SDS applicants 2021 - Philippines (Lets Collaborate)

[Simba112]

Hi Kabayan!

Kamusta?

Would like to ask what are the requirements for SOWP? Do they need to take IELTS as well? will the company/ employer will ask for an IELTS once they look for a job having a SOWP or SOPW itself will do?

If I'll be using the reference provided in the SDS/IRCC in which I will submit my application together with my wife's, here's the requirements:
1. IMM1295
2. Passport
3. Digital Photo
4. Purpose of Travel
5. Other references

IELTS is not a requirement for the SOWP but your wife might need one in future when applying for Economic Stream, EE. Employer will not ask for IELTS but they can assess the literacy during interview, basic English requirement depending on the nature of that job.

 

[rogelcorral]

Hello kabayan,

No need for IELTS for spouse. But as what @Simba112 mentioned, it would be helpful when you apply for EE later on. Spouse’s IELTS give you additional points in your EE profile.

For purpose of travel, my wife submitted her SOP. For other references, my wife attached marriage certificate, her university diploma and transcript, and property documents. She also attached my brother-in-law’s accommodation letter.

 

[yucca]

Hello! We applied for SP + OWP via SDS last May 13th. Here is my (SP) time line:

May 13 - lodge application
May 14 - gave my biometrics in VFS in our country
June 2- Medical passed reflected in GCKEY (after webform follow up)
June 19 - biometrics finally reflected in GCKEY (after several webform follow up)
.
.
.
To this day Revieweing eligibility hasnt started yet. My OWP on the other hand have his biometrics reflected in May 19th but no medicals yet even after multiple webforms. I only requested my GCMS notes mid August so the results wont be available before I make decision on or before Swpt 16th.

Unfortunately, my university rejected my deferral request. They also told me even if I get refused they still wont grant me deferral. They offered me either of two options:

1) start online class at my own risk (no refund if ever my visa gets refused after Sept 16)
2) withdraw by Sept 16 (last day to withdraw without financial penalty). But if I withdraw, I will not be allowed to re-apply to the same program and all other M.Eng programs in the same university until a year from the date of my withdrawal. And I have to also cancel my pending visa application if I withdraw in the midst of processing.

What do you think is the better/ lesser evil option of the two? I know that there is a 50% chance that our visa will get approve while doing my classes online, to which we can fly in the middle of the term. But if I get refuse, I will not only losw my tuition fee for that term but also my PGWP eligibility.

Thank you for any insight you can share!

 

[rogelcorral]

Hello! We applied for SP + OWP via SDS last May 13th. Here is my (SP) time line:

May 13 - lodge application
May 14 - gave my biometrics in VFS in our country
June 2- Medical passed reflected in GCKEY (after webform follow up)
June 19 - biometrics finally reflected in GCKEY (after several webform follow up)
.
.
.
To this day Revieweing eligibility hasnt started yet. My OWP on the other hand have his biometrics reflected in May 19th but no medicals yet even after multiple webforms. I only requested my GCMS notes mid August so the results wont be available before I make decision on or before Swpt 16th.

Unfortunately, my university rejected my deferral request. They also told me even if I get refused they still wont grant me deferral. They offered me either of two options:

1) start online class at my own risk (no refund if ever my visa gets refused after Sept 16)
2) withdraw by Sept 16 (last day to withdraw without financial penalty). But if I withdraw, I will not be allowed to re-apply to the same program and all other M.Eng programs in the same university until a year from the date of my withdrawal. And I have to also cancel my pending visa application if I withdraw in the midst of processing.

What do you think is the better/ lesser evil option of the two? I know that there is a 50% chance that our visa will get approve while doing my classes online, to which we can fly in the middle of the term. But if I get refuse, I will not only losw my tuition fee for that term but also my PGWP eligibility.

Thank you for any insight you can share!

Kabayan, Sent a reply to your PM.

Generally, starting your classes before SP approval is risky, especially if your DLI is not flexible in deferrals and fee refunds.

 

[adcastro]

Hi @rogelcorral. Kmsta kabayan?

May I ask how did you pay your GIC before? What local bank here in the PH did you use to process the payment?
I'm having a hard time with BDO because they require to open a dollar account and it will took 14 days after I open the account to use the money for wire transfer.

Btw, I'll be doing wire transfer to scotiabank from our local bank here in PH.

 

[rogelcorral]

Hi @rogelcorral. Kmsta kabayan?

May I ask how did you pay your GIC before? What local bank here in the PH did you use to process the payment?
I'm having a hard time with BDO because they require to open a dollar account and it will took 14 days after I open the account to use the money for wire transfer.

