Study Visa Advice Needed. Mature Student

[John Baptista]

Hello all,

So basically I am looking to grow my career/ business by enrolling into a two year PG Diploma in International Business / Global business management / PR, Marketing & Strategic Communication Management. I'm currently building my own Cosmetic brand, we sell in India and the UAE, and I am looking to expand it to the Americas. I believe that me being physically present on the continent, while studying the relevant courses and networking at the same time would be the Ideal path to me achieve my business/ Career goals.

My Profile:
Age: 32

Marital Status: Engaged (she will be managing the operations in my absence while I'm trying to expand)

Work Experience:

• 3 Years - Marketing Executive
• 1 Year - Marketing Manager
• 4 Years - Entrepreneurial Experience

Education:

• BBA (Marketing) - 50% (Wes - 3 Years Undergraduate degree equivalence)[Was quite immature at that time and didn't not have my priorities in place. It happens to the best of us I guess]
• Masters in Commerce - 85% (Wes - 4 years undergraduate degree equivalence)
• PGDM - International Business - 86% (Wes - 1 year Post graduate certificate equivalence)

IELTS : 8.5 Academic

Financing: It will be paid entirely by my company( me). Course fees + GIC + other expenses.

So my concern is -
Q.1 Am I to old to apply for a post graduate diploma?
Q.2 Is a MBA my only option?
Q.3 Even if I do get into a decent institution, will I be rejected by the visa officer after I present to them my case? What do you guys think about my visa success chances.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this subject!

 

[JuhatmaRhdn]

Regarding your concerns:

Q1: Certainly not. I'll be 32 soon and I applied for a post graduate diploma program and it all went well.
Q2: As long as you can justify them properly in your letter of explanation, and it makes sense from a career progression perspective, i would say you have few other options available.
Q3: If you meet the requirements, get accepted into a DLI and have all the proper documentations and requested funds, you always have a chance. From there is just matter of crafting a very solid letter of explanation and be truthful. Also, a little bit of luck is involved.

Your business back home can be a very good tie to your home country so that is to your advantage. Just be careful and smart how you disclose your plans to create a network of business partners and expand to America, as your sole focus while in Canada with Study Permit should be studying and not working on your business.

Good luck to you.

 

[canuck78]

Hello all,

So basically I am looking to grow my career/ business by enrolling into a two year PG Diploma in International Business / Global business management / PR, Marketing & Strategic Communication Management. I'm currently building my own Cosmetic brand, we sell in India and the UAE, and I am looking to expand it to the Americas. I believe that me being physically present on the continent, while studying the relevant courses and networking at the same time would be the Ideal path to me achieve my business/ Career goals.

My Profile:
Age: 32

Marital Status: Engaged (she will be managing the operations in my absence while I'm trying to expand)

Work Experience:

• 3 Years - Marketing Executive
• 1 Year - Marketing Manager
• 4 Years - Entrepreneurial Experience

Education:

• BBA (Marketing) - 50% (Wes - 3 Years Undergraduate degree equivalence)[Was quite immature at that time and didn't not have my priorities in place. It happens to the best of us I guess]
• Masters in Commerce - 85% (Wes - 4 years undergraduate degree equivalence)
• PGDM - International Business - 86% (Wes - 1 year Post graduate certificate equivalence)

IELTS : 8.5 Academic

Financing: It will be paid entirely by my company( me). Course fees + GIC + other expenses.

So my concern is -
Q.1 Am I to old to apply for a post graduate diploma?
Q.2 Is a MBA my only option?
Q.3 Even if I do get into a decent institution, will I be rejected by the visa officer after I present to them my case? What do you guys think about my visa success chances.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this subject!

Based on your previous business degrees it would be hard to justify doing another post grad degree. You should certainly try but you will have to address why you need another degree while you have already started your company and why it would make sense to leave your company for 2 years to come to Canada to do another post grad degree.

 

[John Baptista]

Regarding your concerns:

Q1: Certainly not. I'll be 32 soon and I applied for a post graduate diploma program and it all went well.
Q2: As long as you can justify them properly in your letter of explanation, and it makes sense from a career progression perspective, i would say you have few other options available.
Q3: If you meet the requirements, get accepted into a DLI and have all the proper documentations and requested funds, you always have a chance. From there is just matter of crafting a very solid letter of explanation and be truthful. Also, a little bit of luck is involved.

Your business back home can be a very good tie to your home country so that is to your advantage. Just be careful and smart how you disclose your plans to create a network of business partners and expand to America, as your sole focus while in Canada with Study Permit should be studying and not working on your business.

Good luck to you.

