Re: Common questions
How to prepare an application - FSW category 1
I have had some people private messaging me and asking why I got such a quick reply and how did I make a good application (not 100% sure what that means). Anyway, I don't really know why I got a quick reply except perhaps, I live in the US so postal times are a bit faster due to the proximity to Canada, I made everything clear in my application and tried to provide whatever information they asked for. Here is somethings that I did:
- provide a cover letter. Perhaps they don't read this but I provided one anyway. The cover letter is a good way to list everything that you have sent in. I don't think I listed my forms, but I should have, I guess.
- I don't think I notarized my biopage of the passport, but I would advice people do this.
- a check in CAD$550 made out to the correct person,
- two address labels (both were in English for me) and they did not use this yet, perhaps because mine were in English. The address labels that I provided were just printouts of my name and address on the same piece of paper but in a medium size font (i.e. not less than 12 for sure).
- I did stick a picture on the front of IMM0008-Generic but I think you don't have to do that.
- On the background schedule form, they asked for my name in my native language, I put in N/A. Mostly because if I try to write in my native language, even proficient readers of that language won't be able to understand anything. I am not very proficient in that language. I guess I could have copied it from my birth certificate but that would have been a disaster.
- put N/A wherever you don't have an answer. But if an answer is expected by an average person in Canada then explain why you put N/A. Let me explain what I mean by this. For details of family member names, wherever I did not have a family member, i typed in N/A. Actually on the second page of IMM0008-Generic, i typed in N/A for both family name and given names and left everything else blank. For those people who do not have family name, if you put in N/A, you have to explain on another sheet why you put in N/A. This is what I mean by explaining when an average person from Canada expects an answer.
- For each form, wherever I had to explain more, I typed my explanation on another sheet of paper. I put in multiple questions on the same paper but never explanation for two forms on one paper. For each of these sheets of paper, I typed my name in bold and caps and under it the name of the form and then underneath that the form number or code (like IMM0008-Generic). I would then have each question and my explanation. I also signed each of these extra sheets of paper and dated it. This way, they know I will back up anything I have written in.
- If there is any anomaly, I explained that in these pieces of paper. For example, in my education years, I included all my education (even those that I did not complete) but on another sheet of paper, I explained that I have included those years that I did not complete the degree/education.
- The space for question 10, 11, etc on the back groundform was not enough for me. So when I wrote the rest on another sheet of paper, I did repeat all the information that I had already written in the form. I don't think this is necessary.
- For language, I wrote in my explanation or argument why I am proficient in English.
- For experience, my anomaly lies here. My occupation title is not found in the ministerial list but that occupation title is similar to another in the NOC matrix. On the Economic class form, I wrote my job title (not the kosher one from the ministerial list) and for NOC, I wrote the one from the ministerial list. For the main duties, i listed some duties on the form. On another sheet of paper, i provided the same information as I had in the form and then wrote an explanation of all my duties (from the most important duties to the least). I numbered my duties. At the end, I explained that certain duties (and gave the respective numbers) are not characteristic of my job title and are more similar to the duties found under the job in the ministerial list.
As I mentioned earlier, I don't know if CIO in Sydney, NS even looked at most of these things. Perhaps they only looked at my ministerial job requirement and ignored the rest. But in the small chance that they wanted more information, I provided all without providing any documentation (because they clearly did not want that).
Give as much information as needed. When I say give them as much info as possible, I really mean give more info, not repeat the same info and also only give as much relevant info as possible. If it is not relevant, don't give it.
As for the second stage to my local visa office, I am busy preparing that now. I have all documentations except a translation of my birth certificate and two letters from my managers, both of them have agreed to give me the letters but I have been too lazy to actually go see them to do it. I should do that tomorrow. The only hard part is to decide what to go into those letters. I don't see these letters as a recommendation letter but as one that lists out the information required by CIC. That is, my name, my job title, company name, my duties, the period of employement, if English was the language of work (thats important to list here especially if you are not doing your IELTS), salary and provide a business card. I hope to get this stage correct too and will provide more information at a later stage if i am successful. If I am not, then I will come and cry here too (especially if they ask for IELTS now lol). I hope this is useful for some people, especially those who PM'ed me.
