New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) Nomination

After I got my Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) last August 23, 2018, I booked to take an English test for my Permanent Residency Application. I took CELPIP on September 15, 2018. This is the only pending requirement for me to create my Express Entry profile since I had already prepared my documents ahead. I chose to take this exam instead of the most common one which is IELTS because in Moncton, IELTS exam is only once a month or every other month while CELPIP is almost readily available. They are almost the same except that CELPIP is computerized. But this is still done in a testing center. I tried taking IELTS (Academic for my student visa application) and I could say I prefer IELTS more because in speaking part, I feel more comfortable talking to a person than talking to a computer. It's just personal preference really. Fees are almost the same. I paid $320 for my CELPIP exam.

I got my CELPIP results on September 25, 2018 (10 days after the exam) and I created my Express Entry profile on the same day. I used my 7 years professional experience in the Philippines to create my Express Entry profile. I got points for foreign work experience, foreign education (assessed by WES), CELPIP result, and additional points for studying in Canada. I still only got 412 points. I know this is not enough for me to be drawn by Federal. So I kept waiting for New Brunswick's opening of its Provincial Nominee Program. The very thing I do before I start my day is to check on their website for updates on the opening. While waiting, I already downloaded the document checklist and even pre-populated the forms already so I can prepare ahead. All of these forms can be found in their website.

Take note, I didn't get a point for "With Valid Job Offer" even though I am currently working and had an offer from my current company. Valid Job Offer means you have an LMIA. Since I am an on a PGWP, I don't have an LMIA and mine is an open work permit. More details here.

One snow storm day of November 2018, the website of NB finally updated saying they are now open to accept Expression of Interest (EOI). Since I already had my documents ready and even drafted my email already, I just did a quick review and hit send right away! I sent my EOI on November 29, 2018 at 9AM. On the same day at 4PM, I received the Invitation to Apply (ITA)! Can you believe it??? That was super fast! Usually it would take 4-6 weeks from the time you sent your EOI. But of course, I'm not complaining. I was just so surprised and so happy! God knows I have a very tight timeline (I only have 1 year PGWP), so He made a way for time to be on my side.

November 29, 2018. I was working from home because it was snow storm in Moncton, NB. On this day, I emailed my EOI and received my ITA also.

I always try to be a step ahead of my application so all my documents were ready even before my ITA. I just allotted one day to double check my documents and then mailed my full application to NBPNP on December 1, 2018. In case you need help in complying and filling up the required documents, this blog was my reference when I submitted my full application.

Documents that I mailed to NBPNP

I received a phone call on the morning of January 29, 2019 regarding my NBPNP application. I thought it was just a scam but when she told me the details of my application and why she called, I realized that she is legit. She called to say that she cannot accept my Express Entry NBPNP yet due to lack of funds. I almost cried while talking to her because on their website, in the forms and in their guide, it was stated that proof of fund is not required if you are currently working in Canada. She acknowledged that this is an error on their part and their instructions need to be updated. Even though their instructions says no proof of funds is required, I still submitted my bank statements amounting to around $8,000 but this was not enough as she says they have to align the requirement with Federal which is at least $12,669 for a single applicant. She said she will put my application on hold until I can comply with the requirements.

As I mentioned, God always make things happen for me. A week after the Additional Document Request, I was able to comply with the additional fund requirement because our company gave out a salary bonus! I emailed my pending requirement on February 5, 2019. And after 2 days, I received an email from my CIC account. When I logged in, this greeted me!

Clicked "I Accept" in a heartbeat!

I am so happy! This nomination is my ticket to Permanent Residency application. I am confident that my profile will be chosen in the next draw because I have now 991 points! By the way, I don't know how it was calculated because I had 412 points already and the nomination is 600 so it should be 1,012 but it was just 991 that is showing in my account. Anyway, this is still more than enough for me! I am a step closer to my Canadian PR dream!

Below is my timeline and costs since preparation until the NBPNP nomination:

value is in Canadian dollar

And this one below is my personal version of the checklist with list of documents that I submitted:

Note: Submitted all original except for line items with "photocopy" note

Waiting and praying for the next Federal Invitation to Apply (ITA) draw!