₦airaland Forum

You can use your teaching experience, but you must choose the correct NOC.
IRCC checks duties, yes, but for regulated jobs like secondary school teacher (NOC 41220), officers also look at the NOC’s employment requirements. That is why the person in the screenshot was refused, they claimed a teacher NOC that requires a B.Ed or teaching licence.

If you don’t have a teaching qualification, don’t use NOC 41220.
Use a different teaching-related NOC that does not require a teaching certificate, such as teacher assistant (NOC 43100). That one is acceptable without B.Ed and you can still use it for Express Entry.

Teaching (NOC 41220 / 41221) is a regulated occupation in Canada.

The NOC profile says:

“Employment requirements: Teachers of academic subjects require a bachelor’s degree in education OR a bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences.”

This is EXACTLY the section shown in the screenshot of the rejection letter.

This means the visa officer can question your experience if you do not hold the minimum educational requirement listed in the NOC.

This is why the person in the screenshot was refused.

Ontarioo:
It's important that your contribution here on this thread should be based on experience, hence you're going to mislead a lot of people that relied solely on the information provided on this thread for their visa application. It's okay to use AI/Google, but make sure it's right and tested.

Attached below is a screenshot of a rejection letter of someone that used the same information that you provided here. (Though not from you)

You don’t need to upload this page. The main document IRCC needs is the IMM 1017B / eMedical Information Sheet with your UMI number and clinic details. The consent page is just clinic paperwork and is not required for uploading.

Zeemaan:
Is it also necessary to submit this page together with the other paper that one is given after upfront immigration medical exam?
Because I honestly don't understand what they wrote here and I don't want to upload something that'll cause me problems.

For Express Entry and the education draw, IRCC is looking at your NOC and your actual duties, not whether you hold a B.Ed or TRCN licence. As long as your reference letter from the school is strong (on letterhead, shows you taught biology in secondary school, hours per week, dates, and duties that match secondary school teacher NOC), it can count as skilled teaching experience.

The teaching certificate matter comes in later if you want to work as a licensed teacher in Canada, not for claiming the work experience for Express Entry.

freshStarz:
Even with no education or teaching certificate?

Quebec influence exists in the background, but the immediate reason you are seeing French draws is a federal policy target for francophone immigration outside Quebec.Even outside Quebec, French is an official language and the federal government set an immigration target years ago. at least 4.4% of all new immigrants outside Quebec must be French-speaking.
Unfortunately, that target has never been met.

amnotapervert:
Bill 96 (passed in 2022) and the more recent Bill 84 are the reasons why the federal government bent over for Quebec on July 7, 2023, and carried out the first French-based category draw, Even tho express entry Draw as we all know it since January 31, 2015

Calm down I do not type what I don’t know. So ask yourself this: if language is truly a “skill,” why doesn’t the government run English-based draws the same way it pushes only French-based draws? Please answer that question.

you might say we have more English speakers than French but that's all over the world as french is a dying language and most French speakers out of their country have another language they speake.

Quebec is the only province with a comprehensive accord that gives it sole responsibility for selecting most of its economic immigrants and setting its own annual immigration targets. This means that, while other provinces have a significant voice in immigration selection through the PNP, Quebec is the only jurisdiction in Canada that runs a virtually parallel system for economic immigration ..one the federal government is legally required to recognize and support.

If you understand Canadian politics and the French -English dynamic stemming from the Quebec sovereignty movement including the key periods (1960s–1970s rise of the movement, the 1980 referendum, and the 1995 referendum) you will understand the bigger picture.

Equalization payments since 1957 are another reason the government keeps Quebec satisfied enough to remain within Canada.

This is not the forum to dive into every detail, but the reality is that the federal government goes out of its way to appease Quebec and the French-category draw is just another example of that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equalization_payments_in_Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html
https://www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/Fichiers_client/lois_et_reglements/LoisAnnuelles/en/2022/2022C14A.PDF

You don’t need one full year in your current NOC as long as you already have one full year of skilled work in any eligible NOC. It does not have to be the same one you choose as primary.

