Being a full time student and have a positive LMIA

[inproxima]

Hi everyone,

I need your help in making a decision. I am currently a full time PhD student in Canada. I am scheduled to defend my dissertation in August. I applied a senior instructor position some months ago and got the job. I also received a positive LIMA from the university where I am to begin working on the 1st of September. My employer has asked me to apply for a work permit. However, if I apply now, I fear I will get rejected as I am in Canada with a study permit and you cannot be a full time student and a full time worker (as I understand, but not sure)
I do not need to wait to graduate for this job as I already have the minimum requirements.
Also, the university has informed me that if I apply for a PGWP, I will lose the 600 point for the LIMA for express entry. So my choices are this: Apply for a closed work permit now, and maybe I'll get it before the 1st of September (the university say I will) or wait until I graduate in August and then apply in which case I will definitely not get my work permit in time and my contract with the university will be reviewed (as stated in my contract).
Please help. I not sure the hr-immigration knows what to do either. I really don't know what to do.

Thanks

 

[ZingyDNA]

I think PR is more important than a PhD (this is from a PhD PR ). You should grab the 600 pts in EE first. You can surely apply for a work permit with a positive LMIA and start working. I'm just not sure what happens to your PhD program. As opposed to abandoning it, maybe there's a way for you to study part-time as a full-time worker?

Hi everyone,

I need your help in making a decision. I am currently a full time PhD student in Canada. I am scheduled to defend my dissertation in August. I applied a senior instructor position some months ago and got the job. I also received a positive LIMA from the university where I am to begin working on the 1st of September. My employer has asked me to apply for a work permit. However, if I apply now, I fear I will get rejected as I am in Canada with a study permit and you cannot be a full time student and a full time worker (as I understand, but not sure)
I do not need to wait to graduate for this job as I already have the minimum requirements.
Also, the university has informed me that if I apply for a PGWP, I will lose the 600 point for the LIMA for express entry. So my choices are this: Apply for a closed work permit now, and maybe I'll get it before the 1st of September (the university say I will) or wait until I graduate in August and then apply in which case I will definitely not get my work permit in time and my contract with the university will be reviewed (as stated in my contract).
Please help. I not sure the hr-immigration knows what to do either. I really don't know what to do.

Thanks

 

[negarina]

I think considering the fact that you are choosing to become an instructor and potentially take academic jobs in the future it is best to finish your PhD as it will come handy as you progress through your career. I wouldn't suggest completely forego the PhD and start working, because it is 3-4 years of time and energy investment.
If you finish your PhD in Canada you will earn, I think, additional points for both having a PhD and a degree in Canada. So I don't think finishing your PhD and foregoing the LMAO will decrease your CRS score to the point that you won't get selected for ITA in EE.
In addition, have heard that once you submit your application for PGWP you are allowed to work until you receive the permit.
So I would suggest, you finish your PhD in August and apply right away for PGWP to get to your new job on time. see if you can push your defend to an earlier time.

 

[shdhsjej]

I believe You could get conditional offer letter from your employer, Then Apply for closed work permit after You graduated from your university.

 

[ZingyDNA]

A PhD will give you more pts in EE but not anywhere close to the 600 pts from a LMIA-backed job. The best solution of course would be to graduate PhD first then start working with a closed permit, but would his/her future employer agree with this delay? I think at least it's possible as one can always negotiate... The bad thing is for an instructor position, the new semester usually starts in late Aug and the school wants you as a new instructor to start preparing earlier than that, usually like a few weeks to a month...

If it comes down to choose between the two, PR > PhD no contest.

I think considering the fact that you are choosing to become an instructor and potentially take academic jobs in the future it is best to finish your PhD as it will come handy as you progress through your career. I wouldn't suggest completely forego the PhD and start working, because it is 3-4 years of time and energy investment.
If you finish your PhD in Canada you will earn, I think, additional points for both having a PhD and a degree in Canada. So I don't think finishing your PhD and foregoing the LMAO will decrease your CRS score to the point that you won't get selected for ITA in EE.
In addition, have heard that once you submit your application for PGWP you are allowed to work until you receive the permit.
So I would suggest, you finish your PhD in August and apply right away for PGWP to get to your new job on time. see if you can push your defend to an earlier time.

 

[jes_ON]

Hi everyone,

I need your help in making a decision. I am currently a full time PhD student in Canada. I am scheduled to defend my dissertation in August. I applied a senior instructor position some months ago and got the job. I also received a positive LIMA from the university where I am to begin working on the 1st of September. My employer has asked me to apply for a work permit. However, if I apply now, I fear I will get rejected as I am in Canada with a study permit and you cannot be a full time student and a full time worker (as I understand, but not sure)
I do not need to wait to graduate for this job as I already have the minimum requirements.
Also, the university has informed me that if I apply for a PGWP, I will lose the 600 point for the LIMA for express entry. So my choices are this: Apply for a closed work permit now, and maybe I'll get it before the 1st of September (the university say I will) or wait until I graduate in August and then apply in which case I will definitely not get my work permit in time and my contract with the university will be reviewed (as stated in my contract).
Please help. I not sure the hr-immigration knows what to do either. I really don't know what to do.

I'm a little confused about what the problem is. If you graduate in August, then your study permit is done. If you apply for a TWP NOW to start working in September, then.. that's as good as it gets. If for some reason that is refused, you're still within the 3 month window to apply for the PGWP. Even better.

Even if you have to register for another semester to formally graduate, you can probably do that as a part-time student. If you can verify this with your department, it will ease your mind and allow you to move forward.

So... what is the problem? As CIC says, "It is important to apply before your current status expires." Remember to use this process -

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp

 

[liamE]

You should do as Jes-ON says! You definitely won't get a work permit until October so apply for it now. It won't stop you graduating because it won't start until after you have finished your PhD and got your certificate.

 

[inproxima]

Thank you for all your responses.
In the end, HR-immergration at the university informed me that I would need to enclose a "all but dissertation" letter to my work permit application notifying the officer that by the time they open my file I would have graduated. So, now I'm in the process of obtaining such a letter.