Hi all,
My process is now complete (received CoPR). I can provide information on the following topics, and feel free to send me private messages.
-- Police Certificate in UK, Germany, France
-- Germany to English Translation
-- Sending Passport to Dusseldorf VFS (and timelines)
-- any other general topics
My timeline:
-- Applied with spouse
-- I took IELTS and WES credentials back in Nov 2014.
-- ITA received in March (486 points), Documents submitted in May 19
-- PPR on Aug 19, PPR for local VO on Sep 2, and sep 18, got my passport back
Some advise
-- This is a long marathon, and so you have to plan from the beginning. Do IELTS, evaluate your WES credentials. Do everything to increase your points above 450. I have seen some thread suggesting that maybe the points will drop below this. Maybe it will. But if you are determined, you should find a way to increase the score. Think of what you can do in 6-12 months timescale to increase your points (Masters, French, more job experience, foreign adaptability)
-- Proof of Finance:
For me, I think its not only about showing the proof of finance exists, in a bank account. I think your whole profile has to match somehow. If you have a job of $200/month and then show bank balance of $20,000, obviously they will get suspicious. If you have money in your account from someone in your family as gift, then try to get it quickly in your account. If you got your money from your parents, you could also show their income statement or tax statement. Adding more/extra document is no harm. I showed last 6 months of balance and had payslips to verify my income. I have no experience with gifts, so its my opinion only.
-- Employment Letter
I submitted the initial job offer letter, which was just 1-2 page. In cases where I had contract, I send those too, translated in English. I send also the payslips. Overall, I think if your profile matches with your job they wont get suspicious. You need to provide them with ample information to make decisions. Most important I think is the contact information.
-- Passport
I submitted only the new passport, and only the stamped pages
-- Medical
Stay healthy
-- Once you receive an ITA, dont upload the documents immediately. I have seen some of you do it. research nicely, know all the stuff, even ask a friend to evaluate your documents. They can reject your application sometimes due to minor problems. You do not need a lawyer, but ask a friend or someone who has gone through the same process and you trust.
Final thoughts, I do not know how the road in Canada will be, but I expect it to be tough. I am now preparing for the interviews so I can try to get a job when I get there. Until you have a plan do not go. After you get your visa, you don't have to travel right away. So prepare yourself properly, both in your field, but also in soft skills. On a professional side update your linkedIN profile, other form of job search site. Apply for some jobs online pretending you are in Canada to see your market. Learn skills like driving, computers, english, cooking etc.
See you in Canada
My process is now complete (received CoPR). I can provide information on the following topics, and feel free to send me private messages.
-- Police Certificate in UK, Germany, France
-- Germany to English Translation
-- Sending Passport to Dusseldorf VFS (and timelines)
-- any other general topics
My timeline:
-- Applied with spouse
-- I took IELTS and WES credentials back in Nov 2014.
-- ITA received in March (486 points), Documents submitted in May 19
-- PPR on Aug 19, PPR for local VO on Sep 2, and sep 18, got my passport back
Some advise
-- This is a long marathon, and so you have to plan from the beginning. Do IELTS, evaluate your WES credentials. Do everything to increase your points above 450. I have seen some thread suggesting that maybe the points will drop below this. Maybe it will. But if you are determined, you should find a way to increase the score. Think of what you can do in 6-12 months timescale to increase your points (Masters, French, more job experience, foreign adaptability)
-- Proof of Finance:
For me, I think its not only about showing the proof of finance exists, in a bank account. I think your whole profile has to match somehow. If you have a job of $200/month and then show bank balance of $20,000, obviously they will get suspicious. If you have money in your account from someone in your family as gift, then try to get it quickly in your account. If you got your money from your parents, you could also show their income statement or tax statement. Adding more/extra document is no harm. I showed last 6 months of balance and had payslips to verify my income. I have no experience with gifts, so its my opinion only.
-- Employment Letter
I submitted the initial job offer letter, which was just 1-2 page. In cases where I had contract, I send those too, translated in English. I send also the payslips. Overall, I think if your profile matches with your job they wont get suspicious. You need to provide them with ample information to make decisions. Most important I think is the contact information.
-- Passport
I submitted only the new passport, and only the stamped pages
-- Medical
Stay healthy
-- Once you receive an ITA, dont upload the documents immediately. I have seen some of you do it. research nicely, know all the stuff, even ask a friend to evaluate your documents. They can reject your application sometimes due to minor problems. You do not need a lawyer, but ask a friend or someone who has gone through the same process and you trust.
Final thoughts, I do not know how the road in Canada will be, but I expect it to be tough. I am now preparing for the interviews so I can try to get a job when I get there. Until you have a plan do not go. After you get your visa, you don't have to travel right away. So prepare yourself properly, both in your field, but also in soft skills. On a professional side update your linkedIN profile, other form of job search site. Apply for some jobs online pretending you are in Canada to see your market. Learn skills like driving, computers, english, cooking etc.
See you in Canada
