₦airaland Forum

Hello everyone, I hold a PhD and have been working as a university lecturer. I’m a single parent with 3 children. If I secure a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) admission from a college. Can I relocate with my three kids? What budget estimate should I plan for? Thank you!

rieme26:
Hello everyone, I hold a PhD and have been working as a university lecturer. I’m a single parent with 3 children. If I secure a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) admission from a college. Can I relocate with my three kids? What budget estimate should I plan for? Thank you!

No, you cannot.

What are my options. Masters? I tried the post doc route but no positive response.

Profgordons:
No, you cannot.

Master's or another Ph.D if you want to relocate with your children.

rieme26:
What are my options. Masters? I tried the post doc route but no positive response.

Thank you

Vester48:
Master's or another Ph.D if you want to relocate with your children.

When is your program starting?

BrainArch:
should I defer now or wait for decision before deferring for a new LOA

Go to my profile by clicking my name

Walezzino:
Thanks how can I contact you

Your children are eligible for a study permit regardless of your intended level of education. The issue of level of education and program comes into play when a spouse is involved and wants to apply for a spousal open work permit. So, the answer to your question is “Yes”, you can relocate with your children.
You need the following amount for a family of 4, assuming you will be going for a 1-year program.

Total Amount =Tuition for 1 yr + $43,000

I highly recommend having an amount far above the total amount

rieme26:
Hello everyone, I hold a PhD and have been working as a university lecturer. I’m a single parent with 3 children. If I secure a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) admission from a college. Can I relocate with my three kids? What budget estimate should I plan for? Thank you!

rieme26:
What are my options. Masters? I tried the post doc route but no positive response.

Masters is your best shot.

yemzyray01:
Good Morning House.
Great work and I appreciate the information In the thread.Please I need recommendation for schools for the following course:
Regulatory compliance
Public admin
Cybersecurity
And with tution deposit of not more the 5k Canadian dollars.
Thank you.

what do you mean Tution deposit of not more the 5k Canadian dollars.

rieme26:
Hello everyone, I hold a PhD and have been working as a university lecturer. I’m a single parent with 3 children. If I secure a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) admission from a college. Can I relocate with my three kids? What budget estimate should I plan for? Thank you!

Let nobody lie to you. You will get admission because schools want international student fees, but the visa will be very difficult.

You have a PhD and you want to do a PGD, not even a master’s degree.

Look at it this way: IRCC will have one main question.....why would someone with a PhD want to do a PGD?

That usually signals that the person does not genuinely intend to study. The school becomes just a pathway to enter Canada with her kids.

So, to answer your question: yes, relocation with your kids is possible only if (which is unlikely) you are going for a master’s degree.

Relocating with three kids as a student is very difficult.

Daycare costs are high, you are limited to 24 hours of work per week, unemployment is rising, and PR pathways are unstable. Be very sure before making any move.

As for budget: because you are coming with your kids, your proof of funds should cover living expenses plus full school fees.

That is $42,543 (living expenses.) plus your school fees (which average international student fee masters program is about $35,000 for the full program 2 years) total $77,543 CAD

Note: Some people will tell you or suggest that you only need to show one year of tuition. But if you are coming to Canada with three kids, it is much better to show proof of funds for the full school fees.

Showing full tuition gives your application a much stronger case than showing just one year.

However, the $42,543 is non-negotiable and must be shown regardless.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html

amnotapervert:
Let nobody lie to you. You will get admission because schools want international student fees, but the visa will be very difficult.

You have a PhD and you want to do a PGD, not even a master’s degree.

Look at it this way: IRCC will have one main question.....why would someone with a PhD want to do a PGD?

That usually signals that the person does not genuinely intend to study. The school becomes just a pathway to enter Canada with her kids.

So, to answer your question: yes, relocation with your kids is possible only if (which is unlikely) you are going for a master’s degree.

Relocating with three kids as a student is very difficult.

Daycare costs are high, you are limited to 24 hours of work per week, unemployment is rising, and PR pathways are unstable. Be very sure before making any move.

As for budget: because you are coming with your kids, your proof of funds should cover living expenses plus full school fees.