But IRCC must be able to verify whichever NOC you choose as primary. If the support worker job cannot be proven with a proper letter, don’t use it. IT role in Nigeria has 4.5 years and seems easier to prove. That is safer as primary NOC.

You can change your primary NOC after ITA, just explain it in your LOE.

Best strategy:
• Use the job you can prove clearly as primary NOC.
• Add your current social services job as secondary experience.
• You don’t need to wait for January unless you want to make social services your primary NOC.

Do not decline ITA yet. First try using the IT role as primary with correct documents. If that one is solid, you are safe.

IRCC only refuses when duties cannot be verified. Choose the job you can prove strongest. Everything else can still count as additional experience.

Harykemi:
Please I am confused with my application because I created the ee profile myself and was hoping to edit and alas I got ita within 3 days.

I keep getting confusing and don’t want to make a mistake

I chose my primary noc as support worker 1 year - 37,5 hours weekly experience
Added my IT role in Nigeria which is 4.5 years, 40 hours weekly and my current role in social services which is currently 11 months - 37.5 hours weekly.

I’m unable to prove my former role as support worker because they have changed everyone and the letter they gave me is not sufficient with the information IRCC needs. It’s been a lot of back and forth.

I learnt post ITA, I can change NOC

I want to be careful. Which role should I use as primary NOC. I was invited under FSW Healthcare and social services category. My current social services role is also eligible. I’m just confused.

Do I need to have one calendar year experience in healthcare/social service for primary NOC?

What is my best way to navigate this?

Or should I decline my ITA and wait for another draw. I’m just confused.

Or should I wait until January when I am one full year in my social services role before submitting. Please help. I’m so confused

French isn’t just for Quebec. It’s one of Canada’s official languages, so IRCC treats it as a priority skill. That’s why French speakers get their own Express Entry draws with lower cutoffs. The Nov 28, 2025 draw invited 6000 people at a CRS of 408.

If someone can combine decent English with CLB 7 French, their chances increase a lot. Right now, language is the most powerful tool to boost CRS, especially for those over 30. Learning French is simply strategy, not politics.

amnotapervert:
You’re absolutely right. They’re doing everything just to keep Quebec satisfied. I honestly don’t understand how French counts as a skill, but what do I know? Just learn French that’s the only hope many people have.

You only need bank letters from the account(s) you will use for settlement funds. No need to include other accounts if they are not part of your POF.

IRCC expects the bank letter and statements to be recent, usually not older than 30 days at the time you submit your application. So make sure the documents are issued close to your submission date.

Just include the accounts you are using for POF and keep everything very clear in one place. That is enough.

Zeemaan:
1. Please for the POF, must I get bank letters from all my bank accounts or only from the ones that I have my settlement funds in?

2. How long is a POF valid or acceptable by IRCC after it has been issued by the bank?

Thanks.

AOR is not instant for everyone. It usually comes 24–48 hours after submission, but lately some people are waiting 2–3 weeks before getting it. Your timeline is still within the current range.

As long as your application shows “submitted” in your IRCC account and your payment went through, just relax. There is no issue. IRCC sometimes delays AOR when there is high application volume.

Stevsun:
Guys I submitted my Pr on 8th of November and up till now (27th of Nov) l have not received AOR. What could be the issue?

When you renew your passport after getting PPR, processing can take a bit longer. The visa office needs to link your new passport to your file before stamping. That may cause a delay after the “sent out” notification.

Many people have had the same issue. It can take 3 to 4 weeks while they update your passport details internally. Since you submitted on November 10, you are still within normal range.

Hazereal:
I received my PPR on November 7, and I submitted my passport to VFS Lagos on November 10. On November 11, I got a notification that it had been sent out, but since then, I haven't received any updates. Please note that I renewed my passport, so it's different from the one I used to apply. Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?

Age 36 reduces points a bit, so language will be the key.