Btw, I'll be doing wire transfer to scotiabank from our local bank here in PH.

Hello Kabayan,

I paid my GIC through Metrobank with my peso account. Money was transferred I think in about 5 business days, received my GIC certificate from Scotiabank as soon as they received the money transfer. I instructed Metrobank to transfer the full CAD$10K, transfer fee paid from my end. IIRC, the total deducted from my account was CAD$10,200 (converted from the exchange rate at that time).

Metrobank only asked me about the nature of the transfer, as per AMLC policy. Showed them my LOA and enrollment letter, my Scotiabank GIC application (with their instruction), plus the SDS instruction booklet (I printed the pdf file) that came with my application package. Try to inquire from Metrobank kabayan.

 

[adcastro]

Hi @rogelcorral,


Kayaban ask ko na dn pla

Hello! We applied for SP + OWP via SDS last May 13th. Here is my (SP) time line:

May 13 - lodge application
May 14 - gave my biometrics in VFS in our country
June 2- Medical passed reflected in GCKEY (after webform follow up)
June 19 - biometrics finally reflected in GCKEY (after several webform follow up)
.
.
.
To this day Revieweing eligibility hasnt started yet. My OWP on the other hand have his biometrics reflected in May 19th but no medicals yet even after multiple webforms. I only requested my GCMS notes mid August so the results wont be available before I make decision on or before Swpt 16th.

Unfortunately, my university rejected my deferral request. They also told me even if I get refused they still wont grant me deferral. They offered me either of two options:

1) start online class at my own risk (no refund if ever my visa gets refused after Sept 16)
2) withdraw by Sept 16 (last day to withdraw without financial penalty). But if I withdraw, I will not be allowed to re-apply to the same program and all other M.Eng programs in the same university until a year from the date of my withdrawal. And I have to also cancel my pending visa application if I withdraw in the midst of processing.

What do you think is the better/ lesser evil option of the two? I know that there is a 50% chance that our visa will get approve while doing my classes online, to which we can fly in the middle of the term. But if I get refuse, I will not only losw my tuition fee for that term but also my PGWP eligibility.

Thank you for any insight you can share!

Hi @yucca, what university did you enroll?

Also you mentioned that your medical exam result automatically appeared in your GC key account, did you take an upfront medical exam or after you submit your SP application and received an instruction from the embassy?

 

[adcastro]

Hello Kabayan,

I paid my GIC through Metrobank with my peso account. Money was transferred I think in about 5 business days, received my GIC certificate from Scotiabank as soon as they received the money transfer. I instructed Metrobank to transfer the full CAD$10K, transfer fee paid from my end. IIRC, the total deducted from my account was CAD$10,200 (converted from the exchange rate at that time).

Metrobank only asked me about the nature of the transfer, as per AMLC policy. Showed them my LOA and enrollment letter, my Scotiabank GIC application (with their instruction), plus the SDS instruction booklet (I printed the pdf file) that came with my application package. Try to inquire from Metrobank kabayan.

@rogelcorral , ask ko na dn pla anong University ka nag enroll that time and how did you pay your tuition?
Perhaps I'll go to Metrobank tomorrow and inquire about this. We are having a hard time discussing this with BDO.

 

[rogelcorral]

@rogelcorral , ask ko na dn pla anong University ka nag enroll that time and how did you pay your tuition?
Perhaps I'll go to Metrobank tomorrow and inquire about this. We are having a hard time discussing this with BDO.

Sa Durham College ako nag enroll kabayan. Paid my 1st year tuition through credit card.

 

[adcastro]

@rogelcorral kabayan!

As checked on SDS requirements, they mentioned this on the last part :


In addition to the above criteria, applicants for SDS processing must include as part of their electronic application (e-application) the following documents:

• Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada form [IMM 1294] (PDF, 566 KB) (overseas)
• Family Information form [IMM 5645] (PDF, 1.56 MB) (if applicable)
• Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa form [IMM 5257] (PDF, 533 KB) (if applicable)
• marriage licence or certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form [IMM 5409] (PDF, 637 KB) (if applicable)
• Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648 KB) (if applicable)
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) or letter of approval from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for a CAQ for applicants destined to Quebec
• application processing fee payment and biometric processing fee payment (if applicable)
• proof of identity
• photocopy of the information and biographic data page of the applicant’s passport
• any additional documents specified by the visa office instructions for the applicant’s region

My question is on the last part (here's the visa office instructions):

