Counting work hours between graduating and applying for PGWP?

[Eyerus]

Hi friends,

I graduated university in Dec 2016. I started working at my current company Feb 2017 but I only applied for PGWP in March, 2017.

I spoke with an immigration consultant who said, for Canadian Experience Class, you start counting your work hours from the day you started your job after graduating.

I read some comments on this forum saying you actually just count your work hours from the day you apply for your PGWP.

Can someone clarify? Should I start counting my work hours starting from Feb or March? Thank you in advance!!

 

[k.h.p.]

Under what permit did you work after graduating and before applying for a PGWP? You know that's illegal, right?

 

[Eyerus]

Hi k.h.p.,

I was on a study permit. We actually have 90 days after graduating where we can work and apply for PGWP.

 

[k.h.p.]

Hi k.h.p.,

I was on a study permit. We actually have 90 days after graduating where we can work and apply for PGWP.

No, you have to stop working once you receive final grades until you have applied for a PGWP:

I’m an international student. Can I continue to work after I’ve finished my study program?
Generally, no. You must stop working once you’ve received your final grades.

You can continue to work after you finished your studies only if:

• you’ve already applied for a work permit, or
• you’re starting a new study program

Find out if you meet one of these exceptions.

 

[Eyerus]

Actually, I just called IRCC and they confirmed we are allowed to continue working in the 90 days after graduating, as long as it's part-time (up to 20hrs/week).

We just can't start working full-time BEFORE we applied for PGWP.

 

[k.h.p.]

I'm sorry that whomever you spoke to gave you the wrong information.

The day that you receive written notification that you have completed your requirements is the day that you must stop working.

If you're so certain about this, make sure you declare the days you worked after graduation and before applying for a PGWP in all your applications. In bold.

Off-campus work and completion of a program of studies
Students who have not applied for a subsequent study or work permit or a program of study
Students may work off campus on a part-time basis if the following applies:

• they meet the eligibility criteria to work off campus [R186(v)]
• they have completed the final academic requirements for their program of study but have not yet received written confirmation of program completion from their institution (for instance, a transcript, an official letter or an email)
• they have not applied for a work permit (for instance, a post-graduation work permit or a work permit with a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment) or a study permit extension or enrolled in a subsequent program of study

They may work until the first date they receive written confirmation of program completion from their educational institution (for instance, an email, a letter, a transcript or a diploma), provided their study permit remains valid during this period. If the study permit becomes invalid [as per R222] before the student receives the notification of program completion from their institution, the student must cease working the day the study permit becomes invalid.

Once a student receives written confirmation of program completion from their institution, they are no longer authorized to continue to work in Canada, as they no longer meet the eligibility criteria in paragraph R186(v). They should apply to change their status (for instance, to visitor status) or leave Canada before their study permit becomes invalid as per section R222.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/campus-work.html#off-campus

 

[Eyerus]

Yes, thank you. I've included that work experience in my CEC profile. I did also include it in my application to extend my temporary residence, and it was fine.

I'll post updates. Thanks again for your advise.

 

[k.h.p.]

Yes, thank you. I've included that work experience in my CEC profile. I did also include it in my application to extend my temporary residence, and it was fine.

I'll post updates. Thanks again for your advise.

Good luck.

 

[am244]

Good luck.

Hi k.h.p,

Do you know what the penalty is for someone who makes this error of starting full-time work before receiving a confirmation of completion of studies letter from university, and once received waited less than a week to submit the PGWP? (considering they don't count those days before applying for PGWP in their PR application)

Looking forward to your response.

 

[Eyerus]

For the sake of not spreading wrong information to fellow applicants, I wanted to inform you I dug deeper into this issue and the information I had was wrong. @k.h.p. is completely correct. I submitted a letter of explanation declaring my unauthorized work along with my PR application.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention @k.h.p. !

 

[biggieidiot]

Hey Eyerus, would you mind explaning how did it go? and Is there a possibility to challenge that your were given WRONG information by IRCC agent. I checked with 4 different IRCC agent and one immigration consultantant, they provided me with the wrong information and clearly the immigration consultant is now saying she never said that. Since, I have not proof against immigration consultant but I was very clear when i asked the IRCC agent. Should it the be considered as a MISTAKE on the part of IRCC agent as I have her name and agent number.

 

[Priyavart Rajain]

Hi friends,

I graduated university in Dec 2016. I started working at my current company Feb 2017 but I only applied for PGWP in March, 2017.

I spoke with an immigration consultant who said, for Canadian Experience Class, you start counting your work hours from the day you started your job after graduating.

I read some comments on this forum saying you actually just count your work hours from the day you apply for your PGWP.

Can someone clarify? Should I start counting my work hours starting from Feb or March? Thank you in advance!!

Hey did you get your PR?

 

[scylla]

Hey did you get your PR?

Did you read the OP's further post above? You can only start counting work experience from the time you apply for the PGWP. Work before applying for the PGWP is classified as unauthorized work.

 

[Priyavart Rajain]

Did you read the OP's further post above? You can only start counting work experience from the time you apply for the PGWP. Work before applying for the PGWP is classified as unauthorized work.

That was not even my question though. I just want to know their status as of today.