POST 1

INTRO

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the Ministry of the Canadian Federal Government that facilitates migration. Express Entry (EE) is an electronic application system used by IRCC to select & process some of Canada’s economic immigration programs, one of which is the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program (the focus of this thread).

*Express Entry Process, read HERE
*Express Entry FAQs read HERE
*IRCC Glossary of Terms, read HERE

*Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) Express Entry, details HERE.
*Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) Express Entry, details HERE
*Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry, details HERE
*Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Express Entry, details HERE
*Compare FSW, FST and CEC programs HERE



NOCs FOR CATEGORY BASED DRAWS ARE HERE.

The 2024 categories are:
1.French-language proficiency
2.Healthcare occupations (35 NOCs)
3.Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations (24 NOCs)
4.Trade occupations (10 NOCs)
5.Transport occupations (10 NOCs)
6.Agriculture and agri-food occupations (3 NOCs)

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For other Canadian immigration paths including: Family Sponsorship, Atlantic Immigration Program, Caregivers, Start-up Visa, Business Visa, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, read HERE

For spouse/common law/conjugal partner sponsorship after you become PR, read HERE

Previous EE-FSW Nairaland Threads:
PART 1HERE, PART 2HERE, PART 3HERE, PART 4HERE, PART 5HERE, PART 6 HERE, PART 7HERE, PART 8HERE, PART 9HERE, PART 10HERE

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SISTER NAIRALAND THREADS

*IELTS support and resources, go HERE, HERE and HERE
*For TEF/TCF/French and the option of 62+ extra CRS points from CLB7 in LRWS, read up HERE
*If you have only a BSc, get 30+ more CRS points with a second degree/certification:
- CIMA, check HERE,
- BCS, click HERE
- Other courses (NOUN, NACETEM, CIPM, ACCA) HERE
*Living in Canada, see HERE
*Plan to study in Canada, click HERE
*Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP - you can get this if your spouse is studying in Canada), check HERE

POST 2

FSW ELIGIBILITY

First things first, you must score at least 67 points out of 100 under the selection factors to be eligible for FSW or PNP (under Express Entry).

Calculate your eligibility points HERE.

The minimum eligibility criteria/requirements for FSW are listed HERE. You will need more than this minimum to get maximum CRS points.

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ESTIMATE YOUR CRS

If you are eligible (67/100 and above), then you can complete a profile and you will placed in the Express Entry POOL of candidates with other candidates based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Criteria.

*Use the CRS tool/calculator to estimate your CRS score HERE

*CRS Grid (GIVES THE SAME RESULT BUT IS A MORE DETAILED FORMAT OF THE CALCULATOR ABOVE) is HERE. Use this to manually cross check your calculated CRS score. You should know the components of your CRS points like the back of your hand (e.g. how many points do you currently have from age, education, skills, work experience, language exams etc). This grid also clearly shows the options for getting more points. If you have not analyzed this grid yourself then you will be uncertain and the answers you may get from people may be incorrect! STUDY THE CRS GRID!!!

*Check the CRS of the last draw and trend of CRS scores from 2015 to date HERE

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INELIGIBLE PROFILES


If your profile is ineligible, create a new one, ensure your calculation of eligibility (from the first link o this post) is equal to or greater than 67. *Check your IELTS is at least LRWS 6666 and not expired,
*Check that the exact POF is updated and there is no comma, only figures,
*Check your hours of work,
*Check that the NOC is not Teer 4 or 5.
*Check your primary NOC is at a minimum 1 year

Any relative, other than your sibling or the sibling of your spouse/common law partner, adds ZERO to your CRS but could add 5 points to your eligibility score. If you have over 67 in eligibility, maybe don't bother to claim eligibility points from a non-sibling relative.


Eligibility points are just as important as CRS points - BOTH are evaluated when you submit your PR application.

POST 3

ENTERING THE POOL/CREATING AN EXPRESS ENTRY PROFILE - regardless of how low you think your CRS score is, please please please GET IN THE POOL i.e. SUBMIT AN EXPRESS ENTRY PROFILE

Once eligible (67/100 and above), you can create an Express Entry profile - you ONLY need your language exam results, ECA and NOC code to do this. See details on this below.

Start creating your profile HERE. You need to click on "sign into secure account", follow the steps by creating a GC Key account.

Entering the pool = creating a profile, this is NOT the same as submitting an application for permanent residence (PR). You only submit an application AFTER an invitation to apply (ITA).

