IEC Working Holiday to Study Permit

[tetepepe]

Dear all,

I am writing to inquire about my status regarding the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday visa, which is valid until July, and my plans to begin school in September. I have reached out to several immigration consultants to determine if I can continue working under the IEC program after my Study Permit (SP) is approved. However, I have received conflicting answers from them, with some suggesting that I must cease working and others stating that I can continue working even after the SP is accepted.

Therefore, I would appreciate clarification on whether I can continue to work under the IEC program after my SP is approved, or if I should stop working immediately, as my status will change to "Student" as soon as the SP is approved and International students are only permitted to begin working once their program starts. Ideally, I would like to maintain my current status until the expiry date on the IEC Working Holiday visa.

I have already looked into the following websites, but have not found any information that precisely matches my situation:

• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-canada/extend-study-permit/how-to-apply.html
• https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1476&top=25
• https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=934&top=25

Regarding the resource, I am uncertain if it means that I can continue working when I have both the SP and IEC at the same time.

Additionally, as I will be applying for a study permit extension this year, will I be ineligible to work for more than 20 hours while attending classes?

Any assistance that you can provide would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Dear all,

I am writing to inquire about my status regarding the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday visa, which is valid until July, and my plans to begin school in September. I have reached out to several immigration consultants to determine if I can continue working under the IEC program after my Study Permit (SP) is approved. However, I have received conflicting answers from them, with some suggesting that I must cease working and others stating that I can continue working even after the SP is accepted.

Therefore, I would appreciate clarification on whether I can continue to work under the IEC program after my SP is approved, or if I should stop working immediately, as my status will change to "Student" as soon as the SP is approved and International students are only permitted to begin working once their program starts. Ideally, I would like to maintain my current status until the expiry date on the IEC Working Holiday visa.

I have already looked into the following websites, but have not found any information that precisely matches my situation:

• https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...-canada/extend-study-permit/how-to-apply.html
• https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1476&top=25
• https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=934&top=25

Regarding the resource, I am uncertain if it means that I can continue working when I have both the SP and IEC at the same time.

Additionally, as I will be applying for a study permit extension this year, will I be ineligible to work for more than 20 hours while attending classes?

Any assistance that you can provide would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

You can work until July (i.e. to the expiry date on your IEC). You cannot work beyond July since you are not extending your work permit. Regardless when your study permit is approved, you can continue working full time until your IEC expires in July. You will need to stop working as soon as the IEC expires.

EDIT: You will have implied status as a result of the study permit application. So you can remain in Canada after your IEC expires but you cannot work until September.

For the study permit, you cannot start working until you start classes full time. So regardless when the study permit is approved, you will need to wait until September before you can start legally working under that permit.

 

[tetepepe]

You can work until July (i.e. to the expiry date on your IEC). You cannot work beyond July since you are not extending your work permit. Regardless when your study permit is approved, you can continue working full time until your IEC expires in July. You will need to stop working as soon as the IEC expires.

EDIT: You will have implied status as a result of the study permit application. So you can remain in Canada after your IEC expires but you cannot work until September.

For the study permit, you cannot start working until you start classes full time. So regardless when the study permit is approved, you will need to wait until September before you can start legally working under that permit.

Hi Scylla, I appreciate your response.

This is the answer that I received from one of the consultants I reached out to.

Because you will be applying for your study permit within Canada, once approved, your status will change to student and IRCC will mail the study permit to the address provided in the application. It won’t be necessary to leave and re-enter Canada. Regarding your work authorization, you must stop working as soon as your study permit is approved or whenever your IEC work permit expires, whichever is sooner.

Based on your response, the answer above is not true as I can still work until the expiry date on my IEC visa regardless when my SP gets approved.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[scylla]

Hi Scylla, I appreciate your response.

This is the answer that I received from one of the consultants I reached out to.


Based on your response, the answer above is not true as I can still work until the expiry date on my IEC visa regardless when my SP gets approved.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

I personally don't think this is accurate, but I'm not an immigration lawyer and am not 100% sure. Get a consult with an immigration lawyer to be sure of the answer.

Consultants give out wrong answers too often. I wouldn't bother using them for anything that's not super straight forward.

 

[tetepepe]

I personally don't think this is accurate, but I'm not an immigration lawyer and am not 100% sure. Get a consult with an immigration lawyer to be sure of the answer.

Consultants give out wrong answers too often. I wouldn't bother using them for anything that's not super straight forward.

Hi Scylla, thanks for your prompt answer.

Also, I'd like to clarify one more thing if I should follow the 20 hours off-campus work regulation during the semester as I will be applying for Study Permit later than October 2022. For sure I will wait until my program starts in order to start working.

Thank you so much.

 

[scylla]

Hi Scylla, thanks for your prompt answer.

Also, I'd like to clarify one more thing if I should follow the 20 hours off-campus work regulation during the semester as I will be applying for Study Permit later than October 2022. For sure I will wait until my program starts in order to start working.

Thank you so much.

Yes, you will be limited to the 20 hours while studying.