Canadian Visa

This is a late post, been busy, received my Canadian Visa by Dec 2009, very much delighted.

After Submission of my passport to CHC UK during November 2009 and within 24 days you have your passport returned with Maple leaf visa...hmmmm smells fresh..Wow!

Leaving Dubai on April 28th 2010, will go to Mumbai stay for a month and head for Canada

We have booked on Jet Airways via Brussels

IELTS LINK

Hello All,
I am still waiting for my ppr,
I have posted here links for IELTS preparation

http://www.scribd.com/word/removal/5209579
http://www.uowdubai.ac.ae/clc/details.php?sec=2,3,3&PHPSESSID=09dce27a0fbd47727b25315e9e7f9b1d

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-practice-your-listening-skills-in-english-255796/
http://www.ielts-blog.com/recent-ielts-exams/more-fresh-ielts-tasks-and-topics/
http://www.urch.com/forums/ielts/20458-please-give-me-ielts-essay-topics-format.html
http://www.rxpgonline.com/article1320.html
http://www.askynz.com/ielts/preparation.htm
http://www.aippg.com/ielts/ielts-downloads.htm
http://www.ieltstips.com/ielts_test/about_ielts/ielts_topics.html
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/IELTS/main.htm#li#01

LINKS TO SOME USEFUL SITE

Hi
Here i try to compile few links to Canadian Immigration found on the net.
Meanwhile it has been now 10 days since update on the CHC e-cas "Medical Results have been received" still waiting for my PPR

http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/09/cost-of-living.html


Bring money to Canada

http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/08/how-to-bring-money-to-canada.html


Industrial Credit and Investment Corp. of India (ICICI) has a "Hello Canada" account for those moving to Canada from India, Dubai, Bahrain or the United Kingdom. The account allows you to open a Canadian bank account from overseas and transfer funds to Canada before your land.

Open HSBC Premier account and they arrange to open your bank account in Canada before your land in the country. Transfer funds from your country to Canada as per need.

Prepare your landing

http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/06/preparing-your-landing-iii-what-to-take.html
On the other hand, away from BIG furniture pieces that cost a lot to ship, I encourage you to bring with you all the portable tools like: kitchen tools, plates, pans, books, stationary, kids toys, etc... and don't think like "I will buy new when I arrive" because you will be very busy adapting and settling and it's not as easy as your country to buy anything you want because you will be new to Canada at the beginning.

Documents required while landing
1. Landing Record, of Permanent Residence (COPR) (visa issued by the Canadian authorities)
2. Passport or other travel documents. You cannot immigrate to Canada with a diplomatic, government service or public affairs passport.
3. Birth certificate
4. Marriage certificate (if you are married)
5. Family records
6. Valid driver's licence: You need to bring a Driving Experience Letter from your country to avoid starting from Scratch in getting your Driver's licence in Canada (G1 and G).
7. Medical records
8. Dental records
9. Vaccination booklet, specially for your kids (if any)
10. Official school records for school age children
11. Diplomas, degrees and other proofs of education
12. Academic credentials evaluation report (if you have had your education assessed before coming to Canada - a good idea!)
13. Academic transcripts: very important if you are an engineer or a doctor, because you will need to work on your Professional License before you can are ALLOWED to work in Canada.
14. Course and internship descriptions
15. Proof of work experience: reference letters from previous and current employers
16. Proof of continuing education
17. Professional qualification certificates: specially for IT Professionals, Project Managers (PMP), and Accountants!
18. Up-to-date resume or summary of work experience, with any letters or recommendation from former employers
19. Proof of funds available

Job Search
http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2009/08/job-search-networking.html

(must read this article)

Job Search – Resume writing
http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/11/job-search-resume-writing.html

Nabil’s resume
www.nabilorfali.com


Job Search – Interview Skills

http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/12/job-search-interview-skills.html



(he has posted a video)

Job Search – Job Market 2009
http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/12/job-search-job-market-2009.html

Labour Market in Canada
http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca/



