AIPP Update from Fellow Participants

Yesterday, while reading CanadaVisa Forum I found out that some of the participants from NB Information Session last February already received an email from NB staff. They are invited to attend the recruitment fair in Hong Kong on May 21. The NB staff selected candidates from the sessions who are under the following jobs: home support workers, food service supervisors and managers; and manufacturing workers. The employers will contact them directly once they qualified for one of the following jobs. Then, that is the only time they can book their flight to Hong Kong. Each candidates should already have their IELTS and ECA with them before the interview. If the employers find them eligible, they will receive a job offer and can begin their permanent residency application  through the  Pilot or Provincial Nominee Program. 

Here is the sample email from a fellow participant:

Below is from the website http://livinginnb.ca.

This news made me sad a bit because I was  hoping to hear from an employer this April but it doesn't mean I am disheartened as I am not losing hope and faith that soon we will receive an invitation from NB staff. Maybe they decided to do the recruitment fair in Hong Kong because a number of participants from the February sessions have different jobs from what they need. Maybe they will have another sessions in Manila with different set of employers and jobs. Maybe they will be looking for NOC 0601 or 6621. Maybe when that time comes my husband will finally receive the most-awaited job offer that we are praying for. We are keeping our faith high as nothing is impossible with HIM.

NBPNP Email for AIPP

The first week of April has passed and we haven't heard anything from NB staff. I'm thinking if they are just waiting for the Holy Week to pass or if they're still working with the designated employers for the new information session. Since I can't sleep anymore because of anxiety, I've decided to email the NB staff to ask for the designated employers.

I analysed their reply line by line as I want to make sure I'm getting everything correct:

There is no way an employee can apply directly to the designated employers as they are not providing information on who are already designated. So, does it mean they are really into giving information sessions then choosing from applicants who are eligible and have jobs that are in-demand to the province?

Temporary foreign workers and recent international graduates from the province are given priority but if they want to increase their population they must invite and hire foreign workers, too.

This is the part that talked about international information sessions and recruitment fairs. All those who registered and attended the information session last February have to wait for further announcements on when and where will the next sessions be and for what NOC will it be. 

I check the NB Information Session from time to time and today they updated their website and the next sessions will be in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in May. Companies will be looking for applicants under the following:

• Food service supervisors and managers (NOC 6311 and 0631)
• Home support workers (NOC 4412)
• Process Control Operators, Food and Beverage Processing ( NOC 9416)
• Labourers in Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing (NOC 9617)

I am hoping and praying that the next sessions will be in Manila. May they next stop be in the Philippines since they are already in Asia. And I'm staying positive that they need foreign workers with NOC 0601 or 6221.

WES Evaluation

At exactly 20 working days, my husband received an email from WES:

I signed in to his WES account to have a PDF copy of the result.

Then, after three days I received the paper copy. HE answered our prayer when we asked for at least 2-year diploma equivalency to be eligible for the AIPP. Thank YOU!

Now, it's waiting time again. I can't wait for April.

The New Brunswick Information Session February 2017

Today is the big day!

After I finished attending my son's recollection, I just waited for my husband to come home from his conference then at 12:30 pm we headed to AIM Conference Centre in Makati. We left early as we know how bad traffic can get here.

People were already filling up the room when we arrived. I saw many couples attending together, some were alone while others still had their luggage with them as they went straight from the airport and these Filipinos come from different parts of the Philippines and others are working overseas. At exactly 2 pm, one of the staff asked the registered applicants to line up and sign their signature on the white paper. After 15 minutes, the session started. All the companions were also accommodated inside so I was able to attend the session, too, though I didn't sign-up.

The session started with a video showing the province of New Brunswick. It highlighted NB's health care system, lifestyle, education, government, language, and employment. I fell in love with this province right away because I know what it offers are the things that my family needs. We love to experience waking up in a place where there are more trees, lakes, parks, and open spaces with fresh air. I want my children to have a world-class education. I want my husband and I to be in a working environment where our value as a worker are appreciated and well taken care of. I want to go back to school and learn some more. I want my family to see that part of the world. I want us to travel, to learn a new language, to immerse in their culture, to meet the locals, to celebrate new traditions, and  to experience the four seasons. I want to live our dream. I want to be in New Brunswick.

The next part was the presentation of the new Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. Jake Arbuckle went through all the requirements for this program. Once you registered to the sessions, your data will be captured on their database then the designated employers will coordinate with the NB immigration staff to assist them in hiring foreign workers.

These are the powerpoint presentation from the session:

The NB staff will go back in April to hold another information session with designated employers. I am not sure if these are two separate events: a new information session plus recruitment session with employers OR one information session for qualified applicants only from this session (February). 

We want to be positive on getting an email or call from a designated employer soon. We are praying so hard for a good result. Plan B is just around the corner but we want to focus on this one first.

