Score from language tests: Canada Immigration

Using your language test results to calculate achievable points:

For Immigration to Canada a point system persists which requires scoring of certain points to be eligible for further processing. That is why it is important to calculate ones score prior to submitting the documents for Canada immigration process.
Language skills occupies a handsome amount of points. It is important for the person who have shortage of points and willing to immigrate to Canada. They can target a score which will allow them to achieve the required pass mark.
Canadian immigration system recommends  International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) for English language and  Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) for French language.
I have put the test scoring and calculation of scored number for IELTS, CELPIP and TEF in the following sections (as in CIC website).


To Calculate your score, add your points as follows: 
Total of speaking + listening + reading + writing = Score (both languages)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Use the following table to determine how many points you will be awarded for your test scores with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

Level	Points (per ability)	Test results for each ability
		Speaking	Listening	Reading (General Training)	Writing (General Training)
High	First official language: 4	6.5 - 9.0	7.5 - 9.0	6.5 - 9.0	6.5 - 9.0
	Second official language: 2
Moderate	Either official language: 2	5.5 - 6.0	5.5 - 7.0	5.0 - 6.0	5.5 - 6.0
Basic	Either official language: 1 (maximum of 2)	4.0 - 5.0	4.5 - 5.0	3.5 - 4.5	4.0 - 5.0
No	0	Less than 4.0	Less than 4.5	Less than 3.5	Less than 4.0

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

Use the following table to determine how many points you will be awarded for your test scores with the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):

Level	Points (per ability)	Test results for each ability
		Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
High	First official language: 4	4H 5 6	4H 5 6	4H 5 6	4H 5 6
	Second official language: 2
Moderate	Either official language: 2	3H 4L	3H 4L	3H 4L	3H 4L
Basic	Either official language: 1(maximum of 2)	2H 3L	2H 3L	2H 3L	2H 3L
No	0	0 1 2L	0 1 2L	0 1 2L	0 1 2L

Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

Use the following table to determine how many points you will be awarded for your test scores with the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF):

Level	Points (per ability)	Test results for each ability
		Speaking (expression orale)	Listening (compré- hension orale)	Reading (compré- hension écrite)	Writing (expression écrite)
High	First official language: 4	Level 5 Level 6 (349-450 pts)	Level 5 Level 6 (280-360 pts)	Level 5 Level 6 (233-300 pts)	Level 5 Level 6 (349-450 pts)
	Second official language: 2
Moderate	Either official language: 2	Level 4 (271-348 pts)	Level 4 (217-279 pts)	Level 4 (181-232 pts)	Level 4 (271-348 pts)
Basic	Either official language: 1 (maximum of 2)	Level 3 (181-270 pts)	Level 3 (145-216 pts)	Level 3 (121-180 pts)	Level 3 (181-270 pts)
No	0	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-180 pts)	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-144 pts)	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-120 pts)	Level 0 Level 1 Level 2 (0-180 pts)

Add your points: Total of speaking + listening + reading + writing = Score (both languages)

Canada Immigration: Possible ways

Canada is a nice place to live. It offers the opportunity of immigration to people throughout the world. But one have to understand, they will prefer the people who will be useful to them. That is why they have developed a system for immigration which gives only certain options to qualified persons for Canada immigration.

Canada Immigration: Possible ways

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, there are five ways one can migrate to Canada. These are:

1. Skilled workers and professionals: For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec). Only 29 classified occupations are acceptable. In current year 2011-2012, 10000 applications will be accepted in this category. A maximum of 500 application will be accepted per occupation.

2. Quebec selected skilled workers: For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec. French is the official language of Quebec. If you are thinking of picking up this option, you should know that french is the official language of Quebec.

3. Canadian Experience Class: For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada. This option is targeted to the person who have temporary permit to work or study in Canada. With this option they can convert their temporary permit to permanent one.

4. Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people: For people who want to start a business in Canada. Business immigrants are expected to make a C$800,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada, and must meet certain experience and/or net worth criteria.

5. Provincial nominees: One of Canada's provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there. Each province has their own requirement and thus their program varies. At this moment Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon are Northwest Territories offering the scope. Their requirements are available in the respective website.

To bring non-immigrant family of a permanent resident (for example, newly married spouse) to Canada, the permanent resident can sponsor his/ her spouse. This could be considered as another way to migrate to Canada.

Each program has separate requirements and paperworks. If you are planning for Canada Immigration, you'll have to follow one of the above mentioned possible ways and prepare accordingly.

