A long study gap on its own doesn't automatically disqualify a study permit application — what matters is how that gap is explained and supported.
What group members shared:- A 7-year study gap filled entirely with relevant work experience has been approved before. One member confirmed getting a study permit approved with the same profile: 7-year gap, work experience covering the gap, and an active Express Entry (EE) profile alongside the study application.
- Having an active EE profile at the same time as applying for a study permit doesn't automatically hurt you, though visa officers do look at your overall intent and career logic, so make sure your chosen program (in this case a 2-year PG diploma) makes sense given your work background.
- Approval depends on multiple factors together, not any single one — your previous education, your work experience, and your future career prospects/program fit all get weighed. It's not solely about the college or specific course you pick.
Because outcomes here are genuinely case-by-case, treat this as evidence that a strong, well-explained work history can offset a long study gap — not as a guarantee, and get your program choice and Statement of Purpose (SOP) reviewed by a consultant to make sure your narrative is coherent.