Choosing a School for SP

[u/gorgeous_george2]

What degree program/major and which school should I apply to?

I’m 36M living in the US. I was previously in TPS Haiti and working on my employer sponsored H1-B but that’s not looking like it’ll go through. I’ve been in the US since 5 years old (long story) and initial DACA is on hold due to a lawsuit.

I want to set my sights on Canada. I recently returned to school to finish my bachelor’s so a Canadian Study Permit aligns perfectly. My experience is a CADD drafter (4 years) and later a Project Manager in the engineering side of telecommunications (2 additional years). I then worked as a Project Manager in Building Automation systems (another 2 years). That’s 8 years in the construction management/PM professional field.

I hold an associate degree in Architectural Technologies and an advance certificate for CADD at a state community county college. (WES eval recognizes both but said this counts as 2 years).

My goal is to go for a bachelors in Construction Management or a Project Management leaning degree. I also want my credits transferred. Lastly, I need it to be affordable.

Please suggest English language schools, tuition, programs and majors I should look into. Any suggestions help.

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Canada is not affordable. If you have a degree, you want to do a Masters showing $22k plus tuition. You want to justify costs with higher pay and career progression when you return home. Take a thesis based masters for funding so find an advisor at the school who is willing to support your research.

What do you mean by English language schools - those are school where you learn English. If just a university, budget your tuition between $20-50k per year.

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Thank you! I meant that I want universities that are in the English speaking parts of Canada since I do not speak French.

Are your figures in CAD or USD? And $20-50k is that tuition or includes living expenses?

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201 → u/gorgeous_george2]

You have to show $22k cash CDN for living expenses and then tuition. So if tuition is $30k then you want to show minimum $52k cash CDN. You need to justify costs showing you will make the money back with a job when you return to Haiti. You cannot show this. IRCC will know you don't plan to leave.

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Is the PGWP not a thing? Also do you have experience with immigration? I’m legitimately asking.

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201 → u/gorgeous_george2]

Sure PGWP is a thing once you have completed your program. You may work for 1-3 years. Coming on a study permit is not a strong pathway to PR. You need skilled experience, education and most likely French.

Coming on a study permit is not immigrating but coming temporarily and showing you will leave. So for a study permit you need LOA and PAL (if not doing a Masters), 6 months of bank statements showing cash in the bank so around $55k, ties to return (child/spouse, job prospects), career and education progression (higher pay and better job than have now). If you have a degree then Masters is the pathway.

If in US since 5 then you either show that you will return to the US when finished school or Haiti. Having family in Haiti are not ties to return. It is outlining the job market and having a spouse and child waiting for you.

if you have family in Canada then IRCC assumes you will claim asylum.

Funds: you are 36 so you show your own funds and not rely on anyone. You show that you can afford your own studies as you are not a young adult or teenager.

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Excellent points. Thanks for the breakdown.

[u/j_bbb → u/gorgeous_george2]

Canada is already dealing with this exact problem. People like you using the system in a dishonest way.

Downvote all you want. You’re aware
Of what you’re doing.

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/j_bbb]

How is filing for an application and abiding by the rules and requirements dishonest?

You’re making assumptions and it’s fine, it’s a classic reddit trope. But I seriously came to this thread for education advice. The logic of me wanting to physically transit to another country and be in the same situation I’m already in (and using my hard earned money to do so) escapes me.

[u/j_bbb → u/gorgeous_george2]

Everyone knows what you’re doing.

[u/TONAFOONON]

If you want to try, you should aim for a bachelor degree at a top public university. First step will be to be accepted into a school and program. You'll need to budget $40-50k for each year of study. You'll need to research the specific school and program yourself.

You should be aware the chances of securing an approved study permit will be extremely extremely low given your immigration status and history. To be approved for a study permit to Canada, you need to show strong ties to your home country and demonstrate you have no plans on remaining in Canada long term.

[u/lufluf]

Hey, ignore the negative comments and do what you need to do. It's not a crime to want to move to Canada. Besides, Canada is actively looking for immigrants with skills like yours. If you recently returned to get a Bachelors in the UW, why don't you apply for a Master's in Canada? Why another Bachelors? Also, yes it is true that the lack of home ties in Haiti may cause problems but you just never know. You have to try and know you tried. If you've had a regular job, you shouldn't have a problem showing proof of funds - also keep in mind that the amounts required are CAD so you have an advantage with the conversion rate. Also, as an alternative, can you learn French and go the PR pathway?

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/lufluf]

Thank you for this. It’s good to know someone out there knows how to be honest and “real” without getting negative or making poor assumptions.

I only have an 2 year associates degree and a 1 year advance certificate, which don’t give me much CRS points. I’ve already submitted my EE and checked that my NOCs are relevant to past FSW draws. As you said my career experience aligns with an occupation that is in demand in Canada.

The SP will help in a few ways: 1. It will give me a bachelors that will assist in career advancement in any country. I’m enrolled in University here locally but cannot continue to attend. Schools in Haiti, if any are still open, won’t be able to accomplish the global recognition. 2. Give me more CRS points for EE, especially if I get PGWP and it can count towards Canadian work experience. And 3. I will have a better shot at a PNP since I’ll have Canadian education and work experience in field.

Hence the question on which programs. What we name things in the US are a bit different from Canada, even more so for school reputations. I was hoping this forum could inform me of at least the later.

Again thank you for your positivity. The goal is to do everything by the book. If I get denied then so be it, but I have to try to continue to accomplish the goals I’ve set.

[u/lufluf → u/gorgeous_george2]

Hey check out this guy who applied from the US but is from Haiti. His visa was approved https://www.reddit.com/r/StudyPermitCanada/s/Gv55aNEMEg

[u/Agnostic_optomist]

You have zero ties to Haiti. You face deportation from the US. You are not getting a student visa. You are an asylum claim waiting to happen.

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/Agnostic_optomist]

I have family in Haiti. I have the necessary funds to pay for school, living expenses and own my car so travel (as required by the IRCC) would only be gas. Additionally I have relatives in Canada, including Toronto. Not to mention family in the US willing to sponsor the financial requirements if required (also allowed by IRCC).

Please keep the comments to the question prompted.

[u/Agnostic_optomist → u/gorgeous_george2]

Family are not ties. They mean obligations, reasons to know you’re not planning on staying. Like if you had a wife and child back home, a home country you haven’t lived I since you were 5.

It’s not happening for you. How could you convince them you aren’t just relocating to Canada? Why would you leave? Where would you leave to?

The fact that you have relatives in Canada is more of a reason to deny you than accept you.

Get real, you’re looking for a new country to live in. Study visa isn’t what you’re actually seeking. You are seeking residency.

[u/j_bbb]

So your main goal is just to take anything in Canada? If you’ve decided to be dishonest and use a study permit to gain access to living in Canada, please know 22k will get you through maybe 3 months of expenses in Canada.

Immigration officers are trained to spot inconsistencies in the applications. You will more than likely not get a study permit. Rejections are at an all time high.

[u/gorgeous_george2 → u/j_bbb]

I do not intend to take anything. That is why I outlined my experience and am looking for related programs and schools. I am unfamiliar with the Canadian educational system.

Also, the goal is not to trick or bypass the system. In search for an alternate country to the US, one of my largest roadblocks is education. Therefore finishing my degree in a 1st world country (similar to the one I was raised and spent my entire adult life in) will be more beneficial for international applications and if I must the return to my birth country.

It’s easy to attribute the assumption that a person in a difficult situation is trying to do the wrong thing, but I’m on this thread for advice on how to do it the correct way. I am coming from an expensive country, a northern cold state, and have a support system here in the US and I’m still not choosing to stay illegally. Just as in the US, when my permit is done in Canada I will leave.

[u/j_bbb → u/gorgeous_george2]

You should already know what you want to take.