Hello again, just looking at things here, thought i would ask the question as it either rules in or out a plan C in my quest to get to Canada, but also may be of use to others looking for the same sort of stuff.

For those that continually answer my questions (thank you) who may know my story sorry to repeat it, but I'm going back over it again for anyone who's not aware

Im looking at applying under FST, have recently travelled to Canada and sat my CofQ exam (awaiting results) and my CELPIP test (12,12,10,9) with the other half having semi decent IELTS results - if I pass my exam I get 328 points (but i am awaiting an ECA to hopefully score me an extra 30).

Fall back plan is to apply under PNP to saskatchewan - however both things are time bound as my work experience in an occupation in demand is currently dropping (i see it as having until the end of may 2020 for PNP, and potentially February 2021 for FST due to slightly different occupation titles).

Both of us are too old for an IEC(well she technically isn't but theres no chance of us getting one for this year), the other half doesn't really have a skilled job(save in NS) as a result she would likely be looking at studying something once we got to Canada regardless.

Just wondering, if we were to get her accepted into a Canadian college/university - she could get a study permit, and I could potentially get an open work permit off the back of that valid for the time of her study. at the end of this we would likely have enough points for PR via either of us due to her study/my canadian work experience.

Is this feasible? anything I am missing? Anything to think about (financially we could manage, it would restrict us to living in a town with a college/university) but any big barriers to stop it happening?

Hi,

Thanks for asking this question, we are practically in the same position as you, although husband is about to resit his COQ exam.
This was our next option so would love to see responses

I think you've missed that the quota was doubled not long ago. If she applied now, she's pretty much guaranteed an IEC. 2108 spots available and only 415 people in the pool at the mo, so everybody in the pool should get an ITA unless there is a sudden flurry of applications. Rounds of invitations – International Experience Canada

Nope, it's perfectly feasible, just takes a lot more money than other visa routes (have to show proof of funds, plus have enough to pay for international tuition rates which can be tens of thousands a year). But it's a good route for those that want to study anyway and don't have other options. If she gets PR part way through the course, she can switch to paying local tuition rates too.

But do investigate the IEC as that is a MUCH quicker/easier/cheaper way to get your points up.

Thankyou, I will take a look at getting her to apply under IEC in the next day or 2, didn't know the quota had been doubled.

The whole thing thats putting her off IEC(and why we didn't apply earlier int he year), but she may just have to lump it - is she has the pressure to get a job at skill level A,B, or 00 to get me a work permit. If she doesn't do that, then neither of us will be gaining enough points to get us an application.

Whereas if we can get one of us into a college, the other automatically lands a work permit. Me having any sort of canadian college or work experience would get me the points 12 months down the line for PR (plus having a study permit for that length it means we get a 2-3 year stab at living in Canada if required, if we can't make it work in that time, then its likely we were never going to cut it out there, but she's very concerned about being out there alone/not getting enough to get me a work permit. (financially me not being able to work isn't too much of a concern short term, but its more whether we would then have enough points to be eligible to apply).

Oh I agree, and i'm hoping to hell I've passed my trade exam, my ECA comes back with high school or greater on it and I then have 356 or more and the FST draw comes out below that. (alternatively we've got a PNP route via Saskatchewan) but both of which are very time bound and rely on draws taking place with low points scores.

With reference her, she currently works 2 jobs, 1 is as a finance assistant in a council office, the second is a receptionist in a golf club/leisure centre.

Qualification wise she hasn't got a lot, 1 A level, then went to working for the council in leisure centres, then moved into finance and has moved out, then back into the council in sort of mid level office positions, she completed a level 2 accounting qualification at night college, but didn't pursue level 3.

I have zero worry with reference work,If I could get a work permit I'd quite happily rock up with my backpack on my back, enough money for a beat up truck and a travel trailer, steelies on my feet and 2 dogs by my side and figure it out from there.Her concern is basically we have to sell a lot of stuff over here (house, rental property, holiday caravan) as well as the contents of our lives, ship 2 dogs over - for what is then all on her to succeed(and she doesn't know how easy or hard that'll be) - whereas I've worked for 15 years around mechanical, farming, construction, quarrying etc. and realise the ability to rock up for work 10 minutes early, sober, not take sick days and put a good shift in for as long as the man paying your wages wants you to generally means you'll get on alright in the trades- and the fact that i will quite happily start at the bottom again.

Yea that's now the plan (either b or c).


Yea we'd be able to do it (and would have income off a rental property) whilst studying too. It was something I wasn't aware of (but literally was an idea that only came to me the other day when I was looking at college education in Canada - as I'm toying with the idea of getting myself a degree at some point in the future regardless of where I live)