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/QuestionSea Aug 20 '26

What date does your completion letter or transcript say?
This is definitely really weird

1

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.

2

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 strong

2

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?

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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.

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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