What step-by-step process should I follow to file a Canadian PR application without any external help from a consultant?
Let me start this answer by saying u2018External Consultant is not at all required to apply for Canada PR under Express Entry (Federal Skilled Workers Programme or Provincial Nominee Programme)u2019.Following are the steps to apply for Canada PR via Express Entry Programme. Steps for PNP are not included below.Step 1:Identify whether you are eligible for Canada PR or not. This can be checked via a free Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Tool available on the official website of the Canada Immigration website.Here is the link - Eligibility to apply as a Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)Step 2:Once you find yourself eligible for Express Entry Programme, check your comprehensive score (CRS) at the following linkComprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool: skilled immigrants (Express Entry)Minimum CLB 7 is required to be eligible for Canada PR. i.e for IELTS, 6 in each module and for CELPIP, 7 in each module is required.However, make sure to put 8777 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) score while checking your CRS. If you are selecting CELPIP, put 9 each. I will explain the reason to this in the answer later.If your score is 440 or above, assuming that you have entered authentic information in the CRS free tool, you have high chances to immigrate to Canada under Express Entry Programme.Step 3:You need to get your credential documents assessed by an authorised and listed organisation. Following is the list of those organisations. Identify which one suits you the best. WES is highly recommended.Comparative Education Service HomepageICASEvaluations for Immigration (ECA) - World Education ServicesIQAS assessment for immigration purposesInternational Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)Before you decide to take up IELTS/CELPIP/TEF, kindly initiate the process for Education Credential Assessment (ECA) as collecting documents for this process is time-consuming. You will need transcripts for all degree certificates from your universities.If your spouse possesses an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, it is advisable to get his/her credentials assessed. This will give you additional points in CRS and will increase your chances of getting an invite (ITA) for permanent residency.Step 4:Appear for any linguistic skills such as IELTS, CELPIP or TEF.Step 5:Once you have your linguistic test results and ECA result, create an Express Entry Profile. Keep your degree certificates and transcripts handy while creating your EE Profile as exact start and end date of the course will be required.Below is the link where you can initiate creating your EE Profile.Create an account or sign inGo to the bottom of the page where you will see u2018Continue to GCKeyu2019. Select this option and u2018Sign Upu2024 with the required information. There is no cost involved to create an EE Profile.Note that without Linguistic Test Results and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) results, Express Entry Profile cannot be created.Step 6:Once you have created and submitted your Express Entry Profile with a score of 440 or above, kindly initiate arranging required documents for the invite. Arranging certain documents will be cumbersome and time-consuming, hence it is advisable (highly recommended) to arrange the majority of them prior to receiving ITA.Following is the list of documents required,Passport/Travel DocumentLanguage Test ResultsECA ResultProvincial Nomination (If you have one)Reference Letters for current and past employmentPolice Clearance Certificate/s (for all those countries where you have stayed more than 6 months)Proof of Funds/Proof of Means of Financial SupportMarriage CertificateBirth Certificate of ChildEducational Documents (Diplomas/Degrees)Photographs (Digital)Legal Name Change/Difference Affidavit (If the name differs in documents)Medical Exam Proof (It is advisable to go for medicals after you receive the invite)Translation of Documents (if the document is in a language other than English)Translatoru2019s Affidavit (Only if #14 mentioned above is applicable)For all the above-listed documents, the requirements are clearly mentioned on the following link,Applications for permanent residence programs subject to the Express Entry completeness checkStep 7:Scan all the above documents at a proper resolution (legible) to a laptop or desktop. Make sure the format of all documents is PDF with size less than 4MB.Digital photographs (35mm x 45mm) should be of JPEG/JPG format with an ideal size of 240 KB, but not less than 60 KB.Step 8:Once you receive the ITA, login to your Express Entry Profile and Accept the invitation. Upon acceptance, you will be able to see different tabs, where you have to prdetailed information of all applicants (including spouse