TOR to WES

My husband will be in Spain on February 5-12 then he will have a conference a week after (no need to go back yet to CDO after Spain) so it means he is free to attend the NB Information Session. Another good news is that he doesn't need to book a flight to Manila for Saturday since his conference will be held in Mandaluyong. Every time he has a seminar or conference in Manila, he comes home, too. But if  he JUST want to come home, he has to pay his ticket out of his own pocket. We are just grateful that everything is falling into right places.

This morning I went back to San Sebastian to claim my husband's TOR. Before the registrar sealed it together with the academic records request form, he showed me first the TOR to check if all the information are correct then after thoroughly checking it , he sealed and signed the envelope. I was surprised when he volunteered to go with me to the nearest LBC branch so he can personally write the reference number and WES address on the package. I've paid another Php 1300 and it will be delivered after five working days.  After which, we need to wait for 20 days before WES can give their evaluation.

We hope he'll get at least 2-year diploma equivalency, although, the minimum educational requirement for AIPP is  just high school completion.

NB Information Session Location and Date Details

After two weeks of waiting for another email from NB, we finally received the details of the Information Session.

My husband (and myself) is finally going to this much-awaited session. We are so excited!

New Brunswick Information Session Sign-Up

It is Tuesday. I am still overwhelmed with the news regarding Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program. 

My husband doesn't need to do IELTS retake, and in mid-February his TOR will be out and ready to be sent to WES. I know he just need to have a job offer from a designated employer from the one of the  four atlantic provinces. But how can we have that offer? I searched the internet and it directed me to New Brunswick Information Session. I could not believe it as NB immigration staff will be in Manila for four days from February 16-19 and will have two sessions each day! I am feeling lucky now! Yesterday, I've got the big news for AIPP and now I'm signing up my husband for February 18 afternoon session.

I believe this information session is different from the previous sessions they had wherein they give Expression of Interest to eligible candidates. This coming sessions are more on presenting the AIPP. 

(Source: NB Information Session News)

 After signing up for the session, my husband received a confirmation email.

Now, we are hoping that my husband's incentive trip won't fall on February 18. 

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

It was 3:30 am when I checked my phone for any immigration news. I  chanced upon this new program and I suddenly sit on the edge of my bed to read the full article from CanadaVisa. I could not contain my happiness so I text my husband right away.

(Source: CanadaVisa Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program News)

This program gives us so much hope as it has requirements that are different from Express Entry. First, it is employer-driven. The principal applicant should have a valid job offer from a designated employer to be eligible and when you  already have that offer, you already have a job once you landed! Second, it accepts job under NOC level 0, A, B AND C. Third, it only requires CLB level 5 in English. It means that my husband doesn't need to take another IELTS test! Fourth, a completion of at least high school is needed and an ECA is required for this. Lastly, the settlement funds are way smaller than the required for EE. For us who are a family of four, we just need CAD 5714 (Php 215000+) under AIPP since it is employer driven but we need CAD 22858 (Php 860000+) for EE. It is really a BIG relief for us. 

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program will start receiving application in March 2017. 

(Source:Proof of Funds: AIPP

(Source: Proof of Funds: Express Entry)

I believe this is God's way of saying that we should not lose hope. We got disappointed with my husband's IELTS result but then we found our way to this new program. 

TOR Request and Diploma

I've sent my husband's photocopy of diploma last January 8 since he already has a personal copy of it. Remember, the applicant should be the sender of the diploma and the reference number should be written on the envelope and sticker form. It cost Php 1300 thru LBC and after five working days WES received it.

(Source: LBC)

It took me awhile to request my husband's TOR because he needs to fill-out the Academic Records Request Form (together with an authorisation letter as I will be the one who will request his TOR) and to do that I need to send it in CDO and wait for it to be sent back to me. 

Finally, after sending back and forth the form I was able to request his TOR from San Sebastian-Recoletos in Manila. The registrar already knew what to do as many applicants have been requesting the same thing. So after filling out the request from, paying fee, handing the academic records request form from WES and submitting his 1x1 ID, I'll receive his TOR after 20 working days.

I've asked the registrar if they can send it directly to WES and she told me that they can do it just like with other applicants. She just need Php 1300 for the courier fee (LBC) then she will have it delivered same day and she will email me the tracking number for reference OR I can send it myself to WES and just write the registrar's name with the college address as the sender. Well, I still have 20 days to think how I want it delivered.

We received this email from WES confirming that they've received the diploma sent to them.

WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

HAPPY 2017, EVERYONE!

A new year, a new beginning for all us. Wishing you all a healthier, happier and lovelier year.

I decided to start our year right by registering to WES (World Education Services) for my husband's ECA. It is needed when applying as a FSW to know the equivalent of your credentials in Canada.

