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Everyone's situation is different, and a visa officer will assess your friend's application based on his situation. I don't think it's important whether your college is participating or not, it will only mean a difficulty of obtaining a post-graduation work permit. Your friend can transfer to a participating institution later on if he does not have sufficient funds to apply to one of the recognized colleges at the moment. Also, I repeat that it's not illegal to have a work permit and study permit at the same time, they don't automatically cancel each other. Seniors, where do you take this info from? Please, provide the source and otherwise don't discourage people from achieving their goals.
 
You're right - they don't cancel each other. The newest permit cancels the previous one. Your permit should say on it "Not valid/allowed" then study or work. So if the newest is your work permit, it is your valid permit and no longer allows you to study.

All the information provided by CIC on their website indicates students are only eligible for an OCWP. Off Campus Work Permit is fine 100% legal.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp

The biggest hint of all is when you hold a study permit and apply for a work permit, you are changing your status. Here is the online application package. Note the title says change your status or extend your study permit.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-student.asp
 
amikety said:
You're right - they don't cancel each other. The newest permit cancels the previous one. Your permit should say on it "Not valid/allowed" then study or work. So if the newest is your work permit, it is your valid permit and no longer allows you to study.

All the information provided by CIC on their website indicates students are only eligible for an OCWP. Off Campus Work Permit is fine 100% legal.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp

The biggest hint of all is when you hold a study permit and apply for a work permit, you are changing your status. Here is the online application package. Note the title says change your status or extend your study permit.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-student.asp
It says change conditions, NOT status. I think it's a common misunderstanding on this forum, because I know a few people including myself who came as workers and then got a study permit and continued working for their employers. Also, before CIC changed the look of their website, there was a recommendation from CIC for students who want to work off-campus full-time to apply for LMO. Because a Study Permit says not allowed to work unless authorized, it doesn't mean you cannot apply for authorization. People shouldn't accept things literally, logic can be very useful sometimes.