PGWP query

[mah121]

Hi guys ,

I couldnt find a valid answer, but if someone experienced can clarify this for me will be of great help. I currently hold PGWP and was thinking to take some professional courses, my concern is can I take them while having PGWP ?? or is there any other option for me . Thanks for your help !!!

[crama123]

I am not very sure about the rules. But just a thought. Do you see any conditions on your WP document ?

I am on a WP here and my WP document clearly says "UNLESS AUTHORIZED, MUST NOT ATTEND ANY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OR TAKE ANY ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE. "

So wondering if you have any thing printed in similar lines...

[mah121]

Yes on my PGWP i have the same as yours thats why I was thinking that even tho I am not attending any institution, is it possible to take any professional course online.

[saadt]

I am currently working on a 3 years post graduate work permit and I am also doing CGA. I applied for study permit extension yesterday.

[mah121]

Thanks for the reply ! Can you have study permit and PGWP at the same time ? And also on what basis I can apply for the study permit as I already finished university last year.

[PMM]

Hi

Thanks for the reply ! Can you have study permit and PGWP at the same time ? And also on what basis I can apply for the study permit as I already finished university last year.

No, you can't have both.  Either a work permit or a study permit.  (Although full time students in approved schools can get off-campus work permits after 6 months)

[mah121]

Thanks for reply PMM . So is there anyway out that I can take a professional designation (CGA)  as I am currently a PGWP holder ?

[mah121]

Also Saadt, once you get the study permit, will your PGWP be cancelled ? As you cant have both at the same time ??

[saadt]

Ok now u guys are scaring me. Who said we cant have both PGWP and study permit? I have called CIC twice and they have said yes you can have both.

[saadt]

Hi


I think you are talking about the time when we arrive in Canada and start our university. Then we can apply for work permit after 6 months. I have called CIC and they have said even with PGWP, you can apply for study permit if you want to study further.

No, you can't have both.  Either a work permit or a study permit.  (Although full time students in approved schools can get off-campus work permits after 6 months)

[mah121]

I also called CIC today and got the same repsonse as you did but just wanted to make sure so I called internationl office at my University and also one other, spoke to the advisors and was told that you cant have both at the same time. Advisor told me that yes you can apply for the study permit if you want to but that might end up cancelling your PGWP and as PGWP is only one time shot you will not be eligible to apply for it again.

 I am on the same boat as you, I have all the courses needed for CGA and want to pursue it as my future path but cant afford to take any risks. If any seniors can clarify this will be of great help ??

[saadt]

Okay so this is the third time I called CIC. I just talked to them again and the agent said you can have both pgwp and study permit with absolute certainty. I think we should only trust CIC rather than university international centre or anyone else. Because CIC are the ones who issues all the permits. I have already applied for study permit so let's see. I'll probably know in 2-3 weeks. And I have also paid around $1800 to register for a CGA course.

[mah121]

I called CIC again right now and got the same answer as yours. Wish you all the very best and saadt, how long is the duration that you put on your study permit ?

Also I want to go for CGA as well, did they provide you with any letter so you can apply for the permit ?

[jes_ON]

Yes on my PGWP i have the same as yours thats why I was thinking that even tho I am not attending any institution, is it possible to take any professional course online.

mah - online courses and programs are exempt from the restriction - you don't need a permit for those, because you could take an online course anywhere in the world, and you could take an online course in Canada from outside Canada.

See Courses that do not require a study permit:
- distance learning

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5269ETOC.asp

[mah121]

Thanks Jes for your reply. Can you also clarify if someone having PGWP and get study permit (if the program is more than 6 months), do you think that the study permit will restrict the hours on PGWP ? As for a normal study permit you can work 20hrs off campus so I was thinking in that context as I dont want that I apply for the study permit and next thing it impacts my PGWP. Any thoughts on this ?