same rules as public schools
    • a diplôme d'études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) earned through a qualifying study program of at least 900 hours from a private school in Quebec, or
    • a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate degree from a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law. (The student must have been enrolled in a study program that led to a degree as set out by the province.)
(required)
Yes

*What is the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number of the school? (If you don't know it, you can find it on our site.) (required) you can find it on our site.)
O19305471522

*Was more than half the study program English or French as a second language courses? (required)
Yes > [ I just changed this to 'No' and my score got updated to 483 :) ]

*Did Eric John study in Canada based on an award that required them to go back to their home country to apply their knowledge and skills? This includes some awards from Global Affairs Canada. (required)
No
 

sphng

Star Member
Jun 5, 2019
121
24
*Has Eric John finished high school or any higher education (including university, college or vocational training)? (required)
Yes

*Field of study (required)
Science, Applied

*Since what year?
2017 | September

*This is my current study (required)
No

*To (required)
2019 | May > [ The month I completed my program requirements. Should I put the graduation month of November instead? ]

*Complete/full academic years (required)
2

*Full-time/part-time study (required)
Full Time

*Standing at the end of study period (required)
Certificate or diploma or degree awarded

*Country of study (required)
Canada

*Province or territory (required)
Ontario

*City/town of study (required)
Waterloo

*Name of school/institution (required)

University of Waterloo

*Level of education (required)
Master's degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession

*Was Eric John awarded a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate for this period of study? (required)
Yes

*Was this degree, diploma or certificate:



    • from a public post-secondary school, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or CEGEP (in Quebec)
    • from a private post-secondary school that operates under the same rules as public schools
    • a diplôme d'études professionnelles (DEP) or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) earned through a qualifying study program of at least 900 hours from a private school in Quebec, or
    • a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate degree from a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law. (The student must have been enrolled in a study program that led to a degree as set out by the province.)
(required)
Yes

*What is the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number of the school? (If you don't know it, you can find it on our site.) (required) you can find it on our site.)
O19305471522

*Was more than half the study program English or French as a second language courses? (required)
Yes > [ I just changed this to 'No' and my score got updated to 483 :) ]

*Did Eric John study in Canada based on an award that required them to go back to their home country to apply their knowledge and skills? This includes some awards from Global Affairs Canada. (required)
No
Great! 483 is basically a guaranteed ITA. If your courses were ESL or FSL courses, they don't count, so that's why they didn't award you Canadian study points at first.
 

e.john

Member
Jan 11, 2020
16
0
30
NOC Code......
2133
Perfect. Thanks for the help everyone!

One last inquiry regarding the foreign work experience as I want to make sure everything is correct. Please see below

*Primary occupation (4 digit NOC Code) (required)

This means the job Eric John has experience in and wants to base the immigration application on. This is how we will determine your eligibility for federal programs. You will need to know the job title and the NOC for the primary occupation and for any other jobs you add, as well as for any job offer.

2133 - Electrical and Electronics Engineering

*Date Eric John first became qualified to practice in this occupation

If the "primary occupation" is:
  • a qualified trade (four-digit code begins with 632, 633, 72, 73, 82, 92), this is the date they became qualified to practice on their own in Canada. (For example, when they moved from apprentice to being a licensed tradesperson.)
  • any other job, this is the date they first obtained the minimum education or training stated in the NOC description. (Note: if the NOC only states high school, this is the date they graduated.)
sphng - you mentioned earlier that this would be based on the NOC requirement and my NOC states that a bachelor is required. So will putting the graduation date of my bachelor's raise queries with CIC since I only mentioned my Canadian masters for education as my bachelors was not ECA verified.




 

sphng

Star Member
Jun 5, 2019
121
24
sphng - you mentioned earlier that this would be based on the NOC requirement and my NOC states that a bachelor is required. So will putting the graduation date of my bachelor's raise queries with CIC since I only mentioned my Canadian masters for education as my bachelors was not ECA verified.
I'm not sure. I'm actually wondering the same thing myself. I also put my bachelor's graduation date even though I only have an ECA for my master's. From what I could gather, this part is more important for Skilled Trades applicants. For Skilled Workers, we can even put the date we started our first job in the occupation because this date will be reflected in our reference letters.
 

e.john

Member
Jan 11, 2020
16
0
30
NOC Code......
2133
I'm not sure. I'm actually wondering the same thing myself. I also put my bachelor's graduation date even though I only have an ECA for my master's. From what I could gather, this part is more important for Skilled Trades applicants. For Skilled Workers, we can even put the date we started our first job in the occupation because this date will be reflected in our reference letters.
Well hopefully someone can shed some light on this but like you mentioned it might not be important.

Do you think adding a resume as an optional document if I receive an ITA would be useful for clarification purposes? I have heard that CIC asked some people to upload one. I believe a resume would be a perfect way of giving a timeline of your education and work experience.
 

sphng

Star Member
Jun 5, 2019
121
24
Well hopefully someone can shed some light on this but like you mentioned it might not be important.

Do you think adding a resume as an optional document if I receive an ITA would be useful for clarification purposes? I have heard that CIC asked some people to upload one. I believe a resume would be a perfect way of giving a timeline of your education and work experience.
You don't have to upload a CV because you'll already be required to list your education, work history, and personal history when you submit your application. IRCC rarely asks for a CV, and if they do, it will be because they need it for additional security screening.