19 thoughts on “Moving to Canada: Officially Immigrants! :)”

  2. Congratulations to both of you! This blog has been a terrific guide (and source of hope haha!), especially that I’m about to go on the same journey as well — I’m currently in the process of completing the req’d docs.
    Just a quick question, so back in Jan 2016 with your first post, you had already submitted your application and/or requirements online? Specifically for PEI?
    Thanks! 🙂

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    • Thank you Arthur! Happy to hear that you’re also on your way. 🙂

      To answer your question. Yeah, when we sent our Expression of Interest to PEI last January 2016, our Express Entry profile was actually already a few months old. Initially, we didn’t plan on pursuing a Provincial Nomination. Was just hoping that the EE draws would go low enough to get us an Invitation to Apply.

      Where are you in the process now if I may ask?

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  4. I think in my opinion the reason why it took so long for your expression of interest took so long to be decided upon was because your response as to why you really chose PEI province was not too strong enough combined with other factors such as your profile submitted under the express entry….Maybe you could throw more light on that. Between what and how many years of occcupational work experience have you gained or intend in doing in PEI??. In addition what was your CLB Band score in the English test score?.Those factors counts into how quick your EOI(Expression Of Interest) is decided on by PEI immigration.

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    • Hi Olanrewaju! Thanks for your insight! 🙂

      In terms of our expression of interest, we just really tried to answer the questions truthfully and to the best of our abilities. We did our research on the Island and took a look at the possible opportunities when it came to work and tried to integrate those into our answers. As for our professional experience, we have both been working for around six years now (I am in marketing and my wife is in financial services. Hopefully we can continue to work in these fields in PEI.

      Lastly, I was fortunate enough to get CLB level scores of 10 in listening, reading and speaking and a CLB level of 9 in writing…. while my wife got a CLB level of nine across the board.

      Would love to get more of your insight on the matter, maybe you could share your very own experience?

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  5. Congrats again! Keep posting your adventures so we’ll be motivated and remain hopeful to pursue our Canadian dreams as well. This waiting game is really killing us.

    Just noticed your EOI took how many months before it was answered by PEI. So I guess we can still expect them to answer even after 60 days, huh? We submitted our EOI last Dec 2016. I thought I read somewhere that once 60 days has elapsed, it means they are not interested with your EOI. Or is it just that we can make a follow up with them regarding our EOI after 60 days?

    We really appreciate you answering the queries of people like me even though you guys are almost done with your application. Hope you continue to update and answer questions here in your blog.

    Thanks and God bless you guys! 🙂

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    • Hi Coco!

      Thank you for your kind words! We’ll definitely do our best to keep on posting. It really warms our hearts to know that we’re inspiring and helping people.

      YES! The wait was definitely the worst part of all of this. It took almost nine months for PEI to issue an ITA to us. We didn’t have any contact / communication with them during that time and we honestly weren’t expecting an invitation from them anymore. we am not sure if you can make a follow-up with them though, we have heard of people resending their EOIs using a different email address, but we have no idea whether that worked or not.

      We wish the application process for PEI’s PNP is more transparent, but it really feels like a toss-up right now. Maybe it was just luck that we got chosen after waiting so long. If that’s the case, then we do hope that the same light shine on your application as well.

      Hope this helps! Good luck Coco! 🙂

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  6. Congratulations on getting your visas. I found it very interesting to read about your experience. I hope you know, there are no Rockies on PEI 😉 but I’m sure you’ll get a chance to visit that area. Since becoming an immigration consultant, I’ve been fascinated to learn how many people want to move to Canada. With no recent immigrants in my family (the Shaws moved here in 1642), I can only imagine how brave you’d have to be to leave your home country *forever*. Best of luck! I hope you are happy here.

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    • Hi Lori!

      Yes! The Atlantic/Maritime side of Canada is definitely not the one people are used to, but I’m sure it’s charm is equal to the more popular Western province. Are you based in PEI by any chance? 🙂

      I guess we can say that we didn’t choose PEI, but PEI chose us, so we’re really committed to trying to make things work once we get there. We’ve also been surprised as to how many people from all over the world want to move to Canada (the blog gets visitors from so many different countries). It’s definitely a testament to how positively people view Canada as a country to have enough courage to take that step.

      It won’t be easy. Some even told us that it will get really sad before it will get better. Hopefully we’ll be ready. Hopefully we’ll catch a break sooner rather than later. 🙂

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Lori! Immigration consultants do great work. You guys help people reach their dreams. Hope you make a lot of them come true! 🙂

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  7. I’m way over here on the west side on another island: Vancouver Island. I’m glad to be an immigration consultant but I actually work for the University of Victoria. I do work permits for visiting professors, researchers and post-docs and I’ve really enjoyed meeting many of them.

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  8. Wow a long wait is over! Congratulations. I am just starting to have my review in IELTS because me and my family also wanted to go to Canada. May I know what should be the CLB need and do you just apply through CIC website?

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  9. Thank you so much! 🙂

    For the IELTS, I think the minimum CLB level you have to reach is a 7. This means that the minimum score you have to get for the IELTS reading, listening, speaking and writing exams is 7.

    As for applying, you will first need to create an Express Entry profile. You should be able to find it in the CIC website.

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      • We used a consultancy to help facilitate our application. Basically, they created our CIC Express Entry profile for us.

        With our busy schedules, we just wanted to make sure that we didn’t make any mistakes in the paperwork and working with a consultant will give you that extra level of checking when it comes to your documents. But after everything, we do realize that it is very possible to successfully migrate to Canada without the services of a consultant. There have been many success stories of people applying by themselves as well as horror stories from those who use consultants. I guess it will really depend on how much time you have to invest in your application and how willing you are to pay for a consultant.

        Btw, where are you from? If you don’t mind us asking. 🙂

        Good luck and I hope this helps!

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        • Wow! I am happy to heard successful stories.Hello I’m from Cavite. 🙂 I have also sent a twitter message yesterday to your account. Before you apply, do you choose a place you want to migrate or does CIC had chose where you can migrate or apply for provincial nominee? Sorry I have lots of questions…

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          • Hello!

            When you first apply and create your Express Entry profile, you will actually be in the pool to be given an Invitation to Apply by the Canadian Government. If picked, you should be able to go to any province you want. However, this will depend on your overall CRS score.

            Most people apply for a Provincial Nomination because a successful Provincial Nomination will award the applicant +600 points to be added to their original CRS score.

            You can send out an Expression of Interest to any Canadian province that is accepting applications. Just do a web search to find out which ones are open when you apply.

            I know that this is a lot of information right now to digest and it can get a bit overwhelming. Just continue to ask and do your research and you’ll fit all the pieces together in no time. 🙂

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