Express entry and/or student pathway to migration

[mylagador]

I am an architect currently working in dubai. 28 yrs okd and I have more than 5 yrs continuous work in my field. Shall I apply for express entry or apply for as student as pathway to residency. My degree is from philippines, 5yrs BS arch. I want to process everything on my own to save. Do you you know best resources of step by step process I should take if I'll take both approaches?

I am thinking of applying under express entry while saving money for a study starting january 2019. My questions are:
1. Can I use academic IELTS for express entry? Since I have to take academic IELTS for my study, can I use the same to save money?
2. What should be my step by step process if il apply for express entey first while saving money, then enrol for study on 2019?
3. Excluding tuition, how much will express entry cost me plus the processing of my student application?
4. Are their groups in dubai or meetups who help each other for canada immigration without an agency? Do you have contact informations of them?

 

[Mthornt]

1) I believe you still need General IELTS for EE
2) If you enter through EE, your study would actually be alot cheaper, since you would pay a lower rate as a permanent resident, than a foreign student.
3) Each situation is different, depending on document translation, which countries you need police clearance certificates from, etc... every case is truly unique. For my wife and I we will be at about 5k total, and we're waiting for final decision
4) Not sure about this one, however with all the info in the express entry part of the forum, and the CIC link below, you should have all the info you need to get started. Hope this helps, best of luck...

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/

 

[mylagador]

Thank you for your reply @Mthornt.