Quit PhD, study permit to open work permit

[Hominidae]

Hello,

I'm in my PhD program now but I'm planning to drop out soon. I'll apply for an open work permit as my spouse is continuing her PhD in Canada. Does anyone have experience in this situation?

1. I know, that in certain circumstances, study permit holders can apply for work permit. But I'm uncertain if I don't officially quit, will the IRCC officers believe I'll quit? Should I just wait until I have officially dropped out to apply? I'm worried that they will reject the application and tell me to apply again after I quit.
2. for the questionnaire, did you select visitor instead of student to get to the open work permit application page?
3. should I still write the expiration date on my study permit or use an estimated official quit date + 90 days (as I haven't decided when to quit)?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

 

[scylla]

Hello,

I'm in my PhD program now but I'm planning to drop out soon. I'll apply for an open work permit as my spouse is continuing her PhD in Canada. Does anyone have experience in this situation?

1. I know, that in certain circumstances, study permit holders can apply for work permit. But I'm uncertain if I don't officially quit, will the IRCC officers believe I'll quit? Should I just wait until I have officially dropped out to apply? I'm worried that they will reject the application and tell me to apply again after I quit.
2. for the questionnaire, did you select visitor instead of student to get to the open work permit application page?
3. should I still write the expiration date on my study permit or use an estimated official quit date + 90 days (as I haven't decided when to quit)?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

You should continue as a full time student until the OWP is approved.

 

[Hominidae]

You should continue as a full time student until the OWP is approved.

Thanks, but I can't apply until I quit. I don't think I can convince IRCC that I can do my PhD and work at the same time.

 

[scylla]

Thanks, but I can't apply until I quit. I don't think I can convince IRCC that I can do my PhD and work at the same time.

I don't understand why you have to quit before you can apply. You cannot start working full time until the OWP is approved. So you stay in school full time until the OWP is approved and then you quit.

 

[Hominidae]

I don't understand why you have to quit before you can apply. You cannot start working full time until the OWP is approved. So you stay in school full time until the OWP is approved and then you quit.

Because the IRCC website says, you need to prove that you can work while studying. In PhD cases, it's not possible and my department doesn't allow part-time job as well. Plus, I just want to get out of the lab asap.

 

[scylla]

Because the IRCC website says, you need to prove that you can work while studying. In PhD cases, it's not possible and my department doesn't allow part-time job as well. Plus, I just want to get out of the lab asap.

Your choice. I would personally remain in school full time and include an LOE explaining you will drop out of the program once the OWP is approved. Anyway, your call.

 

[Hominidae]

Your choice. I would personally remain in school full time and include an LOE explaining you will drop out of the program once the OWP is approved. Anyway, your call.

Thanks, I'll think about it.

 

[canuck78]

Because the IRCC website says, you need to prove that you can work while studying. In PhD cases, it's not possible and my department doesn't allow part-time job as well. Plus, I just want to get out of the lab asap.

Did both you and your spouse arrive in Canada as PhD students? Did she ever hold an SOWP based on your studies?

 

[Hominidae]

Did both you and your spouse arrive in Canada as PhD students? Did she ever hold an SOWP based on your studies?

My spouse arrived a year earlier. We both are phd students. She never had an sowp

 

[canuck78]

My spouse arrived a year earlier. We both are phd students. She never had an sowp

So shouldn’t be an issue but you should remain with status while waiting for SOWP which will take many months.

 

[Hominidae]

My spouse arrived a year earlier. We both are phd students. She never had an sowp

So shouldn’t be an issue but you should remain with status while waiting for SOWP which will take many months.

Thanks. Yeah, the only concern I have is just how I can convince IRCC that I'm eligible to hold both permits as they stated that the applicants need to prove they can manage the work and study; this isn't very feasible for a PhD. And if I don't officially withdraw, I'm uncertain how I can convince them that I will drop out the program once I receive the work permit.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks. Yeah, the only concern I have is just how I can convince IRCC that I'm eligible to hold both permits as they stated that the applicants need to prove they can manage the work and study; this isn't very feasible for a PhD. And if I don't officially withdraw, I'm uncertain how I can convince them that I will drop out the program once I receive the work permit.

Are you trying to study and get an OWP? If you are wanting to stop studying and transition to an SOWP there shouldn’t be an issue. You can include a letter clarifying that you would like to stop studying and instead work full-time. You can include reasons for wanting to stop studying. How recently did you get married? Did you live with your spouse before marriage and if so for how long? Think you are overthinking this.

 

[Hominidae]

Are you trying to study and get an OWP? If you are wanting to stop studying and transition to an SOWP there shouldn’t be an issue. You can include a letter clarifying that you would like to stop studying and instead work full-time. You can include reasons for wanting to stop studying. How recently did you get married? Did you live with your spouse before marriage and if so for how long? Think you are overthinking this.

We've married and lived together for years. That shouldn't be a problem. I'm just worried if IRCC will believe I'll quit if I don't have any official documents, regardless of my explanation and plans.

 

[canuck78]

We've married and lived together for years. That shouldn't be a problem. I'm just worried if IRCC will believe I'll quit if I don't have any official documents, regardless of my explanation and plans.

You’re overthinking this although as said previously you can include a letter explaining that you want to stop studying and work on an SOWP instead.

 

[Hominidae]

You’re overthinking this although as said previously you can include a letter explaining that you want to stop studying and work on an SOWP instead.

I see. I'll submit the application and try to clearly explain the situation then. Thanks so much again for the suggestions.