PNP for Int'l Graduates : How often does it change?

[iopyud]

So, I've checked Ottawa's PNP program for MBA graduates. It says you only need to study for a year and don't even need a job offer to apply for a PNP.

This sounds too good.

My question is that how often do they change the requirement?
Will it still be the same 3 years from now?

Because 1 year of study won't let me use CEC as a back up plan in case Ottawa suddenly decides to change their PNP.

 

[tiger007]

So, I've checked Ottawa's PNP program for MBA graduates. It says you only need to study for a year and don't even need a job offer to apply for a PNP.

This sounds too good.

My question is that how often do they change the requirement?
Will it still be the same 3 years from now?

Because 1 year of study won't let me use CEC as a back up plan in case Ottawa suddenly decides to change their PNP.

Hi,

1st of all, the Master's Graduate stream you are talking about, is not Ottawa PNP but is one of the PNP programs started by the Ontario province. True, on paper Ontario Master's graduates passing out form eligible ON based public universities are eligible to apply for direct PNP nomination, without need of a job offer.

But, if you see the conditions attached to it, you will realize that getting PNP nomination under this Master's graduate stream is not straightforward. The main factor is the volatility and the set quota of this PNP program. Last year they this program was in pilot mode with quota for only first 1000 applicants. This year it has been upgraded to a non-pilot status with a set target of 1300. Next year we don't know..what it will be. And given there are thousands of Master degree holders coming out of Ontario based universities... chances of you or any other Master's student fitting into that 1,300 set quota is not assured. So, you may..or you may not be among those 1,300 students rushing to submit their application to get PNP nomination from Ontario province under this Master's graduate stream. Not to mention, you must meet other conditions like maintaining personal bank account monthly statements for the past 6 months (while studying), or (if overseas) an original letter and monthly statements from a recognized financial institution indicating personal account standing/balance of minimum 11,086$ for 1 person. This means apart from the tuition fees+ living expenses, you must maintain/show personal bank balance of minimum 11,086$ for the immediate past 6 months before applying for PNP nomination..and that can be an expensive affair.
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPSTUDENTS_MASTERS.html
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPSTUDENTS_MASTERSAPPLY.html#_qualify

Also, do keep in mind... that reality is, any of the student immigration programs across Canada (except for Quebec programs which changes after every 4 years, and after revision of rules this year, next revamp will be on 2017) can change anytime. So, it will be very unwise to completely rely only on Ontario Master's Graduate stream for securing PR. What if this stream by chance shuts down next year?

If PR is what you are seeking, then rather you should look into provinces of Manitoba,Quebec (if you can learn higher intermediate French) or B.C (if you pursue specific master degree sin Engineering,CS/IT, Agriculture, Mathematics, Biological and Physical Sciences etc.). these provinces have comparatively direct PR routes for Master degree students and best part no quota like in Ontario.

Also... 1 year study and then 1 year PGWP is not an issue to apply for PR under CEC, after completing your MBA degree. You see, you will have max 2.5- 3 month's buffer time till you get PGWP. Add that time and constant networking right from the 1st day of your class, possible internships and good luck, you may get a skilled job by the time you receive your PGWP. And even if your PGWP falls short before you can get PR (i.e after completing 1 year and already applied for PR under CEC), you will be eligible for bridging visa till the decision on your PR comes. So, it's very possible to secure PR under CEC with a 1 year PGWP, provided you do this MBA from a good university, work hard, excel and do reasonable networking.


Best of Luck.


***All opinions expressed are purely personal, and pieces of information mentioned are to the best of my knowledge... You should consult other sources too.

 

[buzoo]

Hi,

1st of all, the Master's Graduate stream you are talking about, is not Ottawa PNP but is one of the PNP programs started by the Ontario province. True, on paper Ontario Master's graduates passing out form eligible ON based public universities are eligible to apply for direct PNP nomination, without need of a job offer.

