POST DIVIDED IN THREE PARTS
PART 1
Folks
This is a lesson learnt/best practices post. There are loads of stuff I have gained while applying for my PR under FSW through Express Entry – and practically whatever issues/concerns I ever had were answered by this forum itself. I didn’t have to resort to any consultant for the same. So if you have a straight forward case (no prior rejections, no criminal cases, clean medicals), I seriously advise to do the application all by yourself. Some of the points mentioned below shall be pretty obvious for some of you – but not for others.
Download the folder structure – this will come handy.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ruDiCdp6vKNLobcyDWVQwQEsoFt_dEn3
(click the DOWNLOAD ALL button to download the folder to your machine)
A) Pre ITA: The goal is to have an accurate ‘Express Entry’ profile created before the ITA is received – so that the ‘Permanent Residence’ application created (automatically, post ITA) doesn’t differ much from the EE Profile. The reason being – such deviations between the two profiles are usually visible to the visa accessing officer/agent and may lead to unnecessary flagging or delayed application process.
· Ensure that you select the primary NOC code that you can defend – in most of the cases, the applicant (you) will have to give a draft letter to the Personnel Office/HR – so ensure that you select a NOC code for which the job duties shall be approved without question/concerns.
· If you have had a change of language scores post Enquiry of Result, do ensure to update the Test Score Card number, the result date and the latest scores. Always make sure that the CRS score is inline with your own calculation. Discrepancy, if any, is almost always due to some mistake from your end. CIC’s system is as such pretty accurate.
· If you aren’t claiming any points for your Spouses Work Ex, you may very well ignore filling the same in the profile – such experiences should be covered in personal experience section.
B) Post ITA - NOC Letters:
Have good confidence on the NOC code you select. Ensure that you understand the rules clearly. You need to select a Primary NOC on which your immigration application shall be based on. Even if the Personnel department have their own format, you need to ensure that the letter covers each of the component: Your Name (as mentioned in the EE Profile), Date of Joining, Date of Leaving, Designation, Salary drawn, Hours worked per week, Job Description (this should include ALL of the lead statement and at least 50-60% of the main duties – check the rule). So if you have an opportunity to give the HR department a draft, first run the draft with a trusted friend or spouse to give the letter an unbiased look. Also ensure that you check the Education Qualification required – and if you are over or under qualified for the NOC, do ensure to cover this in the LOE.
Don’t assume that the HR or your Ex- Manager will not issue the letter – people are generally good in nature and if you give them reason for the letter, they will relent. I practically assumed the same for quite some time and was planning to give a self-declaration – but then on spouse’s insistence I started communicating with my ex-organisations – and voila! Remember that a letter from HR or your manager is much stronger than a self-declaration.
In case the letter is issued with any of the elements not mentioned – cover the same in LOE. Also make sure that you attach the offer letter, joining letter, salary slips, IT Returns. FORM 16, relieving letters etc that you have (search your email, you will get some of this). The more document you submit, the stronger your case will be.
Basically put yourself in the shoe of an analyst – you need to convince yourself first that the proofs you are giving doesn’t leave any doubt in the mind of analyst. For example, in case the word ‘Full Time’ isn’t mentioned, ensure that you put a link of labour law from the country of experience to substantiate that full time work ex implies 8-9 hours per day. Agents and Officers are used to go through voluminous data, and so if you feel that a document will add even 1% value to your case, do no hesitate to include the same in the necessary section. Always remember that the onus to provide the required document is with you - so if a sub-standard document is provided by the HR, it is your application which is getting affected. Be accountable.
C) Proof of Funds:
The best Proof of Funds you can give is to show the funds in your Bank Account. Don’t show any Stocks/Mutual Funds (Debt/Equity), Pension Funds etc. They aren’t valid. If you plan on showing Fixed Deposit – liquidate the monies to your savings account and then get the balance confirmation. You are free to Fixed Deposit the next day you receive the AOR.
Do send them 6 months – 12 months bank statements for all the saving account that you have. Explain all the high value transaction in the POF Section itself (for ex: if you sold some stocks/mutual funds to show an POF, mention the same in a letter in POF section and show them the contract note and the DP holding statement for the last 6-8 months to assure them that the stocks or mutual fund belonged to you all these while). I repeat, show only funds in Savings Bank Account and Explain ALL high value transactions.
If the bank letter hasn’t converted the funds to CAD, you mention the same in POF section that the converted value is CAD ___ as on YYYY_MM_DD based on the exchange rate taken from ____.ca on this date.
If you aren’t able to show proof that you do not have any outstanding loans, mention in your POF section that I have declared all operational Bank Accounts and that since there are no EMIs getting deducted, there isn’t any outstanding loan.
Make sure that the bank account is in your name only. If it is jointly held, even with your spouse, attach a signed declaration for the same. Better – reach an internal arrangement and strike her/his name off before getting the balance confirmation letter from your bank/financial institution.
There have been so many cases of FDs being sent for extra reviews – which leads to unnecessary delays. Avoid FDs at all cost. 1-2 months of Interest lost in FD isn’t a significant amount.
Attach a bank stamped summary of your operational credit card – write in LOE or POF that the outstanding amounts are general day to day expenses and will be cleared before the next billing cycle. Highlight the fact that there are no Finance Charges on the credit card.
If you have an outstanding loan, show the principal and interest outstanding – and show how you plan to clear the same.
Keep around CAD 2-3k extra if possible in the bank account. You do not want the currency fluctuation impact your application.