Your profile:
• BSc + Diploma
• About 1.5 years skilled teaching work
• Currently a technician in oil and gas

Your wife:
• BSc in Microbiology
• Works in a bank (likely skilled work depending on duties)

Which one is better PA?
It depends on language scores. Whoever can score higher in IELTS and possibly French should be the PA.

Best route:
• Both of you should take IELTS and target CLB 9
• If possible add French (TEF) to boost CRS
• Collect reference letters for all skilled work (teaching and banking)

Teaching can work under education NOC, banking can work under financial NOC. Oil and gas technician experience may give more PNP options especially in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Try both profiles in CRS calculator and choose the higher one as PA. Spouse education and work experience will still help the other person as secondary applicant.

With strong language scores, your age is not a big problem. Language and reference letters will decide the best route for you.

jworos:
Good evening guys, please I need advice.

I will be 36 next year, my wife is 30, I have a Diploma and BSc in Comp Sci Education, my teaching experience totals about 1yr and 6 months(NYSC & teaching practice), I'm currently working as a technician for an oil and gas company, my wife studied MCB, and works in a bank.

What route would you advise for us to take, and who is better vas the PA?

When the employer is a family member, IRCC looks more closely. The work can still count, but you must prove it very well.

Best option is to let the manager or HR sign the reference letter, not your father. If there is no HR, use someone senior who supervised you directly.

Ita12:
Thank you, but to be honest, the hospital belongs my father, that's why I am a worried but the experience is legit(it is a licensed profession). I feel like the letter and any document I provide wouldn't hold much weight. Do you advise that the reference letter be signed by him or the manager?

Try searching on Telegram for “TEF Canada practice” or “French TEF group”. There are active study groups where people share past questions and tips. Also check YouTube, many free TEF tutors are there. Focus on listening and speaking first. Build your essay structure once a week.

There are known and available French-language tutors in Nigeria. If you decide to hire one, these platforms let you browse qualified tutors, check reviews, test availability, and pick someone who suits your budget and schedule. A few examples:

• Superprof shows many tutors in major cities (Lagos, Abuja, etc.) with specialisation in exam-prep (TEF/TCF) or general French.
Superprof

• TeacherOn lists online TEF tutors based in Nigeria.

• Preply international platform where you can find online French tutors (some may be native or based abroad) and study from Nigeria.

Adex2442:
Thanks boss. I am looking for a tutor

For the Unilag caregiving program, WES does not usually accept short courses under 1 year unless the school confirms it is a formal diploma program. You need to ask Unilag if the certificate is recognized as a 1-year program with transcript. Without transcript, WES may not accept it. Be careful before paying.

For your wife’s 3rd class public health degree, WES will still evaluate it as a Bachelor’s degree. Class of degree does not affect WES result. They only check level, not grade.

For French, yes you can reach pass mark in 6 months if you study well.

Greenarrow01:
so I have two questions pls. I saw somewhere that there is this online caregiver tutoring in unilag (unilag consult) that tutors on care giving and early childhood education. It takes 6 months to graduate and you can give WES Thier certificate which they will take in your evaluation as a 1 year diploma. Now I searched all over there is no single review from another person. I will like to know if truly Wes takes this certificate .
Secondly
Pls my wife graduated with 3rd class in public health. When WES evaluates her transcript, will it still return or should I say confirm it as a BSC degree ?
Lastly does anybody knows a place where one can study and learn french enough within 6 months enough to get at least a pass mark. The fear of writing essay in french is crazy. Thank you

To prove your work experience, gather as many of these as possible:

• Reference letter from the hospital with duties, dates, hours per week
• Tax receipts or evidence you paid tax
• Pay slips or handwritten payment records
• Bank deposits if you sometimes deposited the cash
• ID card or appointment letter from the hospital
• Any emails showing work schedule or communication
• Pictures of you at work (optional support)
• Affidavit from supervisor or colleague confirming your work

Attach a Letter of Explanation clearly stating that payment was in cash but tax was paid. If IRCC sees consistent documents and your duties match your NOC, they will accept it.

