Visas for the exam
Discussion of Visas required to enter Canada to take the PEBC exams.
Visas and applications for the exams are tricky things! It is definitely a good idea to make sure you can obtain a Visa to enter the country before you apply for the exam. Coming from the Phillipines you will need a visa to enter Canada and if you plan on just visiting to take the exams then you will need a temporary resident visa. The Immigration Canada web site is a good place to obtain information on the process. Visit this link on how to obtain a temporary resident visa.They will advise you to apply for a visa from the Canadian Embassy in the Phillipines.
Also bear in mind that you can take the PEBC Evaluating Exam in London, England. So that may be a cheaper and/or easier option for you (again a Visa will be required.)
Before you can apply to sit the PEBC exam you must submit your documents to the PEBC for evaluation. It is hard to give you a time frame for this as any problems such as incomplete documentation, delayed licensing statements or university transcripts and incomplete translations, can greatly delay the process. If your documentation is complete, I think it is reasonable to receive confirmation of Document Evaluation within 3 months.
In order to speed up the process it is a good idea to send your application for the PEBC evaluating Exam at the same time as your application for Document Evaluation. Unfortunately, I can not be any more specific than that. This time frame is based upon the application deadlines for 'submitting your documents for evaluation in order to apply for the Evaluating Exam' (supplied by the PEBC). Always give yourself plenty of time for delays when dealing with exam applications and visas.
Another good resource for all issues related to visas is the immigration.ca forum. These forums are a great way of reaching people in similar situations and many of the members seem to know a lot about visas and the Canadian immigration process.
I hope this helps a little.
Mat
(Siteadmin)
Mat,
I read your earlier post to obtain Visa for evaluating exam but I am still confused with the other steps after completion of Evaluating exam.
What will be my visa status or which visa I will need to obtain after completion of my evaluating exam?
Do enrolling with Bridging program allow access or make me eligible for any kind of visa like Student visa or temp visitor visa?
Do IPG require to obtain work permit visa while going on Studentship or internship?
After becoming registered Pharmacist, is it possible to get PR immediately? if not how long does it take after becoming Licensed Pharmacist?
Is my current undergraduate Pharmacy Degree (from India) allow me to work as pharmacy Technician?
I understand that nobody is immigration lawyer here but I am expecting to get some information that anybody might know or sources from where I can extract out the information.
Thank You,
Jay
Regarding Visas for IPGs. I am not an expert in this field and circumstances are different for everyone, but here is what I think.
Your visa status after completing the evaluating exam will depend on the visa you entered the country with. In most cases it will be a temporary resident visa, which for all intents and purposes is a like a tourist visa and therefore will have a short expiry date (no more than 6 months) and gives you no entitlement to remain in Canada for any longer than 6 months. Immigration Canada will generally not take in to account the fact you have passed any of the PEBC exams. If you entered the country on another visa then your immigration status will depend on the visa and will be unaffected by your PEBC exam progress.
Enrolling with a bridging program will not necessarily make you eligible for a study visa. Study visas are generally only required if the course is longer than 6 months. If you do need a visa for longer than 6 months for study then you would need to talk to your local Canadian Embassy.
It is my understanding that, if you are going to undertake any kind of work in Canada and you are not a Canadian citizen you will either need a work visa, a permanent resident visa or citizenship.
Permanent resident visas are granted based on your individual circumstances. Being in Canada and having a job offer will help your chances, but does not guarantee a visa. If you have family members in Canada you can also be sponsored by them for a permanent resident visa. The processing times for permanent resident visas can vary greatly and depends on:
- Your circumstances.
- Filling in the application forms correctly first time.
- The processing centre you send your application to.
- Whether you are living inside or outside of Canada at the time.
While you pharmacy degree from India does not directly translate in to a qualification as a pharmacy technician in Canada, many pharmacies hire IPGs as pharmacy support staff.
The following are good resources to help you gain further information on immigrating to Canada:
- Immigration Canada
- Immigration.ca Forum
- CanadaVisa.com
- Your local Canadian Embassy
Good Luck,
Mat
Hi there. I recently passed the Evaluation Exam on my first attempt (i.e. January 2009). I am Indian citizen and I intend to pursue the Pharm.D program at either the University of Toronto or University of British Columbia. I am also applying for the IPG program at UofT. In order to appear for the exam, I obtained a multiple-entry visit (temporary resident) visa and after enquiry, I will be applying for a student visa, in order to undertake the IPG program.
Even though you do NOT require a study permit for programs with duration of 6months or less, UofT insists on obtaining a study permit in order to undertake the program.
Also, I found it useful to submit in writing a detailed Step-Wise plan, regarding what I intend to do in Canada, along with my application for the Visit visa.
Hope this helps and all the best for the future.
Vishal
Hi,
I am studying in US. I am going to give EE on Jan, 2010. I am planning to be pharmacist in Alberta.
I have searched about the Alberta College of Pharmacy for lisensing requirement for this province. It says,.......
""Pre-requisites for intern registration:
- Successfully complete the PEBC eval.
- Meet eng. fluency requirement;
- Be a permanent resident, Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, or hold a valid employment visa. ""
I will pass EE, I will be having fluency requirement, but the problem is the third requirement i.e. Be a permanent....................
I don't have any relatives, I am not canadian international student, I don't have US H1 visa,.......How can I do that? What is the solution for that.
I have to register as intern, becuase after EE, I am planning to attend Pharmacy Bridging Prog. at Bredin Inst.
So what is the solution for that??
Is the only one option is = to be international student in canada. Or any other option for me>??/
Thanks. Help me, Thanks.
Hi! Anybody has an idea to be able for me to apply for a VISA for Canada for the exam? I have actually paid for the FPGEE application and everything but all come to waste because I have had a hard time securing for a US VISA. Now before I'll apply for the said exam I want to make sure this time that I can secure first my VISA. How many days it take for my application to be approve for the evaluation. Anybody from the Philippines who's a member here.....with the same experience?