Profile still swimming in EE pool. What's the next step?

[gailsc83]

Hi,

I have 393 points as of today and am looking for ways to actively increase my score. This thread can help other candidates in a similar predicament.

Here's the basic info of my profile:

• Within the 25-29 age bracket
• IELTS score: L-9.0 / R - 8.0 / S-7.5 / W - 6.5
• Primary NOC: 6222, 2.5years
• Single/Never Married/No dependents
• WES ECA - eq. to Canadian Bachelor's Degree

And here's a list I made of steps with a few queries, arranged in order of feasibility:

1. Retake the IELTS test.
2. Pursue a non-thesis Master's degree in my home country.

• It seemed like a reasonable option at first, but I remembered it would deteriorate our CRS age points (assuming an MBA would take about 3 years to complete).
• Question 1: Will it be alright if a Master's degree is a non-thesis/dissertation track? I thought a non-thesis program might be better, since researching for a dissertation could bring delays in earning the Master's degree.

3. Valid job offer

• This one I cannot decide whether it is achievable or not. I listed this as 3rd priority because its success is largely dependent on an external deciding factor. I read numerous posts here, in quora, and other forums. The majority say it is difficult to acquire one because an employer would have to apply for LMIA.
• Question 1: Can someone please explain when is an LMIA not required? The sentence construction of the relevant web page confuses me.
• Question 2: Does the valid job offer have to be the same as your primary NOC in EE?

What are your thoughts on this? Please share your views, experiences, and tips with regards to EE.
This thread can help a lot of people with scores that are so near, yet still so far from the cutoff score.

Thank you reader and hoping for constructive exchange of ideas!

 

[21Goose]

How're you getting 393? I'm calculating your scores at 381 based on what you've written here.

You must be calculating 2.5 years of work ex as equal to 3 years. It's not; you have to actually have three years. Still, that's not the biggest issue since you'll cross the three year mark in just a few months. At that point you will have 393.

If you then retake the IELTS and get a CLB 10 across the board (L: 8.5, R: 8, W:7.5, S:7.5) you will get 441 points. You absolutely should retake the IELTS and max it out, unless you feel that you have already got the most you can get (doesn't sound like it).

Beyond that, a Master's or even a "Two or more Degrees" qualification will get you the points you need. Let's say you take 2 years to do the extra degree. Assuming you start next year, you should be all done by the time you're 32. You'll then have 458 points, all else remaining the same (and CLB 10) and if it's evaluated as "Two or more degrees".

If your degree is evaluated as a Master's, you'll get 465 points. No, your Master's doesn't need to have a thesis/dissertation. Even 1-year Master's can be evaluated as equivalent to Master's, depending on where you do the degree from.

If you have a US/UK/EU 1-year Master's, that will most probably work. I don't know what country you're from so I can't say whether your local colleges will be treated the same.

 

[21Goose]

Also, getting a job as a foreign national is extremely difficult so I wouldn't focus on that. You can certainly apply and try, you may get lucky, but in general you should be focusing on IELTS + education to get your points up.

Do you speak any French? That's one more way of getting points.

Here's what an LMIA-exempt job offer means - https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/offer-employment/lmia-exempt.html

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I have 393 points as of today and am looking for ways to actively increase my score. This thread can help other candidates in a similar predicament.

Here's the basic info of my profile:

• Within the 25-29 age bracket
• IELTS score: L-9.0 / R - 8.0 / S-7.5 / W - 6.5
• Primary NOC: 6222, 2.5years
• Single/Never Married/No dependents
• WES ECA - eq. to Canadian Bachelor's Degree

And here's a list I made of steps with a few queries, arranged in order of feasibility:

1. Retake the IELTS test.
2. Pursue a non-thesis Master's degree in my home country.

• It seemed like a reasonable option at first, but I remembered it would deteriorate our CRS age points (assuming an MBA would take about 3 years to complete).
• Question 1: Will it be alright if a Master's degree is a non-thesis/dissertation track? I thought a non-thesis program might be better, since researching for a dissertation could bring delays in earning the Master's degree.