Hey JuhatmaRhdn,

Thanks for all the great advise bud. I will be smart about my expansive intensions and will share an itinerary of all the meetings with trademark/licensing/import/Marketing officials if needed. It will highlight how I will be only doing it in my spare time with no compromise in study time.

Updates since March:
I have looked into many courses and have found that a one year post graduate certification might just be the best fit for me, considering my budget and the maximum time that I would feel comfortable staying away from my family and business. And I have narrowed it down to International Business management or Global business Management. The courses being offered in these two programs are all new to me and don't over lap with my BBA or MCOM or PGDM. It surely makes sense from a career progression perspective according to me, but I guess it all depends on the officer at the end of it.

Coming back to your fist answer. what was your previous educational back ground? and which program and college did you get into? Tell me a bit about your journey if you don't mind!

 

[John Baptista]

Based on your previous business degrees it would be hard to justify doing another post grad degree. You should certainly try but you will have to address why you need another degree while you have already started your company and why it would make sense to leave your company for 2 years to come to Canada to do another post grad degree.

Hi Canuck78,

Thanks for your response! So after much thought, I have narrowed it down to a one year post graduate certificate in International business Management or Global business management. All the courses in these two programs are all related to International expansion of businesses, which is exactly what I am looking for, an in-dept understanding of all the processes involved. Additionally all the courses taught in the above mentioned programs are completely new to me and do not overlap with any of my previous degrees and diploma (BBA, MCOM,PGDM). Its a totally new field of study. So hopefully this could show how this program would help me progress and expand my company. And about the staying away from my business part. You were right a two year course would be way to long to be away from my running business, family and fiancé. One year should be enough for me to setup shop as well.

 

[scylla]

Hi Canuck78,

Thanks for your response! So after much thought, I have narrowed it down to a one year post graduate certificate in International business Management or Global business management. All the courses in these two programs are all related to International expansion of businesses, which is exactly what I am looking for, an in-dept understanding of all the processes involved. Additionally all the courses taught in the above mentioned programs are completely new to me and do not overlap with any of my previous degrees and diploma (BBA, MCOM,PGDM). Its a totally new field of study. So hopefully this could show how this program would help me progress and expand my company. And about the staying away from my business part. You were right a two year course would be way to long to be away from my running business, family and fiancé. One year should be enough for me to setup shop as well.

Is your ultimate aim to get PR in Canada or just to study in Canada and then return home?

If your ultimate aim is to get PR in Canada, it's extremely strongly recommended to take a two year program in Canada so that you qualify for a 3 year PGWP. A one year program will mean that your chances of getting PR will be significantly lower. Of course this may not matter to you if you don't care about PR.

 

[John Baptista]

Is your ultimate aim to get PR in Canada or just to study in Canada and then return home?

If your ultimate aim is to get PR in Canada, it's extremely strongly recommended to take a two year program in Canada so that you qualify for a 3 year PGWP. A one year program will mean that your chances of getting PR will be significantly lower. Of course this may not matter to you if you don't care about PR.

Fortunately, No. haha. I'm looking to move to Spain in a couple of years. My soon to be brother in-law is a professional soccer player in Spain and my fiancé wants to live close to him. He is 10 years younger than her and she treats him like her son, she basically cant live without him. And to be honest, I don't mind Spain, I have been there twice already and loved both trips. And also, I believe in the phrase, "Happy Wife, Happy Life". We are planning on buying a house to obtain the Golden Visa.

This Canada plan is purely to gain some important skills and create a solid network, while setting up my business. I have entrepreneur friends who did the same thing I am trying to do. They enrolled in a one year programs and then launched their F&B brands in Canada and the US and are doing extremally well with most of their profits coming in from exports. Even though they don't sell much in India, they are making a huge profits exporting containers full.

So yea fingers crossed.

 

[scylla]

Fortunately, No. haha. I'm looking to move to Spain in a couple of years. My soon to be brother in-law is a professional soccer player in Spain and my fiancé wants to live close to him. He is 10 years younger than her and she treats him like her son, she basically cant live without him. And to be honest, I don't mind Spain, I have been there twice already and loved both trips. And also, I believe in the phrase, "Happy Wife, Happy Life". We are planning on buying a house to obtain the Golden Visa.

This Canada plan is purely to gain some important skills and create a solid network, while setting up my business. I have entrepreneur friends who did the same thing I am trying to do. They enrolled in a one year programs and then launched their F&B brands in Canada and the US and are doing extremally well with most of their profits coming in from exports. Even though they don't sell much in India, they are making a huge profits exporting containers full.

So yea fingers crossed.

OK - good to know.

IBM and GBM are the two programs that are probably most often taken by international students which does mean that approval can be more difficult as a mature student. However if you have a strong profile, it's certainly possible.

 

[John Baptista]

OK - good to know.

