Started full-time work before received final graduation confirmation

[513263337]

My situation is a little bit subtle, and I would definitely appreciate any help possible. Thanks in advance.

So I finished all my university courses in 2010.12. And because my university doesn't assess your graduation eligibility until the next convocation which is 2011.6, so it was only until 2011.6 that I received the final graduation confirmation letter from the university. Then I took the letter and applied for Post-Graduation Work Permit, and received the permit in 2011.9.

The problem is, back in 2011.3, I started a full-time job with my off-campus work permit, and continued the job until now.

So a summary of events:

2010.12: finished all courses, and waiting for university's graduation letter
2011.3:   started full-time work with off-campus work permit
2011.6:   received final graduation confirmation letter from university, and used it to apply for PGWP
2011.9:   received PGWP

I'm planning to apply for CEC in 2012.6 (one year experience is 2011.6 ~ 2012.6)

My question is, the time that I worked between 2011.3 and 2011.6, is it legal?

I heard people saying that I shouldn't have worked full-time during that period and I'm really worried.

And, if that period of work was indeed illegal, what effect would it bring to my CEC application? Will they turn down my CEC application just because the period 2011.3 ~ 2011.6 was illegal, even if I didn't use this period in the one year calculation?

[rainnybob]

My situation is a little bit subtle, and I would definitely appreciate any help possible. Thanks in advance.

So I finished all my university courses in 2010.12. And because my university doesn't assess your graduation eligibility until the next convocation which is 2011.6, so it was only until 2011.6 that I received the final graduation confirmation letter from the university. Then I took the letter and applied for Post-Graduation Work Permit, and received the permit in 2011.9.

The problem is, back in 2011.3, I started a full-time job with my off-campus work permit, and continued the job until now.

So a summary of events:

2010.12: finished all courses, and waiting for university's graduation letter
2011.3:   started full-time work with off-campus work permit
2011.6:   received final graduation confirmation letter from university, and used it to apply for PGWP
2011.9:   received PGWP

I'm planning to apply for CEC in 2012.6 (one year experience is 2011.6 ~ 2012.6)

My question is, the time that I worked between 2011.3 and 2011.6, is it legal?

I heard people saying that I shouldn't have worked full-time during that period and I'm really worried.

And, if that period of work was indeed illegal, what effect would it bring to my CEC application? Will they turn down my CEC application just because the period 2011.3 ~ 2011.6 was illegal, even if I didn't use this period in the one year calculation?


Hi there. I am also applying under CEC. Regarding your work period, its better not to mention it as full time even though it was. U can accumulate 1094 working hrs as part time. This I got by speaking to an agent of CIC. I had one question if you can help me out too. I use to work part time when I was going to university. As only 20 hrs is legal on off campus work permit, I accumulated more then that. My question is it required to mention that I was working part time in the " Personal History" question. Please let me know. Thanks

[lithium002]

The work you did during the time your graduation assessment was going through isn't illegal if you had a valid off-campus work permit and study permit. The off-campus work permit also allows you to work if you have finished your degree, and are waiting for your post-graduation work permit. However, the thing that I'm a little confused about your application is why it took you a while to get your graduation letter. Did you already have some form of confirmation that you will graduate during your last semester? Did you just apply for graduation late?

Any work you performed during your waiting period isn't illegal though. I remember that when it was my last semester, I contacted the Registrar's office and received a confirmation that proceeding my successful completion of the courses I was enrolled in, I would be eligible for graduation. You might already know that after you graduate, you have a 90 days window within which you can apply for the graduation work permit. My adviser at the International Student's office advised me to apply as close to the 90 days as possible to extend my stay, because she said the off-campus gives you authorization to work if you're waiting for your graduation work-permit and have successfully finished your degree and been told you're going to graduate from the school.

[lithium002]

Also remember that any work performed after graduation and not after receiving your post-grad work permit counts towards your CEC application i.e. any work you did from 2011.03 will count as long as it was in the skilled-class NOC categories, and you knew you had successfully graduated and were just awaiting convocation, etc

[shah0076]

Hello my senior ,
my question also similar can anybody tell i finished study 2011 april i start work off campus work permit 2011 may but post grad work permit came 2011 july so from may to july my work will count full time for apply cec can i apply 2012 may or should i wait 2012 july plsease can anyone answer this question.
Thank you

[Andy2109]

Your actual work will count starting only July 2011. You will have to wait until July 2012 to apply.