Confused!!! Express entry - language test and what it gets you

[bairn7]

Hi all

I'm thoroughly confused as to the Express Entry system. I have read through the CIC website and just would like to get a few things clear in my mind.

First of all, I would like to apply for permanent residency so this is my ultimate goal. I am a UK citizen and Chartered Accountant and would be hoping to obtain an accountancy job in Canada. I do not have my heart set on any particular province at the moment.

My first question is...English is my native language. I presume that in spite of this, I am still required to take an English language test? If this is the case, I would intend to take CELPIP. I would hope that my test scores will be high!!

The main area that I am having difficulty understanding is what a high test score will give me in terms of PR chances. On the assumption that my language, education and experience points will be relatively high, what then are the chances of a PR being offered? Is it a just a small percentage of applicants? I just can't find a good summary of the points weightings and the chances flowing from these.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks all

 

[Lammawitch]

In a nutshell, it's the total number of points that count. There's no weighting, for particular skills/experience etc.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/index.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/employers/express-entry-presentation-briefing.asp

 

[asdf-1234+]

Hi all

I'm thoroughly confused as to the Express Entry system. I have read through the CIC website and just would like to get a few things clear in my mind.

First of all, I would like to apply for permanent residency so this is my ultimate goal. I am a UK citizen and Chartered Accountant and would be hoping to obtain an accountancy job in Canada. I do not have my heart set on any particular province at the moment.

My first question is...English is my native language. I presume that in spite of this, I am still required to take an English language test? If this is the case, I would intend to take CELPIP. I would hope that my test scores will be high!!

The main area that I am having difficulty understanding is what a high test score will give me in terms of PR chances. On the assumption that my language, education and experience points will be relatively high, what then are the chances of a PR being offered? Is it a just a small percentage of applicants? I just can't find a good summary of the points weightings and the chances flowing from these.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks all

I would think if you're applying under EE, without an LMIA/LMO or PNP, you would not have 600 points, then your chances of getting invited to apply for PR is low like the rest of us. We're just waiting for CIC to lower their minimum score so people without LMIA/LMO PNP can be invited, and without LMIA/LMO or PNP your maximum score will only be 600. Right now their minimum score is 808

 

[YamPower]

I'm a native English speaker and I did very well on the IELTS (9.0 on Reading and 8.5 on Listening, Speaking & Writing). But I know other native speakers who got poor/average scores though I believe that may be because they didn't prepare for the test.

For you to maximise your points you want to earn Canadian Language Benchmark 10 for each of the 4 sections. For CELPIP, that's a 10 in each section and for IELTS that means getting 8.5 in Listening, 8.0 in Reading and 7.5 each in Writing and Speaking. That will give the full marks for Language and good marks in Skills Transferability (depending on your years of work experience and education level).

In terms of PR changes, the language ability is crucial to good points. Of course the higher the points, the better your chances. Start preparing for the test so you can see what you're up against.

 

[bairn7]

Thanks all for the replies. I've looked further into the drawings of EE so far. Using a general online calculator (and assuming I get full marks for the English test) my score will be around 440 which I think is decent. Obviously a job offer will be required at present also, and I'm making some applications, but hopefully the 800+ requirement will come down.

It's a catch-22 at present - I'm more likely to be offered a job if I have PR, but I'm more likely to get PR if I have a job offer!!!

TWO FINAL QUESTIONS! that I can't seem to find the answer to...

1. I have a law degree so am basing my points on a professional degree for a regulated profession. I assume this is correct. However, I am not actually looking to practice law in Canada (I'm a qualified lawyer but also a chartered accountant due to a career change). Presumably this won't be an issue in terms of points?

2. In terms of work experience, I have had 3 years as a Lawyer and 4.5 years as an accountant. The checker on the CIC website specifically seems to suggest that work experience only counts for one profession...is this true? The extra 3 years experience as a Lawyer would bump up my points a bit I'm sure.

Thanks all. I'll continue to lurk...

 

[aspiringme]

I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE MOST APPROPRIATE NOC FOR A PERSON WORKING AS AN ACCOUNTANT. I HAVE A B.COM DEGREE AND MBA WITH MAJOR FINANCE. HOWEVER, I AM NOT A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT NOR I HAVE ANY CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT COURSE. IF I CONSIDER TO APPLY UNDER NOC 1111, THE EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT OF THAT NOC CATEGORICALLY STATES ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS HAVING COMPLETED CERTIFIED COURSES CAN BE ELIGIBLE UNDER NOC 1111 OR THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS. THEREFORE, I SEEK THE GUIDANCE FROM THE FORUM TO HELP ME IN FINDING THE MOST APPROPRIATE NOC WHICH MATCHES MY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AS AN ACCOUNTANT. JUST TO ADD TO THE ABOVE I AM WORKING AS AN ACCOUNTANT FOR THE PAST MORE THAN 2 YEARS IN A PRIVATE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND MY JOB DUTIES INVOLVE e.g. FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS, TDS RETURNS, KEEPING FINANCIAL RECORDS OF BANKS/FIRMS, SUPERVISING ARTICLING STUDENTS AND OTHERS SUCH TASKS.

