Not Full-Time Due to Maternity Leave – PGWP and Work Eligibility Questions

[debora-2018]

Just wondering if anyone here has been through something similar... I’m finishing my PhD and took maternity leave during the program (Winter and Summer 2021 - which was approved by the university), so technically I wasn’t a full-time student the whole time. I’m about to apply for my PGWP, but I just found out I might not be allowed to work while it’s processing because of that (no one at the university told me this, and it was not on their website - I checked a million times).


The thing is, I already have a postdoc opportunity lined up and I really don’t want to miss it. Also, my husband is on an open work permit linked to my visa, and we’re worried he might not be able to keep working if I can’t.


Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you know who I could talk to or if there’s a way to request a special exception so I can work while waiting for my PGWP? Would love any advice. Thank you

 

[scylla]

Just wondering if anyone here has been through something similar... I’m finishing my PhD and took maternity leave during the program (Winter and Summer 2021 - which was approved by the university), so technically I wasn’t a full-time student the whole time. I’m about to apply for my PGWP, but I just found out I might not be allowed to work while it’s processing because of that (no one at the university told me this, and it was not on their website - I checked a million times).


The thing is, I already have a postdoc opportunity lined up and I really don’t want to miss it. Also, my husband is on an open work permit linked to my visa, and we’re worried he might not be able to keep working if I can’t.


Has anyone been in this situation before? Do you know who I could talk to or if there’s a way to request a special exception so I can work while waiting for my PGWP? Would love any advice. Thank you

Your husband can continue working as long as his open work permit is valid.

You can work full time as soon as you apply for your PGWP. You cannot work before you submit your PGWP application.

 

[debora-2018]

Your husband can continue working as long as his open work permit is valid.

You can work full time as soon as you apply for your PGWP. You cannot work before you submit your PGWP application.

Even If I am not considered a full time student? My leave was more than 150 days...

 

[scylla]

Even If I am not considered a full time student? My leave was more than 150 days...

I can't tell you whether your PGWP will be approved or not. That's a separate question.

However your spouse can continue working as long as his work permit is valid.

And you can work full time as soon as you submit the PGWP application.

Again, whether the PGWP application is approved is a different matter.

 

[canuck78]

Even If I am not considered a full time student? My leave was more than 150 days...

Normally if you have approved leave from your school and it is either maternity issue or medical leave (with proof of receiving medical care) it is typically not an issue. There are exceptions to the full-time requirement and maternity leave would be one of them especially when it is approved leave from your school. Would include a brief explanation that you took 2 semesters off for maternity leave and include proof of approved leave from your school. In general IRCC is not looking to penalize international students, especially those doing advanced degrees, for having a baby. Apply for PGWP and start working full time at your post doc job and congratulations on finishing a PhD!