Study permit extension Unauthorized Work for 3 weeks by mistake

[ravalance]

Hi,

I will be applying an extension of student permit soon. I just found out on May 14 that I should have stopped working after graduating from my previous studies(April 11). I now have 3 weeks of unauthorized part time work(20 hours each). I consulted a lawyer and this person said that I should disclose the information on the imm5709 form and write a letter of explanation for my lack of understanding. My lawyer said everything is gonna be okay because immigration officers will always look at the bigger picture and had clients who were in a worse scenario that I am.

I need opinions.

Here is a timeline of the events

April 11 - graduation of previous study
April 12 to May 3 - continued to work without authorization
May 4 - received letter of acceptance from new school. So that means I can work now.

How will this affect my extension of study permit application?

How will this affect my application of CoOp work permit, PGWP, and PR?

 

[k.h.p.]

You've hired a lawyer to represent you. Lawyers are more qualified to comment on your case that anonymous volunteers.

I'm quite surprised that you didn't know that you had to stop working once you received confirmation you completed studies.

 

[ravalance]

You've hired a lawyer to represent you. Lawyers are more qualified to comment on your case that anonymous volunteers.

I did not hire a lawyer to represent me. I consulted a lawyer. I should edit my OP.

Edit: It's just anxiety and stress taking me over. My lawyer said that everything will be okay but this is just bugging me either way.

It was my ignorance that I should have stopped working after graduation. So I take full responsibility for that.

 

[k.h.p.]

Three weeks of unauthorized work could be an issue. Most schools are very good at reminding international students that they are not permitted to work once they have completed their studies. Add into that your obvious plans to stay in Canada until you have permanent status, when you apply for various things, IRCC could look at your applications a little bit more closely.

I would recommend you have legal advice. 3 weeks of unauthorized work could be nothing. It may well be. But it may not be at the same time. IRCC does not always look "at the big picture," and if they did, in your case, they'd see someone going from study permit to study permit with a goal of PR - which may normally make you unlikely to get a study permit in the first place.

 

[H_arman22]

I'm quite surprised that you didn't know that you had to stop working once you received confirmation you completed studies.

Im confused.i thought that a student can work after graduation..as long as they applied for pgwp and are waiting approval for it

 

[canuck78]

Im confused.i thought that a student can work after graduation..as long as they applied for pgwp and are waiting approval for it

They had applied to another program and had not been admitted yet. They weren’t applying for pgwp.

 

[ravalance]

They had applied to another program and had not been admitted yet. They weren’t applying for pgwp.

In my case, I am applying for a subsequent study permit/extension which will be for September 2019.

 

[ravalance]

Three weeks of unauthorized work could be an issue. Most schools are very good at reminding international students that they are not permitted to work once they have completed their studies. Add into that your obvious plans to stay in Canada until you have permanent status, when you apply for various things, IRCC could look at your applications a little bit more closely.

I would recommend you have legal advice. 3 weeks of unauthorized work could be nothing. It may well be. But it may not be at the same time. IRCC does not always look "at the big picture," and if they did, in your case, they'd see someone going from study permit to study permit with a goal of PR - which may normally make you unlikely to get a study permit in the first place.

Already took legal advice. They said to just disclose the information on my imm5709 form and attach a letter of explanation. My lawyer gave me a format too and notes.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi,

I will be applying an extension of student permit soon. I just found out on May 14 that I should have stopped working after graduating from my previous studies(April 11). I now have 3 weeks of unauthorized part time work(20 hours each). I consulted a lawyer and this person said that I should disclose the information on the imm5709 form and write a letter of explanation for my lack of understanding. My lawyer said everything is gonna be okay because immigration officers will always look at the bigger picture and had clients who were in a worse scenario that I am.

I need opinions.

Here is a timeline of the events

April 11 - graduation of previous study
April 12 to May 3 - continued to work without authorization
May 4 - received letter of acceptance from new school. So that means I can work now.

How will this affect my extension of study permit application?

How will this affect my application of CoOp work permit, PGWP, and PR?

You were allowed to continue working part-time after finishing your previous studies as long as you hadn't received confirmation of program completion.

 

[ravalance]

You were allowed to continue working part-time after finishing your previous studies as long as you hadn't received confirmation of program completion.

Read the thread please. April 11 is graduation. So that includes my diploma and my transcripts.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Read the thread please. April 11 is graduation. So that includes my diploma and my transcripts.

I read it. Graduation doesn't always equal program completion.

 

[k.h.p.]

I read it. Graduation doesn't always equal program completion.

Exactly. At a university where you complete final exams in April, grades are posted in early May, and your convocation isn't until October, you have completed studies when final grades are posted in May. (Technically, at a university, you have completed studies when the Senate approves your degree)

 

[ravalance]

Exactly. At a university where you complete final exams in April, grades are posted in early May, and your convocation isn't until October, you have completed studies when final grades are posted in May. (Technically, at a university, you have completed studies when the Senate approves your degree)

I did not study in a university. To make it simple, I received my transcripts and diploma by April 11. I should not have worked between April 12 - May 3.

 

[k.h.p.]

I did not study in a university. To make it simple, I received my transcripts and diploma by April 11. I should not have worked between April 12 - May 3.

Doesn't matter if you were in a university or not. If your classes ended March 15 and you got a notice from the college March 26 that you had completed and your diploma would be awarded April 11, you were supposed to stop working March 26.

If you truly received no notification of completion until April 11, then yes, you were supposed to stop working April 11.

 

[nancystr]

Already took legal advice. They said to just disclose the information on my imm5709 form and attach a letter of explanation. My lawyer gave me a format too and notes.

Hi Ravalance, are you able to send me a copy of the letter format? I'm in a similar boat (accidentally worked for 2 weeks after graduation, which I now realise was unauthorised) and I don't know what to put in the LOE!