This application package is for applicants in Philippines:

• Document Checklist: Study Permit [IMM 5483] (opens in a new tab) ----> There's another set of requirements here but most of it are repeated. The only difference that I noticed is the requirement for Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475]. Do I need to fill this out? We don't have a 3rd party/ agency that will process our documents on our behalf.
• Visa office instructions – Study [IMM 5836] ----> There's also another set of requirements here but most of it are repeated. Should I prepare another set of documents even it is repeated then compile it to 1 pdf file?
• Application for a Study Permit made outside of Canada
• Family Information Form [IMM 5707] (opens in a new tab)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (opens in a new tab) ----> Do I need to fill this up or a marriage certificate will do? Correct me if I am wrong, legally married and common-law union is different right?
• Custodian Declaration [IMM 5646] (opens in a new tab)
• Visa application photograph specifications
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab)

 

[rogelcorral]

@rogelcorral kabayan!

As checked on SDS requirements, they mentioned this on the last part :


In addition to the above criteria, applicants for SDS processing must include as part of their electronic application (e-application) the following documents:

• Application for Study Permit Made Outside Canada form [IMM 1294] (PDF, 566 KB) (overseas)
• Family Information form [IMM 5645] (PDF, 1.56 MB) (if applicable)
• Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa form [IMM 5257] (PDF, 533 KB) (if applicable)
• marriage licence or certificate or Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union form [IMM 5409] (PDF, 637 KB) (if applicable)
• Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476] (PDF, 648 KB) (if applicable)
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) or letter of approval from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for a CAQ for applicants destined to Quebec
• application processing fee payment and biometric processing fee payment (if applicable)
• proof of identity
• photocopy of the information and biographic data page of the applicant’s passport
• any additional documents specified by the visa office instructions for the applicant’s region

My question is on the last part (here's the visa office instructions):

This application package is for applicants in Philippines:

• Document Checklist: Study Permit [IMM 5483] (opens in a new tab) ----> There's another set of requirements here but most of it are repeated. The only difference that I noticed is the requirement for Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475]. Do I need to fill this out? We don't have a 3rd party/ agency that will process our documents on our behalf.
• Visa office instructions – Study [IMM 5836] ----> There's also another set of requirements here but most of it are repeated. Should I prepare another set of documents even it is repeated then compile it to 1 pdf file?
• Application for a Study Permit made outside of Canada
• Family Information Form [IMM 5707] (opens in a new tab)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (opens in a new tab) ----> Do I need to fill this up or a marriage certificate will do? Correct me if I am wrong, legally married and common-law union is different right?
• Custodian Declaration [IMM 5646] (opens in a new tab)
• Visa application photograph specifications
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab)

Hello Kabayan,

No need to prepare repeated documents. For IMM 5475 and 5476, you only need this if you are applying through a consultant. For IMM 5409, you don’t need this if you are legally married. You only provide your PSA certified marriage certificate.

 

[adcastro]

Hello Kabayan,

No need to prepare repeated documents. For IMM 5475 and 5476, you only need this if you are applying through a consultant. For IMM 5409, you don’t need this if you are legally married. You only provide your PSA certified marriage certificate.

Just want to validate, I took a screenshot of the requirements for SDS. I assume this is the right requirements because this is what being provided when I login to my GC key account and apply for online application, there's no SDS option as selection there.

Can you still recall if this is the same requirement that you had before?

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WsHQnlP9RX7z7fs1pDsj5i_Ahnz58odQ?usp=sharing (available for public)

 

[rogelcorral]

Just want to validate, I took a screenshot of the requirements for SDS. I assume this is the right requirements because this is what being provided when I login to my GC key account and apply for online application, there's no SDS option as selection there.

Can you still recall if this is the same requirement that you had before?

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WsHQnlP9RX7z7fs1pDsj5i_Ahnz58odQ?usp=sharing (available for public)

Yes, kabayan. For other docs that don’t have their own submission part, combine them and submit under additional client information.

 

[adcastro]

Yes, kabayan. For other docs that don’t have their own submission part, combine them and submit under additional client information.

Hi Kabayan,

May I ask you recommendation about this.

I just asked BDO for my bank statement this August including the other 4 previous months. Since it is September now, should I ask for another updated bank statement? Should I ask for a bank statement the same month in which I will submit my application for study permit? Salamat!

 

[rogelcorral]

Hello Kabayan,

It is always advisable to submit the most recent documents. If you submit an older document, IRCC may or may not ask for the updated one. So better to be safe than sorry.