NEED HELP URGENT

[stupidpermit]

Im a british Passport holder living in Dubai. I was assuming all this time that I need an eTa. But now i did the eligibility test and I found out that i need a study permit. I have no time as uni starts in September. Being british, I can get an eTa instantly, so my question is, can I go to canada on an eTa and then apply for study permit from there?

 

[scylla]

All international students require a study permit to study in Canada - too bad you didn't bother to research anything in advance. Note that it is illegal for you to begin your studies in Canada until you have a valid study permit in hand. This means you can't even start attending classes until you have the study permit.

You can apply for a study permit while you are physically in Canada - however your application will have to be submitted to a visa office outside of Canada (either the visa office of your country of residence or the visa office of your country of citizenship).

Since you will be applying for your study permit so late, you also face a big risk that CIC will tell you to defer your studies by a semester (to January). So it's quite possible you may not be able to start your studies in September as planned.

I would forget about coming to Canada and then submitting your application to a visa office outside of Canada from here. I would apply immediately / now through your local visa office while you are still outside of Canada. This course of action has the best chance of having a positive outcome.

 

[stupidpermit]

Can I apply now and wait till september, if i get the visa then ok, otherwise ill go using an eTa and then when my decision comes, i submit my passport?

 

[MicrowaveSafe]

Again, like the previous response stated. IT IS ILLEGAL to attend classes without the study permit in Canada. You can go ahead and use your ETA to visit I guess while you're waiting for your study permit but I'm not sure that's the best course of action. Rather apply from your country of residence/citizenship and hope for the best. Otherwise defer to Jan. If you do try to study without a study permit you'll most likely mess up your chances of ever getting a study permit or any kind of permit in Canada for good

 

[scylla]

Can I apply now and wait till september, if i get the visa then ok, otherwise ill go using an eTa and then when my decision comes, i submit my passport?

If you don't have an approved study permit by the very beginning of September - CIC will instruct you to defer your studies to January and you won't be able to start in September. So there's really no point in traveling to Canada until you have an approved study permit. It's quite possible you won't be able to start your studies in September as planned.

 

[FMJeb]

Apply right away from Dubai. My friend is a US passport holder and she got her visa in 5 weeks only (and she applied from Abu Dhabi - where the processing time is 11 weeks). Of course she had a good bank statement, letter of acceptance from university, and an SOP. As a British passport holder, you MAY get your visa before the start of your program (no guarantee however). So just apply right away and hopefully you'll get it soon. If not, then just defer your program to January and apply for your visa early.
Good luck!