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EE and Graduate certificate | CRITICAL

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Hello people, (FSW = Federal Skilled Worker EE = Express Entry CRS=Compreh. ranking system)

I am in kind of a corner case situation. I am trying to be as elaborative as possible here. I'd highly appreciate the help offered, and owe you a coffee if I reach a solution to this :/

I am in Toronto doing my graduate certificate at George Brown College for one year right now, and following are my details :

(To avoid the confusion, I state that here I am talking about the six-selection-factors grid of FSW category, and not the express entry points.)

My FSW points are 66/100 (need 67 to pass and be eligible for EE pool). Out of 66, I have 21 points under education category as I only have a Bachelors degree right now. Once my course completes, I intend to get one more point by securing 22 points under "Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equal (at least one must be for a program of at least three years)".

The problem is I keep hearing graduate certificate doesn't give you any point. How true is this ? If not, what options do I have ?

P.S. : (My present points are 66/100 in FSW and 413 in Express Entry points. My plan was to make them 67/100 in FSW and 460 in Express Entry as soon as the course completes. This was according to a thorough calculation by me, on the canada immigration website)

Further details :
The below pic is what FSW six-selection-factors page looks like. i agree that it doesn't mention certificate anywhere, it only lists diploma. (see next comment in this thread for pic)


But the Express Entry page and Come-to-Canada testing tool clearly mentions diploma means a certificate too (refer the image below) ((see next comment in this thread for pic))


Bottomline being, I want the graduate certificate to give me one point in FSW grid so I qualify for Express Entry pool, and apply for PR with 460 CRS points.

Please helpppp!
 
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DelPiero07

VIP Member
Oct 2, 2016
10,388
2,614
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
Important notice: One must be for a program of three or more years.

ECA assessment results:

A three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree

PLUS any of the results in the sections below (not including secondary/high school), or:

  • Post-Bachelor's Certificate
  • Post-undergraduate certificate
  • Post-Bachelor's Diploma
  • Post-undergraduate diploma
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate with a focus in [area of concentration]
  • Postgraduate certificate
  • Postgraduate Diploma
  • Graduate Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration]
  • Graduate diploma
  • two-year Postgraduate Diploma, specializing in [name of discipline]
  • two-year Bachelor’s after degree with a focus in [area of concentration]
  • one-year Postgraduate Certificate in [name of discipline]
  • Dual Bachelor’s degree (four years)
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/eligibility/education-assessed/read-report.html
 

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
Important notice: One must be for a program of three or more years.

ECA assessment results:

A three-year or more certificate, diploma, or degree

PLUS any of the results in the sections below (not including secondary/high school), or:

  • Post-Bachelor's Certificate
  • Post-undergraduate certificate
  • Post-Bachelor's Diploma
  • Post-undergraduate diploma
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate with a focus in [area of concentration]
  • Postgraduate certificate
  • Postgraduate Diploma
  • Graduate Diploma with a focus in [area of concentration]
  • Graduate diploma
  • two-year Postgraduate Diploma, specializing in [name of discipline]
  • two-year Bachelor’s after degree with a focus in [area of concentration]
  • one-year Postgraduate Certificate in [name of discipline]
  • Dual Bachelor’s degree (four years)
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/eligibility/education-assessed/read-report.html
Hey,

I appreciate the prompt reply. I understand that Graduate certificate is listed here. My follow-up is as follows :

I already hold a four-year degree from India already which is equivalent to a four-year Canadian degree as per WES. I plan to add my present Canadian Graduate certificate to it, and qualify for "Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. Important notice: One must be for a program of three or more years."

Does this sound practical, and will it give me one point more in FSW metrics of 100 points (six-selection-factors) ?
Because as soon as I get one more point and 66 becomes 67, I become eligible for Express Entry where I'll be having 460 points.

My add-on concern is This graduate certificate will gain me CRS points for sure, because it is written there. What I am not sure of is, whether it will give me FSW points.

Please throw some light!
 
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DelPiero07

VIP Member
Oct 2, 2016
10,388
2,614
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Yes, it will give you the extra point your need under the six selection factors.
 

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Yes, it will give you the extra point your need under the six selection factors.
fantastic, Where do I treat you to coffee? :)

So, I gather, that this will give me points to make my FSW score 67 from 66 and CRS score 460 from 413. I have secured maximum points in IELTS and carry 1.5 years of work ex too in the field of my studies (or so i think. i hope they don't create a ruckus in this). Thanks again though! It is scary because I am on the borderline, you see.

I don't know why they create confusion by writing "Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees." on the Express Entry page whereas "Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equal" on FSW page. Creates unnecessary confusion!

These concerns stemmed out of following reasons :
1. An immigration consultant told me, that I won't get points for one-year course at all, in FSW.
2. Such fringe information : https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/ontario-college-graduate-certificate-program-post-grad-is-hell-of-confusion.106224/
 

mona247

Hero Member
Sep 26, 2018
428
105
Category........
FSW
NOC Code......
6235
fantastic, Where do I treat you to coffee? :)

So, I gather, that this will give me points to make my FSW score 67 from 66 and CRS score 460 from 413. I have secured maximum points in IELTS and carry 1.5 years of work ex too in the field of my studies (or so i think. i hope they don't create a ruckus in this). Thanks again though! It is scary because I am on the borderline, you see.