Canada immigration: Language test is valid for two years

I have seen the following notice in the CIC website (maybe I have missed it previously) which says that language test is valid for two years for the applicants of Canada immigration. I think they should keep extending the time with their ever extending processing time.

"EFFECTIVE December 23, 2010: If you are submitting a language test with your application, the results are now valid for 2 years from the time you took the test, instead of 1 year. This change applies to Federal skilled worker, Canadian Experience Class and Business Class Immigrants (investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people)."

As per the notice results of language test is valid for two years which means IELTS or TOEFL or French Language tests needs not to be retaken within the defined period. 

CAIP notes, FOSS files and GCMS files

What are CAIP notes, FOSS files and GCMS files and their uses:

CAIP notes/ CAIP file:
CAIP stands for 'Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System'. CAIP notes/ files is the computer system used by CIC. It holds all the information of all immigrant application being processed by overseas visa offices.
Now it is being gradually be replaced by GCMS.

FOSS files:
FOSS is same as CAIP except used for CIC offices in Canada.
It is also now being replaced by GCMS.

GCMS files:
GCMS stands for 'Global Case Management System' which is the newer computer system that will eventually replace CAIP and Foss files.

Canada Visa Lottery

According to CIC webpage and all other sources, there is no Visa Lottery for Canada.
If somebody want to get immigrated to Canada, he will have to go through any of the immigration visa options available, for example, skilled worker visa.

Best book for USMLE: Pathology

A whole lot of books are available to get prepared for USMLE. I shall try to put some light on pathology.

Best book for USMLE: Pathology

Rapid Review Pathology by Edward Goljan is the best book to study pathology for USMLE. One may find it difficult as it is full of texts and tables. But to score high in pathology you'll have to understand the subject and thus go through the book. Along this book, those who are visual learners, may use Big picture pathology.
But you must remember one thing, these are review books and are not text books. You may need to consult text books to clarify some complex topics discussed in these books.
If you have a lot of time, you can also try BRS pathology and Deja review pathology.

Have a good preparation in pathology for USMLE.

CAIP note: Another way to know status of your application

CAIP notes/ CAIP file: Can help you know your file status

If you have submitted you immigration application long time ago and wondering why it is not processed yet while other are flying for Canada, you can use this CAIP service. You can also use it to get prepared for your interview as it may contain valuable information about the objective of your interview.
But be judicious about using the service as it may cause further delay of your application file processing.

What is CAIP notes:
CAIP stands for 'Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System'. It is the computer system used by Canada immigration to process visa applications, and holds all the information on the current status of every immigration application being processed by overseas offices (i.e. those outside of Canada).
For new applications the CAIP is replaced by the 'GCMS' system.
To know more about CAIP, FOSS and GCMS, click here.

Can an applicant apply for CAIP notes:
CAIP notes is available to citizens, immigrants of persons living in Canada. So, most of the time an Immigration applicant has no access to the system.
But he can use somebody else living in Canada to avail the service for him. There are also some service providers that will get the CAIP notes for you. If you want, you can Google for that.

How to process:

1. fill up consent form IMM 5475 and signed by me and my spouse.
------- I did it and send scanned copy to my friend through mail.
2. Person in Canada has to fill up formal request form (IMM 5563).
3. Person in Canada has to send both these form with a $5.00 cheque (in favor of Receiver General of Canada) to
              Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
              Narono Building
              360 Laurier Avenue West, 10th floor
              Ottawa, Ontario
              K1A 1L1
4. Wait for few weeks to get the print out.

Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) - Part 4

This is the continuity of the part - 3. To go to the previous part, click here.

DEPENDENT (S)

Note: 
You must include all your family members details here whether they will accompany you to Canada or not.
If you have put family member in the first section more than one, then you will already get required places to fill up here for one dependent. Then you will have to click on the button "Add Dependent" to add additional dependents.
You shall be able to fill it up for up to five dependents. If you have more than five (5) family members, you must complete the Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008DEP) form for each additional family member in order to include everyone in your application.


DEPENDANT’S PERSONAL DETAILS

1 to 9 are identical to the questions you answered for yourself and fill it up as you did for yourself.

10. Relationship to principal applicant:
10- a) From the list, select your dependant‘s relationship to you. If the list does not cover your relationship, then fill up the "10- b) Other" section.

11. Will accompany the principal applicant to Canada:
    a) Check the box for Yes/No.
    b) If you have selected "No" then fill it mentioning the cause

12. Select the type of dependent from the drop down menu following the rule:
                Type A = Child with age below 22 years and single
                Type B = The child has been continuously enrolled in and in attendance as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution accredited by the relevant government authority and has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent either:since before the age of 22, or since marrying or entering into a common-law relationship
                Type C = The child is 22 years of age or older, has depended substantially on the financial support of a parent since before the age of 22, and is unable to provide for himself or herself because of a medical condition.


