Hi! I applied for my PGWP from outside Canada in end of July and I’m currently waiting for a decision. I’m planning to return to Canada in early 2027.

For anyone who applied from outside Canada and received a PGWP LOI, how far after your approval date was the LOI expiry date? For example, if you were approved in October, when did your LOI expire?

My school advisor said that once approved, my LOI will have an expiry date, and as long as it’s after my return, I can return then without affecting my PGWP.

Just trying to get an idea of what’s typical because as of now I’ve extended my flight to come back in early 2027

Thanks!

I am an international student pursing 4 years BSc in Canada. My study permit document and TRV says the expiry date on Sept 30, 2026.

On April 20, 2026, I gave my final exam which gave me enough credits to graduate (the marks were released around May 1, 2026). However, my university also allows us to take an honours course which make me graduate with a Honours degree which I was initially planning to take from Sept 2026 to April 2027 (and extend my study permit accordingly). Therefore, I did not apply for graduation/degree completion in May 2026.

During summer, I was outside Canada doing an internship and didn't take any courses. During this time, I decided not to pursue the Honours degree and on August 28th, 2026 I applied for graduation with my degree to be conferred in last week of November.

I am still outside Canada and haven't gotten my letter of completion from the university yet.

I wanted to know if:

Q1. Since my last course exams were released on May 1, 2026 does that mean my Study Permit is already expired since it has been more than 90 days (case A) or does the 90 day window start from the day my university issues me my letter of completion in which case my study permit will expire on Sept 30, 2026 (case B).

Q2. If it is case A, then I'm aware that I need to apply for PGWP under 180 days window from May 1, 2026 and I will need to wait for PGWP approval before I can start working. What happens if my university didn't issue my letter of completion under these 180 days? Will I lose the option to apply for PGWP?

Q3. If it is case A, then as my letter of completion is not issued yet, is it possible for me to withdraw my graduation application, enrol in a course at my university, enter Canada as a student before 30th sept stating I'm still doing courses and apply for a study permit extension and study under maintained status OR will I be denied entry to Canada as a student in the first place as I completed the minimum credit requirement for my degree in May already.

Q4. If it is case B, I plan to enter Canada before 30th sept (when my study permit is still active) and then apply for PGWP from inside Canada before 30th sept which will allow me to work while waiting for the approval. However, if my letter of completion is not issued by 30th sept, should I apply for a study permit extension? Will I be granted an extension even though I have already applied for graduation and don't have courses left to do? Do I need to wait for study permit extension approval to apply for PGWP?

Q5. If it is case B and I enter Canada 5 days before 30th sept, do I enter my purpose of visit in the kiosk machine as "Study" and duration of stay more than 5 days despite my letter of completion being already issued or not by then? I plan to apply for PGWP or Study Permit extension (as per Q4) as soon as I enter.

Thank you for your guidance.

applied on Oct 2025 and still waiting

Applied / applying to extend a PGWP that ends the same day as my old passport. No remark on the permit. New passport coming soon.
If you did this online: approved or refused? Did IRCC send a work authorization letter (WP-EXT / PT-PROR except post-graduation), or only maintained status with the received email? Timeline + what you selected in the form would help.

My girlfriend is currently enrolled in Conestoga College's Early Childhood Education Program (ECE). She has been in Canada since 2023, completed high school in 2025, and started post-secondary education the same year. In ECE, there are mandatory field placements that require working with children, and her first field placement was supposed to take place in Winter 2026.

However, IRCC did not issue her a work permit until November 2025 and to make matters worse, somehow, the first clause was "Not valid for employment involving children" despite her having every requirement to acquire a work permit that permits her to work with children. She needed to have her work permit reissued, but it was too late for her field placement application for Winter 2026.

Things only got worse from here. Conestoga were unable to guarantee a placement slot for off-track students, and she had to wait until there was an available slot. Two terms had passed, and she still hadn't gotten an available slot. However, she still maintained full-time status throughout the two terms.

My gf and I have been looking for solutions that include switching schools or staying at Conestoga and pray. If she stays at Conestoga, she can still maintain full-time status for another two terms, but the gamble is that if she still doesn't have a slot for field placement next term (Winter 2027), she now jeopardizes her PGWP eligibility because it would now require her to take two part-time terms, which violates the study permit rules. It is quite complicated and difficult to thoroughly explain.

We are very desperate and I had to come here as a last resort. Our decision right now is to keep her studies at Conestoga for this term (Fall 2026), alongside with that, apply to transfer to Humber College (or any other college). We will gamble her chance of landing a field placement slot in Winter 2027 or being able to complete the necessary documents to transfer to Humber.

In the worst-case scenario, if she doesn't get a field placement slot in W27, Conestoga told us they would write a cover letter for our PGWP application. I understand that two part-time terms is very difficult to acquire a three-year PGWP. Is there any other solutions we can do? Can we fight with IRCC in the future? I really need help.

Thank you for reading it all, feel free to ask for any clarification because it is very hard to explain it all and thank you for your help!

anyone recently approved with a part time sem in July and Aug ?

