Age: 47
Application: SDS paper based (no agent) at VFS Manila
SP Application date: 26 September 2018
SP Approval date: 31 October 2018
DLI: Durham College (Oshawa campus)
Timeline:
2017 Sept - Applied directly at Durham College for 2018 Sept intake
2017 Nov - IELTS exam
2017 Dec - IELTS result (overall 7.5: L 8, R 6.5, W 7, S 7.5)
2018 March- Submitted my transcripts to Durham College
2018 June - Received unconditional LOA from DC
- Requested DC to defer me to January 2019 intake because I was not confident I would get my SP approved in time.
- Did upfront medical. Required additional sputum test due to slightly hazy xray result.
2018 July - Paid 1 year fee at Durham College
2018 Aug - Transferred CAD$10,200 to Scotia bank. Got my letter of instruction 3 working days later.
2018 Sept - Applied for SP at VFS Manila on 26 Sept. Sputum test result negative.
- Linked my paper application to my GCKey on 28 Sept
2018 Oct - Did follow up xray on 1 Oct. Following day, 2 Oct, GCKey update that medical passed
- Review of eligibility started on 30 Oct
- SP Approved on 31 October
Documents submitted:
- Unconditional LOA from Durham College and conditional LOA from UOIT (DC program transfers to UOIT upon successful completion)
- 1 year fee receipt
- GIC letter of instruction
- Upfront medical form from IOM Manila
- IELTS result
- College and High School transcripts
- COE from previous works as well as all my ITRs since I started working
- IT certifications (C|EH and ITIL v3 Foundation) and certificate of attendance in various IT seminars
- Property documents (I have two properties)
- Letter from my brother-in-law that he will provide me with room and board, together with his valid ID
- Business registration from SEC (I have a tech startup which was duly registered with Philippines SEC as limited partnership)
- Marriage certificate
- NBI clearance
- SOP
- All required forms as per checklist
What I learned based from my experience:
- SP processing time is unpredictable. I got mine after 35 calendar days. But I have a friend who applied non-SDS on 17 Oct and got his approval on 25 Oct.
- SOP key points:
- My background: Took up Aeronautical Engineering in college but work experience for the past 22 years are solid IT (from systems and network administration to software/application development and project management)
- Objective: What I plan to achieve. Why I want to study in Canada
- Why Canada: Less expensive than other countries such as AU, NZ or USA. Great peace and order situation. Multicultural.
- Why Durham College and UOIT: I only applied at DC and UOIT so i was able to highlight their qualities.
- Career progression: How my intended program will help in my future career growth in my home country
- Declaration: that I will abide by all the conditions, rules and regulation of the SP should I be approved. That I intend to finish my program the soonest possible time and go back to my home country. That, should my SP be revoked by IRCC, I will leave Canada immediately.
- No agent/consultant. Everything I need I read from the IRCC/CIC website and Scotia bank website. Anything that is unclear to me, I asked from the forum. There are a lot of veterans here who goes out of their way to answer queries (hats off to all of you guys!)
- Make sure you have the complete documents upon submission. Utilize the checklist.
- For SDS applicants, it doesn't hurt to submit additional financial documents/proofs
- Plan accordingly, do not rush things. Very important to strategize properly. There is plenty of time. If I am able to do it at my age, how much more can younger applicants?
- Finally, YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL!