Duration of study for CEC visa

[captain cook]

Hi,

The minimum duration for studies in Canada is said to be 16 months (plus one year of work experience) to apply for a CEC visa. If I finish my master program in 3 semester instead of four, then will I be disqualified?

Thank you

 

[SenoritaBella]

If you complete the program in 3 semesters(i.e. 12 months of full-time studies) you will not be eligible under the graduate stream. However, you can apply under the foreign worker stream after obtaining 24 months of skilled full-time work experience. Your post-graduate work permit will likely be issued for a maximum of 18 months.

Here's what the guide says:

Experience: Education requirements for Graduates

You must have studied in a program of study or training with a full-time duration of at least 16 months (i.e. two academic years of at least 8 months excluding scheduled breaks, such as summer holidays, in the calculation). The definition of full-time studies is left to individual post-secondary institutions. Full-time studies could also include any period of training in the workplace that forms part of the course of study.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5609ETOC.asp

 

[jes_ON]

The minimum duration for studies in Canada is said to be 16 months (plus one year of work experience) to apply for a CEC visa. If I finish my master program in 3 semester instead of four, then will I be disqualified?

3 semesters will not meet the education requirement for the post-graduate stream.

If you are in Ontario, you could apply through the PNP program - not sure about other provinces.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/index.htm

 

[cjohn1407]

I might be wrong here,but guide mentions "duration of program" (which is mentioned on offer letter) rather than "duration of study".

 

[jes_ON]

I might be wrong here,but guide mentions "duration of program" (which is mentioned on offer letter) rather than "duration of study".

You are correct in that the language of the guide may appear contradictory and confusing, and it would help matters greatly if CIC clarified it. By emphasizing the duration of the program, they want to avoid having people combining shorter courses over two years (e.g. two one-year certificate programs). It appears that the possibility of completing a 2 year program in less than 2 years never occurred to them.

Nonetheless, if you read through the posts on this forum, you will see that applications have been denied because of this. It must be at least 2 years (16 months/4 semesters) of attendance, plus the completion of the program and award of degree/diploma/certificate...

For additional information, you can refer to the OP 25 -
www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op25-eng.pdf

 

[cjohn1407]

Thanks jes_on.I had almost same question in another post.Last time I had called CIC, they told me that anyone in that case can't be penalised to complete it early.Next time,they told me that he/she wouldn't qualify.