Input on approaching the study permit application.

[Wafweezy]

Hello. I am from Kenya and currently in the process of applying for a study permit. I am 27 yrs old and already have a pilot certificate from the US. I did my pilot training on two occasions in the Us, first to get the basic license and later on to get additional certificate to improve my prospects further. However, the pandemic has severely disrupted the aviation industry. So I decided to get a degree in a different field to cushion myself against future turmoil that may affect the aviation industry again. I opted for Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. Not only is it a passion of mine but I will handle many roles in the company I will be flying for.

However, studying in a different field from previous education experience is ground for study permit refusal. Is my reasoning good enough to convince the visa officer? Will my travel history to the US back me up? Alternatively I could take an aviation related course but that would mean looking for a different school and then transfer schools when I get to Canada. Which is obviously quite a process but one I am willing to do.

Do I explain to the visa officer that I am diversifying/complementing my career and how the computer science degree will help? Or do I take another course in line with aviation and change later?
I will appreciate any input.

 

[abroshan18]

Flying planes and working in IT dept of that flying company are completely different things.. they don't have any overlap. If I am in the business of constructing Hotels/restaurants I will go for civil engineering( for you this is aviation- flying planes), now what I am saying is that since I have experience in making restaurants, I can now take course in cooking ( this is your computer science). So as you see making hotels and cooking are completely different jobs... so I think telling that "... I will handle many roles in the company I will be flying for." will not make any sense. Inface I think it can go against you as this doesn't make much sense. What I see is that you are completely changing your career. A strong passion aand good future prospects would be the right reason.

 

[DB2101]

Hello. I am from Kenya and currently in the process of applying for a study permit. I am 27 yrs old and already have a pilot certificate from the US. I did my pilot training on two occasions in the Us, first to get the basic license and later on to get additional certificate to improve my prospects further. However, the pandemic has severely disrupted the aviation industry. So I decided to get a degree in a different field to cushion myself against future turmoil that may affect the aviation industry again. I opted for Computer Science at the University of Manitoba. Not only is it a passion of mine but I will handle many roles in the company I will be flying for.

However, studying in a different field from previous education experience is ground for study permit refusal. Is my reasoning good enough to convince the visa officer? Will my travel history to the US back me up? Alternatively I could take an aviation related course but that would mean looking for a different school and then transfer schools when I get to Canada. Which is obviously quite a process but one I am willing to do.

Do I explain to the visa officer that I am diversifying/complementing my career and how the computer science degree will help? Or do I take another course in line with aviation and change later?
I will appreciate any input.

Hi there, the opportunity to come study in Canada offers huge benefits that can lead to employment and permanent residency in Canada, but you need to make sure that many criteria are met, and that you follow the correct guidelines if your end goal is to live and work in Canada.
Just a few tips and requirements:
-make sure you are enrolling in a DLI, and if you are wanting to stay in Canada as a PR after your studies, it must be a program that is eligible for PGWP after graduation -not all programs are PGWP and if yours isn't, you have very limited chances of staying on in Canada.
-Financial ability to pay for your studies and costs while here. You need to be able to show you can pay for your first year.
-Ties to home country, or Ties to Canada - you must be able to demonstrate ties to your home country, showing you are willing to comply and return to your home country at the end of your permit, should you need to. Showing ties to Canada in this process will actually count against your chances of getting approved.
-the program you choose should a)be related to your previous education/experience and b)be at a higher level than what you've already achieved. So, if you have a bachelors, you should apply for a Masters for example. Any changes that you make after you've gotten your study permit will need to be within the guidelines, and updated with Immigration Canada.
-proof of past international travel where you have complied with immigration rules (to other countries, or Canada) can help your application.
-country of residence/citizenship - depending on the political situation in your home country, you can encounter problems if there is unrest which an officer may think is the real reason you are applying - having a strong case regarding your program of study is important.
-there are a lot of rules around working while studying, and non-compliance with these rules can mean the difference between being able to become a Permanent Resident in Canada after your studies.

I would strongly recommend using a CICC (Formerly IRCC) licensed consultant to help you build a planned approach to help you select the best DLI and program, to guide and inform you about living/working/staying in Canada before your course begins, through your study period, and in the PGWP period after you graduate. This will ensure your best chances of staying on as a PR in Canada (assuming that is your end goal).

