samsonedos:
I have been heart broken since morning, after seeing my ielts result. would like to know your opinion about me going for EOR.
L-8.5
R-8.5
W-6.5
S-7.5
Overall Band 8
Please, help me.....Your opinion is highly appreciated.

IELTS....una do me strong thing.

Tayodudu:
Hi all,

Pls, I have a few questions.

First, one of my job experiences which i got points for clashes with my full-time master's program. I got the full-time job as an Editor when i was writing my dissertation. My dissertation i did via emails, and occasional meetings with my supervisor during weekends and public holidays. How would i need to explain this to CIC?

Second, i moved some monies from my salary account to my POF account (650k but in trenches not higher than 150k all in a day). Though this doesn't count towards my POF as i got that in gift deed. Would this raise any questions?

ladymarshall:
The rule about not using work experience during your studies applies only to those going througn Canadian Experience Class, i.e work experience in Canada by international students in Canada. It does not apply to foreign work experience for a foreign applicant OUTSIDE Canada. (I am assuming your work experience was not in Canada)

Your first question has been dealt with before in previous parts but I am so overwhelmed with information as I read all part 1-6 that I cannot remember which part to search it out. I do not think you need to explain anything. You are not breaking any rule, but of course you can if you want to in your LOE if it gives you peace of mind.

Look at these links in Canadavisa page, some of the responders mainly Indians claimed work experience while studying outside India and got PR

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/foreign-work-experience-while-full-time-student-for-fsw.389216/page-2

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/work-experience-gained-while-studying-outside-of-canada.459001/page-2


I leave question two to our more experienced seniors here...

ladymarshall:
Sorry I meant, some of the responders mainly Indians claimed work experience[b] while studying outside Canada [/b]and got PR

NothingDoMe:
Congrats fyorgyn. At last.

Odogwucanada:

My dashboard is still showing application received after 12 weeks but I got below mail from ICES after requesting for an update.

"
We can confirm the assessment has been completed. We expect to have it mailed over the next couple of days. Thank you.
"

toyinana:
Am in so much pain now as I just got to see my result after a lot of anxiety, my 1st attempt LRWS - 7.5, 6, 5.5, 7.5. Thanks to all contributors here whose stories has encouraged me as am not giving up.

And am staying glued to NL till my success story lands.

Fyorgyn:


Thanks dear...

samsonedos:
I have been heart broken since morning, after seeing my ielts result. would like to know your opinion about me going for EOR.
L-8.5
R-8.5
W-6.5
S-7.5
Overall Band 8
Please, help me.....Your opinion is highly appreciated.

IELTS....una do me strong thing.

yahooz:
Hi guys, got my COPR on Tuesday.

By the time I got my PPR, my passport's validity was less than 6 months. I had to quickly renew it then go submit it. I didn't bother raising any CSE, I just went to VFS with the new and old passport, I also didn't write any LOE at the point of submitting the passport.

I also didn't get any notification that my passport was ready for pick up, I had to call them to confirm if it was ready, they had returned the passport back to Lagos 2 days earlier. If your CIC profile has been updated and you don't get a pick up notification, you should call VFS to confirm.

I think that's basically all.

Olami2903:
Please is there any lawyer here who has successfully been called to the Canadian Bar? I've done the basic research and know what the process is and the exams that need to be done, would just like to speak to someone who has gone through the actual process to know e.g if they needed their law school transcript and struggles with articling or they could get a waiver. Thanks

Tayodudu:
Hi all,

Pls, I have a few questions.

First, one of my job experiences which i got points for clashes with my full-time master's program. I got the full-time job as an Editor when i was writing my dissertation. My dissertation i did via emails, and occasional meetings with my supervisor during weekends and public holidays. How would i need to explain this to CIC?

Second, i moved some monies from my salary account to my POF account (650k but in trenches not higher than 150k all in a day). Though this doesn't count towards my POF as i got that in gift deed. Would this raise any questions?

ladymarshall:
Silent reader but not anymore, lol. Decided on this journey January 2019.

Wrote ielts 09 Feb (first attempt)

LRWS: 8.5, 8.5, 8, 8. Overall band= 8.5. I saw my result and could not believe. I still think maybe it is not mine and they switched results.

I am grateful to @Eshay for introducing me to the Cannyland journey, this platform and thread, guiding me and sharing her experiences while I prepared for the exams. You are my angel. May our dreams come true

I prepared for a month.

