USA to Canada on Study Permit (September 2020 intake)

[liveyourdream]

Hi,

I am in USA on H1B visa and got laid off due to COVID-19. My US visa is expiring in September 2020 and I am still searching for a job (IT QA) but had not found yet.

Meanwhile, I have applied to Conestoga college in one-year graduate certificate program (Computer application Development) for September intake and got acceptance letter from the college. The course work will finish in April 2021 and following there would co-op training (specified for one term)

My questions are;

• Due to pandemic, the bio-metrics centers in USA are temporarily closed. Per my understanding, study permit will only be issued once bio-metrics are done by candidate. In this situation, how can I get my study permit decision by immigration officer if I cannot give my bio-metrics?
• Since the study period is for short term (program completion date is in April 2021) and USA had not opened their international flights, is this the right time to apply for September intake and get visa approved?
• Do I need to open an account in GIC?

I am quite confused with this unknown situation and want to ensure I submit strong documentation to increase visa approval chances.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I am in USA on H1B visa and got laid off due to COVID-19. My US visa is expiring in September 2020 and I am still searching for a job (IT QA) but had not found yet.

Meanwhile, I have applied to Conestoga college in one-year graduate certificate program (Computer application Development) for September intake and got acceptance letter from the college. The course work will finish in April 2021 and following there would co-op training (specified for one term)

My questions are;

• Due to pandemic, the bio-metrics centers in USA are temporarily closed. Per my understanding, study permit will only be issued once bio-metrics are done by candidate. In this situation, how can I get my study permit decision by immigration officer if I cannot give my bio-metrics?
• Since the study period is for short term (program completion date is in April 2021) and USA had not opened their international flights, is this the right time to apply for September intake and get visa approved?
• Do I need to open an account in GIC?

I am quite confused with this unknown situation and want to ensure I submit strong documentation to increase visa approval chances.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Yes - you'll need to complete biometrics for the study permit to be approved. Hopefully the biometrics centres will reopen soon.

Yes - this is the right time to be applying if you want to start in September.

To have a high chance of approval, you'll need to show you have sufficient funds to pay for your first year tuition and living expenses. Also, you'll want to make sure your planned studies in Canada make sense in light of your previous education and work experience.

 

[intelextreme]

First, as of today, you have to apply online for the application. Also, please beware that as a foreigner in the US, you have more doubts to prove to have a successful application. I highly recommend you to take the steps carefully and consult a registered consultant if you can afford it.

The process online is a little bit different but you can follow the instructions here for US offices to get a sense of what you need to submit. Also, the online checklist may be different but it is best to submit everything as suggested in these three:
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp?countrySelect=US#applications
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5835E.pdf
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5483e.pdf

Also, biometrics are required. It is the best bet right now that the USCIS centers are open and they can take some Canadian biometrics but they just hardly reopen this month. Time is really tight to start in September but I wish you luck. Be prepared to have a backup plan.

 

[liveyourdream]

I have done Masters in computer science from USA and continue to work here on H1B. i do have I-140 approved (Green Card process). Is there a risk to say i want to upgrade my skills and will come back to USA (reapplying H1B) after studies since i have green card processing in progress?

I know the timeline is too tight and also dont want to get rejection as it may impact if i want to apply for PR later.

 

[intelextreme]

I have done Masters in computer science from USA and continue to work here on H1B. i do have I-140 approved (Green Card process). Is there a risk to say i want to upgrade my skills and will come back to USA (reapplying H1B) after studies since i have green card processing in progress?

I know the timeline is too tight and also dont want to get rejection as it may impact if i want to apply for PR later.

Hold on. So do u currently have or soon will have a green card in the US? Why do you want to apply for PR in Canada later?

Regarding your education, since you have a Master already, it may not make sense to the visa officer that this education (graduate certificate) will improve your skills. I think it is best to simplify your situation first before you proceed. The officer would probably have less than 5 minutes to decide if you have a tie to the US or your home country. If your tie to both of them are not strong, then they may assume that you come to Canada simply to find a way to immigrate there, not for educational purpose.

I understand that you don't want to return to your country in this situation but that may actually weaken the tie to your home country. Applying from your home country may help a little as well. Again, this is just my thoughts. You should consult other members or a consultant as well.

 

[liveyourdream]

Regarding USA Green Card, im in queue to get my application processed. Its just i have applied for Green card but currently USCIS is looking at the applications of the applicants who have filed their green card in 2009. I am in queue waiting until they process the applications filed in 2018. (as i filed my I-140 in 2018) that's why is a huge wait time to get green card in USA.

Also, i heard the purpose of graduate certificate programs in Canada is to focus on specific skills that students want to learn. I worked as Software QA and i want to learn programming language and pursue my career as software developer.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Applying from USA is going to harm your application if you are not a US citizen

 

[primaprime]

If you're looking to eventually acquire Canadian PR, keep in mind that an eight month PGWP won't give you enough time to get any points for Canadian work experience.

 

[Rayne]

Yes - you'll need to complete biometrics for the study permit to be approved. Hopefully the biometrics centres will reopen soon.

Yes - this is the right time to be applying if you want to start in September.

To have a high chance of approval, you'll need to show you have sufficient funds to pay for your first year tuition and living expenses. Also, you'll want to make sure your planned studies in Canada make sense in light of your previous education and work experience.

Hi,

I have a question, In the normal processing (without this pandemic), will the VO start to process the application even without the biometrics? - application is lodged, medical done, lacking biometrics.

 

[intelextreme]

Hi,

I have a question, In the normal processing (without this pandemic), will the VO start to process the application even without the biometrics? - application is lodged, medical done, lacking biometrics.

I don't think they will proceed without biometrics. They promised to keep it open without refusing like during normal time though.

 

[Rayne]

I don't think they will proceed without biometrics. They promised to keep it open without refusing like during normal time though.

What about an update, I mean I got a latest update last June 22, 2020 that I passed the medical exam.. Even without my biometrics.

 

[intelextreme]

What about an update, I mean I got a latest update last June 22, 2020 that I passed the medical exam.. Even without my biometrics.

I think medical and biometrics are separate things. As in this link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/biometrics.html#automatic
They just say that they extend the time for biometrics, not waive it.

 

[liveyourdream]

Hi,

I have a question, In the normal processing (without this pandemic), will the VO start to process the application even without the biometrics? - application is lodged, medical done, lacking biometrics.

Are you applying for PR or Study?

 

[Rayne]

Are you applying for PR or Study?

Hi,

I applied for Study.

 

[liveyourdream]

Hi,

I applied for Study.

Oh that's great! are you on H1B visa? actually i am also planning to apply for a study permit but i hear there is a risk to prove that i would leave Canada after studies. Just wanted to get some suggestions around it. Any information would be helpful and much appreciated!