Doubts on SOWP and PGWP

[andrews17]

Hi guys.

I'm studying and my wife is working on a SOWP. I'll finish my studies next April and I'll apply for a PGWP. We know that when I finish my studies, she has to stop working and wait some weeks after I start working to be able to apply for a work permit extension.

She recently got a job as a Home Support Worker and is doing really fine. Is there any way she can avoid quitting her job and keep working after I finish my studies? Any advice?

 

[scylla]

Hi guys.

I'm studying and my wife is working on a SOWP. I'll finish my studies next April and I'll apply for a PGWP. We know that when I finish my studies, she has to stop working and wait some weeks after I start working to be able to apply for a work permit extension.

She recently got a job as a Home Support Worker and is doing really fine. Is there any way she can avoid quitting her job and keep working after I finish my studies? Any advice?

Her employer can get an approved LMIA and she can switch to a closed work permit.

 

[andrews17]

Her employer can get an approved LMIA and she can switch to a closed work permit.

Thanks. We did think about that option earlier but I don't think her employer will do all the paperwork required. I've also read that the LMIA approval is taking a couple of months, which we don't have.

 

[scylla]

Thanks. We did think about that option earlier but I don't think her employer will do all the paperwork required. I've also read that the LMIA approval is taking a couple of months, which we don't have.

To be clear, she can continue working as long as her SOWP is valid (she doesn't have to stop working as soon as you stop your studies - she can continue working as long as her SOWP is valid). However to extend the SOWP and for her to be able to continue working without stopping, you must be working in a NOC A, B or 0 role and be able to provide 3 payslips along with an employment letter to prove it. And yes, this would of course be after you apply for the PGWP.

Only alternative is the LMIA and closed work permit.

 

[canuck78]

Thanks. We did think about that option earlier but I don't think her employer will do all the paperwork required. I've also read that the LMIA approval is taking a couple of months, which we don't have.

You can find a job in NOC 0, A or B that starts before you graduate or as soon as you graduate so she can apply for the extension before her OWP expires.

 

[andrews17]

To be clear, she can continue working as long as her SOWP is valid (she doesn't have to stop working as soon as you stop your studies - she can continue working as long as her SOWP is valid). However to extend the SOWP and for her to be able to continue working without stopping, you must be working in a NOC A, B or 0 role and be able to provide 3 payslips along with an employment letter to prove it. And yes, this would of course be after you apply for the PGWP.

Only alternative is the LMIA and closed work permit.

Yeah, kind of figuring out it's the only way. I guess she'll have to quit and try to get it back after I can get the three payslips.

 

[andrews17]

I just want to see if I'm clear with what I understand from my SP and my wife's SOWP.

1. My program finishes on April 22nd (as stated by my college). That's the last day my wife and I can work, even if our permits expire in July.
2. I can only apply for a PGWP when my college gives me the official transcripts, a letter stating that I completed my program, or when I get my diploma (whichever I get first).
3. I can start working as soon as I enter the PGWP application. There is no need to wait for the approval.
4. After getting a job with my PGWP, I must wait to get three payslips to apply for a new OWP for my wife.

I'm getting close to the end date of my program, and I want to be sure I understand all the conditions. I think I'm good with most of these points, except for #1. I know I must stop working as soon as I finish my classes, but not sure if my wife too or if she can continue working until her work permit expires. I can't find any specific information on Canada's website.

I'll appreciate your help.

 

[scylla]

I just want to see if I'm clear with what I understand from my SP and my wife's SOWP.

1. My program finishes on April 22nd (as stated by my college). That's the last day my wife and I can work, even if our permits expire in July.
2. I can only apply for a PGWP when my college gives me the official transcripts, a letter stating that I completed my program, or when I get my diploma (whichever I get first).
3. I can start working as soon as I enter the PGWP application. There is no need to wait for the approval.
4. After getting a job with my PGWP, I must wait to get three payslips to apply for a new OWP for my wife.

I'm getting close to the end date of my program, and I want to be sure I understand all the conditions. I think I'm good with most of these points, except for #1. I know I must stop working as soon as I finish my classes, but not sure if my wife too or if she can continue working until her work permit expires. I can't find any specific information on Canada's website.

I'll appreciate your help.

1. Again, no. See my previous post above. Your wife can continue working until the expiry date in July. It's only you who has to stop working. So based on the July date, it is in fact possible that this could work out without your wife having to stop working if you find and start a job fast enough (and have the paperwork to apply for the PGWP).
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.

 

[andrews17]

1. Again, no. See my previous post above. Your wife can continue working until the expiry date in July. It's only you who has to stop working. So based on the July date, it is in fact possible that this could work out without your wife having to stop working if you find and start a job fast enough (and have the paperwork to apply for the PGWP).
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.

Wow, this is a big game-changer for me (positively speaking). I can't recall why was I so sure that we both had to stop working as soon as I finished my studies. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[wonderbly]

1. Again, no. See my previous post above. Your wife can continue working until the expiry date in July. It's only you who has to stop working. So based on the July date, it is in fact possible that this could work out without your wife having to stop working if you find and start a job fast enough (and have the paperwork to apply for the PGWP).
2. Yes.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.

Actually, he can also continue working (usual allowed 20/wk) until he gets his completion letter from his uni. He needs to stop working on the day he gets completion letter until he submits an application for PGWP (or start a new study program), after which he can then continue working full-time under implied status.

Like you previously noted, his wife can continue working even after he's finished his studies but will need to stop as soon as the permit expires, provided he hasn't yet applied for his PGWP. If he has (and also applied for her SOWP extension), she can continue working uninterrupted.