Thread by @CaryL_____

Canadian Express Entry – A step by step guide.

Step One: Check your Eligibility

First and foremost, I always suggest that prospective immigrants simulate their profiles to get a feel of what chances they have before venturing through the emotionally draining exercise that

is getting an express entry chance to move to Canada.Check and Simulate your eligibility here: cic.gc.ca/english/immigr… This tool is very accurate and is a good indicator of if you should go ahead to pursue heading to Canada through Express Entry. Lately a score below 435

(Quarter one of 2019, a score of 451 is the benchmark) would suggest looking at other routes like seeking Provincial nomination from one of the many Provinces of Canada.

Step 2 : Educational Credential Assessment (Transcript Verification)

This step involves getting your Educational credentials assessed. The foremost body that does the evaluation in Canada is WES (World Education Services – Canada). Go to the following link to get registered by clicking on Get Started: wes.org/ca/ .

Provide all necessary information about your Tertiary Education.
Note: If you have a Masters, you should only provide information about the Masters program. Law and Medical degrees are seen as Professional degrees and carry same weight and points as a Masters Degree.

If you have a Bsc and a PGd for example, both will be seen as 2 degrees and will have to be evaluated separately.

Step Three: IELTS – International English Language Testing System.

This test has 4 components – Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. It is administered and

owned by 3 bodies, British Council, IDP Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL.
I recommend going for the IDP IELTS for prospective test takers from Nigeria. ielts.ng Click on How to Apply and proceed following the instructions.

Steps 2 & 3 can be done concurrently. It’s your prerogative to choose which to focus on more than the other. However with past experience evaluating your credentials especially when doing so for Nigerian schools, can be a hassle so you might want to focus on getting your

credentials sorted.
Next is basically collating your IELTS test results and your Completed Evaluation report. Armed with both these tools you should proceed to creating your Express Entry Profile on the Government of Canada site. To do that you need a GC Key.

Get a GC Key from visiting this site: canada.ca/en/immigration…

Step Four: Express Entry Draw and ITA

If everything goes well, you will be issued an ITA, an Invitation To Apply to become a Permanent Resident of Canada.

This part can be draining due to all new credentials you have to have to Collate. One of the most important factors here is showing your Proof of Funds. This is required when coming to Canada to settle as the first few months may mean you have to look for a Job, house, school

For kids if you have them. A family of 4 requires a little above $23,000 CAD shown in an account. See the exact figures in the following link: canada.ca/en/immigration…

Step Five: Fill out Application (60 days deadline)

Fill out the ITA forms and upload all Necessary documents

As accurately as possible. Any form of misrepresentation will be punished and may result in declining your ITA. A medical will be required (for the primary applicant and all dependants) and overall you will have 60 days to complete the whole process.

There is a fee to be paid at the final point of submitting your ITA. It is called the Right of Permanent Resident Fees or RPRF. It is advised that you pay at the point of submission.

Important documents at this stage include but may not be limited to:

Digital copy of proof of

medical (All applicants)
Passport pages stamped of all travels in period under review
Scan of all Valid passport pages
Proof of funds for principal or primary applicant
Digital passport photograph of all applicants
Police clearance certificate for Primary applicant and key

dependent (spouse in most cases) and kids above 18 years of age (For all countries where you have lived for 6 months or more)
Proof of Educational qualifications
Proof of English Language Test results (IELTS or CELPIP for people already in Canada)
Step Six: PPR (Passport Request)

Wait and pray your application is sent to be processed at the Ottawa office (Canada’s capital city). If everything goes well and after verification by the immigration officers, within 3 months you will be issued a PPR (Passport Request). For the most part this means you have

made it through to move to Canada as a Permanent Resident. You will be asked to submit valid passports to a Visa Office, for Nigerians most likely the Visa office in Ghana. After 4 weeks the Visa is returned with a single issue visa pass to enter Canada.

Step Seven: Pick a

Step Seven: Pick a date, Move to Canada

At this point the elections in Nigeria (assuming you’re reading from there) is over and there are mixed feelings. I’m not gonna pretend everything is fine and rosy there but at this point a lot of folks are weighing the decision to make a

move like this or not. I digress.
Now it’s time to pick a date for either a short landing to Canada or a final move. Ethiopia airlines offers great deals with regards to price. I used them and will recommend them. There are other options though. You can use tools like Skyscanner

to check and get the best available prices online.

Good luck with your decision to move to Canada. See you there! 😊
#canadaprvisa #CanadaReads #Canada