Listening: Practice and concentration is the key. I practiced at least 3 times a week. First results were poor but over time it got better. Know the scores you need to get an 8 (36/40 minimum) and never give up until you can score it in at least 6-7 practice tests consecutively. @happyme31 is so right, that listening tip helped me too especially part 2, 3, and 4. I remember it was a lady that scored so high in part 6 that gave that tip. Practice writing out keys parts of the conversation as you hear them, especially for those academic and touring conversations (part 3 and 4). This will be so useful for answers that are synonyms of what was spoken. For instance, in part 3 of my exam, the supervisor told the student that her presentation was too sudden and the answer was Abrupt. She told the student that she was also too slow, too fast in her speaking and the answer was Irregular. Writing out that conversation helped me identify the synonyms as I rechecked. In those sections, where you have A, B, C options, You would waste a lot of time and lose concentration if you are looking for the answers while the conversation is on. Write out key words and points. Part 1 and sometimes part 2 are straightforward, no need to write all, just listen carefully. If you miss an answer, MOVE ON FAST, don't panic or think about it.

Reading: Skimming and scanning are the keys. The answers are sequential through the passage but they can be tricky. In passage 3 of my exam, the last two answers were in the second paragraph because it mentioned two sentences about outdoor jobs, while the rest of the paragraphs were about indoor jobs. When you cannot find the answer, move on immediately and finish the rest, then return to those unknown questions and read the passages carefully sentence by sentence in that paragraph you think it is, you will find it, depending on how much time you have. While practicing, I noticed my weakness was the difference between False and Not Given, so I spent more time on those parts.

Speaking: Telling a story in part 2 and talkativeness in all the parts are the keys. As @happyme31 pointed out, Jay's videos are the best. I also watched past interviews of band 9 candidates and asked myself why they were deserving of band 9. They never stopped talking and used the right vocabulary for the topic. Talk so much and allow the examiner to get tired and stop you (Be a talkative on that day, even if you are not naturally one). It does not matter if you have no idea. If you are unlucky like me to be asked about tough topics like Global Trade, importation and exportation between countries and sustainability in businesses in part 3, still say anything. I paused and told the examiner that this was a tough question because economics is not my strength but I will answer it anyhow based on my layman's knowledge. I used the example of computer village, Nigeria's population and our hustling spirit as the country's best export. I knew I did not make sense but I was determined to keep talking. I just kept thinking of President Trump who says rubbish with so much confidence and still gets supporters, lol.

Writing: Structure and complex sentences are the keys. Just like @happyme31 said, Jay's video was my only guide. Please use the first 2 minutes to understand the question and what is required. Then use the next three minutes to draw an outline in your question paper of points you want to write. May a sketchy outline so you do not get stuck in the middle of your writing especially for Task 2. Practice using different kinds of sentences (passive, complex, compound questions, etc. Avoid writing in simple sentences). Also, use transitional words like your life depends on them (However, even though, although, yet, still, nevertheless, etc). Use uncommon words as long as they make sense (critics, cousine, turbulence, flabbergasted, etc, write like those village headmasters of those days who use big grammars that make sense). Also keep writing, do not stop, collect extra sheet (you can only do this if you have drawn an outline of your ideas).

For task 2, fill at most three pages or three and a half. Structure is everything in task two, there is a template for writing from Jay's video (introduction, four to five paragraphs for body and elaborate on your ideas, then conclusion). Elaborate on each point in each paragraph (use examples, quote researches and studies (whether they are true or not, the examiner does not care about whether that research really exists), use your personal experiences as a student, worker, mother, father, Nigerian, hustler, business man anything). As you write, imagine you are a debater in the room trying to convince, expantiate, elaborate or prove to your listener about points. Finally, don't be like me, please proofread, allocate the last five minutes to proof read and edit all your tasks. I think I was only fortunate that I write error-free sentences on first draft, but maybe if I had edited, I would have scored higher (maybe, or maybe I scored lower but God touched the examiner's heart). Editing helps and might improve your score by .5 which might make a big difference.

Most importantly, avoid over-confidence. This exam is about technique and strategy, not English knowledge. I am at the level of a native speaker and very advanced user in my profession but I practiced like it was German or Chinese I was preparing for. And after writing the exams, pray, pray, pray to any God you believe in.

Apologies for the long post but I just wanted to help like previous posters in part 6 have helped me too.

ECA is in the final evaluation stage with Wes. Once it comes, I will dive into the pool. I am currently gathering post-ITA docs because my CRS score is really high (thanks to IELTS scores) as our seniors here have advised potential CRS high scorers.


Fingers crossed for us all in every stage of our journeys. May our dreams come true. It will end in praise.

synteeyahani:
LADIES AND GENTS!!!!!!!! IT IS PPRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! (Semi-Long Post Alert from a silent reader )

DECISION TO MIGRATE: April 2018.
Got a call from a friend studying in Canada who encouraged me to apply for express entry. This was after Multiple attempts for PhD and second MSc Admissions in Canada failed. Second MSc, Yasss I was that desperate to leave Naija. I returned to Nigeria in January 2017, with a UK masters degree and was earning less than 100k as salary.

ECA: May/June 2018
Process for credential evaluation was pretty straightforward. My original certificate was faxed to WES, and having a foreign masters degree made the whole process seamless. My school sent my transcript over the next day, and whole process took about a month.


