+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Will there be visa issue for BCIT 2 years diploma (BITM) and having a masters in Maths already from India?

niceguy.sam

Star Member
Jan 16, 2017
53
1
Hi,

I have received an admit for "Business Information Technology Management - Artificial Intelligence Management" at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby. I like the program because I want to get into IT and this is a hot area in terms of jobs.

I want to ask if my educational background will be a problem for getting a study visa? Since I have a master's degree already from India, would getting into a diploma degree look like an issue for a visa officer? My understanding is that since I want to learn a new field (business), it should be not. Please help.

I need to deposit the non-refundable fees to the college hence looking for some urgent clear answers.

Thanks,
Asking on behalf of a cousin.
 
Last edited:

lolcocks

Hero Member
Jul 23, 2020
287
80
Hi,

I have received an admit for "Business Information Technology Management - Artificial Intelligence Management" at British Columbia Institute of Technology - Burnaby. I like the program because I want to get into IT and this is a hot area in terms of jobs.

I want to ask if my educational background will be a problem for getting a study visa? Since I have a master's degree already from India, would getting into a diploma degree look like an issue for a visa officer? My understanding is that since I want to learn a new field (business), it should be not. Please help.

I need to deposit the non-refundable fees to the college hence looking for some urgent clear answers.

Thanks,
Asking on behalf of a cousin.
Yes, it can become an issue, since you already have a master's you need to go for PhD or another masters atleast.

Otherwise you will need an extremely strong SOP and strong other documents as well. Even then the chances of refusal are quite high.
 

niceguy.sam

Star Member
Jan 16, 2017
53
1
Yes, it can become an issue, since you already have a master's you need to go for PhD or another masters atleast.

Otherwise you will need an extremely strong SOP and strong other documents as well. Even then the chances of refusal are quite high.
Thanks for the response. I understand that. However, the reason to apply to this program is:
1. I applied to UVic MSc. Mathematics and they rejected me. Probably other Univs such as SFU, UBC will also reject.
2. I have less than one year of work ex and I do not clear the requirement for MBA in Vancouver from prestigious univ such as UBC, SFU.
3. I do not want to get into an MBA from a private university.
4. I want to live in Vancouver only because my brother is a PR and settled there with his wife.
5. I want to get a job in IT. Since I have zero experience in IT, this program can help me learn from scratch. AI and Machine learning are hot and in demand. Also, BCIT is good with the employer's reputation.

Do you still think, these are not good reasons to go for this program? Will the visa officer still not agree?
 

Bs65

VIP Member
Mar 22, 2016
13,187
2,420
Whatever you decide to do keep in mind that a study permit application needs to show that any course you take improves your prospects when you return to your home country and not your prospects in Canada. Sure that in reality may be the objective but doesn’t help in a study permit application where the application has to be convincing for the need to come to Canada with a plan to return home once graduated even if reality might be different.
 

niceguy.sam

Star Member
Jan 16, 2017
53
1
Whatever you decide to do keep in mind that a study permit application needs to show that any course you take improves your prospects when you return to your home country and not your prospects in Canada. Sure that in reality may be the objective but doesn’t help in a study permit application where the application has to be convincing for the need to come to Canada with a plan to return home once graduated even if reality might be different.
Thanks for the reply. I totally understand your point. Would you be able to suggest some options for Vancouver for my background? Looks like I already wasted application fees on BCIT and UVic then.

My background:
1. MSc. Mathematics (2 years) (2016 - 2018) - 81.5 %
2. BSc. Mathematics (3 years) (2013 - 2016) - 76.37 %
3. less than 1-year work-ex as a Marketing executive.
4. No work experience in the field of Mathematics.
 

Impatient Dankaroo

VIP Member
Jan 10, 2020
4,382
2,671
Thanks for the reply. I totally understand your point. Would you be able to suggest some options for Vancouver for my background? Looks like I already wasted application fees on BCIT and UVic then.

My background:
1. MSc. Mathematics (2 years) (2016 - 2018) - 81.5 %
2. BSc. Mathematics (3 years) (2013 - 2016) - 76.37 %
3. less than 1-year work-ex as a Marketing executive.
4. No work experience in the field of Mathematics.
High chance you will get rejected and your reasons are all red flags. It is clear your intent is to settle in Vancouver. You should try again to get admission into a Master's or PhD. Maybe try course based courses like Data Science.
 

niceguy.sam

Star Member
Jan 16, 2017
53
1
High chance you will get rejected and your reasons are all red flags. It is clear your intent is to settle in Vancouver. You should try again to get admission into a Master's or PhD. Maybe try course based courses like Data Science.
@tapperb @Bs65 @lolcocks Thanks for your responses.

For some reason, I still think the "BITM" diploma program from BCIT is best for me in terms of a job in my home country. I think I should be able to justify this using a strong SOP. However, let's say if the study permit is rejected because the Visa officer thinks my intention is to settle, what are my options after that? Can I file a case and fight on that?

Also in the worst case, would another study permit application for an MBA degree later from a private university will be an issue? Would the Visa officer think why I changed my program?

P.S: I want to go to BCIT and I am planning to write a strong SOP.

Thank you.
 

lolcocks

Hero Member
Jul 23, 2020
287
80
@tapperb @Bs65 @lolcocks Thanks for your responses.

For some reason, I still think the "BITM" diploma program from BCIT is best for me in terms of a job in my home country. I think I should be able to justify this using a strong SOP. However, let's say if the study permit is rejected because the Visa officer thinks my intention is to settle, what are my options after that? Can I file a case and fight on that?

Also in the worst case, would another study permit application for an MBA degree later from a private university will be an issue? Would the Visa officer think why I changed my program?

P.S: I want to go to BCIT and I am planning to write a strong SOP.

Thank you.
Well, all I can say is you can take your chances are see what happens.
With every rejection, your chances of VISA will get lower. And yes, you will require quite the strong SOP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Impatient Dankaroo