Study Permit and Eligibility for PGWP

[Satveeraujla]

Hi there,

I would like to seek clarification on some concerns regarding study permit and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for my cousin. She came to Canada as a student and enrolled in a private-public partnership program for the January 2024 intake. She studied the Advanced Certificate in Business at Focus College in British Columbia, and her studies at the University of the Fraser Valley will begin in January 2025. Her program at the university is in General Studies.

Our concerns are as follows:

1. Is the General Studies program (8 months) eligible for a 3-year PGWP?
2. The program listed on her current study permit is "Business," but she will be studying General Studies at the university. Does she need to apply for a new study permit even though her current permit is valid until 2026?
3. Can someone study under implied status if they have applied for a new study permit?
4. Is it acceptable to change her university or program in this case?
5. Since this is a private-public partnership program, will the time she studied at Focus College be combined with the time spent at the University of the Fraser Valley when applying for the PGWP, or will it be considered only as a 1-year program?
6. If she changes her college and there is a gap between her studies while waiting for the processing of her transfer, will this affect her PGWP eligibility?

Thank you for your consideration and look forward for a response.

 

[Naturgrl]

When did she complete first program and change DLIs through IRCC?

1. No. It is an 8 month program. Also is it even eligible for PGWP under new criteria?
2. if changing schools and she hasn’t changed DLIs yet then she needs a new study permit.
3./4. No. She cannot study until new permit is approved.
5. Was Focus college eligible for PGWP? Is new program eligible for PGWP?
6. Yes especially if she is applying for a new study permit.

 

[Satveeraujla]

She is currently studying in the first program and it will finish in December 2024.

1. No, its not in the list under new criteria. Should they consider this program after November 2024? As she already had study permit before this date.
5. No, its a private college
6. If she continues studies under the same program (General Studies) at the university under the same study permit that she received at the port of entry then she needs to apply for new study permit?
Need some further clarification about changing college and apply for new study permit.

Thank You!

 

[Naturgrl]

She is currently studying in the first program and it will finish in December 2024.

1. No, its not in the list under new criteria. Should they consider this program after November 2024? As she already had study permit before this date.
5. No, its a private college
6. If she continues studies under the same program (General Studies) at the university under the same study permit that she received at the port of entry then she needs to apply for new study permit?
Need some further clarification about changing college and apply for new study permit.

Thank You!

1. If she hasn’t change DLIs with IRCC then she needs a new study permit. She cannot study at new DLI until it is approved. For PGWP, it needs to meet the new criteria as it is a new study permit.
5. If not eligible for PGWP, then still not eligible until she has new permit and program must meet requirements.
6. She cannot study with the same permit if the permit has Focus College as DLI.

 

[Satveeraujla]

1. If she hasn’t change DLIs with IRCC then she needs a new study permit. She cannot study at new DLI until it is approved. For PGWP, it needs to meet the new criteria as it is a new study permit.
5. If not eligible for PGWP, then still not eligible until she has new permit and program must meet requirements.
6. She cannot study with the same permit if the permit has Focus College as DLI.

Hi Naturgrl,

Thank you for your help and information.

Could you please suggest something for her like what she needs to do now? What is the best way to tackle this issuse?

Thank You!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi Naturgrl,

Thank you for your help and information.

Could you please suggest something for her like what she needs to do now? What is the best way to tackle this issuse?

Thank You!

She needs to get admission to a program that meets PGWP criteria. If going to a university, she needs to take a degree. If college, then there are specific fields. She also has to justify costs of the program showing career and education advancement. She also will have to explain why she is going to be staying in Canada so long as a visitor waiting for a study permit response.

 

[Satveeraujla]

She needs to get admission to a program that meets PGWP criteria. If going to a university, she needs to take a degree. If college, then there are specific fields. She also has to justify costs of the program showing career and education advancement. She also will have to explain why she is going to be staying in Canada so long as a visitor waiting for a study permit response.

Did she really needs to apply for visitor record as she already have valid study permit till 2026? To apply for a new study permit, she needs to show funds or just needs to pay the fees for the new college.

If there no DLI number on your study permit then still needs to change (re-apply) the permit?

 

[canuck78]

Canadian colleges and universities never cease to amaze me. What is a diploma in general studies??? Might as well call it random diploma for international students.

 

[Satveeraujla]

Canadian colleges and universities never cease to amaze me. What is a diploma in general studies??? Might as well call it random diploma for international students.

It says as a Diploma in General Studies

 

[Naturgrl]

Did she really needs to apply for visitor record as she already have valid study permit till 2026? To apply for a new study permit, she needs to show funds or just needs to pay the fees for the new college.

If there no DLI number on your study permit then still needs to change (re-apply) the permit?

Her permit has not name or DLI? Is she still studying? If she starts a new program it must meet criteria to be eligible for PGWP.

 

[scylla]

Did she really needs to apply for visitor record as she already have valid study permit till 2026? To apply for a new study permit, she needs to show funds or just needs to pay the fees for the new college.

If there no DLI number on your study permit then still needs to change (re-apply) the permit?

It seems like she doesn't understand the process or rules. At this point I think her best option is to hire an immigration lawyer to help her to avoid errors that could impact her status in Canada and her plans.

If her goal is PR, the studies she currently has planned likely won't get her there. Something to consider.

 

[Satveeraujla]

Her permit has not name or DLI? Is she still studying? If she starts a new program it must meet criteria to be eligible for PGWP.

Study permit has a program name as a Business but do not have DLI number. Yes, she is studying at Focus College.
So my question is, she has to change her program and college/university right.

 

[scylla]

Study permit has a program name as a Business but do not have DLI number. Yes, she is studying at Focus College.
So my question is, she has to change her program and college/university right.

New study permit if she is switching DLIs. The new rules can into effect as of Nov 8th.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/change-schools.html

 

[Satveeraujla]

New study permit if she is switching DLIs. The new rules can into effect as of Nov 8th.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/change-schools.html

Thank you everyone for the information.