Already has bachelor degree but wants to go back to college. Can he get visa?

[Atlantico]

Hi all,

I am coming to Canada on WP and PR. I have a nephew interested in studying in Canada and asked me few questions which I hope you gurus here could help me to answer.

My nephew already has bachelor degree (civil engineer) but could not find job in his field. He worked 3 years as business administrator for an international trading company and now consider going to a college in Canada to take 2 years business administration program, with option to continue for 2 more years to get BBA.
His questions are:

1. Does the fact that he already has bachelor degree and now applying for 2 years college program will lead to visa refusal? Will visa officer interview and consider his reasons, or it's automatically considered as ineligible?

2. I heard that during interview, visa officer normally will ask if candidate intend to go back after program completion. With the Post Graduate Work Permit policy available, can he say he'd like to apply for PGWP or look for job opportunity in Canada after finishing program, or he should say he will come back after finishing program? Which answer will be better to get visa approval?

Thank you.

 

[Bs65]

Others can comment as well although not sure how someone comes on a WP and PR when is one or the other but anyway


1) not necessarily given as long as can be convincing that current education and work experience are relevant to following up with the chosen course and such a course will improve prospects in home country

2) not advisable to imply upfront want to stay even though visa officers are not stupid in realising that people come to Canada for that reason.

First priority is to get a study permit by being convincing that you intend to return home after your course is completed. Of course if asked about a PGWP then no harm in saying if that’s an option available to you that you might think about it at the time but first secure a study permit.

For sure not advisable to say upfront plan is to study and look for a job leading to PR given that implies just using study for that purpose even if that is fact and VO are not stupid.

Finally be prepared for the costs as an international student.

 

[lferfga]

I've read a lot of stories here and in other forums, and signing up for a program that doesn't make much sense is definitely a common reason for visa refusals.
Your nephew is basically going for an inferior degree than what he already has, so that's very strange from the visa officer's viewpoint. He will have to write a very strong statement of purpose as to why he's taking this uncommon career path.
A better option might be for him to get a master's in civil engineering, citing the lack of job opportunities with only a bachelor's degree.

 

[Atlantico]

Others can comment as well although not sure how someone comes on a WP and PR when is one or the other but anyway

1) not necessarily given as long as can be convincing that current education and work experience are relevant to following up with the chosen course and such a course will improve prospects in home country

2) not advisable to imply upfront want to stay even though visa officers are not stupid in realising that people come to Canada for that reason.

First priority is to get a study permit by being convincing that you intend to return home after your course is completed. Of course if asked about a PGWP then no harm in saying if that’s an option available to you that you might think about it at the time but first secure a study permit.

For sure not advisable to say upfront plan is to study and look for a job leading to PR given that implies just using study for that purpose even if that is fact and VO are not stupid.

Finally be prepared for the costs as an international student.

I've read a lot of stories here and in other forums, and signing up for a program that doesn't make much sense is definitely a common reason for visa refusals.
Your nephew is basically going for an inferior degree than what he already has, so that's very strange from the visa officer's viewpoint. He will have to write a very strong statement of purpose as to why he's taking this uncommon career path.
A better option might be for him to get a master's in civil engineering, citing the lack of job opportunities with only a bachelor's degree.

I am coming via AIP which allows applying for WP first and then PR.

The problem for him is current education (civil engineer) and work experience do not relate. So while future education does relate to work experience, and given the fact that he has been working in the BA field for a while and now wants to continue in that field, will VO accept that people make their wrong choice sometime and can change their career path when they see better opportunity? He likes what he is doing now and just want to equip with knowledge and certificates which college and uni can provide.

There are 2 problems with pursuing Master in Civil Engineering now: First, it's difficult to get admission without work experience in that field, given that he is not freshly graduated anymore. Second, after sometime working in a job not related to what he has studied, he did not feel like he wants to go back there. And it's easier for him to get admission to BA diploma at college level.

Your further comments are highly appreciated.

 

[ardakk91]

Hi all,

I am coming to Canada on WP and PR. I have a nephew interested in studying in Canada and asked me few questions which I hope you gurus here could help me to answer.

My nephew already has bachelor degree (civil engineer) but could not find job in his field. He worked 3 years as business administrator for an international trading company and now consider going to a college in Canada to take 2 years business administration program, with option to continue for 2 more years to get BBA.
His questions are:

1. Does the fact that he already has bachelor degree and now applying for 2 years college program will lead to visa refusal? Will visa officer interview and consider his reasons, or it's automatically considered as ineligible?

2. I heard that during interview, visa officer normally will ask if candidate intend to go back after program completion. With the Post Graduate Work Permit policy available, can he say he'd like to apply for PGWP or look for job opportunity in Canada after finishing program, or he should say he will come back after finishing program? Which answer will be better to get visa approval?

Thank you.

Hi, I am in the same situation. Did your nephew got a visa? I already have one rejection, and not sure to pursue it, or apply to Masters. I want to change my career.