tjax said:
Thank you for a prompt response. I have a few more specific queries if you may help?
1) How much time did it take for you for the entire process? (Since I have admits from US as well, earlier processing would certainly help me)
2) Since, its a masters program of 2 years and given that I meet all the requirements, can I assume a higher chance of success I take the first option of applying together?
3) I have got 6.5+ years of experience as a Software Developer and currently in a role of Technical lead with an MNC. I have got admit to MEngg in Software Engineering at Concordia. Since I couldnt find much over the forum about reputation, quality and post-masters job opportunities, could please how this program stands on the former parameters?
Processing primarily depends upon your visa office i.e. what are the current processing times there. In general study visas are approved faster than work permits / resident trvs (visitor records). But if you apply together they usually are processed together as well. Some times, both get done faster if you have a decent case and Visa office is currently not overloaded. But it could also take the same processing time as a standard work permit.
CIC lately said that they would try to distribute work loads between visa offices and individual processing times of each embassy (which greatly vary) would no longer hold. Still I would say that any thing between 1 and 4 months is possible since the above statement is not in your control.
If you apply together you also need to show funds for both. Since you are not getting a job, you have to bring enough money to support both of you for a year. Also you need a slightly stronger profile to qualify as a couple at the same time. What I mean here is that if a single applicant is moving alone and has spouse back home, it also serves as a strong tie of them not illegally overstaying in Canada.
If you go together, they have to see a decent educational and work background in home country to be convinced that you will either extend your stay legally or would come back.
So take your pick. I came here similar circumstances though with some what more experience. But I wasn't coming to study. I had a specialized job offer and I won't have come until my spouse was approved along. But again, having an LMIA approved job offer was a stronger factor than admission to masters. But then again my wife wasn't working in home country and we also brought kids along.
You have to submit your experience letters, pay stubs - basically any thing that shows your earning power specially tied to your profession in home country. That would serve as strong ties.
Regarding reputation of Concordia masters in Software world, well it depends. Montreal doesn't have Top IT jobs in Canada. Plus there is some biasness towards French there. But cost of living is lowest in Canada compared to any big city, by a huge margin.
General warning, Canada has some biases towards foreign experience in the beginning. If you are a really good software engineer, you would make your way through. But first job might be a bit harder.
Of course things get easy, if you have specialized experience that is
a) rare to find in Canada
b) An employer is desperately looking for that particular skill / experience
But the above scenario is not very common. Beyond that you might have to start from scratch i.e. first job might not immediately offer you a senior position. But you would get through the ladder eventually.
An example of specialized experience I meant above is Multicore network processors, SDN etc. which at least I know of being in demand with some employers. Again this is just one example there could be others.
Eventually Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver and bigger IT markets. Cost of living is higher (with no French dependencies) but so are salaries.
Good luck
Update:
I only looked at your first post now. You should be good to apply together (your SP and SOWP). Just remember that it would be hard for your spouse to get an IT security job without knowing French in Montreal. You should be okay to study in Concordia in English but eventually if you want to settle in Montreal or Quebec, you need to learn French.
Don't go the route of applying for TRV first for spouse.
At best it is useless i.e. for a resident trv the evaluation parameters are the same as that for SOWP so why not get approval to work too.
At worst (the most common mistake people make), they request "a short visit of less than six months" (which is the standard visitor trv) and get refused. They think this would be quicker since its processing time is less, does not require medicals, but also does not allow you to stay in Canada longer than 6 months in one go, does not get you health care in Canada and is simply not the right category for a spouse going with a student husband. You see a spouse doesn't just visit for a short time (albeit exceptions). They intend to live together for as long as you are there - possibly get PR.
If you apply with above profile for VISITOR TRV, you would get a refusal sure shot.