That is $42,543 (living expenses.) plus your school fees (which average international student fee masters program is about $35,000 for the full program 2 years) total $77,543 CAD

Note: Some people will tell you or suggest that you only need to show one year of tuition. But if you are coming to Canada with three kids, it is much better to show proof of funds for the full school fees.

Showing full tuition gives your application a much stronger case than showing just one year.

However, the $42,543 is non-negotiable and must be shown regardless.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html

With a PGD she might still get a visa if she argues her case properly but then there is no room for family even if she has the money. Best option is to go for a program of choice, leave the children behind if possible, go to a province with ease of PNP which she can easily get with her PhD, then come back to take the kids.

Goodevening all, please is any one in Durham college and is resuming today, any WhatsApp group for them? Please I need some informations,thank you

Profgordons:
With a PGD she might still get a visa if she argues her case properly but then there is no room for family even if she has the money. Best option is to go for a program of choice, leave the children behind if possible, go to a province with ease of PNP which she can easily get with her PhD, then come back to take the kids.

But make sure it's a university PGD not a college PGD

Eg https://lmp.utoronto.ca/graduate

Profgordons is right that choosing a province with easier PNP pathways can help, and having a PhD gives you more options...even though no PNP is truly “easy.”

However, I don’t generally support doing a PGD unless it is directly related to your previous studies (and preferably from a university, not a college). Even then, it’s difficult, and you must clearly justify to IRCC why you’re doing a PGD in Canada instead of the UK, US, or elsewhere, and why not another Master’s degree.

Rieme26, please share:

Why you’re not pursuing a Master’s, and

What your Master’s and PhD were in,

so we can give informed advice based on experience and available data.

not more than 5k Canadian dollars

amnotapervert:
what do you mean Tution deposit of not more the 5k Canadian dollars.

yemzyray01:
not more than 5k Canadian dollars

I am asking why are you looking for tuition deposit not more than 5k Canadian dollars

Apparently you are not looking into schooling because you like school. Have you tried applying to jobs in Canada? Depending on your field, there are employers hiring directly from Nigeria who are willing to sponsor your PR. I know a number of people that have used that route and they are in different professions, not just health.

rieme26:
Hello everyone, I hold a PhD and have been working as a university lecturer. I’m a single parent with 3 children. If I secure a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) admission from a college. Can I relocate with my three kids? What budget estimate should I plan for? Thank you!

Regarding Proof of fund for Canadian student visa application, can bank draft serve as POF? My in-law in Canada said he will open bank draft in my name. I will use it as POF when applying for student visa. Can it be used as POF?

I really want to know how bank draft works as proof of funds for visa applications. I have paid my acceptance deposit and I'm in Nigeria

Please can you give a list of those companies ?

Vester48:
Apparently you are not looking into schooling because you like school. Have you tried applying to jobs in Canada? Depending on your field, there are employers hiring directly from Nigeria who are willing to sponsor your PR. I know a number of people that have used that route and they are in different professions, not just health.

Hello everyone, I have a question regarding student visa and passport expiration

I'm applying for a Canada student visa to resume Sept 2026. Program is for 2 years, to graduate Aug 2028. But my Passport expires Sept 2027.
Can I go ahead to submit my application with current passport or I need to apply for a new passport first? I still have a year validity after resumption

Teeore:
Hello everyone, I have a question regarding student visa and passport expiration

I'm applying for a Canada student visa to resume Sept 2026. Program is for 2 years, to graduate Aug 2028. But my Passport expires Sept 2027.
Can I go ahead to submit my application with current passport or I need to apply for a new passport first? I still have a year validity after resumption

Yes you can but you will need to renew your passport while in Canada

Profgordons:
Yes you can but you will need to renew your visa while in Canada

Do you mean passport, I'll need to renew my passport while in canada, right?

Teeore:
Do you mean passport, I'll need to renew my passport while in canada, right?

Yes

Teeore:
Hello everyone, I have a question regarding student visa and passport expiration

I'm applying for a Canada student visa to resume Sept 2026. Program is for 2 years, to graduate Aug 2028. But my Passport expires Sept 2027.
Can I go ahead to submit my application with current passport or I need to apply for a new passport first? I still have a year validity after resumption

Renew your passport in Nigeria before you apply. Go for 10 years passport. It is more expensive renewing in Canada, especially if you are residing outside Ottawa. Although I hear some persons are able to renew theirs online while in Canada, but even that one is expensive too.

