Post Degree Work Experience:

[khana26]

Hello,

I graduated from a Canadian university with a bachelor's degree in April 2009.

From May 25, 2009 I have been working full time at a Canadian company where my work is classified as NOC skill level A.

When I started to work (May 25) I had valid Off Campus Work Permit. My employer told me to start working while I was applying for Post Graduate Work Permit. I received Post Graduate Work Permit on June 23, 2009. During May 25 - June 23, I was working with full responsibilities and benefits of a full-time employee at my company. There was no probation period of any sort either.

I understand, I will require 1 year "post degree work experience" to apply under CEC. Will my 1 year work experience requirement be fulfilled on May 25, 2010 or June 23, 2010? I really need to apply soon.

Thanks for your time to reply to my thread.

Regards,
A. Khan

 

[khana26]

Hello.

I called the call centre this morning and found the answer. I am sharing it for everyone.

Work experience has to be under Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). Though I started to work on May 25, 2009, my work between May 25 to June 23 will not be counted as that was performed under Off campus Work Permit. I have to wait till June 23, 2010 to be eligible to apply under CEC.

This is just for information, I also clarified in this morning. Quoting from CEC application guide "You must have obtained the equivalent of 12 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (37.5 hours a week) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Levels A or B". Even if your work week is of 40 hours, it will not give you any benefit to apply earlier. I was doing the math 37.5 x 52 = 1950 hrs; 1950 / 40 = 48.75 weeks. - CIC do NOT do math, it has to be 12 months of full time work experience under PGWP, and full time work is defined as minimum of 37.5 hours per work week.

Thanks for reading the thread, any comment or suggestion will be appreciated.

Regards,
A. Khan

 

[jes_ON]

khana26, thanks for sharing your info. Just to clarify, I don't think it has to be a PGWP, just cannot be a student work permit (implies you're still a student, not after graduation).

BTW, CIC does do the math, if it is less than 37.5 hours per week Despite my 40+ hours per week, I had to work an extra 3 months because of the number stated in my contract - but as of tomorrow, am eligible

Good luck -

 

[khana26]

You are correct jes_ON. It does not have to be only PGWP.

The bar is on student work permits i.e. Off Campus Work Permit and early days Co-op Work Permit. Too bad, my 1 year full-time co-op experience isn't giving me any benefit; well it helped greatly to find a job after graduation, but no direct benefit toward immigration.

Good luck on your application. I will be waiting till June 23.

Regards,
A. Khan