3. Valid job offer

• This one I cannot decide whether it is achievable or not. I listed this as 3rd priority because its success is largely dependent on an external deciding factor. I read numerous posts here, in quora, and other forums. The majority say it is difficult to acquire one because an employer would have to apply for LMIA.
• Question 1: Can someone please explain when is an LMIA not required? The sentence construction of the relevant web page confuses me.
• Question 2: Does the valid job offer have to be the same as your primary NOC in EE?

What are your thoughts on this? Please share your views, experiences, and tips with regards to EE.
This thread can help a lot of people with scores that are so near, yet still so far from the cutoff score.

Thank you reader and hoping for constructive exchange of ideas!

The valid job offer most likely isn't realistic. Yes - an LMIA will be required for you to get the 50 job offer points. The job offer does not have to be the same as your primary NOC in EE. However it must somehow be related to your past education / work experience - otherwise the LMIA will really have no chance of being approved. The vast majority of employers aren't willing to go through this process - so I wouldn't spend calories looking for a job offer. Focus on other opportunities to increase your score - e.g. IELTS and the additional education. In terms if which MAsters, you want to take something that is recognized as a Masters by WES. Also look into the PNP programs.

 

[gailsc83]

How're you getting 393? I'm calculating your scores at 381 based on what you've written here.

You must be calculating 2.5 years of work ex as equal to 3 years. It's not; you have to actually have three years. Still, that's not the biggest issue since you'll cross the three year mark in just a few months. At that point you will have 393.

If you then retake the IELTS and get a CLB 10 across the board (L: 8.5, R: 8, W:7.5, S:7.5) you will get 441 points. You absolutely should retake the IELTS and max it out, unless you feel that you have already got the most you can get (doesn't sound like it).

Beyond that, a Master's or even a "Two or more Degrees" qualification will get you the points you need. Let's say you take 2 years to do the extra degree. Assuming you start next year, you should be all done by the time you're 32. You'll then have 458 points, all else remaining the same (and CLB 10) and if it's evaluated as "Two or more degrees".

If your degree is evaluated as a Master's, you'll get 465 points. No, your Master's doesn't need to have a thesis/dissertation. Even 1-year Master's can be evaluated as equivalent to Master's, depending on where you do the degree from.

If you have a US/UK/EU 1-year Master's, that will most probably work. I don't know what country you're from so I can't say whether your local colleges will be treated the same.

The valid job offer most likely isn't realistic. Yes - an LMIA will be required for you to get the 50 job offer points. The job offer does not have to be the same as your primary NOC in EE. However it must somehow be related to your past education / work experience - otherwise the LMIA will really have no chance of being approved. The vast majority of employers aren't willing to go through this process - so I wouldn't spend calories looking for a job offer. Focus on other opportunities to increase your score - e.g. IELTS and the additional education. In terms if which MAsters, you want to take something that is recognized as a Masters by WES. Also look into the PNP programs.

Hi,

Thank you for your inputs!

I forgot to mention I have some experience as 1111. Together with my primary NOC, it totals to a bit over 3 years.
Yes, I am disappointed with the grade I got for writing. This time the target is to get perfect or near perfect scores. (It sounds exaggerated, but we have to aim high. No more retakes!).

If I proceed with another degree, does it have to be related to the Bachelor's degree I already have or related to my work experience?

With regards to a Master's, what you said is really reassuring, since I am disinclined to undertake a dissertation. Most likely local colleges here will be assessed differently. I still have to do more research on this though.

 

[21Goose]

Hi,

Thank you for your inputs!

I forgot to mention I have some experience as 1111. Together with my primary NOC, it totals to a bit over 3 years.
Yes, I am disappointed with the grade I got for writing. This time the target is to get perfect or near perfect scores. (It sounds exaggerated, but we have to aim high. No more retakes!).

If I proceed with another degree, does it have to be related to the Bachelor's degree I already have or related to my work experience?

With regards to a Master's, what you said is really reassuring, since I am disinclined to undertake a dissertation. Most likely local colleges here will be assessed differently. I still have to do more research on this though.

Getting a CLB 10 is not that hard, you should be able to get it with a bit of practice.

No, any degree you do now doesn't have to be related to your past work/degrees. The only thing that matters is the ECA. As long as you have a valid ECA that says it's a 1-year degree/diploma, you will get points for Two or more degrees since your bachelors was three years. Try and get it done before you turn 32.