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*LANGUAGE EXAMS: read HERE. Language exam results are valid for 2 years.

Read up on how to convert your IELTS, CELPIP, TCF Canada or TEF Canada scores to CLB/NCLC HERE. A minimum of CLB7 in LRWS is required to qualify for FSW and set up an EE profile (for IELTS this is a LRWS 6/6/6/6). To get max CRS points for language (CLB10) you need IELTS LRWS 8.5/8/7.5/7.5, the step below that (CLB9) is LRWS 8/7/7/7.

The approved language tests are:
*English
-IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - IELTS General only (NOT Academic)
-CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) - CELPIP General only
-PTE Core (Pearson Test of English) - PTE Core only

*French
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) - not TEF Quebec!
- TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français) - not TCF Quebec or TCF Tout Public!

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*EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT (ECA): read HERE. Results are valid for 5 years. There are different types of ECAs, you need to get an ECA for IMMIGRATION.

Applicants must complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) through one of the designated agencies for education/degrees received outside of Canada to ensure that their foreign education is equivalent to Canadian education.

Even if you plan to study in Canada to increase your CRS, you should still evaluate your non-Canadian degrees...unless the Canadian degree is a Masters or PhD.

If you already have a PhD or MSc, you should ONLY evaluate your highest degree (regardless of if you also have a BSc, OND, HND).

If you already have a Masters, a second Masters degree (or other additional degrees except it's a PHD) will NOT increase your CRS, the only thing higher than one Masters degree is a PhD.

If you have a BSc, OND, HND [b]and you're likely to go down the PNP route, it may be wise to evaluate ALL your degrees.

If you are not likely to go down the PNP route, evaluating a Bachelors in addition to OND and HND, does not give incremental CRS points when you already have the points from two or more degrees.[/b]


Designated Organisations: are listed HERE
1.Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (CES): evaluates LLB (for lawyers) as a professional degree (same CRS points as Masters)
2.International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
3.World Education Services (WES): most popular, but evaluates LLB as a Bachelors not as a professional degree. A VO may likely not award professional degree CRS points if your ECA does not explicitly say so. It was not advisable for Lawyers seeking maximum CRS points to use WES. However, this was challenged recently, read HERE and HERE for the judicial cases.
4.International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS): evaluates LLB (for lawyers) as a professional degree (same CRS points as Masters) and evaluates RN and RM (for nurses) as 2 degrees
5.International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

Some ECA organizations do not recognize degrees from Universities in the Republic of Benin, so research thoroughly and read the ECA organization’s websites before committing funds. In general, if your University is not recognized, then your ECA is worthless for FSW

Read HERE to understand your ECA report and determine the CRS and/or eligibility points you get from your evaluation.

Designated Professional Bodies:

Architects: If your primary occupation is architect (NOC code 21200), the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) (professional body for architects designated on May 20, 2024) must do your assessment. However, if you already have an ECA that was issued by another designated organization before October 31, 2024, IRCC will still accept it if it is valid. Read more HERE

Physicians: If your primary occupation is specialist or family physician (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102) Medical Council of Canada (MCC) MUST do an ECA for your primary medical diploma.

Pharmacists: If you are a pharmacist (NOC 31120) or studied pharmacy, read more HERE.

If you evaluate/complete an online course like CIMA, ACCA, BCS, indicate "distance learning" in CAPs, in bracket after your education and update location as your country of residence during the course, otherwise the system may automatically require a UK PCC.

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*NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION (NOC), read HERE to find out how to choose your NOC and check the 2021 NOC TEER category (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) of your work experience.

You will NOT be eligible for FSW with a 2021 NOC TEER category 4 or 5 job.


NOCs FOR CATEGORY BASED DRAWS ARE HERE


*MORE DETAILS ON NOC AND SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE: read HERE.
You need to have AT LEAST one year CONTINUOUS, full-time (at least 30 hours of paid work per week) or equivalent part-time work experience (2 years of 15 hours of paid work per week) in an occupation that is 2021 NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3 in the past 10 years. You can combine several NOCs and jobs to make up the 3 year maximum required but ONE of them, the PRIMARY NOC, must be 1 year CONTINUOUS.

*Work experience while studying & paid internships may count for FSW, read HERE for more details. Also read HERE.

*Self Employed applicants are also eligible for FSW, read HERE for more details.

