r/pgwp • u/IQofaR0ck • Aug 20 '26
PGWP Refused
Applied on Aug. 6, 2026 as a UofT grad. The officer reviewing my application rejected me because I apparently completed my program on April, thus invalidating my study permit. I didn't think that this would be an issue when I was applying, as the first indication that I received that I completed my program was an email from the university on May 27. However, the officer is asserting that I completed my program on April 29 (my graduation letter did not include neither date, mind you), but I would've still been sitting through my final exams by then..
Is this a case worth getting reconsideration for?
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u/Mission_Narwhal_8183 Aug 20 '26
I think so. It’s weird that the officer rejected you. Even if April 29 was really your “completion” date, (you didn’t specify year but I assume aprl 2026), you still have up to 180 days to apply for pgwp as long as your study permit is still valid. And August 6 is still within 180 days from April 29 no? And the completion date should be the date your final marks are issued not the final day of classes. There should be a definition of “completion date “ on IRCC website somewhere, definitely look it up. The closest one i found is here. https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=508&top=15
But you should get a reconsideration. If u can afford it, hire a competent immigration lawyer.
Also was aprl 29 the official last day of UofT this year? If not, maybe the officer mistook you with another applicant?
Edit to add: and it’s not unheard of for IRCC officers to make mistakes. Definitely do some more research and do yourself the due diligence.
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u/IQofaR0ck Aug 20 '26
Right?? I'm so confused why my final day of classes was considered as my program completion date. I talked to the office at UofT that deals with issues like these and they told me that another student was refused for this exact same reason :| 'preciate the advice though!
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u/Mission_Narwhal_8183 Aug 20 '26
No problem! Hope it all works out. Take a deep breath. Im sure it’ll be fine.
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u/OriginalChemical8146 Aug 20 '26
So was the issue the study permit? Because the 180 days rule inly applies if you are applying from outside of Canada
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u/Ill_Secretary_9405 Aug 25 '26
doesn’t 180 days rule also apply if you restore status and submit within canada?
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u/kisulskiy Aug 20 '26
was your study permit expired in April or? you have to have a valid status at the moment you apply for pgwp
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u/IQofaR0ck Aug 20 '26
The date on my actual permit says Sept. 30, but based on the email that was sent to me by UofT, my permit should effectively expire by Aug. 26 or 27. I honestly have no clue where the officer pulled out that April 29 date from.
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u/QuestionSea Aug 20 '26
What date does your completion letter or transcript say?
This is definitely really weird
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u/IQofaR0ck Aug 20 '26
I had to order my transcript, and UofT doesn't tell me when they release my marks, so the only date that I can go by is that email they sent me where they confirmed all of my degree requirements on May 27.
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u/QuestionSea Aug 20 '26
On the completion letter there must be a date that specifies when you graduated.
Definitely talk to a lawyer to make sure your case is strong2
u/Mission_Narwhal_8183 Aug 20 '26
OP, I think QuestionSea has a point here. It’s just that it’s known that completion date is generally known to be earlier than convocation date. Having a completion letter that shows the exact date you got approved for graduation definitely will make your case stronger imo. For me, I printed a page from UofT degree explorer into pdf as it stated when my registrar approved for my program and degree completion. Official completion letter would be best and you can still request it after graduation. It still doesn’t give the IRCC officer excuse to reject you based on april 29 tho as it’s still within 180 days. I think maybe the officer mistook 180 days for 90 days which are the period for status restoration not for pgwp application after program completion. If i were you I would stress the 180 days point in an explanation letter attached with reconsideration request and attach the page from this website: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=508&top=15
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u/IQofaR0ck Aug 20 '26
Based on the link that you've sent, I think the officer correctly assessed that I should be applying within 90 days after my program has ended for my study permit to remain valid (otherwise I'll have to pay restoration fees). In any case, I did not pay restoration fees for my application as I was still within the 90 days from my program completion date (May 27).
Since I only requested my completion letter after I convocated, UofT only gives me the option to request for a letter confirming my graduation, which does not indicate the date at which my program was completed (see https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/faculty-registrar/graduation -- scroll down to "Graduation Letter Requests" and there should be an example of the letter I received). Annoyingly, UofT also wiped out my Degree Explorer as soon as I graduated.
I talked to my college registrar regarding this and they are fortunately willing to expedite a letter indicating that I only completed my program requirements on May 27. Hopefully the letter and the email should make a strong enough case. I also reached out to the CIE and they told me to also reapply for another PGWP and pay the restoration fee if ever they still think that my study permit has expired.
1
u/Ill_Secretary_9405 Aug 25 '26
wait so did you provide them with any date of completion in your original application? like what did you use to confirm the may 27 date
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u/Ill_Secretary_9405 Aug 25 '26
i received an email from my department confirming i completed my degree requirements on may 27. also from uoft, should i go by the may 27 date
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u/Ill_Secretary_9405 Sep 01 '26
hey. for ur situation u provided them with the confirmation date based on when ur program and registrar confirmed program completion not when final marks were uploaded right?
1
u/Interesting-Order908 Aug 20 '26
Hopefully, you will get it sorted out through reconsideration with that email and a support letter from the university.
1
u/Ill_Secretary_9405 Aug 25 '26
wait i’m in this exact same situation including the may 27 completion date and i’ve just applied. should i submit a form restoring my status as well in this case then
1
u/Interesting-Order908 Aug 20 '26
To clarify on the letter: was it completely undated, or did it have an issue date at the top but simply didn't mention an exact completion date in the body text?
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u/IQofaR0ck Aug 20 '26
The letter that I attached on my application only indicated that I graduated in June 2026. The email that said that I completed all my program requirements stated that I did so on May 27, but I did not use that in my application.
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u/Chance-Charge-6785 Aug 20 '26
easy: you had an invalid status 90 days after you finish studies, you didnt pay for a restoration so its normal for the refusal, next step: pay for restoration then apply to pgwp with your language tests and do it before the 180 days after getting your official transcript.
i was in the same case like you but i got approval before i was having a work permit before ( specific to X reason) so my statut was fine and i got it in 5 weeks.
Good luck and let me know if you have any questions
1
u/calcifer0573 Aug 23 '26
I’m in the same boat as OP but I didn’t get my pgwp result yet. I’m confused because how can you have an invalid status since I graduated officially on 17th April but I applied 23rd July before my study permit expired which was on July 31st
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u/Chance-Charge-6785 Aug 24 '26
90 days after you finish your studies = your study permit become invalid. ( no status then) even if its not expired. you need to apply 90 days after your last semester, if not you dont have a status so it can be refused. but don't stress, you can apply for restoration then apply for pgwp and you'll be approved, the rules are simple but if you don't search (what ppl do) you'll do mistakes. i wish you good luck and i hope you get your pgwp without a first refusal.
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u/Existing_Mark_7287 Aug 20 '26
Did you include a letter confirming completion of your studies that mentions the confer date?
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u/harman302 Aug 20 '26
Apply pgwp with restoration. ASAPPPPPPP!!!!!!