But, if you see the conditions attached to it, you will realize that getting PNP nomination under this Master's graduate stream is not straightforward. The main factor is the volatility and the set quota of this PNP program. Last year they this program was in pilot mode with quota for only first 1000 applicants. This year it has been upgraded to a non-pilot status with a set target of 1300. Next year we don't know..what it will be. And given there are thousands of Master degree holders coming out of Ontario based universities... chances of you or any other Master's student fitting into that 1,300 set quota is not assured. So, you may..or you may not be among those 1,300 students rushing to submit their application to get PNP nomination from Ontario province under this Master's graduate stream. Not to mention, you must meet other conditions like maintaining personal bank account monthly statements for the past 6 months (while studying), or (if overseas) an original letter and monthly statements from a recognized financial institution indicating personal account standing/balance of minimum 11,086$ for 1 person. This means apart from the tuition fees+ living expenses, you must maintain/show personal bank balance of minimum 11,086$ for the immediate past 6 months before applying for PNP nomination..and that can be an expensive affair.
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPSTUDENTS_MASTERS.html
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPSTUDENTS_MASTERSAPPLY.html#_qualify

Also, do keep in mind... that reality is, any of the student immigration programs across Canada (except for Quebec programs which changes after every 4 years, and after revision of rules this year, next revamp will be on 2017) can change anytime. So, it will be very unwise to completely rely only on Ontario Master's Graduate stream for securing PR. What if this stream by chance shuts down next year?

If PR is what you are seeking, then rather you should look into provinces of Manitoba,Quebec (if you can learn higher intermediate French) or B.C (if you pursue specific master degree sin Engineering,CS/IT, Agriculture, Mathematics, Biological and Physical Sciences etc.). these provinces have comparatively direct PR routes for Master degree students and best part no quota like in Ontario.

Also... 1 year study and then 1 year PGWP is not an issue to apply for PR under CEC, after completing your MBA degree. You see, you will have max 2.5- 3 month's buffer time till you get PGWP. Add that time and constant networking right from the 1st day of your class, possible internships and good luck, you may get a skilled job by the time you receive your PGWP. And even if your PGWP falls short before you can get PR (i.e after completing 1 year and already applied for PR under CEC), you will be eligible for bridging visa till the decision on your PR comes. So, it's very possible to secure PR under CEC with a 1 year PGWP, provided you do this MBA from a good university, work hard, excel and do reasonable networking.


Best of Luck.


***All opinions expressed are purely personal, and pieces of information mentioned are to the best of my knowledge... You should consult other sources too.

Hi Tiger,
What is the difference between the Pilot and target 1300 applicants.Does this mean that initially it was roll on and now only 1300 ? can you please explain.
Also is there any ontario PNP program for master graduate (with job offer not related to same field of study) ,not the one CEC which requires 2 years of study and 1 year of work(dont know if this should be in the same field of study ?).

 

[tiger007]

Hi Tiger,
What is the difference between the Pilot and target 1300 applicants.Does this mean that initially it was roll on and now only 1300 ? can you please explain.
Also is there any ontario PNP program for master graduate (with job offer not related to same field of study) ,not the one CEC which requires 2 years of study and 1 year of work(dont know if this should be in the same field of study ?).

Hi,

In simple terms pilot means short term/ sought of in testing phase and non-pilot/regular means a program expected to stay long term. But then again, given today's economic scenario..any of the student immigration program can change anytime.
Quota is different. Last year they had 1000.This year they have increased to 1,300 while most of international student immigration programs in Canada have no set quota.

Master's graduate passing out from Ontario based eligible public universities can choose to apply under CEC or other student immigration programs, as long as they qualify.


***All opinions expressed are purely personal, and pieces of information mentioned are to the best of my knowledge... You should consult other sources too.

 

[dukhi]

If some one get a pgwp for one year then he applies for PR under CEC after an years time can he stay in Canada during the processing time of the CEC or should he leave??

 

[iopyud]

Thank you very much, sir.

Very informative.

I thought that particular PNP is a "little too good".

My first choice is Memorial University of Newfoundland. It's 2 years long. Their PNP isn't very good but MUN's tuition is extremely low.

