Time not enough

[cedfeliz]

Before anything, I would like say hello to all!

I encounter myself in a situation where if possible, a little bit of advice would be greatly appreciated. If so, I will try to make this as short as possible guys.

Currently, I am in Canada under a 2 year Student Visa. I decided to study to become a Wind Turbine Tech, the program began in Jan 7, 2013. During my studies, after 6 months of course, I worked in a non skilled job with the Off-Campus work permit. Which will not help me towards applying for the CEC, I understand.

Now that I finished the program in December. I gladly accepted a job offer which starts mid February in Ontario. Which, leaves me currently applying for the Post Graduation work permit to be able to legally fulfill this position.

My issue is:

I will not have the required 12 months of full time work required by the CEC standards by the time my student visa ends in Dec 30, 2014.

The job is 44 hours a week plus overtime. Does this make any difference in terms of fulfilling the months needed with hours worked? (Full time is considered 30 hours a week)

If not, is there any option to bridge my work permit or visa to gain that extra month and a half I would be short of?

I really don't know what to do and would gladly accept any opinions or advice.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[iamroth]

Visa and permit are two different things.

Currently you don't need to worry about Visa. You need to worry about Work permit.

When does your PGWP expire ? Since your program was 1 year long, I believe you will receive 1 year PGWP.

You need 30 hr/week for 1 year.
Sadly 44 hr/week for 10 months, will not cover the required length, so will not 20 hr/week for 2 year.

Your employer have to apply for LMO before your PGWP expires.

 

[LPS]

Sadly 44 hr/week for 10 months, will not cover the required length, so will not 20 hr/week for 2 year.

I think you're saying 20 hours per week over two years doesn't qualify?

 

[Goku]

20 Hr/week for 2 years does qualify because its equivalent to 1 year of fulltime work.

 

[Goku]

@cedfeliz: you better start working on getting bridge work permit. which will get you some extra time
OR
In worst scenario: take admission in 1 years program in some college. Apply for study permit and off campus work permit again. Renew your visa, and then take drop from first semester and keep working for 40 hours a week, because OCWP will allow you to work fulltime when you are not taking school.

Good Luck

 

[scylla]

@ cedfeliz: you better start working on getting bridge work permit. which will get you some extra time

OP doesn't qualify for a BOWP.

 

[LPS]

20 Hr/week for 2 years does qualify because its equivalent to 1 year of fulltime work.

To be precise, it's equivalent to 1½ years full time. 30 hours is the threshold for 'full time'; (30 hours/week × 52 weeks/year × 1 year) = 1,560 hours = (20 hours/week × 52 weeks/year × 1.5 years).

Source - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=718&t=6

 

[cedfeliz]

Thanks to all.

I still don't know when my PGWP expires. I will apply next week when I receive my letter of confirmation from school.

Example scenario:

My student visa expires on December 30, 2014. If they issue a PGWP for one year, would it surpass my student visa expiry date? Or it ends at the same time?

Last night after intense research, I found that my current job qualifies under NOC: 7542 (Material Handler). Do you guys know if this NOC qualifies to apply for the CEC. If so, would the hours worked in this job count after my Dec 20, 2013 graduation date or when I receive my PGWP?

The other job starting in mid February qualifies under NOC: 7242 (Industrial Electrician).

You guys are very helpful. Thanks a lot.

 

[Goku]

Visa expiry date will depend on PGWP you get. Untill that no one can be sure about you expiry date. From my experience, if you graduated in December, 2013 then you will get PGWP till March 2015. But as I said I am not sure.

Currently, if you have valid Off campus work permit (allows to work 40 hours a week when not studying), then your experience counts from the next day you graduate, and you don't have valid OCWP then your experience will count from the day you get PGWP.

I was having the same issue; I called CIC and that's what they told me.

There no such NOC 7542. Please check it again.

NOC 7242 qualifies under OCCUPATION B. See matrix.

 

[iamroth]

20 Hr/week for 2 years does qualify because its equivalent to 1 year of fulltime work.

Aah completely forgot about part-time employment.

 

[cedfeliz]

Thanks Goku! You are awesome... and yeah you're right! It's 7452.
Mixed up the numbers! Hahaha.

Anyways, thanks for your expertise buddy. You just made my day.

 

[jes_ON]

My student visa expires on December 30, 2014. If they issue a PGWP for one year, would it surpass my student visa expiry date? Or it ends at the same time?

I'm not sure what the reason for confusion is, but your student permit expires when you cease to be a student (+ grace period). As soon as you obtain your PGWP, your student permit is replaced by the PGWP and you are no longer a student - you can remain in the country until the end of your PGWP (and can possibly obtain a new work permit after that to continue working).

I don't see the problem - if you keep the job, you should be able to gain a year's experience under the PGWP, since it can take a couple of months to process. Your post-graduation work on an off-campus work permit should count, but you'll probably have to document the date of graduation.

as for a VISA - you only need a visa to travel TO Canada (if you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country). If you plan to travel outside of Canada and return after your visa expires, you'll have to get a new one. But that's not a big deal.