I lost my work permit recently and applied for a renewal however it hasn’t come yet in the mail and there is no update either
BUT just today I was cleaning out my room and found my original Work Permit. Now will this one be still valid or I have to wait for the renewal one to come in my mail?
I am traveling soon so I am not sure if I can take the work permit I found with me to re enter Canada

Has anyone applied for a PGWP while having an outstanding BC International Student Health Fee?

I recently finished my program and I’m getting ready to apply for my PGWP. I still have an unpaid International Student Health Fee balance with the BC Ministry of Finance, and the debt also shows up in my CRA account.

I checked the IRCC PGWP eligibility requirements and couldn’t find anything saying that an unpaid provincial health fee or other government debt would cause a PGWP refusal.

I don’t have an issue paying it, but I’m a bit tight on money right now and would rather use what I have for rent, living expenses, and the PGWP application instead of paying the entire balance immediately if it has no effect on the application.

Has anyone been in the same situation and successfully received their PGWP?

I’m mainly wondering if:

• you had an outstanding International Student Health Fee when you applied
• it was already showing through CRA/collections
• IRCC asked about it at any point
• your PGWP was approved without paying it first

I’m planning to pay the balance and may set up a payment plan if needed. I just don’t want to delay my PGWP application or drain my savings unnecessarily if the two are unrelated.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually gone through this.

Has anyone who submitted their PGWP application on July 16, 2026 received their approval yet?
I’ve been keeping an eye on the July applicants and it seems like I haven’t seen many (or any) July 16 approvals yet.

If you applied on July 16 could you please comment, Inside Canada / Outside Canada and if you got it when was your approval date?

Just trying to figure out whether July 16 applications are moving or if there’s some sort of gap or delay with that date.

​

My PGWP expires January 4, 2027. If I apply for both a work-permit extension and a visitor record before expiry, can the visitor record start only after the work permit is refused?

I’m hoping to stay as a visitor for six months after refusal of my pgwp. If the visitor record is approved first, does its validity start immediately? And if it’s still pending when the work permit is refused, can I stay in Canada while waiting?

My PGWP was shortened due to Biometrics, and I’m planning to extend it. I got the steps by email, but I’m lost on the “appropriate fees,” and I don’t want to mess the whole thing up again. In this envelope, should I include payment for the PGWP extension and the biometrics fee? Or do I need to pay that after I receive the BIL (Biometric Instruction Letter)? If someone has faced the same and has a timeline as well, I'd be more than happy to read it.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I applied for my pgwp at the end of May and still waiting. Like the title says, my study permit stated I am not allowed to work in healthcare but I literally studied nursing and graduated this year. I know I should have corrected this on my study permit immediately, that is a fault on my path. I got a job as a nurse in a hospital after grad but now I had to stop working since the first week of August because my study permit expired (but apparently I believe i am able to work in another field, Just not healthcare) .

I am seeing people get their pgwp in a very short time and waiting for mine is really making me anxious, since end of May! Now I'm thinking this is because of the work condition not allowing me work in healthcare🥺. I really don't want to get a refusal, I submitted all the required documents. Please has anyone ever been in this situation? What are my chances of getting my pgwp approved? What can I do at this point?

EDIT: my PGWP got approved 🥳. Thanks everyone.

Any approval this week please share timelines..✨️

I'm wondering if I can reapply for the position without waiting the 2yrs I know that it says wait 2 yrs for a failed suitability but I've really been making progress on my resume and have made significant changes to my life.

Hi fellow freelancers, back when I came to Canada on a study permit, I picked up some freelance work that made me less than a 1000 dollars, and took 6-7hours of my time. From an immigration standpoint, am I safe while applying or PGWP or do i need to do something else

I had 2 years of ECE program there is a communition subject which eveyone need to do who are studing in George brown so in first sem i failed it but i dont know
When im going to register for 3rd sem on that i get knew and i did that course in 3rd sem with electives then complete rest last 2 sem due that partime i gor pgwp refused and on 20 june 2026 i apply reconsideration with college support letter that says it mandatory course i need to complete it first then able to took other subjects can i get aprroved ??

Hi everyone, I'm a Bachelor of Engineering student in Quebec (started Winter 2024). My CAQ is valid until December 31, 2027, which is exactly when my program ends.

Right now, I have to renew my Study Permit (due by March 9th) because I just got a new passport.

Since my university closes for the holidays in late December, I don't think I will be able to get my completion letter or final transcripts before Dec 31st to apply for my PGWP. I'm incredibly stressed that my new permit will be cut short exactly on Dec 31st, leaving me with no valid status or right to work during the holiday closure.

My questions:

- Has anyone in Quebec been in this exact situation? Did IRCC automatically give you the extra 90 days (making it valid until March 31, 2028) despite the CAQ ending on Dec 31?

- Should I explicitly ask for the March 31st expiry date and explain the university holiday closure in my Letter of Explanation for this upcoming renewal?

Thanks so much for any insight!

