ba736

Each person’s work experience approval as far as I have seen takes a different path because of individual circumstances.
I would think it would be best if you talked to the CFA Institute Support line (send them an email) and determine what must happen in your case.
Also I would think your timeline is going to take considerably longer than folks who are working in the profession. So you might want to get started early (especially with folks going to make the system busy in a few weeks from now).

ba736

I have to say I agree with iteracom. I wouldn’t pass you based on what you put here.
GARP requires that your experience is within the last 5 years for the FRM, however CFAI has no such restriction. Honestly though I’m not even sure that it would really help you to get passed. Assuming you are doing this to break into a financial role whoever recruits you will look at your CV and the 16 year gap will call into question your charter.
I think you’d be better off passing L3 and applying on that basis and gaining work experiecne from that point.