applying for post graduate from visitor visa

[strawbar]

Hi Guys. I have a friend who asks this question to me and it got me confusing too.
He had a student visa till at the end of November, but because all the courses are done in a month, school adviser told to extend it as a visitor since it is only a month left. Now he needs to change from visitor to a post graduate visa. Do you think it would be a problem for him to be a visitor status for a month while he was at the school? and would it be possible to change it to a post graduate visa?

Thank you in advance...

 

[scylla]

Yes - it's definitely going to be a problem. You can't change from a visitor visa to a PGWP. You must be holding a valid study permit at the time you apply for a PGWP. Without a valid study permit, the PGWP is guaranteed to be refused. You also cannot study a program greater than six months in length on a visitor visa. I don't see a way to resolve this issue. I think you've unfortunately lost your opportunity to qualify and apply for a PGWP.

 

[strawbar]

thank you so much!!

Chances would be really low to get it even though with an explanation? ??? ???

 

[scylla]

thank you so much!!

Chances would be really low to get it even though with an explanation? ??? ???

I'm not sure what there is to explain. It was your friend's responsibility to understand the rules of his study permit and to keep his status valid in Canada. CIC won't accept the explanation that someone else told him to do it. They will hold him responsible for his actions.

Again, it's not possible to obtain a PGWP without a valid study permit. So the first thing your friend would have to do is apply for and get an approved study permit again. Also, he needs to apply for the PGWP within 90 days of finishing his program - and I'm not sure there's time. Lastly, there's the fact he engaged in illegally studies by attending school while on a visitor visa.

I don't see how this can possibly work out. I think your friend has lost his chance at a PGWP.