Unfortunate situation. In my experience, it is always better to obtain a renewal of your status in your country of residence than overseas/home country. Had you done this while in the US (before your trip), you would not need to show "strong ties" to your home country, which is difficult to do anyway if you've spent the past 7.5 yrs in the US. As for your questions:
1. No one knows how or whether it will impact negatively. But you need to disclose all the refusals and provide details or attach the refusal letters. Any attempts to distort the reason(s) for refusal could come back to haunt you because Canada and the US share information.
2. As you've noted, your ties to your home country are not particularly strong. It's safe to assume, a visa officer would be interested in your time in the US specifically:
a) it's unusual(in my experience) to be denied an extension of a study permit, if you have been a student in good standing and progressing. That you were denied 4 times, does not look good. You may want to include a cover letter addressing the issues in the refusals, providing evidence that they have been taken care of and won't be a problem again, should you be issued a study permit for Canada.
b) if you've studied for 7.5 yrs in the US, did you obtain a diploma/degree? If not, why not? Have you been hoping between schools, using your student status to work instead, perhaps illegally? This helps an officer determine if you are a bona fide student. Canada is aware some students use this route to jump the queue, hence the more stringent conditions surrounding study permits.
c) you program of study - is it a natural progression in light of your previous studies? Ex: say you obtained an undergraduate degree in Engineering from the US. Are you now going for a Masters in Engineering? Or another undergraduate degree in a different field?
Sounds like you did not complete your program in the US - are you going for the same program in Canada? Will you be able to transfer credits? Will your university in Canada accept the credits? If so, do you have evidence of this (could be email correspondence between yourself and the Registrar's office of the school detailing the credits you can transfer, etc), etc.
I think taking a proactive approach in addressing potential issues is better than just submitting the application bare bones and leaving the officer to draw his/her own conclusions. Goes without saying, you need adequate proof of funds. Goodluck!
LeoBrasil said:
Dear all,
Please please and please , I need your help to figure out regarding to very important questions related to a Canadian study permit.
1 - I used to be international student in USA for the past 7,5 years and came back to my homeland this year in May to visit my family. I was supposed to renew my F-1 visa to returned to USA to continue my academic journey. Unfortunately USA consulate denied my request 4 times and I gave up to come back for sure. Now I am in process to apply for a study permit in Canada to continue my studies. I already have an acceptance letter from my school and paid the first part of my first semester. I will apply this Monday (Nov 16, 2015) to get the visa but I am totally worried about the 4 denials I got from USA. As I have to inform it on my IMM1294 I would like to know if it is going to impact negatively my request of study permit and how I can describe in details my situation not compromising my reputation?
2 - Another question is about my ties in my country. What kind of ties are relevant to show to Canada Consulate? As a international student it is hard to show ties with my homeland especially because I came back from USA few months ago.
Please dear gentlemen, I kindly ask your help as soon as possible regarding to these questions above.
Thank you so much!
