Timeline:
June 3, 2025 : Applied for PGWP.
Feb 27, 2026 : Rejected due to missing IELTS result.
March 4, 2026 : Requested for reconsideration and contacted local MP.
May 13, 2026 : Reconsideration request was refused.
Is there anything else that I can do or am I cooked?
Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.
I applied for my PGWP on Mar 26, 2025 (in-Canada application), and it’s now been 413 days… still no decision. Even Mar 2026 applications are being approved…
I’ve basically tried everything except mandamus at this point — sent multiple webforms, called IRCC a bunch of times, reached out to my MP (Michael Ma). But honestly, nothing has led to any real progress😢
I also checked my GCMS notes and it doesn’t look like I’m stuck in security screening either, which makes it even more confusing. My TRV has already expired too.
I really want to leave Canada for a bit (for holiday and meeting fam)😭
Is there anyone else who applied around March 2025 (or close to that) still waiting? Would really appreciate hearing your situation.
I graduated from the University of Manitoba and applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). My first two applications were refused because of part-time semesters that happened during the pandemic while I was studying remotely before I had even entered Canada or received a study permit. The representatives helping me at the time argued that those semesters should not affect my PGWP eligibility, but IRCC still refused the applications.
After my second refusal, I lost my status and was informed that I had 90 days to apply for restoration. That’s when I hired an immigration lawyer and spent a lot of money trying to properly fix the situation through another application and restoration request.
For the third application, we acknowledged the part-time terms and explained the circumstances surrounding them, including the pandemic and me taking care of my grandmother who had cancer. However, the application was refused because IRCC stated that more than 180 days had passed since I completed my studies. My restoration request was also refused.
The difficult part for me is that IRCC took about a year to make a decision on my second application while I remained in Canada waiting for the result. During that time, I had authorization to remain and work while the application was being processed. I genuinely believed I was following the proper process and trying to remain compliant throughout everything.
During this period, I was also building my career and working full time as a software developer after graduation.
I have now been advised to leave Canada. I lost my job after the 2nd rejection and it seems like I'm about to lose everything else. From the moment I came to Canada I have worked hard towards getting my degree and setting up my career in an already competitive field, at every point I tried to do everything the right way. My only mistake was caused by a global pandemic, a very unique situation.
At this point, I’m honestly extremely overwhelmed financially and mentally. I’ve spent so much trying to handle this properly and every next step seems to cost even more money.
I’m trying to figure out the safest path forward from here.
I’m not really posting this for legal advice since I’m already speaking with professionals. I mostly just wanted to share my situation because I know there are probably other international students dealing with long processing delays and complicated immigration situations too.
I have been waiting for my pgwp for the last year and my TRV for my study permit expired in July 2025. I have been stuck in Canada for one year and want to travel. I have to travel for my work in September, I don’t know if it will be here on time. I have received advice from my university immigration advisor that it is okay to apply for a trv but from a separate lawyer not to do it. Has anyone had experience applying for a TRV while on maintained status?
Hello, I applied for pgwp April 24, 2026 and got the final decision msg on may 11 I was very anxious so I called IRCC and they told me my pgwp was approved. Waiting for the final decision.
All praise is to God!!!
Brutal waiting time as I had some hurdles with remarks on my study permit. But wasn’t an issue.
I applied for my PGWP in August 26 2025. Background check was completed the day after
Medicals was passed December 6th
After multiple follow up’s with MPs, Contact Centre, Webforms.
I got a refusal on May 8 2026
ODN:
“In order to be eligible for a PGWP, the client must have maintained full-time student status during
each academic session of the program(s).
As per letter submitted by University of Manitoba Student Accessibility Services dated, June 18,
2025, regarding client’s status,
It is stated that client has been approved for reduced course as a result of accommodations. In
the letter it states, client is allowed to be enrolled in reduced course load while maintaining full-
time status. Client was allowed to be enrolled in 40% course load or 6 credit hours per term.
All submissions reviewed. As per transcript provided, client studied part-time during the following
term after starting the Computer Science Major: Winter 2019 (3 credit hours), Winter 2022 (3
credit hours), Fall 2023 (3 credit hours). These terms do not fall under any of the exemptions
listed; therefore, client does not meet the eligibility requirements for a PGWP under R205(c)(ii) of
the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
Client letter reviewed. I note that the PGWP program's eligibility criteria are mandatory and that
nothing in the program requirements confers any discretion on immigration officers to modify or
waive the program's eligibility requirements.
