Hi guys!
I received a phone call today. It was at 5:45 pm (GMT+3).
The call was from +1 (416) 212-6621 Ontario, Canada. As I later realized from the letter it was officer with AB initials.
He introduced himself and asked if I am working or at home and if I have 10-15 minutes for interview. I replied that I have time to talk. As I run my own business, officers questions were:
What is the name of my company?
When did I buy it?
Why I started from cashier and then moved to a deputy director position (in a few months - quite fast)?
What was my business before my current business?
Why did I change it?
If I could would I continue to do my previous business?
How many people were working in the company in the past? How many are working now?
Why we moved to Simplefied Tax system instead of balance sheets in 2013?
What I do on my work?
Why I chose Ontario?
Will I work in my sphere or set up my business when I come to Ontario?
These are questions, just to give you an idea of conversation.
He had an accent, I think he is from India. Some times I didn't understand the question and asked him to repeat.
He was polite and friendly. Sometimes he noted something, so there were some pauses in conversation.
Apparently he had a list of questions, and moved through it. He was accurate and attentive and did listen to me, because when he heard something new, he asked additional questions about it. I mentioned, for instance, that we had to change our tax system this year because we also have a small internet-shop. I didn't mention it in my application, because it doesn't support my primary NOC. But he asked some questions about this shop as soon as he heard about it from me.
When he asked me why I want to move to Ontario, I felt that he was not listening to my answer carefully. It was just my observation )))
When it was time to finish, he asked if I had any questions. Of course I had! Well, I thanked him that after exactly 9 months of waiting (my application was delivered on 25 November, 2015, today is 26 August, 2016) I have got a call. Is it possible to know when decision can be made? He replied with standard "he will move my application to a senior officer for a decision and doesn't know when decision will be". I also pointed out that my EE profile will expire at the beginning of October, will it be possible to receive decision before that? He replied with a standard manner that "it's applicants responsibility to maintain our EE profile active. If it expires, I should create a new one and send them email with notification". I wasn't waiting anything more than that.
It seems that he was satisfied with my answers. I asked if they received information about my newborn daughter, sent via Change of Personal Information Form. He confirmed that. I told him that I can send updated bank statement if necessary. He relied that if it will be necessary, they will request it.
The conversation was over. Later I received a letter from "Express Entry (MCIIT)" <ExpressEntry@ontario.ca>
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Theme: XHSW-16011XX - AB
Dear Applicant,
Please be advised that your application to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has been referred to a senior processing officer for a decision. The program will contact you should we require additional information to support the decision on your application. Otherwise, the program will contact you again when a decision has been made on your application.
If you are a candidate through one of the Ontario Express Entry streams, please note that your Express Entry profile must remain up-to-date throughout all processing stages of your application. Candidate for the Ontario Human Capital Priorities stream must also continue to maintain a score of 400 points or above in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System.
If you are currently working or residing in Ontario, please be advised that you are responsible for remaining in legal status in Canada throughout all processing stages of your application. It is your responsibility to renew, extend or apply for proper temporary resident status in Canada throughout your stay in the country, even after you are nominated.
If you need to depart Canada because you no longer have valid status or because your status will not be renewed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, please send our office a completed and signed Change of Personal Information form. You should outline the details of your situation in this form and include a current email address.
The Change of Personal Information form applies to any changes that you may need to make to your application during processing, for example a change of address or other information that may impact your application.
Thank you for your interest in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Please retain this letter for your records.
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My timeline is:
FSW Outland (no ties, never been to Canada) | EE App: 12/Oct/2015 | OINP PT: 16/Oct/2015 | OINP App: 25/Nov/2015 | AOR: 18/Mar/2016 | | Call: 26/Aug/2016 | CRS 440 | File No. 16011XX | Masters, CLB 9 (L8.5 R9 W7 S7.5), 11 years self-employed
To tell the truth I did not think that they will call me. Not a piece of anticipation of this call. But, today morning I prepared summary reply to imaginary call from Ontario, describing my business and duties. I printed it out and had it in my car, when the officer called. It was so helpful! Recommend everyone to make such a cheat sheet.
Good luck to all!
