Hi Oajnabi, Immi_canada2000 and Pearl11142002,
I will try and answer your questions to the best of my knowlege:
Oajnabi:
1) Transcripts do not have to be in sealed envelope. If you are sending photocopies of transcripts get them notarized. As a
rule of thumb get all photocopied documents notarized. In US you can get documents notarized for free from your bank.
2) If you can not get letter from current/previous employers you can write an explanation as to why you could not get the letter - just tell the truth eg. you dont want to tell your employer that you want to immigrate to Canada. Provide appointment letter, pay slips, tax returns, commendation letters or any document that connects you to the company.
3) It is better to give IELTS but as you have been working in US for 6 years you can write an english proficiency letter detailing the use of english language in your daily life.
Sample Proof of Language Proficiency :
To
Canadian Consulate General
Buffalo, NY Dated: March 1, 2004
Madam/Sir,
In support of my application for immigration to Canada, please permit me to briefly explain and bring all relevant facts to your attention, which clearly establishes my proficiency in all four facets of the English Language.
WRITING SKILLS
I have been working as software engineer in the USA for the over three years, where language of use has been English. I have the distinct advantage of having completed my Secondary, Pre and Graduate levels of education in India, where the medium of instruction has been English. Also, throughout my job as a software engineer I have to often document my work and submit it to my superiors, for which I have extensively used English language only. I frequently exchange e-mails with my employers pertaining to technical/non-technical issues. I also write project reports after discussing it with my team and submit it to my superiors in order to proceed or start various projects. I often have to note down the points during the team meeting so that I can implement them later in my work. I also prepare slides or short write-ups in order to give a presentation to my team on technical aspects of a project. These have helped me in utilizing and enhancing my English writing skills effectively in everyday life.
READING SKILLS
As my education was in the English medium, I have studied all the subjects in English. At work, I often have to read and understand many technical books in English to keep aware of the latest computer technologies. I read newspapers and magazines on a regular basis and often understand all that I read. If I encounter a word that’s new to me, I look it up in the dictionary. I also read novels and have thus developed reading as an interesting hobby.
LISTENING SKILLS
I listen to the news everyday while going to work and all my interaction with my colleagues is in English. At work, I often have to attend the teleconference meetings that are conducted with my team who are at several different locations. I am an avid fan of the English movies and I watch, discuss about my favorite stars with my friends. I also talk to most of my friends in English, as we all do not speak the same native language.
SPEAKING SKILLS
I exclusively use the English language to communicate with my co-workers and superiors at work. I often have to discuss about many aspects in a project and it requires good English knowledge in order to present my views. I find absolutely no difficulty in making the other party understand my point of view. I frequently have to make presentations and explain many technical issues, which may last for around 45 minutes. I often meet with my friends and discuss about movies and Tennis.
Finally, I have been educated in India where the medium of instruction has been English and working in U.S.A, where I have been using English language day-in and day-out. I can handle English language with ease and would submit that my proficiency in English Language can be gauged as fluent. I am including a recommendation letter from my employer depicting my proficiency in using English at work. Should you require additional details, if any, I would only be obliged to furnish.
Sincerely,
4) I dont have a definate answer to this question. I submitted my FBI clearance with the initial application but I have also read in other forums that lot of people did not submit FBI clearance with the initial application. As it is you will have to provide FBI clearance again after initial assessment as the validity of the document is 6 months. So its your choice. These days its taking 5-8 weeks to get FBI clearance.
You do not have to get PCC from India now. After initial assessment is done they may ask you to provide it. You can get Indian PCC from Indian Consulate in US or passport office that issued your passport in India.
Immi_canada2000
1) Proof of Language Proficiency : See above
2) If you got clearance from FBI a year ago then this clearance is not valid. The validity of this document is for 6 months only.
But from what I understand you just got your fingerprinting done and did not send it to FBI. If you did not send your and your family members fingerprints to FBI then forward the completed fingerprint form, with a certified check or money order for US$18 per person made payable to the "U.S. Treasury" to the following address:
FBI - CJIS Division
Attn: SCU, Mod D-2
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, West Virginia
26306
USA
Include a letter stating that you need the FBI Clearance certificate for Canadian Immigration. FBI will process your fingerprints and send them back with a stamp of "No criminal record". You will then send this document to Buffalo. Please also read the answer that I gave to Oajnabi above (Point 4)
3) You will have to apply for your son as well as he is your dependant. Fee structure is give in the guides available at the website
www.cic.gc.ca
Pearl11142002,
According to the Law you have to be physically present in canada for 730 days out of every 5 year period,
beginning from the day you land. So basically, you can be out of canada for a max of 3 years.
But if you are absent from Canada for a long period you may have to explain it the immigration officer in Canada, when you return, that your real intention is to settle in Canada.
) helped me with the directions regarding the info on UK PCC.