Voluntarily cancelled my Australian student visa, will this affect a study permit app. for masters? More info inside!

[trynastartlivin]

Hey everyone,

back in 2016, I voluntarily cancelled my Aus. study visa for bachelors because I did not enjoy the subject and got depressed, ended up getting told I’ve been expelled. I went back to Indonesia to study for a bachelors in economics, where I did well!

Normally, the visa would be automatically cancelled with strict penalty.However, it wasn’t cancelled, perhaps they thought it was a one-off, so I cancelled it myself offshore, therefore I’m not subject to any punishment.

now I’ve worked in Indonesia for ~2 years and I’d like to do a masters in McGill, would my visa history affect me, or should I be fine?

 

[scylla]

Hey everyone,

back in 2016, I voluntarily cancelled my Aus. study visa for bachelors because I did not enjoy the subject and got depressed, ended up getting told I’ve been expelled. I went back to Indonesia to study for a bachelors in economics, where I did well!

Normally, the visa would be automatically cancelled with strict penalty.However, it wasn’t cancelled, perhaps they thought it was a one-off, so I cancelled it myself offshore, therefore I’m not subject to any punishment.

now I’ve worked in Indonesia for ~2 years and I’d like to do a masters in McGill, would my visa history affect me, or should I be fine?

There shouldn't be an impact. Since it's hard to say how this was recorded in Australia's immigration records, to be safe, I would include a short letter explaining these circumstances and that you canceled the visa yourself. That way there should be no chance of any issues in IRCC saying you were ordered to leave or something like that - you can make it clear that you triggered the cancelation yourself.

 

[trynastartlivin]

There shouldn't be an impact. Since it's hard to say how this was recorded in Australia's immigration records, to be safe, I would include a short letter explaining these circumstances and that you canceled the visa yourself. That way there should be no chance of any issues in IRCC saying you were ordered to leave or something like that - you can make it clear that you triggered the cancelation yourself.

Thanks Scylla, so would I be fine, even though the normal penalty (which I didn’t receive thankfully) is an automatic visa cancellation, worst case scenario 3 year ban? I will attach the letter stating I voluntarily cancelled from Aus Immigration.
I appreciate your help!

 

[scylla]

Thanks Scylla, so would I be fine, even though the normal penalty (which I didn’t receive thankfully) is an automatic visa cancellation, worst case scenario 3 year ban? I will attach the letter stating I voluntarily cancelled from Aus Immigration.
I appreciate your help!

None of us here can tell you whether your study permit will be approved or not. That will depend on factors such as your ties to your home country, your planned studies in Canada vs. your past education and work experience, your proof of funds, etc.

However if you explain your Aussie visa situation as part of your application, then there will be no risk of having the application refused due to IRCC thinking you have failed to mention a visa refusal / cancellation.