13. to 17.
  Fill the areas with the information of your dependents as you did for yourself.



PASSPORT:

Fill it up as you did for yourself in previous sections.


NATIONAL IDENTITY DOCUMENT
Fill it up as you did for yourself in previous sections.

EDUCATION/OCCUPATION DETAIL
Fill it up as you did for yourself in previous sections.




LANGUAGE DETAIL

Fill it up as you did for yourself in previous sections.



CONSENT AND DECLARATION OF APPLICANT
In the last page there is a space for sign and below is a Yes/No check box. After checking the box, please validate the form by pressing the "Validate" button. It will help you see in you have left are of the spaces.

And Don't forget to 
1. Get your name written in the specified area in the last page
2. Sign 
3. Write the date
You can get your name handwritten in the area.

And that is it. Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) is finished.

If I can I'll post a demo video sometimes. Till then, good luck with the immigration process.

Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) - Part 3

This post is a continuation of Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) - Part 2. Click here to go to that post.

CONTACT INFORMATION

1. Current mailing address: Full up all the spaces under the heading for P.O.box; Apt./Unit; Street no; City/Town; Country;  Province/ State; Postal code; District.
  Note - Mail from the immigration office will be sent to this address. So be very careful while filling the section.
           - If your country has no province/state, the option will be automatically disabled after selecting the
              country from drop down list.

2. Residential address: First click on the checkbox confirming that whether it is same as your mailing address or not. If it is different, then check "No" and fill up the remaining accordingly.

3. Telephone no: First check the box for "Canada/US" or "Other". Then from the list in the type heading, select the type of telephone : Residence (home)/Cellular (cell/mobile)/Business (work).
Note- If you have an extension number, indicate it after your phone number under "Ext."

4. Alternate Telephone no: If you have alternate number then fill this.

5. Fax no: Check the appropriate box to indicate if the facsimile (fax) number is from Canada and United States or Other (any other country). If applicable, indicate your facsimile (fax) number, including country code, area/regional codes, etc.

6. Email address: Write your email address here if you have any. Remember if you have put email address here, CIC will send mail to this address. So give the mail address you are using or will be using.

PASSPORT

You should be able to fill this part without any problem.

NATIONAL IDENTITY DOCUMENT

Fill up this part as you have done for PASSPORT part

EDUCATION/OCCUPATION DETAIL

1. From the drop down list, select your highest level of education.

2. Write down the total number of years of formal education that you have completed.

3. Put your current occupation here.

4. Write down your intended occupation in Canada here.

LANGUAGE DETAIL

1. 

a) From the drop down list, select your first (native) language.

b) If your native language is not English or French, select from the drop down list which one you would most likely use.

2. Select the language you are able to communicate. As you are reading this post, you are at least able to communicate in English. 

Please click here to go to the last part. 

Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) - Part 2

This is the continuity of the post Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) - Part 1. Please click here if you want to go back (and I recommend if you are here in first visit) to the previous post (Part-1)


PERSONAL DETAILS
1. Full Name: In the first part put your family name and in the second part given names. If you have middle names put all of them here.
2. Have you ever used any other name (e.g. Nickname, maiden name alias, etc): This part is self explanatory. Check the Yes/No check box first.
Then if you changed your maiden name and included the family name of yout spuce, put your previous family name in the first part. If your were given any other names like nickname, put it in the second part.
3. UCI: If this is your first application, then leave this place blank. If it is not, then put your Universal Client Identification number (UCI) or Client Identification number (Client ID), if known (8-digit number).
4. Sex: Choose your sex from the drop down menu.
5. Height: Put you height here in centimeter in the place marked as "cm" of write in the next area for feet and inch.
6. Eye color: Choose the one from the drop down menu.
7. Date of birth: Write down your date of birth following the indicated pattern (i.e. birth year in four digits in the first part).
8. Place of birth: Write the name of the city/town of your birth at the given place. Remember, it should correlate your birth certificate.
9. Citizenships: 1) From the list, select your country of citizenship.
                          2) If you are a citizen of more than one country, select your other country of citizenship, otherwise leave it blank.
10. Current country of residence:
    From the list, select the appropriate information to indicate:
       - The name of your current country of residence. Your country of residence is the country in which you are residing, provided that you have been lawfully admitted to that country.
       - Your immigration status in that country - Choose it from the drop down menu.
11. You should not be able to fill this part
12. Previous countries of residence: Check the box to indicate whether you have lived in any country other than your country of citizenship or your current country of residence for more than six (6) months in the past five (5) years.
If you checked "Yes", from the list select the appropriate information to indicate the following:
 - The name of the country you lived in
 - Your immigration status for the time you were in that country: Choose it from the drop down menu
 - Other: This section must be completed if you selected ―Other‖ as a status
 - The dates (From – To) you were living in that country.
13. Your current marital status:
      a) Choose it from the drop down menu.
      b) If you have choose "yes", then you must put your marriage date here in the recommended format.
      c) Put the name of your spouse in the first part and given name in the second part.
14. Have you previously married or in a common-law relationship? :
      Check the box No/Yes accordingly
      If you had one, then fill up the following areas accordingly.

