The information in this section has been reviewed by International Student Advisors on September 18th, 2023. Recent updates will be indicated in the date below.
Immigration
Working in Canada
How will my PGWP application be impacted if I had part-time terms or took terms off?
Continuous full-time enrollment in each academic session (term) throughout your studies at SFU, is one of the requirements you must meet under the PGWP Program, with only a few exceptions listed below:
- Part-time studies in the final term;
- Not enrolled or enrolled part-time in Spring and/or Summer 2020 as a part of temporary COVID-19 measures; or
- An authorized leave up to 150 days.
** Please note that SFU does not have a formal leave of absence process in place for undergraduate students.
For SFU undergraduate students, the Spring and Fall terms are considered academic sessions for immigration purposes. For SFU graduate students, the Spring, Summer and Fall terms are considered academic sessions for immigration purposes.
If you took an authorized leave from study - SFU graduate students
You can include a confirmation of enrollment letter from the term(s) which you were on a leave of absence in addition to any other documentation supporting your “on- leave” status for those terms (e.g. signed leave of absence request form) in your PGWP application. Your final transcript will also confirm on leave status in the applicable term(s).
If you took a Spring or Fall term off from study - SFU undergraduate students
If you took a Spring or Fall term off during your studies, you must include a letter from SFU confirming SFU's leave policy for undergraduate students in your PGWP application. You can download this letter from the SFU website under 'FAQs' --> 'I have been asked to provide a letter to confirm SFU's enrollment and undergraduate leave policy. How do I get this letter?'
For students who were not able to maintain continuous full-time enrollment in all academic terms at SFU (e.g. you studied part time, took a term off, or took an authorized leave from study), it is strongly recommended that you must include a letter of explanation with your PGWP application detailing your unique circumstance(s). Depending on the circumstances, supporting documents may also be submitted as evidence of reason/s for any gaps in your full-time enrollment.
Enrolled part time or took a term off in the Spring 2020 and/or Summer 2020 term(s)
If you were unable to maintain full-time enrollment (e.g. you dropped to part-time studies or took the term off) in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19, it should not negatively impact your eligibility for the post-graduation work permit. To demonstrate how your studies in Spring and or Summer 2020 were impacted by COVID-19, you should include the following documents in your application:
- A letter of explanation to the immigration officer explaining why you were not able to maintain full-time enrollment.
- SFU’s announcement on updates and changes to academic policies and procedures for the Spring and Summer 2020 terms (e.g. in-person instruction cancelled for the Spring 2020 term, the extended withdrawal period for the Spring term), and any other relevant correspondence you have received from SFU.
- IRCC’s Program Delivery Instructions referencing the flexibility on full-time enrollment requirements for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 due to COVID-19 (scroll down to the heading "Part-time status")
If you had part-time term(s) or took term(s) off (unless you meet one of the exceptions), it will impact your eligiblity for the post-graduation work permit. In preparation for your PGWP application, you should write a letter of explanation and gather the supporting documents. Note that the final decision on your PGWP application will be made at the discretion of the immigration officer processing your application.
When processing your application, IRCC may contact you to request additional documents to assess your eligibility. Note that the final decision will be made at the discretion of the immigration officer who processes your application. Therefore, you should provide a clear explanation, along with any applicable supporting documentation as evidence of the reason/s you could not study full time.
If you have any additional questions or if one of the following situations applies to you, contact our International Student Advisors, Immigration Specialists to discuss the impacts and how you can strengthen your PGWP application:
- You did not maintain the continuous full-time enrollment requirement throughout your program of studies.
- You plan to take a break from studies during an academic session/term, or you will be away from your studies for multiple terms, or
- You plan to enroll (study) enrolling part time during a regular academic session.
This page was last updated on Nov 6, 2024.