 

[Wafweezy]

Flying planes and working in IT dept of that flying company are completely different things.. they don't have any overlap. If I am in the business of constructing Hotels/restaurants I will go for civil engineering( for you this is aviation- flying planes), now what I am saying is that since I have experience in making restaurants, I can now take course in cooking ( this is your computer science). So as you see making hotels and cooking are completely different jobs... so I think telling that "... I will handle many roles in the company I will be flying for." will not make any sense. Inface I think it can go against you as this doesn't make much sense. What I see is that you are completely changing your career. A strong passion aand good future prospects would be the right reason.

Thank you for the reply. Will the reason you have given be strong enough to convince the visa officer about my change of career field? I honestly can't do another aviation course incase another pandemic comes and risk the massive job cuts. My main task is to explain my change of field. Many young pilots out there are doing different courses to avoid being sacked if the aviation industry is affected again.

 

[Wafweezy]

Hi there, the opportunity to come study in Canada offers huge benefits that can lead to employment and permanent residency in Canada, but you need to make sure that many criteria are met, and that you follow the correct guidelines if your end goal is to live and work in Canada.
Just a few tips and requirements:
-make sure you are enrolling in a DLI, and if you are wanting to stay in Canada as a PR after your studies, it must be a program that is eligible for PGWP after graduation -not all programs are PGWP and if yours isn't, you have very limited chances of staying on in Canada.
-Financial ability to pay for your studies and costs while here. You need to be able to show you can pay for your first year.
-Ties to home country, or Ties to Canada - you must be able to demonstrate ties to your home country, showing you are willing to comply and return to your home country at the end of your permit, should you need to. Showing ties to Canada in this process will actually count against your chances of getting approved.
-the program you choose should a)be related to your previous education/experience and b)be at a higher level than what you've already achieved. So, if you have a bachelors, you should apply for a Masters for example. Any changes that you make after you've gotten your study permit will need to be within the guidelines, and updated with Immigration Canada.
-proof of past international travel where you have complied with immigration rules (to other countries, or Canada) can help your application.
-country of residence/citizenship - depending on the political situation in your home country, you can encounter problems if there is unrest which an officer may think is the real reason you are applying - having a strong case regarding your program of study is important.
-there are a lot of rules around working while studying, and non-compliance with these rules can mean the difference between being able to become a Permanent Resident in Canada after your studies.

I would strongly recommend using a CICC (Formerly IRCC) licensed consultant to help you build a planned approach to help you select the best DLI and program, to guide and inform you about living/working/staying in Canada before your course begins, through your study period, and in the PGWP period after you graduate. This will ensure your best chances of staying on as a PR in Canada (assuming that is your end goal).

Thank you for the detailed reply. Will a consultant help me try to explain change of field? From piloting to IT.

 

[DB2101]

Thank you for the detailed reply. Will a consultant help me try to explain change of field? From piloting to IT.

You're very welcome. Our job as your consultant is to create the best application package for you, with the strongest rationale, citing legal precedent if needed, along with the most complete documentation - you need explanation not just of the field change, but why you want to pursue courses here in Canada (especially if they are available to you at home). Study permit application is more complex than many people realize, especially if you are looking to be eligible for PGWP / Permanent Residency / Citizenship after your studies are done. Having someone who is aware of the guidelines, regulations and application expectations is more that worth it, in my opinion, especially considering the price of foreign national tuition here.

 

[Wafweezy]

You're very welcome. Our job as your consultant is to create the best application package for you, with the strongest rationale, citing legal precedent if needed, along with the most complete documentation - you need explanation not just of the field change, but why you want to pursue courses here in Canada (especially if they are available to you at home). Study permit application is more complex than many people realize, especially if you are looking to be eligible for PGWP / Permanent Residency / Citizenship after your studies are done. Having someone who is aware of the guidelines, regulations and application expectations is more that worth it, in my opinion, especially considering the price of foreign national tuition here.

How do I go about the consultation please?

 

[DB2101]

How do I go about the consultation please?

Absolute must is that you use a licensed Immigration consultant, you should always verify with the CICC https://college-ic.ca/protecting-the-public/find-an-immigration-consultant - I sent you a PM with more details.