Please click here to continue to part - 3.

Form fill up for Skilled Worker category: Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008) - Part 1

 CIC Canada has introduced a new generic application form for immigration purpose (IMM 0008). All immigration applicants including Skilled Worker category can fill the form from 18th July 2011. Older version of the form will still be accepted till 31st March, 2012. However, it is better to use the new one for the persons who are going to apply from now on.
The good thing about the new generic application form (IMM 0008) is that many of the fields have drop down lists that will prevent silly mistakes and reduce undue delay.

Now let us start reviewing the form. How a person would Fill up/ Complete the form to apply as Skilled Worker
First of all you'll have to download the form. Click here to download it.
First notice there are two buttons at top labeled as "Validate" and "Clear form". I am sure that you are not going to click the later one till you are completely messed up. But click on the first one after completing the form. It will bring notice of any blank fields.

Note that the form is divided into sections with heading (blue marking in the above picture). Each of the divisions are again subdivided, each subdivision having a number (red marking in the above picture). I shall discuss the form using these headings and their numbers. Before that I need to beg pardon for awful marking on the form above. You know, I am not a very good trainer of a mouse (just kidding).

Remember I am helping out only the Skilled Workers to complete the generic form (IMM 0008).




APPLICATION DETAILS
1. Program under which you are applying - Choose "Economic" from the drop down menu.
2. Category under which you are applying - Choose "Skilled Worker" from the drop down menu.
3. How many family members, including you, are in this application (see instruction guide)? - Put the number of your family member whether they are accompanying you or not. The family will include a spouse, a common-law partner, dependent children, and dependent child of a dependent child.
4. Immigration Office requested for the processing of your application - Indicate the name of tThe Immigration Office which serves your country of nationality/ the country in which you are residing, provided that you have been lawfully admitted to that country for at least one year.
You'll get the visa office that serves you form here.
For example applicants of people of Afghanistan as Skilled Worker, they'll have to put Islamabad at the place.
5. Language preference - From the drop down menu select the desired language for the parts

                                                      a) correspondence
                                                      b) interview and
                                                      c) interpreter requested (if applicable)
6. Where do you intend to live in Canada? - From the drop down list first select the Province/Territory (a) and then, City/Town (b).
Example: For Toronto  select as follows:
               a) Province/Territory - select "ON" from drop down menu
               b) City/Town - select "Toronto" from drop down menu

7. Have you received your Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ)? -
This area should be inaccessible to you.

To continue, please click here.

Canada Immigration new form (IMM 0008) for permanent resident applications as Skilled worker

As of July 18, 2011, applicants for Permanent Residence are requested to use the new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). 
The older form will also be accepted, but only till March 31, 2012. 
You can get the new form from here. Remember you will need to have Adobe Reader 8.1 or higher to see the new application form (IMM 0008). 
This new application form is a generic one and should be used by everybody applying as Skilled Worker.
The main feature of the new application form for Canada is many of the fields have drop down list that minimize the chance of error and undue delay of procession of immigration as skilled worker.   
From now on everybody should use the new application form to apply for Canadian Immigration. 


If you want to know how to fill the new form, click here.

July 2011 update for Canada immigration, skilled worker category

Here is July 2011 update for Canada immigration for skilled worker category:
The eligibility criteria for Federal Skilled Worker applicants has changed according to July 2011 update for Canada immigration.
According to July 2011 update for Canada immigration, Canada will process only 10000 visas for skilled worker till July 2012. They will take only skilled persons from 29 areas. To see the list, click here.
They will process only 10000 visas and not more than 500 in specific area.
Details, including the status of your desired skill are also present in the above link.
So, I must say, according to July 2011 update for Canada immigration they are squeezing the scope of immigration for skilled worker.

