Study Visa to PR
 

Hi,
Fed up with feeling that i'm getting nowhere fast, i've started to look at the possibility of going over to Vancouver/ Island to study, in order to increase my points.
I'm wondering if it is possible to apply from within Canada for PR towards the end of a study visa or whether i would have to move back to England to put my application in?
Also, would anyone know if there is a limit on how many years you can have a study visa for?
Many thanks :)

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Sorry, but I can't help you. And I think most people here at the "Lifestyle & Culture" forum can't help you.
Have you tried the Canada immigration forum:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi Katy - I'm doing the same thing only to Calgary. We put our application in back in April but as it is taking longer and longer to process the applications (up to two years :eek: ) we have decided to go for a study visa and move over next summer. At least we know what we will be working towards and if our PR comes in the meantime well hey - nothing lost. And if we get rejected well maybe I'll become an eternal student ;) .... not sure of the time limit but I know someone who got a study visa for 3 years - that's the longest I have heard of. Initially they will only issue you one for the length of the course that you have been accepted on but I think that if you progress onto further studies you can extend - but don't quote me!

You can apply out of England but if you have enough points (or close) now then it might be worth getting the paperwork in before you go. At least the process will have begun and you can always update your info as you go.

Best of luck! Jen

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Best ask in the immigration group for up-to-date information. I went from a student visa (then called a student authorization) to PR and at that time you were allowed to do it within Canada if you were still in status, although the application itself was not processed in Canada: mine was processed in Buffalo.

There is no limit on how many years you can have a study permit for. If you have a 10 year university course, then it will be issued for 10 years. I was on a student authorization for four years to complete a university degree, although they actually issued it for five years.

Good luck.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

You can do it from Canada.

I was given student authorisation for 2 years (even though my program was 4 years long), because my passport was valid for the next 2 years from the date I had applied. I renewed my authorisation when it was about to expire, and they gave me another 2 years. You can renew it again if you get a paper from the university/school that you're still not done with the program, or are registered in courses.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Thanks for your reply Jen
I need to study for 2 years at least to improve my points but the scary thing for me is that i'd have to sell my house and use the profit to live on whilst studying...... that's why i was kind of hoping to be able apply for PR towards the end of the study period and not have to move back to the UK, because we all know the situation with house prices these days :eek:
I'm not sure whether it'd be worth me putting in an application in now, as i'm only just scraping 64 points and the OU short course i've just started won't give me any more points.
Anyway, thankyou, you've been really helpful :)
All the best with your application and studies!
Katy

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi Toontje
Thanks for the link. I always try my luck in here first because the people are friendlier ;)

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Well then. I can only say: Thank You!

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Yes, i will check for updated info but thanks for your reply, it's good to hear from someone who has actually been there and done it! :)

Also meant to ask, by "still in status" i presume you mean still having an in date study visa?

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Thanks for the info and the reply Dan :)

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

We too are choosing to go down this route. Our PR has been in process for 15 months and is more than likely on the tail end, however my husband wants to to a uni course regardless and so we are just about to apply for a 3 year study permit for him. This gives me an open work permit and we can start to get the business up and running legally. We are hoping to be out permanently in Canada by January, all going well.

You will have to apply for PR from your own country though as you can no longer apply from within Canada.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Yes.

You could move from one status to another, like from a student visa to a work permit, and still be "in status."

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

If you are legally admitted to Canada for 12 months or more, you can also apply to Buffalo:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/apply-where.html

Where someone does have a choice, the office they *should* apply to is a more open question. For example, those who require US tourist visas should think hard before applying to Buffalo as they may have problems getting to the US for an interview if they don't already have a US visa.

Jeremy

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Goog luck with that Study Permit.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Thanks, how's it going with you? Have you settled in now? Sorry can't remember if it was you who went down this route too? How did that all pan out? Or have you got your PR now?
Regards, Tia

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Things panned out Ok the kids are now in school in Buckhorn its their third week this week. They love it!

The wif seems to be liking it and everybody is happy. Still on a study permit but hopeful for pr eventually.

