Subsection R73(2) defines “work” as “an activity for which wages are paid or commission is earned.” IRCC generally takes the position that the term “wages” (as set out in this definition of “work”) would not include remuneration in kind, such as room and board in exchange for work or services provided.
Experience acquired in a volunteer capacity is ineligible for this public policy.
Self-employment
See Factors to consider – Employee vs. self-employed
Education requirements (international graduates from a Canadian institution and French-speaking international graduates from a Canadian institution)
If the principal applicant applied through the international graduates from a Canadian institution stream, they must have been granted a Canadian post-secondary credential that meets all of these requirements:
- The program(s) of study must have been completed at a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligible designated learning institution (DLI). Officers can verify whether the DLI was PGWP eligible using the DLI list.
- If completed at a private PGWP-eligible DLI outside of Quebec (authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees under provincial law), the program of study must be a degree program as authorized by the province, and not any program of study offered by the private PGWP-eligible DLI. Officers can verify whether the specific program at the DLI was PGWP eligible using the DLI list.
- The principal applicant must have completed the program of study prior to the date on which the application for permanent residence is received, and no earlier than January 2017.
- The principal applicant must have been authorized to study. In most cases, this means that IRCC would have issued a study permit. If not provided, officers shall verify authorization to study in GCMS. Please review Study permits: Who needs a study permit as some students may have been study permit exempt.
- The principal applicant must have been issued one of the following credentials:
- a degree (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate)
- a diploma, certificate or attestation from a program of any duration leading to an occupation in a skilled trade
- one or more diplomas, certificates or attestations, where each program of study is at least 8 months in duration and the combined length of the credentials is equivalent to a 2-year credential (at least 16 months in duration)
- one or more diplomas of vocational studies (DVS) or attestations of vocational specialization (AVS), where each program of study is at least 900 hours in duration and the combined program of study is at least 1,800 hours in duration
- When combining 1 AVS with 1 DVS, the length of the AVS may be less than 900 hours if the combined length is at least 1,800 hours.
Students who studied at a Canadian PGWP-eligible DLI from abroad without in-Canada study authorization are also eligible for this public policy.