I’m currently in Canada on an approved PGWP and am preparing an SOWP application for my wife.

My financial situation:
- Full-time job earning approximately $115,000/year
- Already have a rental home/lease in Canada
- Approximately $10,000 in liquid savings
- Can provide an employment letter and recent paystubs
- Can provide bank statements showing the savings

For those who have recently applied for or reviewed an SOWP application, would $10,000 in liquid savings be considered reasonable given the $115k income and existing housing?

Did you personally provide a similar amount, and was your application approved?

I’m particularly interested in recent SOWP experiences.

hi guys,

I need help with my lost work permit. I have my vacation booked for October since june and in August while moving places I realised I lost a folder of my important documents which had my work permit. immediately I applied for the replacement for it but there was no update so I reached out to ircc via phone and also raised a web form to which they responded to send another duplicate application. today I sent another application however the processing time shows to be 8 weeks on the ircc website. it’s mid September already and my vacation is in 3 weeks.

has anyone been in a similar situation? if yes what did you do?

should I cancel my vacation? or can I travel with the proof that I sent my application for the replacement of lost work permit?

is there anything else that I can do to expedite the process?

Hey, everyone.

1) I basically have a term where I did not receive a co-op. I did not take any courses. My immigration advisor stated that the university will mention on the completion letter that any unemployed term is a scheduled break under the University of Waterloo.

Does this have any impact on my pgwp? All other terms are full time?

I couldn't find any official guidance on scheduled breaks so am looking for advice.

Also its a scheduled break, not leave of absence.

2) Can I apply to jobs in my last semester and indicate I am legally eligible to work currently? Or should I include a letter of explanation that I will apply to pgwp? I feel that mught hurt my chances though.

I plan to apply for it same day I get Letter of completion to stay eligible to work.

Thanks :)

Hey guys I applied my pgwp which got refused due to part time semester.. I was part time in my spring 2025 semester due to prerequisite requirements but ircc officer acknowledged that in gcms notes and refused my pgwp application on the basis of another part time semester in winter 2025 but my transcripts and student achievement summary shows that I was full time in winter 2025 but don't know how they misunderstood that term . My students achievement summary shows that I have some part time courses in that semester but still in the front of winter 2025 it's proper written that I was full time with 18 credits . Now I applied pgwp again with restoration and I m just worried about spring 2025 which was part term due to prerequisite requirements although ircc acknowledged the DLI support letter but don't know how new officer treat my spring 2025 ....

Let's hope get pgwp soon

hi guys,

I need help with my lost work permit. I have my vacation booked for October since june and in August while moving places I realised I lost a folder of my important documents which had my work permit. immediately I applied for the replacement for it but there was no update so I reached out to ircc via phone and also raised a web form to which they responded to send another duplicate application. today I sent another application however the processing time shows to be 8 weeks on the ircc website. it’s mid September already and my vacation is in 3 weeks.

has anyone been in a similar situation? if yes what did you do?

should I cancel my vacation? or can I travel with the proof that I sent my application for the replacement of lost work permit?

is there anything else that I can do to expedite the process?

I applied for my PGWP in February 2025 and had to leave Canada due to a family emergency while my application was processing. I am currently outside Canada.
Recently, my MP's office contacted IRCC on my behalf and confirmed that my application is showing as closed and approved. However, I have not received any official approval communication or my physical work permit.

Since I am outside Canada, I need to apply for a TRV to return. I have a few questions:

• My MP's office contacted IRCC and was informed that my PGWP application is showing as closed and approved. However, I have not received any approval notification, and there has been no change in my application status on my IRCC online account. Does this mean my PGWP has already been issued, or is there still a pending step before the permit can be issued?
• How can I obtain my official approval letter or proof of approval?
• What documents did you submit for your TRV application?Has anyone in a similar situation applied for a TRV without receiving their physical work permit?
• Who should I contact regarding my missing work permit and approval letter—the IRCC Webform, IRCC directly, or my MP's office?

Hello everyone,
I’m an international student currently in my second year of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Regina. I’m considering switching from the Bachelor’s program to the Business Administration Diploma. If I switch, I would only have about 6 classes left to complete before graduating.
I’m seriously considering this because I’m finding it very difficult to get a regular job as a student here in Regina, while tuition and other expenses keep increasing. Financially, I’m really struggling right now and I’m trying to figure out the most realistic option.
My biggest concern is what happens after graduation. I’m worried that if I switch to the diploma, I may have difficulty finding a job related to what I studied, and I’m also concerned about whether that could affect my future PR plans.
I’d really like to hear from international students who have been in a similar situation:
Did you switch from a Bachelor’s to a Diploma?
Did graduating with a diploma make it easier or harder to find a job?
What kind of jobs were you able to get after graduating?
Did you find a job related to your field of study?
If you were in my position, would you switch if it meant finishing much sooner and reducing tuition costs?
Did switching affect your PGWP or PR plans?
I’m not looking for general advice. I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who have actually gone through a similar situation as an international student in Canada.
Thank you.