*Work experience does NOT need to match education/degree for FSW (except for practicing Doctors/Pharmacists). FSW work experience is not about what you studied as a degree, but what you do/did in your job e.g. an engineering graduate working as a barber must choose the NOC for barbers not engineers. Also your job description in your reference letter must match the barber NOC. In order to be assigned points under FSW for foreign (non- Canadian) work experience, you must have performed the actions described in the lead statement, a substantial number of the main duties, including all essential duties of your chosen NOC and be paid. Read HERE and HERE for NOC rejection stories

*You do NOT need to meet the employment requirements listed on the NOC you choose (except for practicing Doctors/Pharmacists) e.g. your NOC “employment requirements” section may say a PhD is required for your NOC, however to qualify for FSW, you do not need to have a PhD, see HERE. This may be different for PNPs e.g. SINP.


*You only need to indicate jobs/NOCs you are claiming CRS points for in your work history (provided you are at 67 and above in terms of eligibility points without the other jobs/NOCs). Meaning, if you have 67 and above eligibility points with your 3 years work experience, then only provide references for the 3 years work experience and update everything else in personal history post ITA. Personal history only shows up AFTER ITA, it must have ALL activities in the last 10 years INCLUDING your work history (so this will look like you are updating work history activity twice). YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OR DOCUMENTS FOR THINGS IN YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY THAT YOU ARE NOT CLAIMING CRS POINTS FOR.

You do not need to include your spouse's non-Canadian work experience in their work history, just add it to their personal history, spouse's non-Canadian work experience adds zero points to the CRS. Only add their education to their education history if they have an ECA, otherwise add to their personal history as well.


***NOC mismatch is a common reason for rejected FSW applications. Your job DESCRIPTION (i.e. the tasks you performed) must match your NOC. Your job TITLE does NOT need to match the NOC job titles. It is your JOB DESCRIPTION that must match the NOC duties, your degree is irrelevant (except you are a doctor or practising pharmacist). DO NOT COPY AND PASTE THE NOC DUTIES AS YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION. Lastly, those managerial NOC’s starting with 0 are for bosses, ensure you are an oga and your duties show that before choosing them. One rejection story had a youth corper/recent graduate claiming a managerial NOC, it didn’t end well.** Read the story HERE


NOC is so important that this person changed hers post AOR when she realised she had made an error, read HERE

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*PROOF OF FUNDS (POF): You must show that you have enough money to settle in Canada. The amount of money you need depends on the size of your family. If you are single, your family size is 1. With a spouse, 2, with one child , 3 etc. Check the current values per family size HERE. A sample LOE for POF showing what your POF is comprised of is HERE. You must update the correct POF for your profile to be eligible. You only need to update the amount when you join the pool, HOWEVER you must provide actual evidence (e.g. bank letter, bank statements, gift deed etc.) of POF when you submit your application to IRCC. People often keep POF as a current or savings account balance, fixed deposit or money market investment with a fund/asset manager. Some have used microfinance banks.

POST 4

INVITATION TO APPLY (ITA)

Candidates are chosen from the Express Entry pool using draws. These draws are usually conducted fortnightly, on Wednesdays. Some draws are all program draws (accommodating FSW, PNP, FST, CEC in one draw) . Some draws are program specific (CEC only or FST only or PNP only). Some draws are Category Based Draws looking at select NOCs only. Read more HERE.


NOCs FOR CATEGORY BASED DRAWS ARE HERE.

The 2024 categories are:
1.French-language proficiency
2.Healthcare occupations
3.Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
4.Trade occupations
5.Transport occupations
6.Agriculture and agri-food occupations


In these draws, candidates above a certain CRS score (CRS cut-off) are invited to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Candidates with CRS below the cut-off are not invited. For candidates with exactly the same score as the draw CRS cut-off, the tie break rule will apply. Read more about the tie break rule HERE. Effectively, tie break means the earlier you create your EE profile, the better.

You can apply for permanent residence when you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). You have 60 days to decline or accept the ITA and submit an application. Find a step by step post ITA guide HERE. [size=12pt]If you do not accept or decline the ITA at the end of the 60 days the invite will lapse and your profile will no longer be in the pool. You need to decline to remain in the pool if you are not ready to accept the invite.

