A Nepali applicant with a 9-year gap since studies and an already-completed master's was told by their agent that Canada was unlikely and to try the UK instead. Members pushed back on the blanket claim.
- A long gap is not automatically disqualifying. The clearest advice: a study gap is covered by genuine job experience. If you have verifiable, relevant work after completing your studies, members said age and gap 'don't matter at all' — document the employment and explain the progression.
- Expect the second-degree question. Having already done a master's, the application needs a defensible reason for further study (career pivot, specialization) — implicit in why agents push back on such profiles.
- Weigh Canada vs UK on PR prospects, not just visa approval odds. Members were split. One side: Canadian study visas had become tougher to get (a time-bound observation from the 2023 era), while UK sponsorship jobs (e.g., social care at the time) were easier to land but PR through sponsorship is slow and competitive — one member estimated only ~30,000–40,000 sponsorships against a much larger applicant pool. The other side: even if Canada refuses the first attempt, its post-study settlement pathways are far stronger than the UK's, and approval on a second attempt is realistic.
- Make the country decision yourself. A recurring theme: every country has pros and cons; choose based on your own profile and goals rather than an agent's default recommendation.
Note: comparisons of visa difficulty and UK sponsorship availability reflect conditions when the thread was written and change frequently — verify current rules before deciding.