and minor).Fill out all the forms with accuracy and authentic information. Make sure, you do not change any detail in the application which was provided earlier in Express Entry Profile. If required, take expert advice.Step 9:Get your medical examination done from a Panel Physician only. Check the below link about the list of Panel Physicians.Panel PhysiciansCall the hospital and take the appoint for medical examination. Medical of spouse and child/children is also required. Ask the hospital about documents required for medicals.You will have received a PDF in your EE Profile mailbox upon receiving the invite, which is a confirmation of your ITA. Take that print along with 3 passport copies (each applicant) to the hospital. You should also have a credit card/debit card handy in case if you wish to pay by card.The hospital will pryou with a u2018Medical Information Sheetu2024 for each applicant, which is required to be uploaded in the PR application. Do not forget to ask the hospital about this, as it is a mandatory document. The hospital may pryou with test results copy - upload that too. The hospital might not pryou documents to you on the same day of examination. They will mail you in 2u20133 days.Step 10:Start filling out the forms of the PR application. Once you fill out all the forms, click u2018Nextu2019. this will take you to a page where you will find tabs to upload documents for each applicant in your profile.If you have multiple documents (e.g.: Reference Letters from different companies), merge them in a single PDF and upload. If required, create a u2018Table of Contentsu2024 at the first page and include u2018Page Separatorsu2019. This is highly recommended, as you would not want to confuse the Case Officer.Upload all your documents in corresponding tabs. Check multiple times whether you have uploaded the right document or not. Furnishing incorrect document may result in delay or sometimes rejection.You will get an additional tab for uploading the u2018Letter of Explanationu2019. This is a letter where you can clarify about any document if required. For instance, if there is a gap in your employment, explain it in this letter with justification. Keep this letter very short and use concise language.Step 11:Once you have uploaded all the documents, press the u2018Continueu2024 button, where you will be guided to the Fees Payment Page. Agree to the terms and conditions and click u2018Transmit and Payu2019. Enter your credit or debit card details and thatu2019s it - Your application is submitted.Following are the fees to be paid to transmit your application,Permanent Resident Application Fees - 550 CAD (for each adult in the application)Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) - 490 CAD (for each adult in the application)Permanent Resident Application Fees for Child - 150 CAD (per child)Step 12:Sit back and relax. Do not think much about u2018When I will receive the PR?u2024 It may take 1 month or may take 6 months for receiving PR depending upon the case. However, login to your EE profile frequently to know at what stage are you in.There are certain stages involved after submitting the application and paying the fees, such as ,eAOR - electronic Acknowledgement of ReceiptMEP - Medicals PassedBG IP(1) - Background Check in Progress for the first timeBG NA - Background Check Not ApplicableBG IP(2) - Background Check in Progress for the second timePPR - Passport Request email - Ready for VisaOnce the PPR e-mail is received, you will be requested to send the passport to the nearest VFS. The passport will be stamped and a COPR letter will be provided confirming that you are a Permanent Resident of Canada.Voila! You are ready to fly to your dream country.Elaborated Step 2 :CLB 7 is required to be eligible for Express Entry, however, CLB 7 does not give you enough points to qualify for the invitation. For CRS 440 and above, one needs to have at least CLB 9, i.e. 8777 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) in IELTS General Training or 9 each in CELPIP-G. This will boost the CRS by 50 to 60 points.Important Note:I personally followed all the above steps to apply for Canada PR via Express Entry Programme (FSW) and did not contact any consultant. Majority of the consultants will charge hefty fees for this process and on top of it, they may commit a mistake while filing your application on your behalf. I strongly encourage you to apply by yourself.If your case is complicated and you need expert advice, contact only ICCRC or CRCIC approved consultants. You can find them over here https://iccrc-crcic.ca/If you want to increase your chances of getting ITA early, get CLB 9 or above in IELTS or above 9 each in CELPIP-G. This is the key to your high CRS. Higher the CRS, better the chances to be invited early. The second best option is PNP, which will give you 600 additional points.I wish you all the best for Canada PR Application.-Gaurang