If you do not get an ITA, you will remain in the pool for up to 12 months from the date you first created your profile, as long as you meet the criteria for one of the federal programs (FSW, FST or CEC) and do not become ineligible. You should update your profile with any changes e.g. new IELTS results, additional degree, marriage etc. Read HERE for instructions on how to update your profile - for marital status update see HERE. Updating your profile does not change the date you originally created it. Always remember to transmit after updating. If your profile becomes ineligible you cannot edit it and there is no cure/solution, you must create a new profile.

If you are not invited to apply within 12 months of submitting an Express Entry profile, your profile will expire. You can open a new profile. An expired profile does not disappear, however the current status should read "profile expired". You can open a new profile using the same GC key.

It is illegal for an individual to have more than one EE profile, read HERE.

POST 5

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION (eAPR)

If you accept the ITA, and are applying for permanent residence, this checklist HERE are good guides, containing everything from what IRCC wants to see in the Work Reference letter to what docs you should submit to claim sibling points etc.

Read how IRCC assesses your Express Entry/Federal Skilled Worker application HERE.

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Also read the Express Entry section of the Immigration Act HERE.

Some people say you don't need to submit your IELTS and ECA reports once you have update the reference numbers on your profile. Well, the Immigration Act actually requires us to provide the ECA and IELTS reports with our applications (paragraphs R75(2)(d) and (e)), and some applicants have been rejected for omitting them, see HERE. You already have it in electronic form, so please scan the IELTS and ECA reports in the Education placeholder along with your degree certificates. PNP folks should submit Schedule 4: Economic Classes - Provincial Nominee and their Nomination Certificate.

Be sure to click on the question mark (?) on the eAPR forms for further details about IRCC’s questions and how to respond to them.

Some requirements include:

- PROVINCE YOU WANT TO RESIDE IN/QUEBEC: do not select Quebec as your province of choice, your application WILL BE REJECTED. Beware!!! Quebec runs their own skilled workers program. FSW is designed for those planning to live in ANY province EXCEPT Quebec. If in doubt, read this judicial case HERE.

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- APPLICATION FEES: Read HERE

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- PROOF OF FUNDS (POF): You must show that you have enough money to settle in Canada. POF can't be borrowed. Funds must be readily available. If your spouse is coming with you, you can count money you have together in a joint account. You may be able to count money in an account under spouse's name only, but you must prove you have access to the money. The amount of money you need to support your family depends on the size of your family. For POF purposes, your family includes: yourself, your spouse/partner, your dependent children and your spouse’s dependent children, if any (INCLUDING NON ACCOMPANYING).

*Read more about POF HERE

*Everything you need to know about Gift Deed is HERE

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- MEDICALS: Your family includes: yourself, your spouse/partner, your dependent children and your spouse’s dependent children, if any (INCLUDING NON ACCOMPANYING). Your family must undergo a medical test conducted by a doctor on the list of IRCC designated panel physicians, you can’t just go to any hospital. Q-life (Lagos) and IOM (Lagos and Abuja) are currently the only 2 clinics in Nigeria for IRCC medicals. Read more about medicals HERE. See HERE for IRCC approved panel physicians available in your country of residence, wherever that may be.

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- POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES (PCC): Police certificates are mandatory for each country (except Canada) where an individual has spent six months or more in a row within the last 10 years or since the age of 18. PCCs are required for the Principal Applicant, spouse and dependent children - your children, your spouse's children who are 18 years of age or older (INCLUDING NON ACCOMPANYING).

Read more about police certificates and how to get one for each country HERE.

PCC is a common reason for rejected FSW applications, along with NOC mismatch, so just spend some time reading the IRCC website to save yourself heartache over something so simple and so comparatively cheap!

*For the applicant’s current country of residence, the police certificate must have been issued no more than six months before the submission of the e-APR. For countries in which the applicant no longer resides, the police certificate must have been issued AFTER the last time the applicant lived in that country. In this link, IRCC suggest you get a PCC for several/frequent short stays (e.g. 4 months) in the same country over a period. To get PCC for Nigeria, when abroad, read HERE

*Ensure you carefully check the IRCC requirement for the country you are getting a PCC for, as some also require additional docs like a driving licence. Scan your PCC in colour NOT black & white.

If you evaluate/complete an online course like CIMA, ACCA, BCS, indicate "distance learning" in CAPs, in bracket after your education and update location as your country of residence during course otherwise the system may automatically require a UK PCC.

