Hi everyone, I'm quite new here and looking to kickstart the Express Entry process. I've been trying to consume as much information as I can and to be sincere, it's been overwhelming but I never expected less. A bit about me professionally, I'm a Software Developer, with about 5 years experience. I took the simulated CRS assessment/test with an IELTS score of S7.5, L8.5, R8.0, W7. I specified 2 certificates (I intend taking the BCS Certificate for IT). My total score is about 468, I don't know how great this score is, considering I've been told the threshold is getting higher.

I have a couple of questions:

1) How good is the score? How can I boost it any further if it isn't?

2) Experience-wise as a Software Developer I have been a freelancer most of the time especially in the University, but I have worked at 3 different companies in a professional setting/capacity for about 1 year each. Currently at my third company. Considering my assumptions are correct, I'd be needing 3 different reference letter once in the I get ITA, right?

3) Can I start requesting for these reference letters or do they need to be of a specific date range?

4) Also regarding the issue of POF, I don't have anything in Naira or sitting in my bank at the moment, thanks to how the Naira is being constantly devalued. Can I deposit a lump sum into my Nigerian account when the POF is requested?

These questions are in foresight and assuming I get into the pool and subsequently get an ITA. I'm trying as much as possible to start getting the necessary documentation together as soon as possible.

Thanks.