Can we apply for Student visa & EE at the same time? Please help. Confused

[Brenna]

Hi,

I am asking this question for my cousin.

He has got admission for a PG Diploma course in Canada and is also eligible for FSW. He is planning to apply for Student visa next week.At the same time can he apply for Express entry or is it better to apply for Student visa first and then after reaching Canada can he apply Express Entry.

Experts,what will be the impact. Can you please give your thoughts on it.

Thanks,
Brenna

 

[GARJ]

If I was your cousin, and I was eligible like he/she for PR through FSW program with a decent CRS score, I would obviously apply for PR first. You wouldn't need a study permit anymore and you wouldn't have to pay international student fees, saving you literally thousands of dollars.

 

[gecordon]

Hi,

I am asking this question for my cousin.

He has got admission for a PG Diploma course in Canada and is also eligible for FSW. He is planning to apply for Student visa next week.At the same time can he apply for Express entry or is it better to apply for Student visa first and then after reaching Canada can he apply Express Entry.

Experts,what will be the impact. Can you please give your thoughts on it.

Thanks,
Brenna

Yes, he can apply for both, and as for the previous comment, PR visa would take at least 6 months, whereas student visa probably a couple only, so that you have to consider,

 

[RomnZh]

Hi,

I am asking this question for my cousin.

He has got admission for a PG Diploma course in Canada and is also eligible for FSW. He is planning to apply for Student visa next week.At the same time can he apply for Express entry or is it better to apply for Student visa first and then after reaching Canada can he apply Express Entry.

Experts,what will be the impact. Can you please give your thoughts on it.

Thanks,
Brenna

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. It seems that one can't apply simultaneously for PR and SP, because when you apply for SP you should somehow convince visa officers that you have no intention to stay in Canada after finishing your education (which is weird imo), and if they check out and see that you're actually in the EE pool - you're very likely to be refused in getting SP. I can't say for sure though. Maybe someone has more info about that - would be great to know.

 

[GARJ]

Yes, he can apply for both, and as for the previous comment, PR visa would take at least 6 months, whereas student visa probably a couple only, so that you have to consider,

If it was up to me, I'd rather wait six months for PR and arrive in Canada as a permanent resident, than wait 3 months (That's how long it took me) for a SP and arrive to Canada as a student. That's what I would've done anyways.

 

[PK_11]

It depends, if he has good score in EE, say above 440. I would rather say wait for ITA. If it is below 400, and there is no other way left to increase his score than Yes he can come as student. After graduation he will get more points, might be within his study permit only he can get ITA if EE points is dropped below 400.

 

[flashfbc]

I have Question as well , as i have already created Express entry profile . Now i am applying for student VISA , will it create problem for my Student VISA ?????

 

[Garry213189]

I have Question as well , as i have already created Express entry profile . Now i am applying for student VISA , will it create problem for my Student VISA ?????

can anybody explain pls

 

[helena21]

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. It seems that one can't apply simultaneously for PR and SP, because when you apply for SP you should somehow convince visa officers that you have no intention to stay in Canada after finishing your education (which is weird imo), and if they check out and see that you're actually in the EE pool - you're very likely to be refused in getting SP. I can't say for sure though. Maybe someone has more info about that - would be great to know.

I agree. I was researching this topic for a while as I wanted to come on Student Visa but was already in EE pool. I've talked to 3 different lawyers and they all suggested that there is a high risk that I will be refused for the Student Visa as it will be obvious that I'm lying to them. For a Student Visa you need strong ties to your country and to prove that you will come back home, and having EE profile clearly states the opposite.

Of course, exceptions always exist I suppose.

It also depends on how fast one wants to get to Canada and on the financial resources...

If it were me, I would have done the Studen Visa first and then apply for EE once in Canada. Then there is almost no risk. One is allowed to change his/her mind.

 

[seoultrain]

helena21, did your lawyer say anything about whether retracting the EE application would improve changes of getting a student visa? I'm in a similar position, am in the EE pool but now want to apply for a student visa. If you remove yourself from EE, are you back on a blank slate again?

 

[JoacRy]

One thing to note. If successful in getting a student Visa please note that any 'Work Experience' accumulated after the 'Student Visa' period commences (in the event your cousin were allowed to work) would not count for EE purposes.

 

[sensay]

Exactly, I don't think its wise to try both at same time. As a student you have to submit a letter of purpose where you have to declare why you don't intend to stay in Canada after completion of your studies. In that letter you have to show strong ties with your home country in order to get an approval for student visa. Now while doing background check if CIC finds that the same person is also EE pool applicant, then i suppose they will cancel the Student Visa Application.

If someone is eligible for EE then why even try to go to Canada as an International Student? Instead try for PNP and increase points in EE system or increase points by improving language skills. As an international student, you are to pay 3 times more fees than a Canadian resident. Also there's no such guarantee that you will become PR after completing your program. The immigration rules keep on changing and some new rules might appear by the time you become a graduate. Just search the forum you will find International Students signing petitions against EE..they all came as students when EE had no existence.

Its different that even you land up in Canada as PR, eventually you will end up going to some colleges as its hard to find jobs without Canadian experience or study(unless you are lucky enough). But atleast you are not paying so much money in this case.

 

[fkl]

There is something existent called "dual intent" as per CIC's official guideline. Most people thinking you cannot apply for both (temp residence like work / study permit as well as PR) are plain wrong and should research dual intent.

In simple words, CIC does not care whether you permanently live in Canada or not eventually. When applying for study permit, they just want to evaluate that IF YOU DO NOT GET PERMANENT status eventually, ARE YOU LIKELY TO OVERSTAY ILLEGALLY OR NOT. This can be shown by strong ties to home country (not just owning property / business is the only way, which most people do not have) but rather having a established life / job with a respectable income in the same profession is a good and most common factor.

That being said, when you apply for study permit, having a PR application in process or not, you would be evaluated at the same grounds as another person with only study permit application. I believe i have read this formally several times in CIC's official description and should show up when you google DUAL INTENT.

UPADTE: So in summary if there was any confusion - there is no harm in applying for both study permit and PR at the same time, period.

 

[wildemam]

I have a study permit. I am applying now for EE.

 

[seoultrain]

There is something existent called "dual intent" as per CIC's official guideline. Most people thinking you cannot apply for both (temp residence like work / study permit as well as PR) are plain wrong and should research dual intent.

In simple words, CIC does not care whether you permanently live in Canada or not eventually. When applying for study permit, they just want to evaluate that IF YOU DO NOT GET PERMANENT status eventually, ARE YOU LIKELY TO OVERSTAY ILLEGALLY OR NOT. This can be shown by strong ties to home country (not just owning property / business is the only way, which most people do not have) but rather having a established life / job with a respectable income in the same profession is a good and most common factor.

That being said, when you apply for study permit, having a PR application in process or not, you would be evaluated at the same grounds as another person with only study permit application. I believe i have read this formally several times in CIC's official description and should show up when you google DUAL INTENT.

UPADTE: So in summary if there was any confusion - there is no harm in applying for both study permit and PR at the same time, period.

This looks like the only sensible and informed answer on this thread, thanks!