How will my PGWP application be impacted if I had part-time terms or took terms off?

With the exceptions of part-time studies in the final term (applicable to SFU undergraduate and graduate students) and period(s) of authorized leave from study (applicable to SFU graduate students only), continuous full-time enrollment in each academic session throughout your studies is a requirement that you must meet to be eligible for the PGWP. 

** 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 their 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 should 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?'

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 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

When processing your application, IRCC may contact you to request additional documents to assess your eligibility.

Although IRCC has announced an intent to be flexible on the full-time enrollment requirement in cases where students’ studies were impacted by COVID-19 in Spring 2020 and Summer 2020, PGWP approval is never guaranteed, and 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.