Portugal Study Visa - Story so far

[SamirR]

I live in Portugal, and im currently 21 years old. I come from a poor family so I had to start working from a very young age, and unfortunately I didn't finish my last year of High School because I spent almost all of that year working.

The area that I like is personal training, nutrition and fitness, but since I have not finished High School I couldn't enroll in any academic institution in Portugal, as here there are no options avaliable for people in my case, like there are in many countries.

I have an uncle in Canada who is willing to take me in if I go there, so I went searching and found this place called INFOFIT which is EXACTLY what I needed, its in Vancouver where I would go if I went to Canada and has no academic requirements.

So I figured what I need is $10 000 for living expenses, $5500 for the 3 month intensive course study expenses and a return ticket. Which is about all the money I have saved. I got no criminal record, I'm in good health and got my Portuguese Visa ready.

But this is all textbook fresh, I dont know what are my real chances, if I will be able to get a study visa or not. If I got the requirements or not.

Also do I have any chance of staying and working in Canada afterwards? From what I have been reading it doesn't seem to be possible.

I'll be very grateful for any insight you can give me.

 

[hammadi_16]

My dear what is the duration of the course you are going to attempt?

 

[SamirR]

My dear what is the duration of the course you are going to attempt?

This 5-course program will take 10-11 weeks to completion, from Sep. 8th to Nov 28th, 2014.

 

[itstime]

At the moment, if your program is under 6 months long, you don't need a visa, however, I'd be very careful going to a school that is not on the oficial list of designated schools. Also, if you are looking for immigration purposes you really need to check that list.

Start here www.cic.gc.ca

 

[SamirR]

At the moment, if your program is under 6 months long, you don't need a visa, however, I'd be very careful going to a school that is not on the oficial list of designated schools. Also, if you are looking for immigration purposes you really need to check that list.

Are you sure? Because when I started contact with INFOFIT their assistant told me that students from Portugal need a study visa to study in Canada. I guess it would be wise to contact cic about the matter, I'll send them an email now.

 

[itstime]

Are you sure? Because when I started contact with INFOFIT their assistant told me that students from Portugal need a study visa to study in Canada. I guess it would be wise to contact cic about the matter, I'll send them an email now.

Just read what it says on CIC's website. An answer from them is unlikely as the information is on their website.

Also, if that educational institution doesn't know such a basic thing as if the students need a study permit or not, I would not study there. Sounds like a private institution and not a very good one.

 

[SamirR]

Just read what it says on CIC's website. An answer from them is unlikely as the information is on their website.

Also, if that educational institution doesn't know such a basic thing as if the students need a study permit or not, I would not study there. Sounds like a private institution and not a very good one.

Thanks for the help, I will for sure research on the matter. I have also researched about this institution but I'm confident in their quality, they have been a school for Fitness Professionals since 1989 and work directly with many fitness centers in Canada and off Canada.

Thats why I was asking about possiblities of staying and working in Canada afterwards, since I know they can give precious help in finding a job.

 

[itstime]

Ok. I am going to crush your dreams here.

To get an off campus workpermit
You need to study in a school that is on this list, which may update and change June 1st.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/participants.asp

You will not be eligible for a PGWP (post graduate work permit) studying at a school that is NOT on that list.

You need to have studied minimum 8 months for a PGWP.

If none of the above applies to you, any future employer must apply for an LMO (Labour Market Opinion) and that process may take months.

You are better off studying a longer course at a college. FYI - I don't have a high-school certificate either and none of the colleges or universities in my country would touch me. I'm studying in a 3 year college advanced diploma in Canada right now.

 

[SamirR]

Ok. I am going to crush your dreams here.

To get an off campus workpermit
You need to study in a school that is on this list, which may update and change June 1st.

You will not be eligible for a PGWP (post graduate work permit) studying at a school that is NOT on that list.

You need to have studied minimum 8 months for a PGWP.

If none of the above applies to you, any future employer must apply for an LMO (Labour Market Opinion) and that process may take months.

You are better off studying a longer course at a college. FYI - I don't have a high-school certificate either and none of the colleges or universities in my country would touch me. I'm studying in a 3 year college advanced diploma in Canada right now.

Oh so you were also in a similiar sitiuation. But the thing is that the colleges that I've been searching all require high school diploma or more. Could you tell which institution you are studying at, if its not asking too much, so I could take a look too.

 

[itstime]

Oh so you were also in a similiar sitiuation. But the thing is that the colleges that I've been searching all require high school diploma or more. Could you tell which institution you are studying at, if its not asking too much, so I could take a look too.

I'm at Humber in Toronto.

It all depends on program and college. You will have to ask around.Just make sure it's one from the list.

 

[ramneet.b]

Hi itstime,

Sorry for posting my quiry in this thread ,but coould not send you a PM.

I am thinking of doing MBA(HR) or IT amangement like business analyst course.
Which will be better-doing it from a university or a college ? whhich is more valuable in the job market?

Thanks