IBM and GBM are the two programs that are probably most often taken by international students which does mean that approval can be more difficult as a mature student. However if you have a strong profile, it's certainly possible.

So I've mentioned my profile above, I'll mention it again for you.

Age: 32

Marital Status: Engaged (she will be managing the operations in my absence while I'm trying to expand)

Work Experience:

• 3 Years - Marketing Executive
• 1 Year - Marketing Manager
• 4 Years - Entrepreneurial Experience

Education:

• BBA (Marketing) - 50% (Wes - 3 Years Undergraduate degree equivalence)[Was quite immature at that time and didn't have my priorities in place. It happens to the best of us I guess]
• Masters in Commerce - 85% (Wes - 4 years undergraduate degree equivalence)
• PGDM - International Business - 86% (Wes - 1 year Post graduate certificate equivalence)

IELTS : 8.5 Academic

Financing: It will be paid entirely by my company( me). Course fees + GIC + other expenses.

I have two companies registered. Company A have been active for 4.5 years and Company B for 2 years. I have company registration documents and ITR for both.

what do you think? Does my profile look strong enough...?

I have a feeling i could bring more to a class room than a fresh graduate or "family business" claiming candidate. I started both these companies on my own with no help and both are making six figures.

 

[scylla]

So ive mentioned my profile above, I'll mention it again for you.

Age: 32

Marital Status: Engaged (she will be managing the operations in my absence while I'm trying to expand)

Work Experience:

• 3 Years - Marketing Executive
• 1 Year - Marketing Manager
• 4 Years - Entrepreneurial Experience

Education:

• BBA (Marketing) - 50% (Wes - 3 Years Undergraduate degree equivalence)[Was quite immature at that time and didn't not have my priorities in place. It happens to the best of us I guess]
• Masters in Commerce - 85% (Wes - 4 years undergraduate degree equivalence)
• PGDM - International Business - 86% (Wes - 1 year Post graduate certificate equivalence)

IELTS : 8.5 Academic

Financing: It will be paid entirely by my company( me). Course fees + GIC + other expenses.

I have two companies registered. Company A have been active for 4.5 years and Company B for 2 years. I have company registration documents and ITR for both.

what do you think? Does my profile look strong enough...?

It's hard for me to say. I'm not an IRCC officer and IBM / GMB are weak choices for study in Canada since these are the default options for international students. IMO you would increase the strength of your application if you stay away from IBM / GMB and find a different program that is focused on entrepreneurship. That's my two cents.

 

[John Baptista]

It's hard for me to say. I'm not an IRCC officer and IBM / GMB are weak choices for study in Canada since these are the default options for international students. IMO you would increase the strength of your application if you stay away from IBM / GMB and find a different program that is focused on entrepreneurship. That's my two cents.

Thanks for the information. I shall keep that in mind.

Its just that Entrepreneurship programs teach you how to setup a business and basic overview of finance/marketing concepts. I have enough in-dept knowledge of marketing and Finance. My business is mainly Import/export. I know everything about importing and exporting but have no clue about how to expand to other markets. The IBM program in particular covers all that I need. As an entrepreneur, I've had to study marketing, sales, finance, coding(SEO, website development), Indian trade laws and International relationship management in detail so that no one could cheat me or force me to settle for low quality work. I think if i really must expand i should know everything there is to know about International business management. Courses such as International Market Entry Strategies, Global Business Environment, Feasibility of International Trade, International Trade Finance, Development of Products and Services for Global Markets, Global Value Chain, Mastering International Trade: Strategies and Tactics and International Sales and Marketing, hit the nail on the head don't you think? I can give you an explanation of how each one of these subjects could help me grow my company. haha. They all are just so relevant for me. Sadly cant say that about any Entrepreneurship program as they will just give me an overview of topics that I already have In dept knowledge about because of my education and work experience.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the information. I shall keep that in mind.

Its just that Entrepreneurship programs teach you how to setup a business and basic overview of finance/marketing concepts. I have enough in-dept knowledge of marketing and Finance. My business is mainly Import/export. I know everything about importing and exporting but have no clue about how to expand to other markets. The IBM program in particular covers all that I need. As an entrepreneur, I've had to study marketing, sales, finance, coding(SEO, website development), Indian trade laws and International relationship management in detail so that no one could cheat me or force me to settle for low quality work. I think if i really must expand i should know everything there is to know about International business management. Courses such as International Market Entry Strategies, Global Business Environment, Feasibility of International Trade, International Trade Finance, Development of Products and Services for Global Markets, Global Value Chain, Mastering International Trade: Strategies and Tactics and International Sales and Marketing, hit the nail on the head don't you think? I can give you an explanation of how each one of these subjects could help me grow my company. haha. They all are just so relevant for me. Sadly cant say that about any Entrepreneurship program as they will just give me an overview of topics that I already have In dept knowledge about because of my education and work experience.

