Unqualified for Primary Occupation

[cracked]

My wife is applying for Express Entry as lead applicant. She's a graphic designer, but her university degree is in History. I was told by a registered immigration adviser that this isn't a problem, but now that we are filling in our application online, we are asked, "when did <#clientName#>" first become qualified to practice in this occupation?" Looking at the NOC code, it states that a college degree in graphic design is required for this category of skilled worker.
So what do we do now? My wife has ten years experience in graphic design for major companies. Does she now need to get a college degree in graphic design to be qualified for Canadian immigration? My work experience is mixed and also not related to my degrees in Chinese Studies. Should we forget about Express Entry and try to immigrate by studying in Canada? The immigration adviser suggested that too. We've spent a fair bit on paperwork already, not sure what to do.

Yours, worried,
CC

 

[yelena]

o-o

I bet a lot of people didn't check the requirement for their NOC, and only checked duties.. I know I haven't up to now.

When asked when I became quilified for my occupation, I wrote the date when I got my degree, as this is the requirement for my country. Unfortunately, it is only required that you have some sort of post secondary credential, and it doensn't matter in what field - mine was in photography at the time. I got my degree in Economics 2 years ago.

Now I see a problem, as under my noc's requirements is says:

Employment requirements

-Completion of secondary school is usually required.
-Completion of a one- or two-year college or other program for administrative assistants or secretaries
or
Previous clerical experience is required.

now, what do you think this will make of my application ?? All of my relevant work experiance in this NOC code is dated from when I completed my degree in photography, and this is what I put in in my application.

I don't know how I managed to overlook this issue..

someone please give some sound advise..

Cracked, really sory to hijack your topic., but I feel my problem is related to yours and you might get some insight even if someone answers my question..

 

[Alina.Taranenko]

The same thing, it's interesting to know answer.

 

[Asivad Anac]

The difference is "usually".

Recheck the educational (or other) requirements in your NOC. Wherever the word 'required' is preceded by the word 'usually', remember that it is an observation not a mandate. Wherever the 'usually' is missing, that is a mandatory requirement.

 

[yelena]

Oh...
nothing in my application is straight forward. The reason why I didnt go for my acctual occupation - legal administrative assistant is because in croatia I am not quolified for it. So i opted for "administrative assistant and NOW i see i am totaly quolified for that one and not entirely for the other one.

This is so frustrating... and I cant beleave I did not see this issue anywhere before!

 

[dobes]

My wife is applying for Express Entry as lead applicant. She's a graphic designer, but her university degree is in History. I was told by a registered immigration adviser that this isn't a problem, but now that we are filling in our application online, we are asked, "when did <#clientName#>" first become qualified to practice in this occupation?" Looking at the NOC code, it states that a college degree in graphic design is required for this category of skilled worker.
So what do we do now? My wife has ten years experience in graphic design for major companies. Does she now need to get a college degree in graphic design to be qualified for Canadian immigration? My work experience is mixed and also not related to my degrees in Chinese Studies. Should we forget about Express Entry and try to immigrate by studying in Canada? The immigration adviser suggested that too. We've spent a fair bit on paperwork already, not sure what to do.

Yours, worried,
CC

In your place, I would go ahead with the application. Your wife has TEN YEARS of experience. When did she first become qualified? Put in the date she first took a job as a graphics designer.

In my case, my degree is a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance. Having decided not to be an opera singer after all, I went to Europe and taught ESL for ten years, and also wrote the culture section for a local English-language newspaper, eventually working my way up to assistant editor-in-chief. I did not have a journalism degree, nor did I have any teaching credentials, but CIC gave me full credit for that skilled work experience. I applied under NOC 1123, as the job I have held in Canada for the past two years is as a literary agent in the film industry. Again, my degree was not in my field. It's true that my NOC says that a related degree is USUALLY required, but I don't believe that with 10 years of experience behind her, your wife will be held to the educational requirements.

Looked at from another perspective, if you apply and are accepted you will enter Canada with the much-preferred status of PR in just a few months, and, if it turns out employers want to see that graphic design degree, tuition costs will be much lower than they would be if you were not PRs.

On the other hand, if she is turned down, you will also know that in just a few months, and can apply as international students if you like. I don't really see the point in not going ahead with your application.

 

[dobes]

o-o

I bet a lot of people didn't check the requirement for their NOC, and only checked duties.. I know I haven't up to now.

When asked when I became quilified for my occupation, I wrote the date when I got my degree, as this is the requirement for my country. Unfortunately, it is only required that you have some sort of post secondary credential, and it doensn't matter in what field - mine was in photography at the time. I got my degree in Economics 2 years ago.

Now I see a problem, as under my noc's requirements is says:

Employment requirements

-Completion of secondary school is usually required.
-Completion of a one- or two-year college or other program for administrative assistants or secretaries
or
Previous clerical experience is required.

now, what do you think this will make of my application ?? All of my relevant work experiance in this NOC code is dated from when I completed my degree in photography, and this is what I put in in my application.

I don't know how I managed to overlook this issue..

someone please give some sound advise..

Cracked, really sory to hijack your topic., but I feel my problem is related to yours and you might get some insight even if someone answers my question..

For you, I am sure this doesn't matter. I put in a date in 2009 as the date I "qualified" as a literary agent. In fact, I didn't have a job as a literary agent until September, 2013. In 2009 I was working as an ESL teacher and journalist in Slovakia. But my mother was making a transition from being an attorney in the US to writing screenplays, and I decided to try to sell one for her. I enjoyed contacting directors and producers, and, in fact, I did sell her work - and that was how I decided on being a literary agent. But I did all that as a private person, and I could never prove that I did it, nor did I mention it in my PR application - and CIC just didn't care. I believe the qualification question is really for those who need a license in addition to their educational credentials in order to practice - like doctors, lawyers, teachers, aestheticians, etc.

