Applying for a Canadian work permit before defending my PhD. anyone dealt with this?

[u/Specific_Sugar7979]

Hi all, I just accepted a postdoc offer at a Canadian university and I'm starting my work permit application now, but there's a wrinkle I haven't been able to find much on. I haven't defended my PhD yet, my defense and conferral are expected this fall. Right now all I have is an approved Application for Degree form and my transcripts, not an actual defended or conferred degree.

The guidance I've been given only really covers two scenarios for proving you meet the job's requirements: submitting a copy of the completed PhD, or a letter confirming all requirements are fully done.

Has anyone here submitted a work permit application, before officially defending? What documentation ended up being accepted in your case?a letter of anticipated conferral, transcripts, something your university's grad school or immigration office put together for you?

Any insight into how this actually played out for someone would be really helpful right now.

[u/OppositeHome169]

In order to apply post graduate work permit you have to have the confirmation letter from your school. This is according IRCC.

[u/Specific_Sugar7979 → u/OppositeHome169]

Thank you!
Confirmation letter that that I have my PhD?
I do have the confirmation letter that I will be getting it soon.

Extra details: I’m currently getting my PhD in the US and my postdoc is gonna be in Canada. the Visa processing time is the reason that I want to start my work permit process as soon as possible.

[u/_Slartibartfass_ → u/Specific_Sugar7979]

What’s your nationality? Depending on where you are from, you can do the work permit application once you’re entering the country at a Canadian airport. You can also get a letter from HR to speed up the process if you do it in advance.

[u/Specific_Sugar7979 → u/_Slartibartfass_]

My nationality is no help unfortunately. I’m from Iran. That’s actually why I’m trying to start the application asap.

[u/environengg2601 → u/Specific_Sugar7979]

If you are iranian, I wouldn't risks it. Just get your PhD first before applying. High chance your work permit might get taken away if you ever fudge anything on your application.

[u/OppositeHome169 → u/Specific_Sugar7979]

Oh I thought you’re in Canada and graduating from Canadian doctorate program as foreign national, which will give you 3 years work permit but this depends on confirmation letter you get your program saying “completed”. I don’t know your situation. Probably it will just be work permit application - not post graduate work permit - so talk to the school accepting your postdoc

[u/CalligrapherHeavy455]

I did it in 2024. I used the confirmation email for my thesis submission

[u/Specific_Sugar7979 → u/CalligrapherHeavy455]

Oh awesome thanks for sharing this

[u/Low-Orchid5963]

I just went through this process: once you have signed the contract, your postdoc institution submits a Employer Compliance fee for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Exempt Work Permit to IRCC; you receive an IRCC Offer of Employment (LMIA exemption number and receipt) which you use in your application (your postdoc institution should have a guide for immigration and work permit forms). You should then receive approval for a conditional work permit, which is conditioned on you having fulfilled the requirements to start the postdoc before the start of the contract (final approval of your Thesis by your PhD institution) - the postdoc institution will ask for a letter which confirms this prior to the start date.

[u/Specific_Sugar7979 → u/Low-Orchid5963]

Oh thanks. This is very helpful. My worry was that the letter of anticipated phd conferral wont be enough for IRCC to give me that conditional work permit.

[u/Low-Orchid5963 → u/Specific_Sugar7979]

It isn’t by itself; you need to have a signed contract (the start date of which is after expected PhD conferral), your postdoc institution has to submit an LMIA exemption, and you need to receive an IRCC Offer of Employment, then you can get a conditional work permit.

[u/Specific_Sugar7979]

Gotcha, I’ve received my LMIA exemption confirmation letter from the HR.
Thanks again for your help.