PGWP Duration for a master extended by paying continuation fee

[moe_]

Hi,
I have a question regarding the post graduate work permit duration.

Let's assume I studied a 16 months (4 terms) Master's program. Given that the program duration is more than 8 months and less than 2 years, the PGWP should be 16 months, the same as the program duration.

Now let's assume I decided to take the program at a slower pace by paying a continuation fee and taking it instead in 20 months (5 terms). Will the PGWP be 16 months (the program original duration) or 20 months (the actual program duration) ?

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

16 months has been known to give both 16 months as well as 3 year pgwp. PGWP is given based on the length stated on the letter provided by your school after you complete the program.

 

[moe_]

16 months has been known to give both 16 months as well as 3 year pgwp. PGWP is given based on the length stated on the letter provided by your school after you complete the program.

Could you elaborate more on how 16 months could give both 16 months as well as 3 years?

To rephrase my question. Does the letter provided by the school states the original length of the program or the actual duration it took me to complete it?

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Could you elaborate more on how 16 months could give both 16 months as well as 3 years?

To rephrase my question. Does the letter provided by the school states the original length of the program or the actual duration it took me to complete it?

Because it is up to the discretion of the officer. 16 months is technically 2 academic years without scheduled breaks hence why most applicants get 3 years for this. But there have been cases where 16months only got the applicant 16 months - the VO interpreted the length as a literal amount.

From the website:
Note: Officers may issue 3‑year post-graduation work permits to individuals who complete a master’s or doctoral degree in Canada when the eligible DLI has confirmed in the written confirmation of program completion that the degree is 16 to 23 months in length, and does not include regularly scheduled breaks.
//

You will have to ask your school that question. I cannot answer that. Although if you are taking longer than normal to complete a program, make sure you are maintaining full time status unless last term. This usually means 3 classes/9credits

 

[moe_]

Okay

Because it is up to the discretion of the officer. 16 months is technically 2 academic years without scheduled breaks hence why most applicants get 3 years for this. But there have been cases where 16months only got the applicant 16 months - the VO interpreted the length as a literal amount.

From the website:
Note: Officers may issue 3‑year post-graduation work permits to individuals who complete a master’s or doctoral degree in Canada when the eligible DLI has confirmed in the written confirmation of program completion that the degree is 16 to 23 months in length, and does not include regularly scheduled breaks.
//

You will have to ask your school that question. I cannot answer that. Although if you are taking longer than normal to complete a program, make sure you are maintaining full time status unless last term. This usually means 3 classes/9credits

Okay thanks a lot this makes much sense now. So basically if the school explicitly mentioned in the confirmation letter that the program doesn't include scheduled breaks then I would probably get 3 years work permit. Otherwise, if they didn't explicitly mention that, it would be up to the discretion and interpretation of the VO.

I'll try to contact the school to check whether they mention that in their letters for my intended program or not.

 

[moe_]

Although if you are taking longer than normal to complete a program, make sure you are maintaining full time status unless last term. This usually means 3 classes/9credits

And thanks a lot for this tip. I'll keep it in mind when planning my program schedule.