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- BIOMETRICS: You and your dependents (including children above the age of 14), should schedule an appointment online with your closest Visa Application Center (VAC) when instructed by IRCC. You need to give your biometrics, even if you gave them in the last 10 years. As of June 14, 2023, IRCC is resuming biometrics collection for all permanent residence applicants. There are two VACs in Nigeria - Abuja and Lagos. Read more about biometrics HERE

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- SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE REFERENCE LETTER: It is NOT advisable to write a work reference letter by yourself, it's better for your supervisor or colleague to write one if the employer/HR won’t (include a copy of the person's ID and call card). Ensure that your reference letter contains a job description that matches (1) the lead statement, (2) ALL the essential duties and (3) MOST of the main duties listed on your chosen NOC, in addition to all the other requirements (hours of work, pay etc).


Do not submit a PR application WITHOUT a reference letter containing your duties and other details required by IRCC - see the first link on this post for the checklist showing exactly what IRCC wants to see in that letter!


Read HERE to find out how to choose your NOC and check the 2021 NOC TEER category (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) of your work experience.

NOC website is HERE, it contains the lead statement and duties for all NOCs. Read a strategy for getting your reference letter HERE


Read HERE to see how to match your job description to your NOC.

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*You only need to indicate jobs/NOCs you are claiming CRS points for in your work history (provided you are at 67 and above in terms of eligibility points without the others jobs/NOCs). Meaning, if you have 67 and above eligibility points with your 3 years work experience, then only provide references for the 3 years work experience and update everything else in personal history post ITA. Personal history only shows up AFTER ITA, it must have ALL activities in the last 10 years INCLUDING your work history (so this will look like you are updating work history activity twice). YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OR DOCUMENTS FOR THINGS IN YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY THAT YOU ARE NOT CLAIMING CRS POINTS FOR.

You do not need to include your spouse's non-Canadian work experience in their work history, just add it to personal history, spouse's non-Canadian work experience adds zero points to the CRS. Only add their education to education history if they have an ECA, otherwise add to their personal history as well.


**NOC mismatch is a common reason for rejected FSW applications. Your job DESCRIPTION (i.e. the tasks you performed) must match your NOC.

Your job TITLE does NOT need to match the NOC job titles. It is your JOB DESCRIPTION not your University degree that the Visa Officer will match to your chosen NOC. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE THE NOC DUTIES AS YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION.

Lastly, those managerial NOC’s starting with 0 are for bosses, ensure you are an oga and your duties show that before choosing them. One rejection story had a youth corper/recent graduate claiming this, it didn’t end well.** Read the story HERE


NOC is so important that this person changed hers post AOR when she realised she had made an error, read HERE

POST 6

POST AOR

Track your application HERE

To get an IMM form from IRCC website, click HERE

Having trouble downloading any of IRCC's IMM forms? Read HERE You may need to save to your desktop first and then open with Adobe.


If you get an ADR for personal history IMM5669, it may be helpful to go back to your application to get the exact data (education dates, address etc.) you filled at AOR, you can view the data but can no longer edit:

To view what you updated in your application: Login to your GCkey account, click on "check full application status" to open your PR application
- click on "view submitted application or upload documents."
- when that page loads, in the url change the last part:
from this "http ://......../documentsToSubmit" to this "http ://........./applicationChecklist" exactly as written. The characters are case sensitive.


To submit additional docs after AOR including any ADRs already updated on the ADR placeholders or to CONTACT IRCC with a question or other update about your application e.g. what is my visa office fill a webform or case specific enquiry (CSE) HERE or HERE


Read HERE to check your visa office if you are not getting responses to your webforms.


To PLACE A PHONE CALL IRCC, read HERE


Read HERE for steps to follow if your application is taking a very long time to be concluded.


For a more detailed update on your application, order GCMS notes. The process is HERE.


To understand your GCMS notes, click HERE and HERE


Read judicial reviews of FSW rejections HERE.


Docs to be submitted to VFS post PPR, read HERE. You will need to pay VFS transmission fees for children who didn't do biometrics. If submitting to a VFS where no one in the family did biometrics, then you need to pay VFS transmission for the entire family, read HERE


Read HERE for things to prepare for while landing at the border.


Prepare for life in Canada, read about pre-arrival services HERE.