KINDLY GUIDE.
THANKS

 

[YamPower]

Thanks all for the replies. I've looked further into the drawings of EE so far. Using a general online calculator (and assuming I get full marks for the English test) my score will be around 440 which I think is decent. Obviously a job offer will be required at present also, and I'm making some applications, but hopefully the 800+ requirement will come down.

It's a catch-22 at present - I'm more likely to be offered a job if I have PR, but I'm more likely to get PR if I have a job offer!!!

TWO FINAL QUESTIONS! that I can't seem to find the answer to...

1. I have a law degree so am basing my points on a professional degree for a regulated profession. I assume this is correct. However, I am not actually looking to practice law in Canada (I'm a qualified lawyer but also a chartered accountant due to a career change). Presumably this won't be an issue in terms of points?

2. In terms of work experience, I have had 3 years as a Lawyer and 4.5 years as an accountant. The checker on the CIC website specifically seems to suggest that work experience only counts for one profession...is this true? The extra 3 years experience as a Lawyer would bump up my points a bit I'm sure.

Thanks all. I'll continue to lurk...

The good thing about your case is that you have 3+ years in both professions so you should be able to max out the points for work experience +CLB 9 (50) but if you only have one degree then you'd get 25 points for the education + CLB 9.

And yes you get the 126/135 points for having a professional degree (Law, medicine etc).

 

[YamPower]

I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE MOST APPROPRIATE NOC FOR A PERSON WORKING AS AN ACCOUNTANT. I HAVE A B.COM DEGREE AND MBA WITH MAJOR FINANCE. HOWEVER, I AM NOT A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT NOR I HAVE ANY CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT COURSE. IF I CONSIDER TO APPLY UNDER NOC 1111, THE EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT OF THAT NOC CATEGORICALLY STATES ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS HAVING COMPLETED CERTIFIED COURSES CAN BE ELIGIBLE UNDER NOC 1111 OR THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS. THEREFORE, I SEEK THE GUIDANCE FROM THE FORUM TO HELP ME IN FINDING THE MOST APPROPRIATE NOC WHICH MATCHES MY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AS AN ACCOUNTANT. JUST TO ADD TO THE ABOVE I AM WORKING AS AN ACCOUNTANT FOR THE PAST MORE THAN 2 YEARS IN A PRIVATE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND MY JOB DUTIES INVOLVE e.g. FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS, TDS RETURNS, KEEPING FINANCIAL RECORDS OF BANKS/FIRMS, SUPERVISING ARTICLING STUDENTS AND OTHERS SUCH TASKS.

KINDLY GUIDE.
THANKS

So basically you'd need ACCA or CPA (or something similar) to claim NOC 1111?

Do you have any other work experience or can you claim to be NOC 1311 that doesn't have the certification requirement and then do the courses in Canada.

You have to remember that you'll have to work you way back up. I know a Financial Accountant who moved to Canada from here (Jamaica) and he had to take a junior role before he could get back up to the level at which he worked here.

 

[aspiringme]

So basically you'd need ACCA or CPA (or something similar) to claim NOC 1111?

Do you have any other work experience or can you claim to be NOC 1311 that doesn't have the certification requirement and then do the courses in Canada.

You have to remember that you'll have to work you way back up. I know a Financial Accountant who moved to Canada from here (Jamaica) and he had to take a junior role before he could get back up to the level at which he worked here.

Thanks YamPower for your reply.
Even I am thinking of applying under the NOC 1311 that you have suggested. As the duties and education requirements are matching my profile. Is there any other NOC you can think of which closely matches my job profile/education background? Further, Plz suggest what would be the title if I were to apply under NOC 1311. Does that also need to match with the example titles for NOC 1311 on HRSDC website? Does the NOC code have to be of Skill type 0 or skill level A or skill level B? Is that a requirement that applicants have to comply with?

 

[YamPower]

Thanks YamPower for your reply.
Even I am thinking of applying under the NOC 1311 that you have suggested. As the duties and education requirements are matching my profile. Is there any other NOC you can think of which closely matches my job profile/education background? Further, Plz suggest what would be the title if I were to apply under NOC 1311. Does that also need to match with the example titles for NOC 1311 on HRSDC website? Does the NOC code have to be of Skill type 0 or skill level A or skill level B? Is that a requirement that applicants have to comply with?

I don't think there's another accounting NOC. And, to be honest, it's unlikely that you will get an accountant position. You'll probably have to get a junior position and work your way up while doing the provincial certification required. Hey, as long as there's food on your table.