Application refused and client advised of possible restoration. Refund of $100.00 open work
permit fee initiated.”
Winter 2019: I had recently started chemotherapy in January 2019 for a third occurrence(second relapse) of a cancer(Hodgkins Lymphoma). The treatment lasted for a full year. I was granted AWs for 3 of my Winter 2019 classes on medical grounds. (AWs don’t show up on transcript
Winter 2022: Similar to the one above. I was still dealing with side effects from treatment. I was granted a Late Voluntary Withdrawal(Similar to AWs but it shows up on you transcript). My Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist (who I am currently still seeing) gave supporting documentation
Fall 2023: I had registered for my final elective and gotten on the waitlist for my COMP requirements, but unfortunately I couldn’t get in by the registration review period deadline. At that time there was a huge bottleneck in the COMP science department, and my options at the time were limited, with some classes only being offered in select semesters
My Client information was specific but not specific enough.
The thing I don’t understand is how they can say that someone who went through 3 cancer occurrences(2 in my undergrad) and still pushed through his degree when it would have broken others down, doesn’t have grounds for the officer to use discretion.
Even the immigration lawyer said I got unlucky with the officer that got my file. He suggested also applying for a fresh PGWP application
I am not trying to sound entitled but it doesn’t make sense, considering the fact that people with part-time semesters for non-medical and compassionate reasons get approved.
I plan on sending a reconsideration request along with supporting letters from school staff, and my medical team.
Do you guys have any advice, on what to do?
I just wanted to share my experience because I spent almost every night since February 21 reading posts here, looking for hope even though sometimes it made my anxiety worse 😅
I had a long break in my studies (more than 150 days) because of bad advice I received, so I was extremely worried about my PGWP application.
I applied for my PGWP on February 21 and got approved on May 8.
I received a 3-year PGWP 🙏
I know how stressful this process can be, especially when your case is not “perfect,” so I hope this helps someone feel a little less anxious.
I applied for my pgwp June 25th 2025 did my Ielts 20th Feb 2026 got the refusal May 4th 2026 stopped working immediately due to missing Ielts I didn’t know that we have to submit it sent reconsideration may 6th may 7th got the confirmation that it was assigned to an officer but still now I’m still waiting I’m hoping to get approved since I completed Ielts before refusal
Anyone who has the same case or who did Ielts after refusal and submit a reconsideration request and finally get approved? Let me know please atleast it will give me hope
ill explain my situation here:
2.I have received everything except attestation letter for maintaining full time / part time status letter.
3 . I have completed masters degree at university ( 2 years program ), eligible for 3 years pgwp.
4. My passport expires by july 2028 and that leaves me with reduced pgwp.
5. what is the processing time like for pgwp extension and should i apply for extension right away after i receive the original initial work permit.
6. Also for passport renewal when should i do it?
7. i received my grades on may 8th and i had applied for vacation from may 9th to may 20th, i had perfectly predicted when i would receive the grades lol.
8. i highly regret for not renewing my passport last year but yeah what can i possibly do here?
9. and ircc specifies to be done in paper.
10. the current pgwp processing time is 277 days so by the time i receive the actual work permit that means im actually cooked since might take an year so?
Here are my doubts and need some advice/opinion
My friend’s PGWP was refused because he uploaded the wrong/missing IELTS document. It wasn’t refused for eligibility or anything else, just the document issue.
After that, he applied again for a new work permit and also applied for study permit restoration, but the restoration got refused because it was outside the 90-day window. However, the new work permit application is still pending and being reviewed by IRCC.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? What are the chances of approval when the original refusal was only due to a document upload mistake?
Would appreciate any experiences or insight.
From Refusal to Approval – My PGWP Journey 🇨🇦
I wanted to share my journey in case it helps someone going through a similar situation.
🔹 January 2022 – Started my 2-year Computer Systems Technician – Network Systems program at Mohawk College
🔹 Spring 2022 – Faced academic challenges and was placed on compulsory withdrawal
🔹 Fall 2022 – Returned to studies, but due to a prerequisite requirement, I could only take 1 course (part-time semester)
🔹 2023–2025 – Continued full-time studies and successfully completed my program
🔹 April 2025 – Graduated 🎓
🔻 PGWP Refusal
After applying for my Post-Graduation Work Permit, I received a refusal due to not maintaining full-time status during Fall 2022. It was a very stressful moment as everything was at stake.