 

[$unn¥123]

Wow superb man...
So dones what u say in my case...my bachelor degree has date april,2011. And i started my job in june,2011 ..
As im in same boat of qualification not match with NOC...
Which date i need to write in section ' when i become qualified for this occupation' ??
And while filling education history which date i suppose to write ...date when was exam help or dat which is on my marksheets and on degree??

 

[yelena]

For you, I am sure this doesn't matter. I put in a date in 2009 as the date I "qualified" as a literary agent. In fact, I didn't have a job as a literary agent until September, 2013. In 2009 I was working as an ESL teacher and journalist in Slovakia. But my mother was making a transition from being an attorney in the US to writing screenplays, and I decided to try to sell one for her. I enjoyed contacting directors and producers, and, in fact, I did sell her work - and that was how I decided on being a literary agent. But I did all that as a private person, and I could never prove that I did it, nor did I mention it in my PR application - and CIC just didn't care. I believe the qualification question is really for those who need a license in addition to their educational credentials in order to practice - like doctors, lawyers, teachers, aestheticians, etc.

I really appreciate your answer it should not matter, or even if it did, the requirement says it is required to have some clerical experiance. I have close to 8 years of experiance in this profession., I just need them to accept the minimal two.

So mad at myself as this never came up and I was sure I covered all the pittfulls and posible rejection reasons..

If they decide they dont like my application, I just gave them a reason to reject me

 

[spyfy]

Maybe this will put you at ease a bit:

Check this page:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/econ/fsw/minimum.asp

If you open the item named "Minimum work experience requirement"
it states this:
"Note: The applicant does not need to demonstrate that they meet the “employment requirements” listed in the NOC occupational description."

I would say this makes things pretty clear.

Also, I recently got PR (two months ago) through Express Entry FSW, NOC 2173
Background:
- Job experience through part time job: Aug 2007 - Jul 2011 and Oct 2012 to Jul 2013
- I started my undergrad in Oct 2007 and finished it in Oct 2010

For the "When did you become qualified" I just put: Aug 2007, the first time I had a part time job in that field. I was 19 back then and hadn't even started my undergrad!

And my application got approved!

So both the quote from the regulations as well as my experience should make things easier for you, I hope.

 

[dobes]

Maybe this will put you at ease a bit:

Check this page:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/econ/fsw/minimum.asp

If you open the item named "Minimum work experience requirement"
it states this:
"Note: The applicant does not need to demonstrate that they meet the “employment requirements” listed in the NOC occupational description."

I would say this makes things pretty clear.

Also, I recently got PR (two months ago) through Express Entry FSW, NOC 2173
Background:
- Job experience through part time job: Aug 2007 - Jul 2011 and Oct 2012 to Jul 2013
- I started my undergrad in Oct 2007 and finished it in Oct 2010

For the "When did you become qualified" I just put: Aug 2007, the first time I had a part time job in that field. I was 19 back then and hadn't even started my undergrad!

And my application got approved!

So both the quote from the regulations as well as my experience should make things easier for you, I hope.

So that's two of us, yelena - and I'm sure there are plenty more. No worries! I know your crazy medical experience could be making you nervous overall, but I'm sure now that's been straightened out you'll be fine.

 

[Reginald]

I've always been aware of NOC education requirement. I even asked the question on this forum once I guess. However, there may be a ray of hope: recall the September 15, 2015 updates to express entry posted on this forum. I read that update in great detail due to my situation regarding this topic. I found with mixed feelings that we do not have to demonstrate that we meet the NOC education requirement. What exactly that means, I'm not sure. I'll try to find that update again and paste that portion here. However, if a kind forumite is willing to post it if they have it handy, that'll be great so we all can analyze that portion and individually choose a way forward.

Cheers

 

[Reginald]

I found the page:

Minimum work experience requirement
The applicant must have accumulated at least one year of continuous full-time (or the equivalent in part-time) paid work experience in the occupation identified in their application for permanent residence as their primary occupation. In calculating this period of work experience, the occupation must be listed in skill type 0 (Managerial occupations), skill level A (Professional occupations) or skill level B (Technical occupations and skilled trades) of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011 [R75(2)(a)].
The applicant’s skilled work experience must also
• have occurred within the ten years preceding the date of their application for permanent residence; and
• not be in an occupation that has been designated as a restricted occupation.
Note: At the time of publication, no occupations were designated as restricted.
In addition, during that period of employment, the applicant must have
• performed the actions described in the lead statement for the occupation as set out in the occupational description of the NOC [R75(2)(b)]; and
• performed a substantial number of the main duties, including all of the essential duties, of the occupation as set out in the occupational description of the NOC [R75(2)(c)].

Note: The applicant does not need to demonstrate that they meet the “employment requirements” listed in the NOC occupational description.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/econ/fsw/minimum.asp

Let's try to interprete/analyze it.

 

[$unn¥123]

So dones what u say in my case...my bachelor degree has date april,2011. And i started my job in june,2011 ..
As im in same boat of qualification not match with NOC...
Which date i need to write in section ' when i become qualified for this occupation' ??
And while filling education history which date i suppose to write ...date when was exam help or dat which is on my marksheets and on degree??

 

[yelena]

Spyfy, dobes and others as well, so really appreciate your effort and finding the instruction on not needing to have educational part for our noc.

It might be my experiance with this process that is making me nervous.

What ever.. thans guys., this is what forum is about