If you’re an international student in Canada and planning to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), it’s essential to stay a full-time student throughout your program. However, there are two key exceptions to this rule:
- You take an authorized leave of absence
- You’re in your final semester of your program
In this article, we’ll explain when can you be a part-time student & still get a PGWP in Canada.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
What Does “Full-Time Student” Actually Mean?
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a full-time student is someone who is enrolled in at least 15 hours of instruction per week during the academic year. This instruction could be in the classroom or involve practical training that’s part of your study program.
However, what qualifies as full-time may vary depending on your school. Ultimately, your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) will determine whether you’re considered a full-time student. Most DLIs use the number of weekly instructional hours to define full-time status, so it’s important to confirm with your institution what qualifies as a full-time course load in your specific program.
Taking A School-Approved Break From Studies
If you wish to know when can you be a part-time student & still get a PGWP in Canada, then another thing to discuss is taking a school-approved break from studies.
In certain situations, students may take a break from their studies with official permission from their school. This is called an “authorized leave of absence.”
An authorized leave means you’ve received approval from your DLI to temporarily pause your studies, and this leave must not be longer than 150 days.
To qualify, the reason for your leave needs to fall under one of these categories:
- Medical issues or pregnancy
- A family emergency
- Serious illness or death in the family
- Any other school-approved reason
- The school closed permanently or due to a strike
- You have transferred to a new school
- You or the school have deferred the start date of your program
If you take a leave, you must be ready to resume your studies in the next available semester, even if it begins before the 150-day mark. Also, you must have a new letter of acceptance from your DLI if your program start is deferred.
It is also vital to note that during an authorized leave, you cannot work either on or off-campus, even if your study permit states that you’re allowed to work.
You don’t need to notify IRCC when taking a leave. However, when you apply for your PGWP, you’ll need to prove:
- Your leave was approved by your DLI
- It did not exceed 150 days
Studying Part-Time In Your Last Semester
If you’re in your final semester, you are allowed to study part-time and still be eligible for the PGWP. This is the only time you can be part-time without taking a formal leave and still qualify.
When applying for your PGWP, it’s a good idea to include a note in the “additional client information” section of your application, explaining that you were part-time in your final semester.
However, it is vital to note that you cannot apply for a PGWP during your final semester.
You have to wait until you’ve officially completed your program.
To apply for a PGWP, you’ll need either:
- An official letter from your DLI confirming completion of your program; or
- An official transcript or copy of your transcript
PGWP Application Timeline
You have up to 180 days after receiving your final marks to apply for a PGWP.
If you apply before your study permit expires, you’re allowed to work full-time right away, even while waiting for your PGWP decision.
If your study permit expires before you apply, you still have 90 days to apply for a PGWP, but you’ll also need to restore your student status.
To restore your status:
- Apply online for your PGWP and pay the application fee ($255)
- Pay the additional restoration fee ($389.75)
Because of IRCC’s system limitations, you need to pay the restoration fee separately online, and attach the receipt to your PGWP application.
No separate application form is needed for the restoration.
Note that you cannot work while your status is being restored and your PGWP is still in process.
If you don’t apply within 90 days of your permit expiring or if it’s already been over 90 days, you must leave Canada and apply for your PGWP from outside the country.
By understanding and following these rules, international students can stay on track to secure a Post-Graduation Work Permit, even if life throws a few curveballs along the way.
Whether it’s taking a break for personal reasons or finishing off your final semester with a lighter course load, knowing your rights and responsibilities will help you make informed decisions that won’t hurt your PGWP eligibility.
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