jes_ON said:
no, this isn't right, it is possible to receive the PGWP before one graduates (the date on the degree/diploma). This board is littered with applicants who made this error and then were refused because they applied 1-2 months too soon.
Any work experience before graduation cannot be counted, so she won't be eligible until after June 2013.
I'm confused by this as well and have my paperwork to apply in Feb (my PGWP was issued in Feb 2012). However, my degree wasn't conferred till May 2012.
If one wasn't a graduate, why would CIC issue them a post-graduate work permit?
My guess is that previously CIC only counted the work experience after one's degree was conferred for the graduate CEC stream because a Canadian educational institution credential was what allowed to qualify with 1 year of work experience instead of 2 required for the temporary worker stream.
Now there is no difference between the two streams. In my opinion, what CIC is saying is that work experience earned on an off-campus work permit won't be counted but the experience earned on the PGWP will be. In addition, how will CIC know that the graduation and convocation dates differ considering we are not required to provide the transcripts any more.
I understand that in the past applicants were denied because their work experience before the convocation wasn't counted. But with the changes in the program, do you still think this will be the case in the future?
Thank you everyone for your input!