I don't know why they create confusion by writing "Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees." on the Express Entry page whereas "Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equal" on FSW page. Creates unnecessary confusion!

These concerns stemmed out of following reasons :
1. An immigration consultant told me, that I won't get points for one-year course at all, in FSW.
2. Such fringe information : https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/ontario-college-graduate-certificate-program-post-grad-is-hell-of-confusion.106224/
Hi
My WES report says 4 years canadiCa bachelor's degree too.
I am planning to study for one year or 8 months ( 2semesters) and receive a graduate certificate just like what you mentioned above.

Were you successful in getting the PR after selecting 2 or more certificates option?

Awaiting for your response
Thanks
 

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Hi
My WES report says 4 years canadiCa bachelor's degree too.
I am planning to study for one year or 8 months ( 2semesters) and receive a graduate certificate just like what you mentioned above.

Were you successful in getting the PR after selecting 2 or more certificates option?

Awaiting for your response
Thanks

Hello,
I have still not applied for PR. I think 2 or more certificate option should apply in your case, but please ensure you get sufficient points in IELTS, Job Experience and other factors too.

Let me know if more/specific questions, Happy to help!
 

mona247

Hero Member
Sep 26, 2018
428
105
Category........
FSW
NOC Code......
6235
Hello,
I have still not applied for PR. I think 2 or more certificate option should apply in your case, but please ensure you get sufficient points in IELTS, Job Experience and other factors too.

Let me know if more/specific questions, Happy to help!
Oh yes, CLB 9 with 6 years experience in NOC 0 , it's only because of the age 33 that I need to earn another certificate to cross the 440 mark to get an ITA.

By the way you started studying in Jan for 8 months? Why haven't you applied for a PR yet?
 
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aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Oh yes, CLB 9 with 6 years experience in NOC 0 , it's only because of the age 33 that I need to earn another certificate to cross the 440 mark to get an ITA.

By the way you started studying in Jan for 8 months? Why haven't you applied for a PR yet?

Good to know!

I just completed my 12 months course, and waiting for WES evaluation to submit my EE profile. Almost there :)
 

mona247

Hero Member
Sep 26, 2018
428
105
Category........
FSW
NOC Code......
6235
Good to know!

I just completed my 12 months course, and waiting for WES evaluation to submit my EE profile. Almost there :)
Oh okay!
Couple of questions on my mind right now
1) If WES has already evaluated my Indian bachelor's as 4 years bachelor's equivalent, after completing 1 year certificate or diploma in Canada is it still required to add that credential on the wes report? Can't we just claim points for 2 certificates as the 2nd one is already earned in Canada?
2) Will you apply for a PGWP? If yes then will you go through federal express entry program for PR or CEC ( Canadian experience class)?
I read somewhere if your physically inside Canada it's not possible to apply for federal expres entry? Is this true?
Thanks
 

aniruddhabhatt

Star Member
Aug 1, 2017
144
29
Oh okay!
Couple of questions on my mind right now
1) If WES has already evaluated my Indian bachelor's as 4 years bachelor's equivalent, after completing 1 year certificate or diploma in Canada is it still required to add that credential on the wes report? Can't we just claim points for 2 certificates as the 2nd one is already earned in Canada?
2) Will you apply for a PGWP? If yes then will you go through federal express entry program for PR or CEC ( Canadian experience class)?
I read somewhere if your physically inside Canada it's not possible to apply for federal expres entry? Is this true?
Thanks

From what I know:

1. "Enter the highest level of education for which you:
  • earned a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate or
  • had an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you did your study outside Canada. (ECAs must be from an approved agency, in the last five years) " source: cic website

    Hence, a canadian credential doesn't need a separate WES evaluation.
2. I had the same question here and some senior members suggested that FSW (Federal Express Entry) from Canada is not a problem. PGWP is different than EE, and I have already applied for it.

Hope this helps!
 
Last edited:

mona247

Hero Member
Sep 26, 2018
428
105
Category........
FSW
NOC Code......
6235
From what I know:

1. "Enter the highest level of education for which you:
  • earned a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate or
  • had an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you did your study outside Canada. (ECAs must be from an approved agency, in the last five years) " source: cic website

    Hence, a canadian credential doesn't need a separate WES evaluation.
2. I had the same question here and some senior members suggested that FSW (Federal Express Entry) from Canada is not a problem. PGWP is different than EE, and I have already applied for it.

Hope this helps!
Thanks Anir,
My guess is your waiting for your WES evaluation of your Indian education and you won't send any Canadian education transcripts to WES. True?
 

mona247

Hero Member
Sep 26, 2018
428
105
Category........
FSW
NOC Code......
6235
Exactly! Sorry about the confusion there earlier.
ok thanks
sorry I need help again.

So I have a bachelor's of Commerce which is evaluated by WES as 4 years Canadian bachelors degree.

Now I am planning on completing a certificate or diploma for 1 year or 8 months in canada, however some people are suggesting me that I can not claim points for 2 or more certificates .
Reason - Most 1 year certificate or diploma's are done post 12th grade in canada.

I am being told to do a post baccalaureate diploma or advanced diploma which are having a requirement of a minimum degree with duration ranging 2 to 3 years.

I am confused if this is true ? because in express entry it asks to entry the highest degree first.