Job Spirit
http://www.immigrationexpertise.com/2008/10/job-search-spirit.html

To-Do-List you need to do to back yourself up with to be ready to work in Canada:
1. Work hard on your English language skills before you come to Canada. It's vital to be good communicator in English before you come here, because even if you are very professional in what you do but not able to communicate your skills then you ca not survive. Check this post for details: Just Landed - Learning English


2. Load your mind with the positive thinking, you can do it as long as other could. As i mentioned in the introduction, i got a job as a Project Manager after 2 months and 20 days of landing!
3. Look for professional certificates in your industry, like PMP (Project Management Professional), Microsoft Certificates, or ITIL ...etc. Professional Certificates are highly recognized in Canada and will help you significantly in finding a job. Almost every industry has one or more certificate.
4. Canadian Experience: most of people think that Canadian Experience is only work experience in Canada, which is wrong! in fact it means your LIFE experience in Canada and your ability to understand what people are talking about, respond to questions like "what is the nearest intersection?" for example, laugh on Canadian joks. So it's your Canadian cultural experience! Try to MERGE in the Canadian society as much as you can from your day one in Canada.

What does it cost for a family of three:
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000204

Item Cost/month
Housing (you'll most likely be renting when you arrive)
Insurance $750-1500 (for a one or two bedroom apartment)
$20-30
Utilities

electricity or natural gas
hydro
telephone


cable TV (some of these might be included in your rent)
$50-100
$30-50
regular service: $30 - long distance: $20 (depends on usage)
$30
Food $300-500
Clothing - dependent on what you have now that is weather appropriate. $100 - 200 (If you need to buy winter clothing, etc., you'll most likely spend around that time of year)
Household incidentals (newspapers, bank service charges, etc.) $40-50
Transportation
Public transportation
$90/adult
Other Expenses/Entertainment
$100
TOTAL $1650 - 2310


Buget Tracker

http://www.crediteducationweekcanada.com/pictures/Budget-tracker.pdf

Elementary Schools
http://www.settlement.org/site/ED/elementary.asp
http://www.torontokiosk.ca/directory.php?categoryId=203


Newcomers guide to Elementary school
http://www.settlement.org/site/ED/GUIDE/public/elem/contents.asp

Finding a job
http://www.settlement.org/site/EM/finding_a_job.asp

How do I create a resume
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4000672



Sample resume

http://www.settlement.org/downloads/Sample_Resume.pdf



Renting in Calgary
http://www.rentboard.ca/rentals/index.aspx?locid=110&ref=msac

http://www.ymcacalgary.org/web/Home.aspx

Canadian Immigration Status

Applied for Canadian Immigration in the Year March 2006 and received AOR April 26th 2006.
Since then we were hoping to get our immigration status confirmed to coveted "Permanent Resident"
But never expected the wait to be so so long and frustrating and full of emotional high at times.
Finally in July 2008 we received a letter informing us to update with relevant documents.
Then in November 2008 i had to give my IELTS and submit my PCC & Bank Statement
Updated all by January 2009.
Waiting...
In June 28th 2009 we were intimated to do our medicals we finally did our medicals by July 7th and Medicals received by CHC July 13th 2009.
Ever since waiting for something positive or e-cas system should In Process all this while.
On 21st finally our ecas status showed "Medical Results have been Received?
Is this a possible light at the end of the tunnel?
Waiting....

EARTH HOUR

The lights are going down from the Great Pyramids to the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower to Sears Tower, as more than 2,800 municipalities in 84 countries plan Saturday 28th Mar to mark the second worldwide Earth Hour.
McDonald's will even soften the yellow glow from some Golden Arches as part of the time zone-by-time zone plan to dim nonessential lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to highlight global climate change.

Cut Eco Emission

Remember - March 28th
Dubai to switch off all non-essential lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 28, to cut emission...when is it in your country?

Global Peace

Is it Possible for Humanity to achieve Global Peace?

Please Join me for Global Peace

http://www.ipeace.me/profile/BijuVarkeyVarghese