A couple in the UAE, refused a study permit and now planning to reapply (study permit plus spousal open work permit together), also received a Saskatchewan (SINP) invitation with an estimated 8–12 month turnaround. The thread weighed the options:
- Think hard before paying international-student fees with PR in reach. The bluntest advice: studying as an international student costs roughly three times what the same education costs after PR. With a SINP nomination in hand, waiting out the 8–12 months and studying later as a PR may be the financially rational path.
- If reapplying for the study permit, reconsider applying solo. One member suggested a ties-strengthening tactic: apply for the study permit alone, with the spouse staying back (on a valid visa), which demonstrates a reason to return. Filing SP + SOWP together doubles the financial requirement and weakens the ties story after a refusal.
- Applying from the UAE is not the problem. Countering the 'UAE visa office rejects everyone' folklore, a member said refusals come down to how the SOP is presented and justified — they'd seen expat applications approved whether lodged from the UAE or the home country.
- Anchor the reapplication to the GCMS notes. The couple had the notes; the new SOP must visibly fix what the officer actually flagged, not just be longer.