ABOUT AKUNNA

Hi, I’m Akunna Okorie-Tanko, but most people call me AK.

I’m a Canada-based fintech and customer experience leader, an immigration educator, a content creator, and a mom of two navigating life, work, and relocation one smart decision at a time.

My journey hasn’t been linear—and that’s exactly why I’m so passionate about helping others navigate theirs.

My Career Journey

I’ve spent the last 8+ years building, fixing, and scaling customer operations for fast-growing fintech and tech companies across Canada, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.

I currently work as a Head of Customer Support/CX Operations, where I’ve:

Built international support teams from scratch (30+ agents across multiple countries).

Designed CX systems, onboarding programs, QA frameworks, SLAs, and automation.

Improved CSAT, retention, operational efficiency, and compliance in regulated fintech environments.

Worked closely with product, engineering, compliance, and leadership teams to turn customer pain points into real business growth.

Alongside this, I’m also building and advising immigration-adjacent and cross-border financial services, especially focused on:

Tuition payments

New immigrant financial onboarding

Cross-border remittances

This intersection—immigration, money, and systems—is where my expertise really lives.

Why Immigration Became Personal for Me

I’m not just talking about immigration from theory or Google searches. I’ve lived it.

I know what it feels like to:

Decode Express Entry, PNPs, and immigration pathways that feel intentionally confusing for different countries.

Stress about proof of funds, timelines, and documentation.

Balance relocation plans with career growth, family life, and finances.

Get overwhelmed by misinformation, half-truths, and “agents” selling fear.

That’s why I create clear, practical, research-backed immigration education—especially for Africans and global professionals who want real clarity, not hype.

How I Can Help You

Whether you’re thinking about Canada or Europe, already in the process, or planning your next move, I help by:

✈️ Immigration Education

1. Breaking down the pathways and timelines in simple language.
2. Explaining cost breakdowns and realistic expectations.
3. Helping you avoid common mistakes that lead to refusals.
4. Helping you settle wherever you find yourself!

💼 Career & Relocation Strategy

Helping professionals align career choices with immigration goals.

Sharing insights on remote work, fintech roles, and global opportunities.

Teaching you how to position yourself for long-term stability, not just arrival.

💳 Financial Readiness for Immigrants

1. Understanding cross-border money movement.
2. Tuition payments and settlement planning.
3. Financial systems that make relocation smoother.

I don’t promise shortcuts.

I promise clarity, structure, and honesty.

The Fun Stuff (Because I’m Not Just My Resume)

When I’m not working or creating content:

• I’m raising two tiny humans who keep me very grounded and very tired 😅.
• I’m obsessed with systems, dashboards, and making chaos make sense.
• I love storytelling, whether it’s on YouTube, Instagram, or in writing.
• I’m Nigerian—so yes, I balance serious strategy with humor and realism.
• I believe you can be ambitious, soft, logical, and creative all at once.

Also: I don’t believe success has to look loud.

It just has to be intentional.

Why People Trust My Voice

Because I don’t speak at people.

I speak with experience, with empathy, and with receipts.

I’ve sat in boardrooms.

I’ve read immigration manuals.

I’ve built systems.

I’ve made mistakes.

And I’ve learned how to explain complex things like I’m talking to a smart friend not a textbook.

Express Entry to Canada: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide (Explained Simply)

Moving to Canada is a dream for millions of people around the world, and Express Entry is the main pathway Canada uses to make that happen for skilled workers.

But let’s be honest: most people hear “Express Entry” and immediately feel confused, overwhelmed, or scared of making mistakes.

This guide explains the entire Express Entry process from start to finish, in plain English, with simple examples, so whether you’re new to Canadian immigration or already researching, you’ll finally understand how it works.

What Is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online immigration system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to manage applications for Permanent Residence (PR) from skilled workers.

Think of it like this:

👉 Canada has limited PR spots each year.

👉 Many people want those spots.

👉 Express Entry helps Canada rank people and pick the best candidates.

Instead of first-come-first-served, Canada uses a points system.

The 3 Immigration Programs Under Express Entry.

Express Entry manages applications for three programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)

For people with skilled work experience outside or inside Canada

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

For people who already have skilled work experience in Canada

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)

For people in skilled trades like electricians, welders, plumbers, etc.

You don’t choose the program manually; the system places you in the right one based on your answers.

👶 Explain-it-like-you’re-7:

Express Entry is like a big school competition. Everyone writes their name down, Canada gives everyone points, and the students with the highest scores get picked first.

Step 1: Check If You’re Eligible

Before anything else, you need to confirm that you qualify.

Most people need:

• At least 1 year of skilled work experience
• A language test (English or French)
• Education (high school or higher)
• A valid passport

Your job must be a skilled job (not casual or untrained work).

👶 Kid version:

You’re checking if you’re tall enough to ride the roller coaster. If you’re not yet, you don’t cry; you grow first, then come back.

Step 2: Prepare Your Key Documents

You don’t upload documents immediately, but you must have them ready before creating your profile.

Important documents include:

• Passport.
• Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or French tests).
• Education assessment (ECA) for non-Canadian education.
• Work experience details.
• Proof of funds (for some programs).

⚠️ Important:

Never guess information. Everything you enter must later be proven.

Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile

Once ready, you create a free online profile on the Government of Canada immigration website.

You’ll enter:

• Age
• Education
• Work history
• Language scores
• Family details

After submitting, you’re officially placed into the Express Entry pool.

👶 Kid version:

This is like creating your character in a video game. The stronger your character, the better your chances of winning.

Step 4: Understand the CRS Points System

Every candidate gets a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score out of 1,200 points.

Points are based on:

• Age (younger = more points)
• Education
• Language ability
• Work experience
• Canadian experience
• Job offer (optional)
• Provincial nomination (huge bonus)

The Big Advantage: Provincial Nomination

If a Canadian province nominates you, you get +600 points, which almost guarantees an invitation.

👶 Kid version:

Points are stickers. The more stickers you have, the closer you are to the prize.

Step 5: Express Entry Draw

Every few weeks, Canada conducts Express Entry draws.

They:

1. Set a cut-off score
2. Invite everyone above that score
3. Send an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you don’t get invited:

1. You stay in the pool (up to 12 months)
2. You can improve your score
3. You can still get picked later

👶 Kid version:

The teacher keeps picking the top students. If it’s not you yet, you keep studying and trying again.

Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Getting an ITA is a major milestone.

It means Canada is saying:

“We like your profile. Now prove everything.”

From the day you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your full PR application.

Step 7: Apply for Permanent Residence

This is where you upload:

1. Police certificates
2. Medical exam results
3. Employer reference letters
4. Bank statements
5. Identity documents

You’ll also pay the government processing fees.

After submission, your application is officially under review.

Step 8: Processing, Approval & Landing in Canada

Most Express Entry applications are processed within about 6 months.

If approved, you’ll receive:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
• A PR visa (if required).
• You then travel to Canada and officially become a permanent resident.

👶 Kid version:

You passed the exam, got your certificate, and you’re officially part of the school now.