🔹 March 2026 – Received refusal from IRCC
Instead of giving up, I decided to take action.
🔹 April 2026 – Submitted reconsideration request
With the help of a lawyer, I:
- Prepared a detailed Letter of Explanation
- Included legal references
- Got an official support letter from Mohawk College explaining the prerequisite situation
- Added a statutory declaration
🔹 May 2026 – Application reopened
IRCC reviewed the new documents and decided to reopen my case based on the new evidence. This was a major turning point.
🔹 Mid-May 2026 – PGWP APPROVED ✅
I received my work permit valid until 2029.
---
💡 Key Lessons:
- Don’t panic after a refusal — understand the reason
- A strong LOE + proper documentation can make a big difference
- College support letters are extremely valuable
- Reconsideration is possible if your case is genuine
- Patience is everything during the process
---
I know how stressful this journey can be as an international student. If you’re going through something similar, stay calm, build your case properly, and don’t lose hope.
Good things can still happen.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions 🙌
My PGWP/work permit was refused because IRCC saw a part-time semester from KPU, but that semester was actually during my scheduled break. After the refusal, KPU provided me with an official supporting letter and enrolment history confirming my status.
I applied for reconsideration on March 13, 2026, and after multiple calls with IRCC plus contacting my MP’s office, I was recently told my file was assigned to an officer on May 2nd.
The stressful part is that I’ll be out of status on June 10th, and I honestly don’t know what to do next. I feel like I’m being punished for something that wasn’t actually my mistake.
Has anyone gone through a similar reconsideration situation for PGWP/work permit refusal because of scheduled break confusion or part-time status?
One of my friends did two courses in two colleges. While applying for PGWP, they forgot to add the transcript for the first college studies. Therefore, he just got one year of Work permit. He reapplied for the work permit extension again within 20 days of the arrival of the 1-year work permit with the help of immigration consultant and added the missing document along with a letter of explanation. However, after 8 months of waiting, his application was rejected. The IRCC sent an explanation saying "The client was issued the full duration of the work permit." The immigration consultant had the exact same case a month prior and they got their full work permit. However, my friend's application was rejected. In this dire situation, we do not know who to turn to because the consultant gave us assurance and now we are dumbfounded. In addition, now the consultant is suggesting to apply for reconsideration, which I think could be a dumb move as my friend's 1 year work permit is expiring in 3 months. If anyone has any idea or suggestions, please let me know. 🥺
Approval or no? I had some work authorization issue with my study permit. It didnt mention any remark...
Applied:April 28th 2026
Received:May 12 2026
He completed IELTS in preparation for the permit and has a clear criminal record/background check
He is chinese, trying to settle in Canada. We plan to visit his parents in China september so this works well for us! Good luck to all!
Hey guys, so its my 5th week of waiting for a decision or update for the pgwp. I understand is a unofficial and I theres no guarantee for approval.
So I need advice, I am in the process of restoring status back to student and reapplying for pgwp as per my consultants advice their charging me 800 to just look at the application documents. I would still need to pay another 800 for the application fees.
Yes I am out of the 180 days, ive heard it all before they could or most likely will reject. Its alright, I dont wanna look back and say I didnt try everything. But I cannot get to the part where I pay for restoration, I dont know how to do it. I first need to fill out the imm5017 as a first time applicant who was refused, and then pay for restoration and then attach the receipt. How do I do this, how do I get to the site where I pay for restoration? Is it paid earlier or all together with the open permit fee? Do i need to fill out a form for restoration? Do I just take a screenshot of the receipt as the proof.
Anyone who has applied for restoration and reapplication and you did it alone or with help please let me know my consultant wants 1000 for the whole thing and then another 800 for fees. I cant afford it. Thank you.
Hello guys, I am an international student about to finish a 4 year bachelor degree at a public university in Canada (I will finish at the end of June). Therefore, I was wondering if I need to do an English test, such as the IELTS, in order to apply for a PGWP?
Thanks
For students who have graduated and no longer have health or dental coverage through UHIP or OHIP, and are currently on a work permit or applied status, what insurance options did you guys go with? Also, what are the best ways to get coverage if I don’t have a job yet?
Hey! I am doing my master's degree in canada as an international student and in my second last semester I only had 6 credits as oppressed to general 9 credits but since it is a master's degree, I am still a full time student (according to my university and I have the letter of enrollment stating that). Does this effect my PGWP eligibility or is there a chance of refusal? What can I do now? In my last semester.
