Graduate Work Permit Query

[D-Mac]

Hello

I have a query about the Graduate Work Permit that I hope someone can help me with. I'll just give you a bit of context first.

So, I am due to fly home (to Northern Ireland) on 7th December, 2015 for Christmas and because a close relative is ill.

I am then due to return to Canada (from Northern Ireland) on 7th February, 2016.

I will be finishing my studies this term, so should have my final results near the end of December, 2015, and then will be graduating in May, 2016.

My current study permit runs until 31st March, 2016.

(1) My first question revolves around if I am allowed to leave and reenter the country under my current permit, which of course will be valid for the period. However, I am worried because my studies will officially be finished when I come back in February.

(2) And my second question is in regards to when I should then apply for the Graduate Work Permit. Should I do this the moment I get my final results, which will be when I am in Northern Ireland, or should I wait until I arrive back in Canada in February? Can I even apply through immigration with a hard copy application when I arrive at Vancouver airport on 7th February?

Thank you for any feedback you can give.

D

 

[floomy]

I can think of 3 ways now.

1. you can apply for PGWP when you come back from home.
you can tell CBSA , you are going to apply for PGWP , make sure you bring a letter from the school (confirmation of graduation etc)
don't think you can apply for PGWP at the airport (not sure about this )

2. you can apply for your PGWP when you visit in your country.
prepare all docs for application and send it with tracking no. so you can show CBSA that you are waiting for PGWP.


3. you can apply for bridge study permit (you can legally stay till your graduation day) but don't think it is necessary for you.
since you have some time to apply for PGWP in Canada .

 

[D-Mac]

Thanks so much for your reply, Flommy.

I was worried because the first immigration adviser at my University that I talked to said that I would probably be denied re-entry due to having officially finished my Masters. However, the second adviser said that I would be fine, since my status was covered until the end of March 2016 (and it didn't matter if I had finished my program or not, that status was valid). Your advice (thankfully!) tallies with what the 2nd adviser said.

 

[luvly3]

Hi, there is a high possibility that you would be denied entry if they find out you are done with your program. They may want you to remain at home till you get the PGWP approved since the issuance of PGWP is not guaranteed. ..it's a pretty risky venture because it could go either way...applying for a PGWP at the border might be a safer way to go from what I read on here.. you need to do more research before you leave. .

 

[D-Mac]

Does this apply even though I am not on implied status?

My student permit is valid until 31st March 2016, and I still have to come back for graduation. Will my study permit not cover me for this until I come back in February?

Of course I want to get home in December, but if I have to delay my return it is not the end of the world for me. So if there is any ambiguity as to my status I would rather just remain in Canada until my PGWP has been processed.

 

[Adil Sulehri]

Does this apply even though I am not on implied status?

My student permit is valid until 31st March 2016, and I still have to come back for graduation. Will my study permit not cover me for this until I come back in February?

Of course I want to get home in December, but if I have to delay my return it is not the end of the world for me. So if there is any ambiguity as to my status I would rather just remain in Canada until my PGWP has been processed.

the easiest way to get PGWP is at the border of USA/Canada, I will tell you my story, my study permit ad TRV were due to expire on 31 August 2015 and I got my graduation letter on 28th of August 2015 (Friday). As I live in Victoria, I left for Vancouver early Monday morning for the flag pole at USA/Canada border, just after an hour I had PGWP in my hands (it includes flag pole time as well). So if you can get your graduation letter and Offical Transcript in time, get PGWP and then fly or you can have those 2 documents (hard copy *sealed preferred*) with you when returning home and visa officer will issue PGWP at the counter.

 

[D-Mac]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

It seems to me that this plays into the old "immigration officer's discretion" argument, and that if I left I probably would have little problem reentering the country in February. However, in a small number of cases the individual immigration official dealing with you on the day could reject the entry due to a person having no courses to come back to.

That is my impression anyway. Anyone I talked to who had actual personal experience of this situation or something similar always gained re-entry to the country. The cases where someone gets rejected have always been a-friend-of-a-friend story or an internet story.

I'll keep digging though. I contacted CBSA and they advised me to try and get through to CIC. I know this is notoriously difficult, but I'll keep phoning the number until I get an answer.

 

[D-Mac]

Just a quick update.

I got through to CIC. They said that as far as they are concerned there shouldn't be an issue re-entering the country, as long as I return within the 90-day period after I receive my letter of completion. However, at the end of the day it is up to the immigration officer I get on the day.

 

[jayreddy]

Hello

I have a query about the Graduate Work Permit that I hope someone can help me with. I'll just give you a bit of context first.

So, I am due to fly home (to Northern Ireland) on 7th December, 2015 for Christmas and because a close relative is ill.

I am then due to return to Canada (from Northern Ireland) on 7th February, 2016.

I will be finishing my studies this term, so should have my final results near the end of December, 2015, and then will be graduating in May, 2016.

My current study permit runs until 31st March, 2016.

(1) My first question revolves around if I am allowed to leave and reenter the country under my current permit, which of course will be valid for the period. However, I am worried because my studies will officially be finished when I come back in February.

(2) And my second question is in regards to when I should then apply for the Graduate Work Permit. Should I do this the moment I get my final results, which will be when I am in Northern Ireland, or should I wait until I arrive back in Canada in February? Can I even apply through immigration with a hard copy application when I arrive at Vancouver airport on 7th February?

Thank you for any feedback you can give.





D

Hi, Have you came back safely? you can tell what happened at airport?