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I just finished my last exam, can I leave and re-enter Canada before I apply for my PGWP?

H

hbaig27

Star Member
Dec 18, 2020
83
5
I just finished my last university exam and I know the next step would be to apply for a PGWP but I can only do that in February once I receive my official senate approved letter of completion. My student permit expires in Aug 2021 but I know it becomes invalid 90 days after completing my studies.

I was wondering if it's possible for me to leave the country anytime from now till when my study permit becomes invalidated. Can I leave and still come back as a student even though my classes are done? This is for Quebec. Would I possibly be refused entry? How can the border officer even know that I'm done with school as my permit is expiring in Aug 2021.

Does covid affect any of this?

Thanks.
 
k.h.p. said:
Given the COVID restrictions, and the fact that you've finished classes, it would be hard to prove that your purpose of travel was essential.
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I see. Will the immigration officers know that I have finished my classes? Won't they just assume I'm back to continue studying as I have a valid permit.
 
hbaig27 said:
I see. Will the immigration officers know that I have finished my classes? Won't they just assume I'm back to continue studying as I have a valid permit.
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With COVID, you need to prove that your courses require you to be in Canada and your school has to be on a list. You need documentation.

In short: leaving and trying to come back right now, for you, is not a good idea.
 
k.h.p. said:
With COVID, you need to prove that your courses require you to be in Canada and your school has to be on a list. You need documentation.

In short: leaving and trying to come back right now, for you, is not a good idea.
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Got it, thanks. I have one more factor that is quite uncommon. I also have a work permit expiring Aug 2021 where my employer is my university. I got it on arrival 3 years ago when I first came, never applied for it but I have it.

Does that change anything?
 
hbaig27 said:
Got it, thanks. I have one more factor that is quite uncommon. I also have a work permit expiring Aug 2021 where my employer is my university. I got it on arrival 3 years ago when I first came, never applied for it but I have it.

Does that change anything?
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Do you have a letter from your employer stating that you're a current employee?
 
hbaig27 said:
So would the best course of action be: Stay in Canada, apply for PGWP, get approved and then leave and re-enter using that.
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Unless you're willing to risk (a) being denied boarding on a return flight by your airline who will want proof your courses require you to be in Canada or that you're travelling for an essential purpose or (b) being denied entry to the country at the border.

Of course, if in your opinion you have enough documentation to allow you re-entry, go for it.
 
k.h.p. said:
This would work for your PGWP, not your co-op work permit (that you got through school, this is likely why you got one you didn't apply for?)
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Yes exactly. Once I apply for my PGWP, do you know if I can leave and re-enter on implied status? or would I have to wait for approval of the actual permit first.
 
hbaig27 said:
Yes exactly. Once I apply for my PGWP, do you know if I can leave and re-enter on implied status? or would I have to wait for approval of the actual permit first.
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Implied status ends the moment you leave the country, so no, you can't re-enter on "implied" status.
 
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