Inquiry regarding obtaining a Canadan study permit from Saudi Arabia

[Abdullah1995]

Hi everyone,

I am originally from Syria, however, I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. I am a lawful resident of Saudi Arabia. Both of my parents are working in SA, in addition to several aunts and uncles who also live and work here. In regards to my situation with my home country Syria, I have not been able to travel there due to the current war that is taking place.

I recently graduated from medical school here in SA and I am planning to pursue a Master’s Degree in public health in Canada. I have secured a position in Memorial University of Newfoundland. My IELTS band scores is 8 with all of the skills above 7.5. My CGPA was 4.41 out of 5 with Honors.

After prolonged research on the internet and canadavisa, I have become concerned about how could I establish home ties? Indeed my parents own property there, but the country is a mess and they both have not gone there in almost 10 years.

P.S. non of my family, nuclear and extended, has ever applied for a Canadian visa in any form. I do not have any relatives who currently reside or had ever resided in Canada.

Would you kindly guide me on how can I deal with my situation.

Thank you

 

[21Goose]

Have you ever traveled to any other country? Preferably in the Schengen, or the US, or Australia/NZ?

 

[canuck78]

Unfortunately you are likely going to be refused because it will be assumed that you will apply for asylum. Other issue is that a masters in public health is not really advancing your career and is not really necessary. Are you a practicing physician? Next big issue is whether you want to ever practice medicine. IMGs have an extremely difficult time getting licensed in Canada unless you were educated in a few select countries.

 

[Abdullah1995]

Unfortunately you are likely going to be refused because it will be assumed that you will apply for asylum. Other issue is that a masters in public health is not really advancing your career and is not really necessary. Are you a practicing physician? Next big issue is whether you want to ever practice medicine. IMGs have an extremely difficult time getting licensed in Canada unless you were educated in a few select countries.

I would have to disagree with you. On the contrary, a master’s in public health is a form of non-clinical career advancement in medicine. Such degrees can land me a job in the management consulting businesses. In fact, the program director of public health at MUN is an MD herself.

In regards to your other point, I am not really interested in pursuing a career in clinical medicine. I found myself more academically oriented.

Thank you

 

[Abdullah1995]

Have you ever traveled to any other country? Preferably in the Schengen, or the US, or Australia/NZ?

Unfortunately not. I have only travel to Middle Eastern countries.

 

[21Goose]

Unfortunately no.

Hmm then I have no good suggestions I'm afraid. You can try writing a letter explaining your situation and making the case for you returning to Saudi Arabia. It may not work, but you never know, you have nothing to lose.

Maybe you can get a letter of support from a professor at Memorial? Something that says you are a exceptional talent and it would be a shame if you missed out on this opportunity through no fault of your own (the war in Syria).

The truth is that your chances of getting denied are quite high. It's just how it is unfortunately. Still, give it a shot. A single denial for something like this should not adversely affect you too much if in the future you apply under Express Entry or any of the other Immigration pathways (in case you are interested in moving to Canada at that time).

 

[canuck78]

I would have to disagree with you. On the contrary, a master’s in public health is a form of non-clinical career advancement in medicine. Such degrees can land me a job in the management consulting businesses. In fact, the program director of public health at MUN is an MD herself.

In regards to your other point, I am not really interested in pursuing a career in clinical medicine. I found myself more academically oriented.

Thank you

Yes a masters in public health can lead to research jobs or to a PhD. If you were working as an physician in ID and wanted to do an MPH would make more sense. The other question would be why you didn't do an MD/PhD degree if you weren't interested in practicing medicine. An MBA vs a MPH is what would really be best of you want to get into management consulting. The way CIC will view it is that you are a physician and the MPH isn't a necessary degree. You will have to convince them otherwise. The biggest issue will always be that you are Syrian and don't have the ability to stay longterm in SA. Have you completed your residency and worked? Applying for PR would be the best thing to do in your situation. That is if you don't want to practice medicine. Applying for permanent immigration is the only way things like being deported from the US or having a Syrian passport will not matter.