Study Plan/ SoP for Canadian study permit

Hi! Due to unforeseen circumstances Im only getting a chance to apply now so I can't risk being rejected. Will be applying later today so any advice is greatly appreciated. All personal info omitted of course. I was rejected once before in 2020 (age 13) when my parents applied on my behalf, so I tried to address it here. I am planning to submit proof of visas I've gotten from other countries and my valid residence permits to counter any doubts. Is this okay?

To whom it may concern,

My name is XXX, I have been admitted to the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. I am a legal citizen of Country A, currently residing in Country B due to my father's work as a diplomat.

In 2020, my parents applied through the IRCC for my brother and me to live in Canada. Like many others at the time, COVID-19 created significant uncertainty, particularly regarding our education quality. This led them to apply, given that we had already received acceptances from primary and secondary schools in British Columbia. The application was rejected due to a missing document and doubts over my return home. I want to assure you that I will not be overstaying my welcome in Canada. Throughout my life, I have consistently adhered to my visa conditions - whether travelling to the US, UK, and many other countries, or managing my residence permits in Country B, which have always been renewed before expiry. My excellent track record is one I am committed to maintaining.

I have recently completed my high school education at XXX School in Country B and I am now awaiting my final results. My strong focus on the sciences - studying A-level Maths, Physics, and Chemistry - has been incredibly beneficial in preparing me for my career. This rigorous academic background and participation in national maths olympiads has provided me with a solid foundation and critical thinking skills essential for success.

When deciding on a career to pursue, engineering was a natural progression from my A-level choices and passion for problem solving. Canada is renowned for its cutting-edge research and innovative approach to learning. These opportunities are essential for me to become the engineer I aspire to be.

With regard to the language proficiency requirements, English is my first language and I have been immersed in English-speaking educational systems since the beginning of my schooling. Additionally, I successfully passed my IGCSE examinations, obtaining an A* English and an A in French. I am eager about the opportunity to further enhance my French skills once I arrive in Canada.

I am grateful that my parents are financially stable and will be funding my education abroad. I have also received an education grant from XXX which will cover X% of my yearly tuition. My parents have a current bank balance of just over 170 000 CAD to fund the remaining X%, as well as my cost of living expenses for the duration of my degree. I have also been awarded a 3000 CAD scholarship from the University of Alberta.

While I am incredibly excited to pursue undergraduate studies in Canada, my ultimate goal is to be able to return home to Country A after completing my degree. Receiving a world class education in Canada would greatly improve my employment prospects, ultimately putting me in the best position to aid my country's development. With Alberta being the hub of Canada's oil and gas sector, I will be undertaking co-ops that will give me vital experience in the field of chemical engineering. I aim to use the knowledge and skills I acquire to address the electricity crisis, and improve the efficiency and sustainability of power plants. Addressing this long standing issue, which has troubled my country for decades, is one of the first steps in achieving stability and restoring Country A to its former strength. This matter is profoundly important to me.

I have strong ties to both Country A and Country B. My parents own several properties and vehicles in both countries. In Country B, I have my immediate family along with cousins, aunts, and uncles. In Country A, my grandparents and the rest of my extended family live there. During my studies, I plan to return home every Christmas as well as summer break to see my family as often as I can.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my application.

Yours sincerely,

XXX

The application letter appears to be strong to the untrained eye. I am not a visa / consul officer so I can only offer my personal opinion of your study permit letter. What I think may be a problem is that you do not actual strong ties to your main country. You have strong ties to the country where your father works as a diplomat. That may be a consideration for the visa officer who may think that your family ties are too loose and not actually the kind that would bind you to one country, your mother country, in particular. I think you need to strengthen to familial ties to your home country with say, a mention of how employable you will be in your home country and how you plan to pursue employment there once you graduate from your Canadian university.

@Holt

Hi, thank you so much for a swift response! I know it was quite difficult to read with all the country codes but the whole second last paragraph where I mentioned improving my country and employability etc was in reference to my mother country. I tried not to mention such strong ties to my current country of residence but ultimately I chose to do so since I thought it consolidated the idea that my parents are financially stable by mentioning they have properties in both.

I suppose I can shift the wording of the last sentence to clarify I will visit both countries on my winter and summer breaks? But yeah, unfortunately the reality of my situation is that I don't have such concrete ties - I've not lived in my mother country since around age 2.