Help: Can I count this as part of my 1-year work experience ?

[Melissa Gu]

Hi guys,

I finished my bachelor degree in 2012 June, got the post graduate work permit in August, which is valid until 2015 August. I went back to school to get a post graduate certificate in Jan 2013 and stayed in the program until August, after that I did a three-month PAID internship. I'm just wondering if this three months could be counted as part of my 1-year work experience?
For me to graduate from the program I had to complete the internship, I secured the job myself not given by school. I don't think it's a problem to get my employer to write the reference letter for me, because we can just see it as a three-month contract work. But I know CIC said that internship couldn't count as part of work experience if it earns school credit. I'm three month full-time employed with another company now, but I just want to hand in my application before the new process kicks in next year. Could anyone help to explain if there's anyway I can get around to use that three month of work experience?

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Matt the Aussie]

My understanding is that you must have 12 months of paid work experience to qualify.

As an internship typically is not paid, it won't count.

 

[Melissa Gu]

Sorry forgot to mention, the internship was paid, it's basically a short-term contract work.

 

[ZingyDNA]

If you paid intern qualify under eligible NOC 0 or A, I think you can count it. You have to get them to write a job reference letter, and avoid using the word "intern" if possible, just so the visa officer won't get confused...

 

[Hope1957]

For CEC, any work experience gained when you were a student will not be counted as qualifying work experience. Even though you gained this work experience on a pgwp, I don't think the VO will count it as it was part of your program and necessary for you to finish/graduate from your program.
It's best you call CIC and have them clarify this for you. However, bear in mind that any work experience gained as a full time student is not counted as qualifying work experience.

 

[ZingyDNA]

For CEC, any work experience gained when you were a student will not be counted as qualifying work experience. Even though you gained this work experience on a pgwp, I don't think the VO will count it as it was part of your program and necessary for you to finish/graduate from your program.

This is why I needed an immigration lawyer - I don't know squat about this sort of laws/regulations. ;D I think what you said makes sense and you are most probably right here ..

 

[jes_ON]

For me to graduate from the program I had to complete the internship . . . But I know CIC said that internship couldn't count as part of work experience if it earns school credit.

So you already know the answer. Any work, paid or unpaid, while you are student, cannot be used.

 

[Hope1957]

"For a student who had graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution, only work experience gained after graduation will count towards meeting the work experience requirement (e.g., post-graduate work permit)." This is the definition of work experience for CEC. Therefore, your internship will not be counted even though you gained it on a PGWP.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op25a-eng.pdf