My friend gave me a consultant's email address. She mentioned that he was the one who helped facilitate the immigration of their cousins.
So I emailed. I did not say much except that we are interested but don't know where to begin. He did not reply. Then my friend gave me another email address. So that Saturday, I forwarded my original email.
Monday came and he asked me to send an updated resume, including that of my husband's. So I did.
The following day, he came back and explained that our option is for one of us to study while the other will get an open work permit. Our baby would then be given an extended visitor permit. If I get his explanations correctly, this option would give us the benefits of a PR but not the actual PR permit. Upon inquiry, he also mentioned that he can help get my senior mother a visitor’s visa or a super visa so she can go to Canada multiple times valid for a period of 10 years. We were looking at this option for our baby. We were thinking we can leave her with my mom while I study and my husband works.
Exciting! That is until he gave us their fees. That is 7,500 USD exclusive of all document fees. The fees would cover their guidance for one of us to get into a school within our budget and guide us in getting a good job after our studies.
My husband and I started computing. I started googling again. What I read was there were different rates for local (Canadian / PR) students and international students. The international students usually pay more. There was even one school that charges CAD 40,000. Though average tuition fee for international students would be CAD 14,000. The tuition depends on the following:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate courses
- Course. Humanities and arts were cheaper vs science and engineering
- MBA is the most expensive
The cost was per year. This does not yet include the living allowance, entrance fees, student visa, etc. I got most of my information from https://www.topuniversities.com/ where they featured articles on what to expect if one studies in Canada.
I got disheartened. We are talking about a big amount of money here. Aside from the fees, one also needs to provide proof of funds which would be about CAD 10,000 per year of study on top of the tuition fees. I was computing everything and multiplying at the current exchange rate. My husband was optimistic though. He kept telling me “this is for E. We have to do it”.
We were throwing ideas around and thinking if we would sell one of our properties. If we sell one at the price that we want somewhat, that can easily cover the payment plus schooling. I had renewed hope.