PART 1
Folks
This is a lesson learnt/best practices post. There are loads of stuff I have gained while applying for my PR under FSW through Express Entry – and practically whatever issues/concerns I ever had were answered by this forum itself. I didn’t have to resort to any consultant for the same. So if you have a straight forward case (no prior rejections, no criminal cases, clean medicals), I seriously advise to do the application all by yourself. Some of the points mentioned below shall be pretty obvious for some of you – but not for others.
Download the folder structure – this will come handy.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ruDiCdp6vKNLobcyDWVQwQEsoFt_dEn3
(click the DOWNLOAD ALL button to download the folder to your machine)
A) Pre ITA: The goal is to have an accurate ‘Express Entry’ profile created before the ITA is received – so that the ‘Permanent Residence’ application created (automatically, post ITA) doesn’t differ much from the EE Profile. The reason being – such deviations between the two profiles are usually visible to the visa accessing officer/agent and may lead to unnecessary flagging or delayed application process.
· Ensure that you select the primary NOC code that you can defend – in most of the cases, the applicant (you) will have to give a draft letter to the Personnel Office/HR – so ensure that you select a NOC code for which the job duties shall be approved without question/concerns.
· If you have had a change of language scores post Enquiry of Result, do ensure to update the Test Score Card number, the result date and the latest scores. Always make sure that the CRS score is inline with your own calculation. Discrepancy, if any, is almost always due to some mistake from your end. CIC’s system is as such pretty accurate.
· If you aren’t claiming any points for your Spouses Work Ex, you may very well ignore filling the same in the profile – such experiences should be covered in personal experience section.
B) Post ITA - NOC Letters:
Have good confidence on the NOC code you select. Ensure that you understand the rules clearly. You need to select a Primary NOC on which your immigration application shall be based on. Even if the Personnel department have their own format, you need to ensure that the letter covers each of the component: Your Name (as mentioned in the EE Profile), Date of Joining, Date of Leaving, Designation, Salary drawn, Hours worked per week, Job Description (this should include ALL of the lead statement and at least 50-60% of the main duties – check the rule). So if you have an opportunity to give the HR department a draft, first run the draft with a trusted friend or spouse to give the letter an unbiased look. Also ensure that you check the Education Qualification required – and if you are over or under qualified for the NOC, do ensure to cover this in the LOE.
Don’t assume that the HR or your Ex- Manager will not issue the letter – people are generally good in nature and if you give them reason for the letter, they will relent. I practically assumed the same for quite some time and was planning to give a self-declaration – but then on spouse’s insistence I started communicating with my ex-organisations – and voila! Remember that a letter from HR or your manager is much stronger than a self-declaration.
In case the letter is issued with any of the elements not mentioned – cover the same in LOE. Also make sure that you attach the offer letter, joining letter, salary slips, IT Returns. FORM 16, relieving letters etc that you have (search your email, you will get some of this). The more document you submit, the stronger your case will be.
Basically put yourself in the shoe of an analyst – you need to convince yourself first that the proofs you are giving doesn’t leave any doubt in the mind of analyst. For example, in case the word ‘Full Time’ isn’t mentioned, ensure that you put a link of labour law from the country of experience to substantiate that full time work ex implies 8-9 hours per day. Agents and Officers are used to go through voluminous data, and so if you feel that a document will add even 1% value to your case, do no hesitate to include the same in the necessary section. Always remember that the onus to provide the required document is with you - so if a sub-standard document is provided by the HR, it is your application which is getting affected. Be accountable.
C) Proof of Funds:
The best Proof of Funds you can give is to show the funds in your Bank Account. Don’t show any Stocks/Mutual Funds (Debt/Equity), Pension Funds etc. They aren’t valid. If you plan on showing Fixed Deposit – liquidate the monies to your savings account and then get the balance confirmation. You are free to Fixed Deposit the next day you receive the AOR.
Do send them 6 months – 12 months bank statements for all the saving account that you have. Explain all the high value transaction in the POF Section itself (for ex: if you sold some stocks/mutual funds to show an POF, mention the same in a letter in POF section and show them the contract note and the DP holding statement for the last 6-8 months to assure them that the stocks or mutual fund belonged to you all these while). I repeat, show only funds in Savings Bank Account and Explain ALL high value transactions.
If the bank letter hasn’t converted the funds to CAD, you mention the same in POF section that the converted value is CAD ___ as on YYYY_MM_DD based on the exchange rate taken from ____.ca on this date.
If you aren’t able to show proof that you do not have any outstanding loans, mention in your POF section that I have declared all operational Bank Accounts and that since there are no EMIs getting deducted, there isn’t any outstanding loan.
Make sure that the bank account is in your name only. If it is jointly held, even with your spouse, attach a signed declaration for the same. Better – reach an internal arrangement and strike her/his name off before getting the balance confirmation letter from your bank/financial institution.
There have been so many cases of FDs being sent for extra reviews – which leads to unnecessary delays. Avoid FDs at all cost. 1-2 months of Interest lost in FD isn’t a significant amount.
Attach a bank stamped summary of your operational credit card – write in LOE or POF that the outstanding amounts are general day to day expenses and will be cleared before the next billing cycle. Highlight the fact that there are no Finance Charges on the credit card.
If you have an outstanding loan, show the principal and interest outstanding – and show how you plan to clear the same.
Keep around CAD 2-3k extra if possible in the bank account. You do not want the currency fluctuation impact your application.
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