Ita12:
Please, how can I proof my work experience that was paid in cash. I worked in a hospital for about 2 years and was paid in cash and I also paid tax on it . What other documents can I submit to proof that my work experience. I hear cash jobs are getting rejected by IRCC these days

It can still work. People have used only statements successfully.

Here’s what you should do:
• Download 6 months bank statements with your name and account number.
• Add a Letter of Explanation saying Lloyds does not issue reference letters.
• Attach email or chat reply from the bank confirming that policy (if you have it).
• Highlight the closing balance on your statement.

codedarrow:
Hi everyone,

I want to use my UK bank statement for POF, but the problem is the bank refuse to issue a bank reference letter only the bank statement. Will that be issue for me ? (Lloyd bank to be specific). Anyone in such situation before ?

Your profile fits more into the education category than health. Even though your degree is microbiology, the work experience IRCC will judge is the type of job you did, teaching biology in secondary school.

As long as your reference letter clearly shows your duties as a teacher and matches the NOC for secondary school teacher (NOC 41221), you can qualify for the education targeted draw.

freshStarz:
Good morning guys. I have 3 years experience teaching biology in secondary school but i have no education certificate. I studied microbiology as my udergraduate degree and graduated in 2014. I am single. I am currently planning to take Tcf and Ielts.
My question is should i go for the health or education draw, or which pool suits my profile best.

WES will only help you claim CRS points for your degree. Trade test certificates alone don’t add CRS unless they are part of a formal education credential.

BabatundeGPD:
Thanks I appreciate sir.
I have trade test certificates, and a degree. I thought WES will give me points for my CRS and this will increase my chances in the pool?

Canada is pushing French because of a national target. IRCC wants 4.4 percent of all new immigrants to be French-speaking outside Quebec. They have not met this target for many years, so they created special French draws and PNP streams to boost the numbers.

This is why French speakers get priority now. It is not only about Quebec. The federal government wants French communities to grow in Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba and other provinces.

Anyone who is not in healthcare or trades and has low CRS should seriously consider French. Even CLB 7 in TEF can change your chances completely.

[quote author=Adex2442 post=137600886][/quote]

IRCC only wants to see that the money is yours and accessible. Your main proof will be your bank statement showing the final balance.

For the stock sale, do this:
• Use the bank statement showing the deposit.
• Attach the bamboo wallet statement showing the withdrawal.
• Attach the trade confirmation from Lambeth Securities.
• Then write a short Letter of Explanation saying Bamboo uses Lambeth Securities as their brokerage partner, that is why the names differ.

They do not need the original source of funds unless the amount is very large or suspicious. As long as the flow is clear (stock → wallet → bank) and in your name, IRCC accepts it. Just link the documents with an LOE. That is enough.

Zeemaan:
Please for the bank statement, I recently sold some stocks on bamboo and whitdrew the money into the bank account I intend to use for pof.

But there is one issue. My bamboo account statement that shows me whitdrawing the ammount doesn't have any contact information. But my trade confirmation containing proof that I sold my stocks has "Lambeth Securities Capitals Limited" on it and no single mention of bamboo. The 2 documents don't align at all. Trade confirmation is in dollars, stock account statement is in naira.

Please any idea on how I could navigate this? Would they also need the source of funding for my stocks or they'll be satisfied with me just giving them my stock trade confirmations and wallet statement showing that I transferred the money from there to my bank account?

When you apply for an extension inside Canada and your current permit expires, you automatically get maintained status as long as the application was submitted before expiry. IRCC does not always send a document confirming it.

What you can use meanwhile:
• The submission confirmation letter from your online account
• The payment receipt
• Screenshot of your application showing “submitted” with the date

Those are enough to prove maintained status to employers or schools. Many people use them until IRCC issues a decision. There is no official letter for maintained status anymore. Just keep checking your account and carry your proof of submission. You are legally allowed to continue under the same conditions while waiting.

Juz1dan:
Hello , if you apply for an extension within Canada , but you got no letter / document from IRCC one can use to sort things , while on 'Maintained status' whats the best thing to do, and they are not replying the web form asking for one . Anyways to go on while waiting for a response.