I'm not the person you have to convince about your program selection in Canada. Just want you to be aware that the programs you're looking at are the default choices for international students and this means it will likely be a bit harder to be approved. I would recommend you include a SOP to explain your program choice. Keep the SOP tight and concise.

 

[BA101]

Hello all,

So basically I am looking to grow my career/ business by enrolling into a two year PG Diploma in International Business / Global business management / PR, Marketing & Strategic Communication Management. I'm currently building my own Cosmetic brand, we sell in India and the UAE, and I am looking to expand it to the Americas. I believe that me being physically present on the continent, while studying the relevant courses and networking at the same time would be the Ideal path to me achieve my business/ Career goals.

My Profile:
Age: 32

Marital Status: Engaged (she will be managing the operations in my absence while I'm trying to expand)

Work Experience:

• 3 Years - Marketing Executive
• 1 Year - Marketing Manager
• 4 Years - Entrepreneurial Experience

Education:

• BBA (Marketing) - 50% (Wes - 3 Years Undergraduate degree equivalence)[Was quite immature at that time and didn't not have my priorities in place. It happens to the best of us I guess]
• Masters in Commerce - 85% (Wes - 4 years undergraduate degree equivalence)
• PGDM - International Business - 86% (Wes - 1 year Post graduate certificate equivalence)

IELTS : 8.5 Academic

Financing: It will be paid entirely by my company( me). Course fees + GIC + other expenses.

So my concern is -
Q.1 Am I to old to apply for a post graduate diploma?
Q.2 Is a MBA my only option?
Q.3 Even if I do get into a decent institution, will I be rejected by the visa officer after I present to them my case? What do you guys think about my visa success chances.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this subject!

So my concern is -
Q.1 Am I to old to apply for a post graduate diploma? No I got my study permit the first time I applied with a 13 year study gap. I did a PG Diploma as well but I did not have a masters already. However your competition will be very stiff with lot other people who do not have all the credentials as you do. So the outcome of your visa application will have to be seen. It is 50-50 in my opinion.
Q.2 Is a MBA my only option? It is not the ONLY option but it definitely is a more valuable option given your business etc. Any management programs with leadership and management will be the right call.
Q.3 Even if I do get into a decent institution, will I be rejected by the visa officer after I present to them my case? What do you guys think about my visa success chances. This will remain a speculation till we see the decision
Given your educational creds, you need to write a super solid SOP justifying the need for this specific program paying thousands of $ and since you are running your own business, how will this help accelerate your career? That needs a lot of detailing

Also, if you look at other threads here, you will see how a lot of TRV's to Canada are processed using Chinook. So there is that risk as well.

Good Luck

 

[John Baptista]

I'm not the person you have to convince about your program selection in Canada. Just want you to be aware that the programs you're looking at are the default choices for international students and this means it will likely be a bit harder to be approved. I would recommend you include a SOP to explain your program choice. Keep the SOP tight and concise.

Roger that.

I'll try my best to justify my program choice in my SOP. So do you have any tips on what the words count should be for my Visa SOP? As I'm a mature student I will have a lot to cover. So it might be a little longer than an average candidates SOP. Will the length of my SOP be a problem? What would be the maximum word count according to you.

 

[John Baptista]

So my concern is -
Q.1 Am I to old to apply for a post graduate diploma? No I got my study permit the first time I applied with a 13 year study gap. I did a PG Diploma as well but I did not have a masters already. However your competition will be very stiff with lot other people who do not have all the credentials as you do. So the outcome of your visa application will have to be seen. It is 50-50 in my opinion.
Q.2 Is a MBA my only option? It is not the ONLY option but it definitely is a more valuable option given your business etc. Any management programs with leadership and management will be the right call.
Q.3 Even if I do get into a decent institution, will I be rejected by the visa officer after I present to them my case? What do you guys think about my visa success chances. This will remain a speculation till we see the decision
Given your educational creds, you need to write a super solid SOP justifying the need for this specific program paying thousands of $ and since you are running your own business, how will this help accelerate your career? That needs a lot of detailing

Also, if you look at other threads here, you will see how a lot of TRV's to Canada are processed using Chinook. So there is that risk as well.

Good Luck

Hey BA101!

Thanks for responding to my questions.
regarding the response about a MBA being a more valuable option and the right call. Apart from being a better career option ,will my chances for Visa approval would be better than a 50:50 if I opted for a MBA program as it would be easier to justify my progression?
and about Chinook, I've heard about it but haven't done much research into it. So how would this be a problem for me?