With July, 2011 update, it seems like new rule is on the way and Canada is not appreciating immigrants anymore.

Visa processing time for Skilled worker application to Canada

If you are planning to submit your application for immigration to Canada as skilled worker, you might want to know visa processing time for Skilled worker application to Canada. Knowing the visa processing time for Skilled worker application to Canada will help you plan ahead.
To know visa processing time for Skilled worker application to Canada, click here. In the table click on "View by country" under the heading of "Federal (other than Quebec)". In the next page find out your visa specific office and you'll see the visa processing time for Skilled worker application to Canada for your visa office.
One thing I must add, visa processing time for Skilled worker application to Canada, which is available in the above link is actually the average time required for processing in last few months.

Public health and preventive medicine in Canada: A good book to face public health and epidemiology questions in MCC part 1

If you are sitting for MCC part 1, you'll have to face questions regarding public health and epidemiology. There is a good book to face public health and epidemiology questions in MCC part 1. The name of the book is "Public health and preventive medicine in Canada" by Chandrakant Shah.
Canadian Medical Students preparing for the MCC part 1 will definitely benefit from reading this book. This one stop shop will give you the information you need to be well prepared for the public health and epidemiology questions. An easy read and a well laid-out book. 
Dr. Chandrakant Shah has elaborately discussed everything which will make easy understand the health care system for beginner of healthcare professionals and also works as an important reference for administrators and practitioners who must understand health and the health system in order to work effectively within it. As you understand the health care system well, it works as a good book to face public health and epidemiology questions in MCC part 1.
You can choose to read Public health and preventive medicine in Canada: A good book to face public health and epidemiology questions in MCC part 1. 
Good luck with you MCC exam. 

Online application for study permit in Canada

If someone desires to study in Canada, he/she must have study permit except for few occasions like short term military training. 

There is an process of online application for study permit in Canada. 

You may apply online for study permit in Canada if you fulfill the following criteria: 

• your field of study does not require a medical examination;
• you are over the age of sixteen;
• you have no accompanying family members; and
• you live in and are a citizen of the following countries: Australia, Barbados, Denmark, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Sweden and USA.

If you want to give it a try, click here to see if you are eligible for online application for study permit in Canada. 

Know status of application of Canada immigration

You may be worried about your status of application of Canada immigration.

There are at least two ways to know the status of application of Canada immigration.

The first one to know the status of application of Canada immigration is through website (ECAS).  

This explores the database which is updated usually on Tuesday (as they claimed). 

At first go to Canadian Immigration website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp.

There you’ll find a link at right menu bar as shown in the picture. 

Click on the link, follow the instructions and you'll get the information about your status of application of Canada immigration.

You may not find this method to be very much helpful, but there is no reason that this will cause a delay in your processing time.

Second method: Case specific inquiry - knowing status of application of Canada immigration is by email. 
I would not recommend it to use it untill it is necessary. It may slow down the file processing.
Go to your specific visa office site (the visa office which does the correspondence).

If you don't know which one is your visa office, then go to CIC website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp). Again in the right menu bar there is a link to find specific visa office (below the marked area of above picture is a link "Find CIC offices").

Clicking the link will take you to a page where there is another link "Where to send your application (listed by country)".

Clicking it will take you to a page containing a table of visa offices and the specific purpose they will serve. For example, for immigration visas of people from Indonesia, the specific visa office is Singapore. Now click on Singapore and it will take you to a page as below:

To know your status of application of Canada immigration click on the link underlined red and it will guide you to get an email response. 

There is another way to know your application status and that is through CAIP note. To know more please click here.

DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery 2012

Update for DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery 2012. If you are excited that you have won the DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery 2012, don't cheer.
Wait.
US government has cancelled the lottery result published at May 2012.
Now check your mail (the email address that you provided for DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery 2012).
There should be a mail informing you details that the results were not valid because they did not represent a fair, random selection of entrants, as required by U.S. law. They were posted in error.


If your were unlucky first time, you got new hope for the next lottery. 


Good luck with DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery 2012.

Best book of histology for USMLE

If you are looking for the best book of histology for USMLE, first you’ll have to understand that histology is a infrequently tested side for USMLE. But you’ll never know what is in the question until you get it. So, for those who want to be perfect and looking for the best book of histology for USMLE, here are the options:

1. BRS Cell biology and Histology.
2. High yield histology

Most are settled with the histology part of Kaplan’s anatomy. But if you are eager to be more competent and want a separate book for histology to be completely ready for USMLE, leaving no chances, choose any of the above two books.

Good luck.