Can I study for 2 to 4 weeks while I am holding a Post Graduate Work Permit?

[CanaCaribe]

Good evening. I hope this message finds you well.
I am presently in Canada on an open work permit. In fact, the Post Graduate Work Permit. I am interested in doing a short series of acting workshops in Vancouver. The first workshop is Monday – Friday 10:00am-3:00pm for two weeks resulting with a certificate of completion. Then, a month after that the second workshop is Monday – Friday 10:00am-3:00pm for two weeks resulting with a certificate of completion. I was wondering if I would still need a study permit to take the two short intensive workshops, thought they are a month apart and will be taken within less than 2 months? I understand that unless authorized I am prohibited from attending any educational institution, take any academic, professional or vocational training course while on PGWP. I was assuming that this was applicable to courses over 6 months. If I do need to be authorized to attend these workshops, would that mean that I would have to apply for a study permit? Can I even hold a study permit while on PGWP? If anyone can provide a reply, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerest regards

 

[primaprime]

A short acting workshop doesn't generally sound like something you'd need a study permit for, but it's a grey area if it leads to some sort of formal certificate.

R188(1)(c) states that you don't need a study permit if the duration is under six months and you will complete it "within the period of stay authorized upon entry into Canada," which is also ambiguous in your case. Courts have construed this provision rather narrowly.

 

[CanaCaribe]

Thank you for your reply. Agreed, there always seems to be some ambiguity with some of these issues. I have been investigating and there are grey areas in how to approach this matter.

 

[lostinquebec]

To answer your other question, technically yes it is possible to hold a study permit while having PGWP, it´s just that most people wouldn´t risk it because your work experience while being a student would get invalidated for PR purposes.

 

[CanaCaribe]

To answer your other question, technically yes it is possible to hold a study permit while having PGWP, it´s just that most people wouldn´t risk it because your work experience while being a student would get invalidated for PR purposes.

Good to note. Thank you!!