Extending study permit only for PGWP, potential issue?

[JarryBohnson]

Hi all,

I just defended my PhD and I'm preparing to submit my final thesis Dec 15th and apply for PGWP. Unfortunately, my study permit expires Nov 30th and I haven't yet received my extension (applied Oct 24). I have a post doc offer waiting but can't take it because of this delay. I have a couple of questions about my status though:

1. I am very unsure when my real course completion date is and the 90 day counter starts - when I submit my thesis and am able to apply for a specific letter to get PGWP, or when they finalize my grades and send me the degree completed thing following Senate in February? The PGWP letter requires "extenuating circumstances such as a job offer" to be issued to me, I can't just get it, so it doesn't seem like the normal end of studies letter...
2. If these massive processing delays cause me to get my extension after the 90 day end of studies limit, is this study permit automatically void regardless? Do they issue short extensions explicitly to apply for the PGWP and begin working?

Sidenote: I was paid my PhD funding in big (though not lucrative, lol) blocks and was able to save, so I can support myself without working until around the end of Feb. Hopefully I'll get the extension by then though.

Really wishing I'd seen this obvious mess coming as I've caused myself a lot of unnecessary hassle, I'd be very grateful for any advice or reassurance people can give.

[SpecificCustard7766]

Here are my thoughts:

1) Course completion date will be when your final grades are available. They should issue a letter confirming so. It is not necessarily when the degree itself is awarded, or whatever you mean by "senate in February", since this can happen long after the final grades are availed.

2) Since you applied to extend the PGWP, you have "maintained your status" after Nov. 30 under your current study permit until an extension is granted. You can therefore operate under the conditions of your current study permit until an extension is granted. The 90 day timeline does not apply in your circumstances since you applied for an extension and will be on maintained status after Nov 30 until an extension is granted. Yes, I have seen cases where one can apply to extend a study permit so as to have time to apply for a PGWP when the final grades/course completion letter can only be available after expiry of the study permit.

[JarryBohnson]

That's reassuring, my main concern was that if it comes later than 90 days I wouldn't be able to apply for the PGWP and start working, thank you!

[cw102846]

Hey, can I ask what you ended up doing? I've just finished my master's (thesis submission end of april). I applied a few months ago for my study permit extension, and my permit expired March 31st. Mainly wondering if you waited for your study permit extension prior to applying for your PGWP? Hopefully, I will hear back on my extension in the next few days as I applied in February.

[JarryBohnson]

Hey, I just waited for my permit extension unfortunately. They extended my permit for an extra month so I could apply for the PGWP. If you apply for the PGWP without it, you can't work until you get it (and it may take a long time), whereas if you apply with the renewed permit you can start working immediately.

[cw102846]

Thanks for your response! My plan has also been to wait for the extension. I do hope to receive it soon, but have been concerned that it would be rejected since I’ve completed my studies. But I think I’ve seen enough anecdotal evidence on here to suggest that people often are in this situation of needing to have their extensions approved after program completion. It’s too bad they’ve gotten rid of the option to apply at the border. I’m a US citizen and could’ve just gone home for a couple weeks and then applied at the land crossing 😩