Dilemma - Returning to Canada through study route

[dieter15]

Hey everyone, I want to get some advice and information about my situation on returning to Canada. I need to give some context about my situation, I'm 37, I studied previously and obtained a masters from a university in Ontario. Unfortunately I had issues with my passport and had to go back to Malaysia, I could not apply for my PGWP and missed it.

I have applied for an express entry but I don't think I'm going to get selected. My score is around 392. I think not having canadian work impacts my score. The lawyer I consulted told me to consider improving my score for IELTS. My current score LRWS is respectively 7.5, 6.5, 7.5, 7.0

I think I would consider that, but he also told me if I plan to take the study route I should focus on going to the eastern part of Canada because they are looking for more people to get in the province there. I'm pretty reluctant to do a second master because I'm not sure what would be good for me, would it give me extra points?

I told him I was considering doing a 1 year post graduate certificate for a course I liked in Ontario. My thinking is that by doing this I would be able to get PGWP and probably be eligible for PR at 40. He said it's possible that Ontario scores might get competitive in 2 or 3 years time and you can't predict what might happen. He was also saying a 1 year PGWP might be too short as getting a job might be tough. Just for your information the course I'm thinking of doing is related to Artificial Intelligence.

What do you guys think are my options?

 

[scylla]

Hey everyone, I want to get some advice and information about my situation on returning to Canada. I need to give some context about my situation, I'm 37, I studied previously and obtained a masters from a university in Ontario. Unfortunately I had issues with my passport and had to go back to Malaysia, I could not apply for my PGWP and missed it.

I have applied for an express entry but I don't think I'm going to get selected. My score is around 392. I think not having canadian work impacts my score. The lawyer I consulted told me to consider improving my score for IELTS. My current score LRWS is respectively 7.5, 6.5, 7.5, 7.0

I think I would consider that, but he also told me if I plan to take the study route I should focus on going to the eastern part of Canada because they are looking for more people to get in the province there. I'm pretty reluctant to do a second master because I'm not sure what would be good for me, would it give me extra points?

I told him I was considering doing a 1 year post graduate certificate for a course I liked in Ontario. My thinking is that by doing this I would be able to get PGWP and probably be eligible for PR at 40. He said it's possible that Ontario scores might get competitive in 2 or 3 years time and you can't predict what might happen. He was also saying a 1 year PGWP might be too short as getting a job might be tough. Just for your information the course I'm thinking of doing is related to Artificial Intelligence.

What do you guys think are my options?

Lawyer is right. A 1 year program is a bad plan if your objective is PR. We see many people here struggle to get the required 1 year of skilled work experience on only a 1 year PGWP. If your objective is PR, then you should take a 2 year program so that you qualify for a 3 year PGWP.

You'll need to make sure that your planned program of study in Canada makes sense based on your previous education and work experience. A PGD is a lower level of education than a Master's. So this is something you'll need to explain in your study permit.

Lawyer is also right about the rest. 392 is too low to be selected through FSW / EE - you need 470+. Also IELTS. You need to rewrite and increase your score once you are actively applying for PR. Right now you're leaving points on the table.

 

[dieter15]

Thanks for your response. Why can't I apply for the Canadian experience class, if I study for 1 year program, would I be eligible for PGWP, work one year then apply for PR? Doesnt my Masters count, cause I'm mostly thinking doing the course to get PGWP..

 

[dieter15]

Hmm so as long as its 2 years it is good, you are saying, this could even include a diploma?

 

[scylla]

Thanks for your response. Why can't I apply for the Canadian experience class, if I study for 1 year program, would I be eligible for PGWP, work one year then apply for PR? Doesnt my Masters count, cause I'm mostly thinking doing the course to get PGWP..

To qualify for CEC, you need to have one year of full time work experience in an NOC A, B or 0 role in Canada gained on your PGWP. The big risk you run here is that you are delayed finding a suitable job and run out of time on your 1 year PGWP before you have a full year of work experience. We have seen this happen many times here. Of course up to you to decide if you're willing to take that risk.

I'm not sure what you mean by "doesn't my Master's count". CEC has nothing to do with whether you have studied in Canada or not. Qualifying for CEC is entirely based on having at least one year of NOC A, B or 0 work experience in Canada.

 

[scylla]

Hmm so as long as its 2 years it is good, you are saying, this could even include a diploma?

You mean a regular (non post graduate) diploma? No, I don't see that as being an option for you. Study permit will almost certainly be refused. Diploma is a much lower level of study than a Master's. This course of study doesn't make sense. You need to take a post graduate diploma at a minimum and will need to pick something that makes sense based on your previous education and work experience.

 

[dieter15]

Well I'm in IT, so I was thinking of doing a diploma in mobile application or artificial intelligence. Would that be an issue? So yea to clarify, I have a masters from Ontario but I decide to go back to school to do 2 year diploma or 1 year, although I think I understand why you say 1 year may not be enough to cover 1 year of full work experience. Factoring applying for jobs and waiting time which is unpredictable.

 

[scylla]

Well I'm in IT, so I was thinking of doing a diploma in mobile application or artificial intelligence. Would that be an issue? So yea to clarify, I have a masters from Ontario but I decide to go back to school to do 2 year diploma or 1 year, although I think I understand why you say 1 year may not be enough to cover 1 year of full work experience. Factoring applying for jobs and waiting time which is unpredictable.

Already answered above. Very very low chance a study permit will be approved for just a diploma.

Your studies need to be at one of the following levels:

- post graduate diploma
- master's
- phd