The weather here is lovely. it was 23 degrees yesterday and the kids were swimming. Gonna be nice the rest of the week (or so they say).
The wife went to the curve lake pow wow yesterday and really liked it.
not really my bag though.

Get those permits and we will see you soon............

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Definitely! Hoping to be there for the start of hubby's course in January, providing CHC don't go slow on Study permits too! Where are you studying? He is planning on Peterborough. I'm really pleased it has worked out for you. When do you think you will have PR? We were up in Bobcaygeon last month for lunch and I thought of you! Didn't make it round to Buckhorn, although looked there in the past for farms - lovely area. Have you met up with the Keene lot yet? Hoping to meet them in October.

Take care, Tia

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Good luck Tia - hope all goes well and look forward to hearing how you get on. I am planning on starting my course in September in Calgary so hopefully will be going out in August.

Jen

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Thank you and my best wishes to you too Jen. Doesn't the waiting and lack of a date to work around just drive you crazy! We have left it a tad late for applying for the Permit, but are hoping that it will be through by Christmas. Seems that once you have a PR in process, it slows down the time for the Study Permit. We applied for one before, this was before we applied for PR and it came within a week, but I have heard that once you have PR app. it can take 3 or 4 months. Hopefully not.

Good luck. :)

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

I was wondering if you could help. How did you go about finding a school for your children? Did you have to pay international fees for them because you are on a study visa? How did you get them enrolled and any other useful tips on time frames for applying for study visa etc would be appreciated. :)

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

:eek: Wow thanks for the warning - I'd better get my application in by March then just to be safe!!

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi, I too am thinking of using the study visa route to get over hopefully by Sept/Oct 2005. We are hoping to land in Nova Scotia.
I'm not sure of the logistics of this decision yet as it would mean bringing the whole family. My husband would need a work permit for the period of my study and the two children (11 and 16 when we arrive) will also need study visas.

Would it be better to apply for a PR before we get there or after? :confused:

Any advise anyone can pass on would be greatfully received.

Thanks
Tina (altina)

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Not sure if this helps, but I am 20 years old and going to study in Regina in January on a 4 year degree course, I live in London so it was easy for me to get to Canadian Immigration here, I handed in all my info for a study permit there just the other week with my processing fee etc, and 3 days later my acceptance letter arrived through the door.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi Tina,

I am also hoping to go over on a study permit, with my hubby and son (who will be 17 when we go). The universities seem to be quite well set up in terms of family housing.

We applied for our PR's in march, but I think the decision of whether to apply or not depends really on how many points you have now, and whether you have the required funds available, as well as enough to support yourself and your family whilst studying. The CIC website gives details of how much you need, think it works out at around £14000 per year for us.

I always knew I would study over there, but to be honest, we didn't realise how long it was going to take to get the PR visas, or we would probably have just gone for the study permit first, to make things simpler. That's just our opinion, though. Hope it helps... :)

Sandy.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi Sandy - ditto for me. We sent our application in April this year but will travel to Calgary next August on a study visa (me) and temp work permit (hubby). We know it's a risk but I would rather be out there living in Canada than waiting it out here for possibly another 12 months after that!

Where are you planning to move to and what are your study plans?

Jen

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi Jen,
I can totally sympathise with the waiting thing, like everyone I suppose, but it just feels like putting your life on hold doesn't it?

I'm hoping to do a post-graduate B.Ed course in Lethbridge, to enable me to teach in Alberta, but I've only just applied so it's early days for us yet, and we've got our fingers (and everything else) crossed.

It sounds like you've already been accepted, if so, congrats! :) What are you going to study?

Sandy.

Re: Study Visa to PR
 

Hi Sandy - haven't been accepted yet - still deciding. Not sure whether to apply to University of Calgary or a private college. Each has a similar communications course that would be useful although the main benefit of the private college is that you can do the Diploma in a year rather than two years for a bachelors!

I have a Masters degree so this would really be to get some Canadian education and also enable me to start doing some networking, volunteering, etc without the pressure of finding a job as soon as we land.....

We are looking to ultimately settle in Canmore, which is just outside Calgary, so this studying would be a kind of "gap year" for us - better late than never I guess :D

Best of luck! Jen