IELTS: June 30, 2018
One Attempt: LRSW (8.5/9/7.5/7) Overall band score 8.

Entered Pool: July 23rd, 2018. CRS: 453. Withdrew profile the next day (Passport was to expire in January). Renewed my passport the next day, entered pool July 25th, and missed ITA by a hairs breath. Had to wait till the next ITA.

ITA: August 08, 2018

MEDICALS
This was quite straightforward. Had mine at The Children's Practice, Ikoyi.

PROOF OF FUNDS(POF)
Used 100% gift deed from my my parents (Joint Savings Account). This was transferred to my savings account and transfer document for that was secured (Transfer receipt plus Teller). Other documents submitted include:
>6-month bank statement showing inflow of cash. I used a green highlighter to highlight the transaction for POF.
>LOE explaining source of funds and the reason I could not obtain Bank letter in CIC format
>Letter of Indebtedness
>Bank Reference Letter

PCC:
I applied for Nigeria and UK PCC. Applied for Nigeria PCC in Enugu (paid 15k and it took about 2 weeks to process)

EMPLOYMENT: Included Offer Letter, Reference letter in CIC format. NO PAYSLIPS, although I included 6 bank statements (on the day my salary was paid) (Payment from my company was highlighted again, with a highlighter).


ADRs: NONE

GCMS NOTES:
Ordered first set of gcms notes on the 29th of November, 2018, arrived in my mailbox on the 2nd of January, 2019. I got to know that my file was in CPC OTTAWA. Not a lot of progress seen. Criminality and Medicals Passed. Eligibility and Security Not Started. Info Sharing: Started.

Raised CSE twice, got generic responses. Called IRCC multiple times but was connected to an agent once in Early February, just after i crossed the 4months mark. (Agent also could not provide any info I didnt already know. Was told Eligibility and Security was in Progress.

Ordered Second GCMS notes after calling CIC (February 14th) because i wasnt satisfied with the responses i had been getting. Yet to arrive

TIMELINE:

ITA: August 08, 2018
AOR: September 23, 2018.
MED passed/ BIL: October 23, 2018.
Biometrics submitted: October 25, 2018
SILENCEEEE
NO ADRS
GHOST UPDATE: Feb 21st, 2019. I formed a habit of checking my account literally everyday after i crossed the 4 months mark. I logged in yesterday morning, and saw that my status had changed to Application/profile updated. No email, statuses remained unchanged (medicals, adr, background and the rest) and no message in my account. After I logged out and logged in again, status changed to submitted.
PPR: Feb 22nd, 2019. Ready for Visa Mail from CPC Ottawa at 2:41am (Dated February 21st, 2019). No message in my account.
VO- Ottawa
Single Applicant.

Thank you everyone for the support and useful information during the process.
Congratulations for all those who got PPR. Wishing everyone the best of luck, PPR is around corner. Hang In There and Never Lose Hope! It will surely end in praise

Sthill5:
I just discovered my file is in Accra.

Completely heartbroken

Sthill5:
I just discovered my file is in Accra.

Completely heartbroken

joo2018:
Q2. It might. That's more than 2000CAD$. You can add a LOE showing the provenance of the funds.

Topsmamen:


Hmm. You never can tell though, might be a blessing in disguise. Just yesterday, I learned someone whose application has been left untouched for a while sent an email to CIC and got an ADR almost instantly. Same Accra. I'm positive PPR is looming for that person. Let's keep the faith.
You might just be surprised.

joo2018:
Keep the faith. I believe Accra will continue to bring good news this year.

Sthill5:
I just discovered my file is in Accra.

Completely heartbroken

Tojued:


Don't be. Accra is not a death sentence. PPR in 5 months is very possible with Accra and 10 months is possible with Ottawa.

Just believe that your case will be different.

Sthill5:
I just discovered my file is in Accra.

Completely heartbroken

toyinana:
Am in so much pain now as I just got to see my result after a lot of anxiety, my 1st attempt LRWS - 7.5, 6, 5.5, 7.5. Thanks to all contributors here whose stories has encouraged me as am not giving up.

And am staying glued to NL till my success story lands.

toyinana:
Am in so much pain now as I just got to see my result after a lot of anxiety, my 1st attempt LRWS - 7.5, 6, 5.5, 7.5. Thanks to all contributors here whose stories has encouraged me as am not giving up.

And am staying glued to NL till my success story lands.

Tayodudu:
Hi all,

Pls, I have a few questions.

First, one of my job experiences which i got points for clashes with my full-time master's program. I got the full-time job as an Editor when i was writing my dissertation. My dissertation i did via emails, and occasional meetings with my supervisor during weekends and public holidays. How would i need to explain this to CIC?

Second, i moved some monies from my salary account to my POF account (650k but in trenches not higher than 150k all in a day). Though this doesn't count towards my POF as i got that in gift deed. Would this raise any questions?