If you are traveling on a Nigerian passport and transiting through Heathrow, yes you need a UK transit visa unless you meet one of the exemption rules.

You do NOT need a transit visa ONLY if you have:
• A valid Canadian visa AND
• A confirmed onward ticket AND
• You remain airside and do not pass UK border control

This is called Direct Airside Transit.

voltred:
Does one need a transit visa if you having a 4 hour layover in Heathrow Airpot when flying to Canada. Urgent response needed. Thank you

WES will not give you extra advantage for welding. WES only evaluates your education, not your trade skills.

As a welder, your main strength is your work experience. What will help you more is:
• A clear NOC for welding work
• Proof of your daily duties
• Training or trade certificates if you have them
• Language test with good scores

You still need WES only if you have a qualification like OND, HND, or degree and you want to claim points for it. But WES will not add points just because it is welding.

BabatundeGPD:
Thanks I appreciate Sir. Please one more question, for trade skill as welder, will WES give me more chance? Or i dont need to do WES?

IRCC now gives only one upload slot for the passport photo. So just combine everything into one PDF file and upload it there. Put the digital photo first, then the studio info page on the next page. That is perfectly fine, many applicants do it this way. Just make sure the photo meets the size and resolution requirements. You are good.

Zeemaan:
Please for the digital passport photo, am I to upload the photo and the additional document which contains our date of birth and details about the photo studio as a single pdf file? I'm confused about the instructions on ircc website. On the website, it says that there would be 2 upload fields - one for the digital photo and the other for the back or for an additional document containing information about the studio. But on the upload page, there is only one space.

Yes, freelance experience can count as skilled work if you can prove it clearly. IRCC accepts self-employment but you must show:

• Contracts or agreements with clients
• Invoices
• Payment records or bank statements
• Portfolio or samples of work
• Reference letters from clients confirming duties and duration
• Tax or business registration if available

The duties must match your NOC and you must show at least 30 hours per week on average to equal one year full-time. If your documents are strong, freelance work is acceptable. IRCC just wants proof that it was real and continuous skilled work.

olu98:
I am a software developer who works on gig-based (freelance) jobs (different clients). Does this pass the requirements of a minimum of 1 year of experience? Let me know, please. Thanks.

IRCC does not care about CAC registration alone. They check if the work experience is real and matches your NOC. You can register a company, but to use it as experience you must show:

• Business bank account
• Proof of payment to yourself (salary or withdrawals)
• Tax records
• Clients or invoices
• Detailed duties that match the NOC

Having both fashion and welding under one company is not a problem, but you must clearly separate the role you are claiming. IRCC must see that you actually worked and earned income from it, not just paper registration.

If you have real work to show, you can claim it. If it is only registration without activity, IRCC will not accept it.

BabatundeGPD:
Hello house, please as an entrepreneur , can I register a company under cac, but the company will be both fashion and weldering, this is to serve for my wife and I so as to claim the experience. The cac agent said this is possible but I don't know if it will be accept by IRCC. THANKS

Uniben does not send directly to WES. You have to use ETX (Electronic Transcript Exchange). Follow these steps:

Go to www.etx-ng.com
and create an account.

Choose University of Benin as your school.

Select WES Canada as the destination.

Pay online and submit your request.

Transcript will go electronically to WES with tracking.

If you go to the school physically, tell them you want to send through ETX. Many staff don’t know WES but they know ETX. That is the official way now.

atoleybaba:
Hello guys. Please who knows how I can get uniben to send transcript to WES? A friend went to school but they told her they don’t know anything about WES

Express Entry does not give extra points for being a single mother. CRS only checks if you are applying with a spouse or alone.

So it is better to apply as single person without dependents. That gives higher CRS and lower proof of funds.

If she has a child, she must declare the child but apply as principal applicant single. That is allowed and many have done it. This gives her better CRS for the trade test route.

Funkey20:
Good evening,
Plss asking for someone, when applying for Canada express entry trade test, is it better to apply as a single mother or as a single person?