POST 7

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) AND SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

1) How do I start this whole Canadian Immigration thing? Read HERE What if I'm already over 40 years old? Truth is that younger people (< 30) have a better chance, all things being equal. A candidate below 30 with a Masters degree, 3 years work experience, no Canadian sibling or Canadian work experience, who maxes IELTS and whose spouse also maxes spouse (with a BSc) has a CRS 482. A 45 year old with the same qualifications has a CRS of 382 (zero points for age). If they study and pass the TEF/French exam (CLB7 across board), that goes up to 444. It'll be higher if the person is less than 45. That may not be a bad score if IRCC do a French specific draw or if the person's NOC is on the target list for category based draws (STEM, Healthcare etc.). Some people have been known to sponsor a younger sibling, who they claim 15 points from once the person lands in Canada. There is also the option of PNP.

2) Experience is the best teacher. Read HERE for an oldie but goodie post of people with unique experiences (used NYSC work experience, added spouse, added baby, used self-employed, used gift deed, used multiple NOCs etc).

3) Could I apply from another country other than my home country? Yes. In their annual reports on Express Entry, IRCC track country of residence separately from country of citizenship. Read HERE for these reports. Could I move to another country after I apply? Yes, but inform IRCC by webform.

4) I made a previous application to IRCC e.g. study visa, TRV and I omitted something (e.g. one of my jobs or a MSc) which I now need/want to include in my EE PR application, what do I do? It may be wise to include it now and explain why it was previously omitted, read HERE.

5) Could I have more than one express entry profile simultaneously? No, it is illegal for one individual to have more than one EE profile, read HERE. Some people say a husband and wife can have 2 different profiles (one in which wife is PA and second in which husband is PA) since they are two different individuals. Who should be PA, my spouse or me? Use the CRS calculator in post 2 above to simulate your sources and compare, go with the person who gives higher scores as PA.

6) What documents must I submit with my application? This HERE and HERE are good guides of documents to be submitted. If you be efiko, you can also read the Immigration Act that speaks to Express Entry HERE

7) Do I need to create a new GCKey to create an Express entry profile? No. Could I use the one I created for a previous application to IRCC for a visitor or study visa? Yes. Read up HERE. What if I keep getting an error message when I try to log in my GCKey? Try reloading the page several times or clear your cache or close browser and reopen or try using another browser (e.g. Chrome instead of Egde) altogether or switch to incognito/private mode or try another network provider (e.g. switch from MTN to Glo) or use a VPN. When filling the work experience section, when did I first qualify to practice in this NOC? Read up HERE

8 ) Can someone please explain PNP to me? Each province has its own PNP programmes. Some provinces have several PNP programmes. Some PNP programmes are related to Express Entry and some are not. The ones that are not related to Express Entry are often paper based. For those PNP programmes related to Express Entry, you are able put in an expression of interest (EOI) on the province portal/website e.g. SINP (Saskatchewan), others pick candidates by themselves from the Express Entry pool e.g. OINP (Ontario). For PNPs that are related to Express Entry, you will need to create an Express Entry profile on canada.ca. As an example, even though SINP have their own EOI platform/portal they will typically ask for your EE profile number etc. In summary whether you are interested in FSW or PNP: evaluate your degree(s), take the IELTS and create an Express Entry profile. Read about PNP Express Entry HERE and PNP NON Express Entry HERE for the websites for each province and further details for exploring EE and non EE PNPs.

9) I am the PA, does my spouse need to do IELTS and ECA? Not compulsory, but spouse's IELTS and ECA will likely increase your family CRS. Read HERE. If I am currently single but plan to get married, when is the best time to get married and add my spouse? After AOR not after ITA. Read HERE.

10) How do I update points for 2 or more degrees on Express Entry Profile and Application? You update each degree separately, read HERE. I don’t understand my ECA report? Can I claim a professional degree or two or more certificates etc? Read HERE to find out.

11) Are there CRS points for spouse/common law partner’s second language? No. none. Read HERE.

12) The name on my current passport is different from the names on my degree certificates OR my first, middle and last names are arranged differently on some documents (Ms Aisha Babs Chika, Ms Chika Aisha Babs) OR my name is misspelt OR one name is missing OR I have now gotten married and changed my name. What do I do? A “one and the same person affidavit” may help with this. Read HERE

13) How do I begin the search for my NOC? Read HERE. What about if I work for a family company? Shouldn't be a problem, read HERE.

14) Could I combine multiple/different NOCs to make up my 3 years of work experience? Yes, you can combine several NOCs/jobs to make up the 3 year maximum required but one of them, the primary NOC must be 1 year CONTINUOUS. All the jobs must be paid and meet minimum number of hours, were in the last 10 years etc. Read more HERE. The NOCs do not have to be in the same field.

