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Post-grad work permit length

sohan

Newbie
Feb 12, 2011
3
1
Hello Everyone:
Here's my situation:
1. Completed MSc in 16 months
2. Official duration is 4 years for the MSc, most students take ~2 yrs
3. Post-grad work permit is given for 16 months.

Can you please share your experience about this? I was expecting a 3 year post-grad work permit, since the official program was 4 years. A call center agent also confirmed me about this. Now, it looks like working hard to complete the degree earlier than the typical cases was not the best idea :(

To be specific:
1. Is this expected?
2. If not, what should I do to get the 3 year permit?

Please note that my passport is valid till 2014, so that's not an issue here.
I will appreciate your suggestions.
 

PMM

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

sohan said:
Hello Everyone:
Here's my situation:
1. Completed MSc in 16 months
2. Official duration is 4 years for the MSc, most students take ~2 yrs
3. Post-grad work permit is given for 16 months.

Can you please share your experience about this? I was expecting a 3 year post-grad work permit, since the official program was 4 years. A call center agent also confirmed me about this. Now, it looks like working hard to complete the degree earlier than the typical cases was not the best idea :(

To be specific:
1. Is this expected?
2. If not, what should I do to get the 3 year permit?

Please note that my passport is valid till 2014, so that's not an issue here.
I will appreciate your suggestions.
It is not the length of the course, it is how long you studied.

From www.cic.gc.ca http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad-who.asp

Less than two years but more than eight months you may get a work permit for a period no longer than the length of time you studied (for example, if you studied for nine months, a work permit may be
issued for a period of nine months)
 

sohan

Newbie
Feb 12, 2011
3
1
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I read that clause as well. But I will call the CIC and get their say on this. It would be a bad example if they deprive me for becoming quicker than others in completing the degree requirements!
 

sohan

Newbie
Feb 12, 2011
3
1
Got my confirmation. Here's what they confirmed:

The length of post-grad work permit depends on the length of program, not on how long you take to complete it. So, if you spend 3 months to complete a 4 year program, you are eligible for a 3 year permit. Period.

In my case:
The university letter didn't clearly specify the official length of my program and just included my start and end dates. So, they put a note in my file about this. Good thing is I can apply for an extension with the letter from the university and writing a little explanation about it. The agent reconfirmed me that it will be ok and I will get 36 months of work-permit if I apply for extension. No LMO required.

Hope this helps someone in similar situation. To avoid this situation all together, just request your university to specify the degree's official length.
 

icecool222

Hero Member
Aug 1, 2010
378
16
sohan said:
Got my confirmation. Here's what they confirmed:

The length of post-grad work permit depends on the length of program, not on how long you take to complete it. So, if you spend 3 months to complete a 4 year program, you are eligible for a 3 year permit. Period.

In my case:
The university letter didn't clearly specify the official length of my program and just included my start and end dates. So, they put a note in my file about this. Good thing is I can apply for an extension with the letter from the university and writing a little explanation about it. The agent reconfirmed me that it will be ok and I will get 36 months of work-permit if I apply for extension. No LMO required.

Hope this helps someone in similar situation. To avoid this situation all together, just request your university to specify the degree's official length.

Hey buddy i am doing a diploma programe here which last for 2 years, and that is 2 academic years which consists of 4 4 months semester and the rest is holidays, does that means that i am not going to get a 3 year work permit, cic website says that a person can get three years of work permit if they have studied for 2 years, but is that academic years or the time you have studied.
 

waytogo

Newbie
Mar 12, 2011
5
0
Same question, icecool222, have you you got any anwser on it? I'm thinking of it, too, same lenght of program and holidays..
 

icecool222

Hero Member
Aug 1, 2010
378
16
waytogo said:
Same question, icecool222, have you you got any anwser on it? I'm thinking of it, too, same lenght of program and holidays..
i think if your college letter writes that u have studied for 2 years than they may give a 3 year work permit, but it is iindeed very confusing..
 

waytogo

Newbie
Mar 12, 2011
5
0
Thanks! At least it says on my invitation letter to college that i was accepted to a 2-year program :) maybe it will do :)