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Off Campus Work Permit -> Temporary Work Permit

jeffchwai

Full Member
Sep 21, 2011
23
0
Hello all,

I am in a tricky situation and would like to have some advices.
In 2008 I have finished my BSc, I applied for the Post Graduation Work permit.
I work part time for about half year and I could not find any job in 2009. So I decided to go back school in the fall of 2009. I am finishing my degree end of this year (Dec 2011). However, my Post Graduation Work Permit already expired this May.
Few Weeks ago I have applied for PR under Canadian Experience Class as a research assistant.
Currently I am holding an off-campus work permit and I stay in Alberta.

Now my question is:
I will finish my study by end of Dec 2011. Do I have to return my off-campus work permit in Jan 2012?? Or, can I still use this off-campus work permit to work for 90 days before I return it.

What I notice, is that I have 90 days to use this off-campus work permit to work full time if I have applied for the Post Graduation Work Permit. Now as I cannot apply for the PGWP again, and I am not sure if this rule also applies to the Temporary Work Permit case. I am confused as I have an adviser at school who told me that I can use this off-campus work permit to work full time for about 90 days after Dec for my case. But I do not seem to find such a rule on the immigration website. I am also not sure if it is within a gray area. Any thoughts?


Thanks so much.
 

PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
25,494
1,950
Hi

jeffchwai said:
Hello all,

I am in a tricky situation and would like to have some advices.
In 2008 I have finished my BSc, I applied for the Post Graduation Work permit.
I work part time for about half year and I could not find any job in 2009. So I decided to go back school in the fall of 2009. I am finishing my degree end of this year (Dec 2011). However, my Post Graduation Work Permit already expired this May.
Few Weeks ago I have applied for PR under Canadian Experience Class as a research assistant.
Currently I am holding an off-campus work permit and I stay in Alberta.

Now my question is:
I will finish my study by end of Dec 2011. Do I have to return my off-campus work permit in Jan 2012?? Or, can I still use this off-campus work permit to work for 90 days before I return it.

What I notice, is that I have 90 days to use this off-campus work permit to work full time if I have applied for the Post Graduation Work Permit. Now as I cannot apply for the PGWP again, and I am not sure if this rule also applies to the Temporary Work Permit case. I am confused as I have an adviser at school who told me that I can use this off-campus work permit to work full time for about 90 days after Dec for my case. But I do not seem to find such a rule on the immigration website. I am also not sure if it is within a gray area. Any thoughts?


Thanks so much.
Your advisor is wrong. As you are not applying for a PGWP there is no bridge for your off campus work permit. Soon as you complete your schooling it is void.
 

jeffchwai

Full Member
Sep 21, 2011
23
0
Sorry, I wonder if anyone has a firm idea that my supervisor is wrong, according to
w w w.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/guide-dir.asp

3. Conditions of the work permit

A study permit is usually issued for the duration of study, plus 90 days. The work permit will follow the same rule: duration of study, plus 90 days.

Transition to post-graduation employment: Students who have completed all degree, diploma or certificate requirements and who are within the 90-day period allowed for transition to post-graduation employment will still be considered eligible to work off-campus, provided they are in possession of a valid study permit and a valid off-campus work permit.
It seems the 90 days is valid for me after I finished my MSc degree. Any ideas?

Thanks
 

PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
25,494
1,950
Hi

jeffchwai said:
Sorry, I wonder if anyone has a firm idea that my supervisor is wrong, according to
w w w.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/guide-dir.asp

It seems the 90 days is valid for me after I finished my MSc degree. Any ideas?

Thanks
No, because you have already had a PGWP so you can't "bridge" to another one. Your study permit ends when it ends, and then you don't have status unless you apply to remain as visitor.
 

jeffchwai

Full Member
Sep 21, 2011
23
0
Hey PMM,

For my case, what about if both of my study permits and off-campus work permit will expire in March 2012 and I finish my MSc degree by the end of Dec, 2011. (so there are about 90 days for me to legally stay in Canada), Can I still work until March? Based on the website, it said that the 90 days is for bridging to post-graduation employment, but it does not say that I HAVE TO apply for this post graduation work permit if I already plan to leave by end of March.

It is that my advisor works for the international student centre on my campus and he has good reputation, and that he told me he is very sure I can work for that 90-day period (whether or not I can apply for PGWP is another story). That will be really bad if I am given a misleading information on this case. Because I will have a high chance to get the TWP in time if I can work for this 90 days period (a company wants me to start work in January).

I appreciate for your inputs, thx in advance.