15) Do I need to be currently employed or use my current employment? No, you may use any previous work experience within the last 10 years provided it meets the IRCC conditions. If you are targeting Category Based Draws (CBD), remember that the CBD NOC in your profile must be work experience from the last 3 years. If not CBD, then work experience from the last 10 years works for regular FSW.

16) Does my job title need to match any of the NOC job titles? No, it is your JOB DESCRIPTION/DUTIES that needs to match the NOC duties not your job title. Does my University degree need to match my NOC or my NOC education requirements? No, it is your JOB DESCRIPTION that needs to match the NOC duties, for FSW (except you are a practicing doctor or pharmacist). This may be different for PNPs.

17) Do I need to include jobs that I'm not claiming points for in my work history, especially if I already have 3 years in my work history? You only need to indicate jobs/NOCs you are claiming CRS points for in your work history (provided you are at 67 and above in terms of eligibility points without the others jobs/NOCs). Meaning, if you have 67 and above eligibility points with your 3 years work experience, then only provide references for the 3 years work experience and dump everything else in personal history post ITA. YOU DO NOT NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OR DOCUMENTS FOR THINGS IN YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY THAT YOU ARE NOT CLAIMING CRS POINTS FOR BUT YOU DO NEED TO STATE ALL YOUR ACTIVITIES FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS IN PERSONAL HISTORY. Some items in your education or employment history section may overlap with personal history - this is absolutely fine e.g. you were working while doing your MBA part time. You do not need to include your spouse's non-Canadian work experience in their work history, add it to personal history, spouse's non-Canadian work experience adds zero points to the CRS. Only add their education to education history if they have an ECA, otherwise add to personal history.

18) What does a Gift Deed/Deed of Gift look like? See samples HERE and HERE

19) I was paid in cash. Not a problem, see sample cash salary certificate if you wish to add this to your application as further evidence of employment HERE

20) Do I need my POF to be in my account for 6 months before I apply for FSW? NO. Read HERE . If you are NOT using a gift deed, you may want to explain large deposits/amounts received with an LOE. Do I still need a reference letter from my bank even though I have my statement of account? YES O!!! Read HERE Can I use the POF account as normal, receive money into it and make payments from it? Yes, provided your account balance does not drop below the CAD equivalent required for your family size.

21) Does my POF have to be in my local currency? No. Might be better to save in foreign currency (dollars) because of exchange rate changes. Read HERE for some perspectives on local versus foreign currency. Do I need to provide POF if I have a job in Canada? Your ITA letter should have the stream you were invited on. The draw may have been CBD but your stream will always be either FSW, CEC or FST (check your ITA letter). If you are CEC, no need for POF but the system will still ask you for it so follow the instructions in the link. If your ITA letter says FSW not CEC, then see if your job qualifies as a valid job offer, also defined HERE. Can I hold my POF in more than one account and more than one currency? Yes, see sample LOE showing what your POF is comprised of HERE.

22) Could I change the currency or form of my POF after AOR e.g. from fixed deposit to treasury bills or from Naira to USD or CAD? Yes, provided the amount is equal to or exceeds the amount you need for your family size in CAD. Some people think you need to let IRCC know, some people don’t.

23) Do I need to provide tax documents to prove my work experience? No, unless IRCC has specifically asked through ADR or you are applying as self-employed and want to include it as evidence of business ownership.

24) Do I need to provide pay slips? You could, if you have them and if your ref letter does not explicitly say you were paid. The question mark on the eAPR forms relating to work experience asks for it, if you have it.

25) My company has no online presence? Not a problem. Read HERE. Company not registered and I am an employee - then read HERE.
Company not registered and I am self employed - then read HERE.

26) Could I change my NOC or other details in my express entry profile, while I am in the pool, before ITA? Yes, a candidate can update their information anytime, the CRS will be recalculated accordingly. Read HERE and HERE. See this post HERE about updating marital status

27) Could I change my NOC or other details after ITA? Can the details in my express entry profile be different from what I submit in my PR application (eAPR)? Yes, but some changes may affect your CRS. You still need to meet eligibility points (minimum 67/100) and your recalculated CRS must exceed the minimum/cut-off CRS of the draw that you were invited for, otherwise your application may be rejected. Read HERE. A LOE may be necessary depending on what exactly you are changing. Read this rejection story HERE. In his EE profile he changed his NOC but didn’t edit the details to contain the history for this NOC with dates, organization name etc. The moral of the story is to have your EE profile up to date and accurate at all times.

