Historical note: references the SDS stream, which was discontinued in late 2024.A couple planned for the wife (who holds a master's) to study a 1–2 year PGD while the husband came as a dependent on an open work permit. They asked whether to apply together or sequentially. The thread's advice:
- The clearest recommendation: student applies alone first, spouse follows. The direct answer was "Alone — apply for the spouse as soon as you land." A solo student application is simpler to assess; the spouse's open-work-permit application follows once the student is established.
- But it depends on the profile. The counterweight in the thread: the right choice depends on your credentials and travel history — a strong, well-documented couple can apply together; a thinner profile benefits from sequencing.
- Reconsider the school and province choice. Members nudged the couple to look beyond their current college acceptance: try provinces other than Ontario, and give a shot at a university instead — implying a university admission (especially after a master's) presents a stronger study rationale than a college PGD in the most saturated province.
- Represent the case, don't just file it. The remaining advice was generic but sound: choose a course relevant to the applicant's background and support the application with documents that make the study plan coherent.