Yes, she can apply. IRCC does not require the degree to be in education. What matters is that her reference letter for teaching job matches the NOC duties for teachers.

For extra CRS points under two or more certificates, she needs:
• One bachelor’s degree
• Another post secondary program of at least one year with ECA

Fast options that people used:
• Postgraduate diploma in education
• One year online diploma or certificate from recognised institution
• TEFL or TESOL certificate for English teaching plus degree also works in some PNP streams

Once she gets ECA for both, she qualifies for two or more certificates. Teaching experience is valid even without education degree as long as duties match NOC.

Chrisagwunobi:
Hi everyone,
My is question is we want to apply for PR under education category, my wife has teaching experience but did not do education in her BSC,
Are we eligible to apply?

Secondly what certificate can someone get within months that can give you points as two or more certs.

Yes, it has been done before. IRCC accepts gift deed as long as the money is genuinely transferred and the donor confirms it is a gift with no expectation of repayment.

Most people used direct bank to bank transfer from Canadian account to Nigerian account. That is better than Western Union because bank transfer gives a clear transaction history showing sender name, recipient name, and date. You will need:
• Gift deed sworn by the family member in Canada
• Bank transfer receipt
• Six month bank statement from your Nigerian account showing the gift deposit
• ID of the donor

Western Union is harder to explain because it does not show full sender identity and sometimes IRCC asks extra questions. Bank transfer is cleaner and easier during review.

LadyW:
Hi everyone, has anyone used a gift deed from a family member in Canada as POF for PR application? How did the family member transfer the funds (from Canadian bank) to the Naira account? Was it Western Union or bank-to-bank? Thank you.

You do not upload IELTS TRF or WES report manually. IRCC receives them electronically. When you filled your profile, you already entered TRF number and test dates. WES sends your ECA result directly to IRCC using your Express Entry file number. You only upload your degree certificate and transcript in the Education section.

You can still upload them as supporting documents. Use the optional upload slot under “Letter of Explanation.” Combine the IELTS TRF and WES report into one PDF and attach it there. It is not required but it is allowed.

Zeemaan:
Please I have another set of questions.

1. Please where do I upload my IELTS trf?
2. Where do I upload my WES evaluation report?

Thanks very much.

Yes, you can list your former job only in Personal History. That section does not require proof.

Harykemi:
honestly thank you. I didn’t know what I was thinking when I added my previous job when my current job is enough with verifiable proves. I’ll also try the suggestion for Possap.
Should I just add my former job in personal history ?

After ITA you should not change your primary NOC unless the new NOC matches the work experience you already claimed in your profile. Changing it can trigger extra review.

But if your current job has full documentation and duties that clearly match NOC 42201 and it is also in the healthcare category used in the draw, you can use it as your primary experience. Just make sure:
• You have at least 1560 hours for that NOC
• Your reference letter is strong and detailed
• Your job duties match the official NOC description

If the previous job cannot be verified and your current one is easier to prove, it is safer to focus on the one you can document well.

You must explain it in a short LOE. IRCC only wants clear and consistent proof. Strong documentation is better than weak claims. You can still proceed if all evidence supports NOC 42201.

Harykemi:
Please I want to ask if one can change primary NOC post ITA. So I was not sure when I got my ITA, entered the poll last Tuesdays and got ITA on last Friday. So didn’t have time to rethink things or was not sure (my faults tho’) I have 2 experiences in healthcare and social services. I thought because the previous one was one year that was what will qualify me for healthcare (my current job is just 11 months). After ITA I reached out to my former employee only to realise they have sacked my former managers and the news one are not willing to provide a detailed letter. I later read somewhere that all I need for healthcare category was 6 months experience which would have been easy to prove. I’ve gotten all I needed from my current management. Do you think I can change my primary NOC to my current job which is also under the healthcare category and was also part of the occupations in the last draw. Primary NOC on my EE profile is 33102 and the NOC for my current job is 42201. Honestly I’m currently all over the place and not sure.