job at my university right after my graduation

[ab1210123]

Hi,

I was graduated last April 2011 and have started working a job (on-campus, did not have off-campus work permit) at my university since May 2011 until now. So is my one year full-time experience counted since may 2011? My work permit is issued on Aug 2011 by the way. Help plx.

 

[mnjdev]

Hi,

I was graduated last April 2011 and have started working a job (on-campus, did not have off-campus work permit) at my university since May 2011 until now. So is my one year full-time experience counted since may 2011? My work permit is issued on Aug 2011 by the way. Help plx.

What work permit you had for this one year? Is it PGWP?
It will not be considered if it is on-campus WP

Note: The experience must be acquired after you have completed the required study and obtained a Canadian credential (work performed under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or co-op work terms do not count).

 

[SenoritaBella]

Students who are currently enrolled can work on campus without a work permit. But does this apply after graduation?

I'm guessing for CIC, you probably become any other person seeking employment and you need a work permit. Perhaps, the period from May 2011 - Aug 2011(before work permit) is similar to the transition period from off-campus work permit to post-graduate work permit.

Unfortunately, the CEC guide does not address this kind of situation, so I would err on the side of caution and start counting from Aug 2011 unless you get confirmation from a credible source otherwise.

Hi,

I was graduated last April 2011 and have started working a job (on-campus, did not have off-campus work permit) at my university since May 2011 until now. So is my one year full-time experience counted since may 2011? My work permit is issued on Aug 2011 by the way. Help plx.

 

[seton]

They should really be more explicit in how they treat that time period (between graduation and actually receiving the PGWP). I already read this in one of their procedure manuals: (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op25-eng.pdf)

Eligible work experience under the Post-Graduation Stream of the CEC must occur after graduation. Work performed on an Off Campus Work Permit (during studies) does not count under the CEC.

The note regarding "during studies" suggests that they are specifically commenting on work experience on the OCWP before graduation rather than the transition period. However, since it's not clear, I think the best option would be going the conservative route and use the issuance of the PGWP as the base start date.

 

[lithium002]

I don't think that's true at all. The Canadian Experience Class counts all work as valid if it was done after graduation, not after receiving your post-grad work permit. The Act itself mentions that any work after graduation counts i.e., once you have confirmation that upon successful completion of your final academic semester, you would have successfully finished your program and would be eligible for a degree/diploma/certificate.

Once you have that confirmation in hand, any work you did while maintaining a legal status (which you did by using your off-campus during the grace period) is legal and counts. You don't need to frame your application and work experience based on when you were issued your PGWP, but more on when you graduated from your program of study.

 

[SenoritaBella]

Do you know this for fact? Is this what you did and had no issues? Please confirm this so that the OP knows before taking a chance.

I don't think that's true at all. The Canadian Experience Class counts all work as valid if it was done after graduation, not after receiving your post-grad work permit. The Act itself mentions that any work after graduation counts i.e., once you have confirmation that upon successful completion of your final academic semester, you would have successfully finished your program and would be eligible for a degree/diploma/certificate.

Once you have that confirmation in hand, any work you did while maintaining a legal status (which you did by using your off-campus during the grace period) is legal and counts. You don't need to frame your application and work experience based on when you were issued your PGWP, but more on when you graduated from your program of study.

 

[mnjdev]

Do you know this for fact? Is this what you did and had no issues? Please confirm this so that the OP knows before taking a chance.

That is a one good question senorittabella!!!!

 

[seton]

He's right about the act, I quoted it here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/does-experience-on-offcampus-work-permit-after-graduation-count-t109851.0.html;msg1591225#msg1591225

The Act does not mention the work permit. The criteria in the act states that the experience is obtained after receiving the degree/diploma. It does not mention either the PGWP or OCWP.

However it does not state the wording he said, ie:

The Act itself mentions that any work after graduation counts i.e., once you have confirmation that upon successful completion of your final academic semester, you would have successfully finished your program and would be eligible for a degree/diploma/certificate.

I believe that condition is from the PGWP criteria. The act simply says "obtaining" the degree/diploma, it does not say "meeting the criteria" to obtain the degree/diploma. If you take the act word for word, experience will count the day you actually receive your degree. Most universities don't consider you obtaining a degree until your convocation. The period between completing your last exam and convocation, you're considered a graduand, not a graduate.

About as clear as mud - the period between the OCWP/PGWP is still subjective and probably subject to interpretation by the CIC officer. Perhaps they look at the date of your diploma and count from there?