28) What happens to my CRS if I have a birthday after ITA but before AOR? Nothing, CRS remains the same, age is locked at ITA. Read HERE and HERE

29) What if my circumstances change between ITA and AOR e.g. I get married or my IELTS or ECA expires after ITA but before AOR? Your CRS will be affected. NOTHING IS LOCKED AT ITA EXCEPT AGE. Read HERE and HERE

30) I want to add my siblings and parents to my application as dependents. Not possible to add siblings or parents under FSW. Read HERE

31) I want to apply with my partner who I am not married to. It might be possible if you meet the conditions for a common law relationship. Read HERE

32) Do I need to have the same surname as my husband or children to apply for FSW? No, use the name on your current passport for all your processes IELTS, ECA etc. Read HERE and HERE for what IRCC requires married applicants to provide, having the same surname is not one of the requirements. ECA bodies know that names change and the name on your degree certificate may not be your current name. If required, they will ask for a marriage certificate or other change or name document. Your ECA should typically be in your current name (nee your former name).

33) Has anyone adopted children and added them to their application? Yes. Read an experience HERE

34) When can I add spouse or baby to my application? Dependents can be added at any time, including after the visa and COPR are issued, but prior to obtaining permanent resident status/landing. Applicants are to inform IRCC immediately their family composition changes (e.g. marriage, birth of a child, divorce, death etc). Read HERE and HERE for more information. A list of documents to be provided for adding spouse is HERE

35) I am separated but not divorced. Read someone’s experience HERE

36) I can’t get a reference letter from my HR. The company I worked for no longer exists. Read HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for suggestions.

37) I’m claiming 15 sibling CRS points, what documents do I need to provide? Read HERE and search for Relative in Canada. You can claim points from your own sibling or the sibling of your spouse (but NOT from the spouses of your siblings nor from the spouses of your spouse’s siblings). You can claim points for half siblings as well as step siblings (for step siblings your parents need to be currently married or in a common law relationship).

38) Could I change my NOC after AOR? Read someone’s experience HERE

39) I already applied for PR but didn’t pay my Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) at the time. You can still pay after AOR, read HERE

40) Could I spend my POF after AOR? Might not be a wise thing to do, sometimes IRCC sends ADR for POF. Read HERE

41) What should I add to my personal history when completing my application? ALL your activities in the last 10 years (or since you were 18, if that was less than 10 years ago) including periods of unemployment, directorships, volunteering, side hustles etc. Read HERE for a perspective

42) How do I know my Visa Office, whether I have passed eligibility, security, criminality etc.? Contact IRCC HERE or HERE via webform/case specific enquiry (CSE) or read HERE

43) If I am asked to attend an interview what questions could they ask? See HERE and HERE

44) Could I submit my passport to another country’s VFS other than the one in or closest to my home country or country of residence? Some people have done this, some people believe you need to inform IRCC to do this. Your call.

45) Do I need to submit my ECA report and IELTS TRF as well or is updating the reference numbers only in my eAPR ok? You are required to submit the actual documents as scans. This is a crucial part of R75 Minimum Requirements.....the fact that others have got PPR without it does not nullify the law. Read paragraph 75 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act 2001 HERE and HERE

46) Do I need to meet the minimum requirements at ITA or only at AOR? Both at ITA and at AOR. Read HERE.

47) Sample Mutual Funds Reference Letter HERE

48) Sample Work Reference Letter HERE and HERE

49) Who should I address my bank and work experience reference letters to? Read HERE

50) If I have doe IELTS and TEF does it matter which language I put as my first language? Yes, it does, update the lanuage that gives you higher CLB and higher CRS points as first language, read HERE

Finally, the VOs do not have a duty to inform you that your application is incomplete nor do they need to give you a chance to file any required information that was missing when you filed your application. The onus is on the applicant.

In the event that someone’s application is rejected, there is always the judicial review option. Some applicants have been successful with the judge asking IRCC to assign the case to another VO for determination.

Read HERE for the process for applying for a review of the VO/IRCC decision.

Read this case HERE of a person who was rejected for not providing required docs for this sibling in Canada, where the judge determined that the case should be reviewed and assigned to another VO.