Study Permit Refused under R216(1)(b)

[sidz_sayeed]

Hello everyone,

I'm writing this to share my experience and seek guidance from anyone who has faced a similar situation. My Canada study permit application was recently refused under Section 216(1)(b), where the visa officer was not satisfied that I would leave Canada at the end of my stay.

My Profile:

Program: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil Engineering

University: University of Windsor

Intake: September 2025

Program Type: 16-month course-based program (non-thesis) with an optional co-op

English Test: Duolingo (accepted by the university)

Application Stream: Non-SDS

Current Status: Preparing to reapply with stronger documentation and revised Letter of Explanation (LOE)

Academic Background:

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

MBA in IT (2021–2023), which I pursued to understand digital tools and cloud collaboration in construction


Work Experience:

4+ years in BIM roles (India and UAE)

Financial Proofs Provided:

CAD 58,744 sanctioned loan

CAD 19,100 in my personal savings

Mother’s monthly salary: ~CAD 3,300 (government employee) shown as surplus

CA-certified Net Worth Certificates:

Myself: ~INR 64.4 lakhs (~CAD 102,000)

My mother: ~INR 2.4 crore (~CAD 393,000)

Affidavit of support from my mother

Assets include income-generating property and legal inheritance stake


Refusal Reason:

“I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay based on the purpose of visit.”

I believe my refusal was not related to finances, as I had submitted clear documentation. The concern seems to be about temporary intent. For the reapplication, I’ve rewritten my LOE to:

Emphasize my strong family and cultural ties to India

Explain my career gap and the reason for pursuing MEng despite having an MBA in IT

Clarify that my co-op, if pursued, is strictly for skill-building and not a pathway to stay

Highlight that my goal is to reestablish my career in BIM and civil engineering, which I had to pause due to family health issues

I’ve also added personal context like living with and supporting my mother and having a close-knit extended family all living in the same city.

---

Has anyone here been refused under similar grounds and later approved?

Do you think my revised explanation will be strong enough?

Is Duolingo test score accepted under non-SDS with no issues?

Any additional suggestions that can strengthen my case?

Thanks in advance to everyone reading and helping

 

[Naturgrl]

So much information but you have a Masters in IT so no reason to come to Canada for another Masters. You can do another Masters in your own country. You are not expanding on education so take a PhD. Not sure how you can even justify costs with a loan. Explain what career gap? You finished IT Masters in 2023. Your application "screams" that you want to immigrate and get PR.

Ties to return are spouse and children, not culture. Mother's finances should not be included due to your age. Her income is not relevant. Duolingo not accepted.

So look at PhD programs and get admission to a higher tier school.

 

[sidz_sayeed]

So much information but you have a Masters in IT so no reason to come to Canada for another Masters. You can do another Masters in your own country. You are not expanding on education so take a PhD. Not sure how you can even justify costs with a loan. Explain what career gap? You finished IT Masters in 2023. Your application "screams" that you want to immigrate and get PR.

Ties to return are spouse and children, not culture. Mother's finances should not be included due to your age. Her income is not relevant. Duolingo not accepted.

So look at PhD programs and get admission to a higher tier school.

There are many points as I've said that justify MBA IT not helping that much as much as a MEng will do.

I'm divorced so no spouse or child. I know my mother's income is not of much use but I just added it as a extra information.

May i know why Duolingo is an issue? As officially Non SDS does not require it right? So you have any source I can refer to for language requirement for study permit in non sds?

Tbh PhD is a long term study and research which I'm unable to do due to my age and other personal choices.

 

[canuck78]

How old are you and have you been working since 2023? What has been your role? Would order GCMS notes but would agree that this screams I want to immigrate not study. Assume you are aware there is no guarantee of family sponsorship so if your goal is immigration you will need to make longterm care arrangements for your mother in India.

 

[sidz_sayeed]

How old are you and have you been working since 2023? What has been your role? Would order GCMS notes but would agree that this screams I want to immigrate not study. Assume you are aware there is no guarantee of family sponsorship so if your goal is immigration you will need to make longterm care arrangements for your mother in India.

I'm 30, yes i have been working since 2023 as a BIM engineer ( not a position I got due to MBA IT). Yes i can order gcms notes but it'll take a lot of time to process and I intend to go in sept intake. I have brothers.

I get what you're trying to say, it would be really helpful if you could help me in any aspect in regards to SOP or documentation that'll help me justify the reason for rejection.

 

[canuck78]

I'm 30, yes i have been working since 2023 as a BIM engineer ( not a position I got due to MBA IT). Yes i can order gcms notes but it'll take a lot of time to process and I intend to go in sept intake. I have brothers.

I get what you're trying to say, it would be really helpful if you could help me in any aspect in regards to SOP or documentation that'll help me justify the reason for rejection.

September intake is not realistic.

 

[YVR123]

This is end of July. I don't think you can get the permit approved before school starts in Sept...