My budget

amnotapervert:
I am asking why are you looking for tuition deposit not more than 5k Canadian dollars

He should use the money open a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) in your name, that is what the visa officer will recognize, not bank draft.

Chigbo55:
Regarding Proof of fund for Canadian student visa application, can bank draft serve as POF? My in-law in Canada said he will open bank draft in my name. I will use it as POF when applying for student visa. Can it be used as POF?

I really want to know how bank draft works as proof of funds for visa applications. I have paid my acceptance deposit and I'm in Nigeria

Honestly, I am looking for all the possible and affordable ways to relocate. I have Bsc, Msc and PhD in Biochemistry. I got court divorce papers from my spouse who we thought was making plans for us to join him in Canada. He has been in Canada since 2022.

amnotapervert:
But make sure it's a university PGD not a college PGD

Eg https://lmp.utoronto.ca/graduate

Profgordons is right that choosing a province with easier PNP pathways can help, and having a PhD gives you more options...even though no PNP is truly “easy.”

However, I don’t generally support doing a PGD unless it is directly related to your previous studies (and preferably from a university, not a college). Even then, it’s difficult, and you must clearly justify to IRCC why you’re doing a PGD in Canada instead of the UK, US, or elsewhere, and why not another Master’s degree.

Rieme26, please share:

Why you’re not pursuing a Master’s, and

What your Master’s and PhD were in,

so we can give informed advice based on experience and available data.

Please can you share the links of the jobs. I havnt applied to jobs. I teach biochemistry and I also work as a project manager in a tech company. My primary aim is to relocate. Thank you.

Vester48:
Apparently you are not looking into schooling because you like school. Have you tried applying to jobs in Canada? Depending on your field, there are employers hiring directly from Nigeria who are willing to sponsor your PR. I know a number of people that have used that route and they are in different professions, not just health.

yemzyray01:
My budget

At the POF stage, you still need to show at least one year of full school fees plus $22,895 for upkeep, which is a non-negotiable amount. So, focusing only on the initial $5,000 deposit means you’re not looking at the full picture.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents/financial-support.html

rieme26:
Honestly, I am looking for all the possible and affordable ways to relocate. I have Bsc, Msc and PhD in Biochemistry. I got court divorce papers from my spouse who we thought was making plans for us to join him in Canada. He has been in Canada since 2022.

Damn, so sorry about your current situation. Just a guess...have you tried using the CRS calculator to see your current points?
If so, could you share them?
what do you currently do for work ?

You might have some options, especially since you already have a PhD, so school might not be your only route.

If you’re thinking about studying, most of the time, master’s programs and postgraduate diplomas have similar fees..usually just a few thousand dollars difference..so it often doesn’t make sense to go for a postgraduate diploma. I usually see the difference around $4,000, and I know you’d likely be looking at a program longer than a year to qualify for a longer post-graduate work permit.

For the most part, we’re talking about the more cost-effective master’s option.

By the way, does your husband already have his PR? Just asking as you might have already qualified for PR with out knowing

Thank you. My crs is low. Honestly i dont know about his PR status he kept lying till I got the the court papers late last year. I did medicals and police clearance 2 years ago under his application. I am a lecturer.

amnotapervert:
Damn, so sorry about your current situation. Just a guess...have you tried using the CRS calculator to see your current points?
If so, could you share them?
what do you currently do for work ?

You might have some options, especially since you already have a PhD, so school might not be your only route.

If you’re thinking about studying, most of the time, master’s programs and postgraduate diplomas have similar fees..usually just a few thousand dollars difference..so it often doesn’t make sense to go for a postgraduate diploma. I usually see the difference around $4,000, and I know you’d likely be looking at a program longer than a year to qualify for a longer post-graduate work permit.

For the most part, we’re talking about the more cost-effective master’s option.

By the way, does your husband already have his PR? Just asking as you might have already qualified for PR with out knowing

JMG12:
When is your program starting?

already stated 12 January. Have defer already