About ECAs From WES:

• World Education Services (WES) is designated by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) for degree(s) earned outside of Canada.
• An ECA is required to apply for certain IRCC immigration programs.
• Your Express Entry profile is valid for one year from the date you submit a profile to IRCC. If you have  not received  an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence after one year and still want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant, you will need to complete and submit a new profile.
• Please note your WES ECA is valid for five years from the date of issue, and you can continue using your ECA when you submit a new Express Entry profile.

It was an easy 3-step process as shown below:

Here are the step-by-step procedures in obtaining ECA:

1st STEP: Know WES process and the documents needed.

Carefully review all the documents needed to submit and how to submit each. In my husband's case he needs a photocopy of his college diploma and original transcript of records.

2nd STEP: Make an account and pay to get your reference number.

Click on Apply Now for the ECA Application for ICC then it will direct you to making an account.

(Source: WES)

After creating an account, a personal info, education, ECA package, Delivery and Confirmation Order tabs will be shown. At this point, payment is needed thru credit card and a fee of CAD 322.05 will be charge to your card. After payment, a reference number will be given.

Print the application page for your reference.

3rd STEP: Form to go with your TOR and sending of documents.

This Academic Records Request Form should go with your TOR when sending it to WES. It can be downloaded from Documents to Send menu.

Remember, the photocopy of diploma and TOR should NOT be sent together. The sender of the diploma should be the applicant while the sender of the TOR should be the college/university attended. 

Be sure to write your reference number on both documents you are sending.

You will receive emails from WES for any updates and feedback.

I will make another post on how I request my husband's TOR, fees and courier.

IELTS Result

Last December 3, my husband took the IELTS General Training Test in CDO.

Today, we got the result and he didn't meet the minimum score of CLB 7.  He fell short on Reading😔

We are fully aware that things like this might happen, yes, we are sad and disappointed but we decided to give it another try.  He plans to give more time in reviewing then do a retake in March after his incentive trip to Spain mid-February.

We are praying for a better result. In the meantime, we want to spend time with families and celebrate the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

IELTS Review and Payment

Today, my husband registered online and paid Php 9300 for IELTS General Training exam and another Php 5000 for review. He is expected to take the test on December 3 and since he is currently based in CDO, he decided to do both there. 

With less than a month before the big day, he is cramming now to review for the four areas (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing). What makes it more difficult is he has to balance his time between work and review so he plans to do it after work and during weekends. 

We are praying so hard to get at least the minimum score of CLB 7 and that means no grades lower than 6 for all the four areas of the test.

(Source:Language Test Equivalency Chart)

Immigration Consultancy and Immigration Lawyer

My husband and myself thought of getting help from an immigration consultancy and lawyer since we wanted to make everything right. First, we went to an immigration agency in one of the malls in Mandaluyong. I was the one who attended the seminar since my husband is based in CDO  and  I want to be the principal applicant. There were four other couples who were present during the presentation. The consultant first showed us a video of Canada then later on talked about the Express Entry. After which we had a one-on-one consultation with an agent and that's when I found out that I am not eligible as a principal applicant for Express Entry since my job is on NOC level C.  Potential candidates for Express Entry are required to have a job under NOC level O, A or B as they will be applying for permanent residency under Federal Skilled Worker Program. Luckily, my husband's job is under NOC level B that time so he is qualified as a principal applicant. But he  must also meet the minimum eligibility criteria from the six selection factors and have a score of at least 67/100 points to be eligible.  Below are the  six selection factors:

(Source:Six Selection Factors)

Next, we seek the help of an immigration lawyer who is a Canadian based in Quebec. He was very accommodating and answers all our queries. Both my husband and I emailed our curriculum vitae to him and as expected my husband is the one who is qualified as a principal applicant.  Here is the email we received from him right after submitting my husband's CV:

Please note that I searched first if the immigration lawyer is authorised to represent us in our application. I used this link  Representative Verification to verify.

We know that both the consultancy and lawyer will greatly help us in preparing and submitting all the necessary documents BUT both required fees that are beyond what we can afford. 

What we do now is we research more, read different posts and blogs, follow forums, and check each provinces' websites for any immigration news and updates just to equip ourselves of everything we must know.

How It All Started

It was in September this year when my brother received the approved family sponsorship of his family that started it all.  We knew then that it will be a new beginning for them. Canada has a lot to offer and we want to experience those things, too. It may take a while before we get to our dream but we have to start somewhere to get things going.  

We all used to our routines here in Manila. Wake up early in the morning to beat the traffic; go home late to extend our time to work as it means extra pay; attend to kids' needs at home and in school; pay bills every 15th of the month; eat out on weekends if budget permits, if not, just cook and eat at home; and the list goes on. We tend to spend less time with our kids and focus more on work. We unconsciously doing this but the effect is very visible. Before things get out of hand, we decided to try moving to a new place. We need to get out of our comfort zones, we need a fresh breathing space, we must meet new people and learn something else, we still have to grow as an individual, we need to be together as a family. We need this JOURNEY.