Apply after one year of graduation or should I wait until one year after PGWP

[513263337]

I graduated June 2011 and started working with the OCWP. I received the PGWP on September 2011. (It took a long time for them to process the PGWP application.)

Can I apply for CEC this year June (one year after graduation), or do I have to wait until this year September (one year after I got my PGWP)?

CIC website seems to be contradicting itself. One place it says during the transition you can use OCWP to work while you wait for your PGWP. (This seems to suggest that work experience obtained through this transition period under OCWP is okay). But another place says explicitely that only work experience obtained under PGWP is eligible and work experience obtained under OCWP is not.

So what gives?

[SenoritaBella]

The OCWP simply enables you to continue working while the pgwp is being processed. Any work experience obtained with it is not counted for CEC. Wait till September.

[error]

unless you graduated from a PhD program... in which case you could apply under FSW PhD stream
otherwise you have to accumulate 1 year full-time work experience

[lilyluvx]

unless you graduated from a PhD program... in which case you could apply under FSW PhD stream
otherwise you have to accumulate 1 year full-time work experience

I think what he wanted to ask is that does work exp obtained after graduation but under OCWP (while waiting for PGWP) count towards the one year full time work experience requested by CEC

[sorrymontana]

I submitted my thesis on April 15 2011 (read: fulfilled the requirements for graduation) and started working in May 2011, under Off-campus work permit. I got my post-graduation work permit in July 2011. I called CIC with the same question: will the first two months of my work be counted towards the one-year requirement, and the answer was yes, they will. On the other hand, CIC call center often gives incorrect answers, or contradicting answers if you talk to different people. Like, when I wasn;t sure weather my job would qualify for PR or not, because the job title and the job description did not match, the lady said: we go by job description, or, wait, let me check with someone else, no, we go by title. HR Canada answered in my email, that, in their opinion, job description matters but I should "double-check with CIC".

[draxz1289]

For CEC any experience gained with your off campus work permit or experience gained during co-op is not counted.

You will have to wait till september after you have gained your one year exp. on your pgwp

[lahorimunda]

The condition set by CIC for OCWP is for the period before completing the degree requirements when you are eligible to work only 20 hrs per week.

Once you complete your degree the OCWP allows you to work full time. The conditions of the work permit change once you finish your degree requirements. If you can work full time on that work permit, then why will they not accept the work experience as being post graduate?

[SenoritaBella]

Here's what the CEC guide says,

"Note: The experience must be acquired after you have completed the required study and obtained a Canadian credential (work performed under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or co-op work terms do not count)."

[jes_ON]

CIC website seems to be contradicting itself. One place it says during the transition you can use OCWP to work while you wait for your PGWP. (This seems to suggest that work experience obtained through this transition period under OCWP is okay). But another place says explicitely that only work experience obtained under PGWP is eligible and work experience obtained under OCWP is not.

So what gives?

Lots of us agree that the instructions are contradictory, and that all work performed post-graduation SHOULD count.  But unless/until CIC clarifies the rule, it is safer to assume that the work in the transition period (before you get the PGWP) does not count. 

[shah0076]

 Hello, sorrymontana did you apply yet for CEC if yes when did u apply plz tell me

[sorrymontana]

Hello, sorrymontana did you apply yet for CEC if yes when did u apply plz tell me

Hey,

No I haven't applied yet. I have chenged multiple jobs in the past year and stayed unemployed a few months so it takes me a bit longer to accumulate 1 year, plus I also think it's safer to wait a bit longer and not count on that work experience received on an off-campus work permit while waiting for PGWP. So I plan to be applying maybe in winter.

[shah0076]

i have a question i am a single applicant for CEC so just wondering in document check list number 12 question is identity and civil status documents  do i need to send copy of birth certificate and do i need put mark in this 12 number or not if i m single