So for example, my MBA program is 1 year in length, that means I'll have a 1 year PGWP. Do you mean to say that in the 2.5-3months that my PGWP is being processed, I can stay and find a job BUT can only start that job AFTER I get a PGWP. Is that correct?

This sounds like I need good luck and great timing, I'm still leaning on the 2 year MBA but it's good to know that 1 year PGWP is possible.
But in your opinion, would you recommend a 1 year PGWP over the 2 year PGWP?

 

[tiger007]

If some one get a pgwp for one year then he applies for PR under CEC after an years time can he stay in Canada during the processing time of the CEC or should he leave??

Hi,
As mentioned:
Even if your PGWP falls short before you can get PR (i.e after completing 1 year and already applied for PR under CEC), you will be eligible for bridging visa till the decision on your PR comes. No worries.


***All opinions expressed are purely personal, and pieces of information mentioned are to the best of my knowledge... You should consult other sources too.

 

[tiger007]

Thank you very much, sir.

Very informative.

I thought that particular PNP is a "little too good".

My first choice is Memorial University of Newfoundland. It's 2 years long. Their PNP isn't very good but MUN's tuition is extremely low.

So for example, my MBA program is 1 year in length, that means I'll have a 1 year PGWP. Do you mean to say that in the 2.5-3months that my PGWP is being processed, I can stay and find a job BUT can only start that job AFTER I get a PGWP. Is that correct?

This sounds like I need good luck and great timing, I'm still leaning on the 2 year MBA but it's good to know that 1 year PGWP is possible.
But in your opinion, would you recommend a 1 year PGWP over the 2 year PGWP?

Hi,

In most of the student immigration programs, PR depends mainly on if you can secure a skilled job offer or not. For that doing a good reputed relevant course from a world class university, having good profile/academic record, excelling in studies, preferably doing internships( to get Canadian work ex.) and mass scale relevant networking by joining professional groups, volunteering, internships etc etc., one can with some luck land a skilled job offer in Canada. And with a skilled job offer, PNP doesn't matter good or not so good, coz ultimately the CEC option is always in hand.
Moreover, Newfoundland & Labrador PNP is very good for those who study in a Newfoundland based recognized educational institutes,as all that's required for them is just getting a skilled job offer in their field or related field of study. No need to work for certain months. Much faster processing and PNP nomination.

Memorial Univ. is a world class university, offering excellent quality of education in really affordable rates. Do try to get into MUN.

After studying any 2 academic years/ 4 semesters/atleast minimum 16 months of actual study (where 1 sem=4 months,4 sem=4X4=16 months) recognized post secondary course , international students are eligible for a 3 years PGWP. Anything less than a 2 acd years or 4 semesters course, PGWP will exactly be equal to the length of the course duration. But it also depends on the course credit load and many a times 1 year Master's degree holders (usually having studied 3 semesters continuously) MAY get a PGWP more than the designated 1 year. It depends on case to case basis and also on the immigration officer issuing your PGWP..

After finishing your course ( not graduation ceremony but finishing and completing all exams/course requirements) you will have 90 days buffer time to decide your next course of action. Within that 90 days you must either apply for a PGWP or extension/renewal of study permit for studying a new course. PGWP might take some time, so it's recommended to apply for PGWP within 1.5-2 months after your course ends. You can continue to work FULL time with OCWP (after course ends) i.e for the time till your PGWP arrives. In that mean time, you can keep applying/looking for skilled professional jobs. However, most employers require PGWP before you can start an actual professional skilled job.

Doing a more reputed MBA should always be the target. However, a 2 year MBA definitely helps in giving you a 3 years PGWP and plenty of time to look for work. But then only a 3 years PGWP after doing a useless or not so reputed MBA is again a waste.
Hope you got the point.

Best of Luck.


**All opinions expressed are purely personal, and pieces of information mentioned are to the best of my knowledge... You should consult other sources too.

 

[iopyud]

Got it. Thanks again, Tiger.