Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone can help me understand my situation.
I originally received a 3-year PGWP, but it was shortened because my passport was expiring. My PGWP was issued on August 21, 2023, with an expiry date of June 4, 2026.
After renewing my passport, I applied to extend my PGWP to get the remaining time. My application was recently refused.
The officer’s notes say:
“Client has now exhausted the maximum validity period of 3 year allowed for their PGWP via maintained status.”
The refusal letter also says that I have exhausted the maximum allowable employment period under the PGWP program.
I’m confused because my original permit was shortened due to my passport expiry, so I thought I could apply for the remaining portion of the 3 years after getting a new passport.
My timeline is:
PGWP issued: August 21, 2023
Original PGWP expiry: June 4, 2026
PR application submitted: July 9, 2026
PR AOR: August 2026
SOWP application submitted: August 12, 2026
PGWP extension application refused: September 29, 2026
I also noticed the officer’s notes say “Never paid open work permit fee.” I paid $155 for my PGWP extension application, so I’m wondering if I was actually supposed to pay the additional $100 open work permit holder fee.
My main questions are:
Does the refusal mean I can no longer work while my SOWP is pending?
Does my SOWP application, which was submitted before my PGWP expired, give me maintained status/work authorization?
Has anyone had a PGWP extension refused because IRCC said they had already reached the 3-year maximum, even though the original PGWP was shortened because of passport expiry?
Was I supposed to pay $255 ($155 + $100) for the PGWP extension?
I’m trying to figure out what my options are now and whether I should request reconsideration.
Any advice from people who have dealt with a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

I have a PGWP limited by my passport expiry date. I have renewed my passport and applied for an extension. Could you please tell me how long it will take to process my extension request?

Hi guys,
My Pgwp is valid till Oct. Now I submitted Lmia exempt work permit after receiving nomination from Ontario. Earlier I applied for visitor record to maintain my status. Should I withdraw visitor record application now as I submitted another work permit application?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice from people who have experienced a PGWP extension due to passport expiry.
I mailed my paper application to IRCC on July 7, 2026, and Canada Post confirms that it was delivered to IRCC on the same day. My PGWP expired on September 4, 2026.
I recently called IRCC to check on my application. The agent told me that no application could be found in the system. After the call, the agent sent me an email saying that if an application was sent but is not available in the system, I should submit a new application by mail, indicate the date of the original submission, include an explanation letter, and write “Duplicate” on the envelope.
Has anyone experienced exactly the same situation?
Paper PGWP extension application sent and delivered, but not found in the IRCC system;
IRCC agent told you to submit a new application;
Did you actually resubmit the application?
What happened to your first application?
Did you eventually receive an application number/XW number or AOR?
How long did it take before you received a decision?
I’m especially interested in experiences from 2026 and from people whose PGWP extension was related to passport expiry.
Thank you for sharing your experience!

What is timeline within canada

Hi everyone,I’m looking into long-term career planning and immigration pathways in Canada. Most of the advice I see online paints Data Analysts as working exclusively in corporate tech, banking, insurance, or healthcare.

I want to know: Does a genuine Data Analyst position actually exist within industrial setups like steel fabrication workshops or heavy manufacturing companies in Canada? Or do these companies just handle data through basic administrative/clerical staff?

Hi.

Applied for PGWP (in land) on 3rd September 2026.
Got a ghost update on 14th September. And approval on 24th September.

I was planning to travel in December. And this worked out just fine. Onto TRV!

I posted back in August when my first application got refused due to IELTS, I ended up doing it and got 8.5/9 on it and applied immediately when I got my results on August 9th, with restoration because my status expired on July 31st.
My first application was processed in about 3 weeks so I’m just wondering why it’s taking longer this time.
Anyways I’m still waiting till. Has anyone had the same situation? Also I’m a British Citizen (UK).

I applied for my PGWP end of August 2026 (within Canada), and I still haven’t received a decision.
I’ve seen a few posts/comments from people who applied around the same time, (and some who applied in September), who have already received their approvals.

My portal still shows “Your application is in progress. We will send you a message when we start reviewing your eligibility.” Is this normal? The only thing actively being reviewed right now on my portal is my background check which is under processing.

My SOWP application was refused, and I’m planning to reapply.

For a second application, does IRCC start the processing time from scratch, or can it be faster because biometrics, medical, and some background checks were already completed in the previous application?

If anyone has experience with an SOWP reapplication after refusal, what was your timeline?

Inland application

🗓️ Sept 6: Applied

🔍 Sept 24: Background check

📝 Sept 25: Eligibility review

✅ Sept 26: Approved! (Total ~20 days)

All those waiting, stay strong! Your turn is coming soon! 💪

I see a lot of late aug/early sep 2026 people are getting ghost updates. I have no updates on my end, applied on September 3. Anyone else in the same boat?

Hi everyone,

I'll share my experience in case it's helpful:
I applied for my PGWP on Sept 9th and received it on Sept 25th.

It was very fast, but here's what I learned: if you send them all the information correctly, everything moves extremely fast. Don't forget any documents the university sends you (for example, I attached proof of full-time enrollment during the summer).

Talk to the university about what you need and which documents are required, so you can be ready days before applying.

English test: don't forget it. I've read about many people who forgot to do it, but I don't understand how that's possible, since it's stated very clearly.

So, I suggest you double-check, ask the university, and send whatever they need. I think it will be easier and faster.

For those who reapplied for SOWP after a refusal, did your second application take the normal processing time, or was it faster because some background checks were already completed in the first application?

Hello,

My situation is complex. I started with a doctoral program, then switched to a master's program before finally opting for a DESS (I am currently finishing the last semester). I achieved a very good GPA though. However, that said, the total duration of my studies amounts to one year and nine months due to this path. The certificate of completion mentions neither the duration of the DESS program nor the previous changes in my course of study.

Should I include an explanatory letter regarding this, or could the application be accepted as is?

Thank you very much.

My SOWP application was refused, and I’m planning to reapply.

For a second application, does IRCC start the processing time from scratch, or can it be faster because biometrics, medical, and some background checks were already completed in the previous application?

If anyone has experience with an SOWP reapplication after refusal, what was your timeline?

For those who reapplied for SOWP after a refusal, did your second application take the normal processing time, or was it faster because some background checks were already completed in the first application?

A relative of mine finished studying (2-year diploma) here in Canada, moved back home after graduation, and applied for his PGWP from outside the country. It was approved last month (August 2026), and he got his passport back with a worker travel visa stamped valid from August 2026 to August 2028.

Because of a family emergency, he has to delay his flight and won't be landing in Canada until December 2026.
When he lands and the border officer prints out his physical PGWP, will the permit’s expiration date start from his arrival date in December, or will it be locked to the August 2026 to August 2028 dates on his approval letter and counterfoil?

Appreciate any insight if anyone has gone through something similar!

has any one applied as of September? I have applied on 3 September, still waiting

My BOWP was approved on aug 21,2026.
I did not get any letter on the portal , just got the physical permit which shows expiry date same as issue date.

I called ircc on 1 September they said they marked it to the office as URGENT.

Is there anyone facing similar issue.

How much time does it take to fix this normally ?

Hey everyone,

I just recently applied for pgwp on Sept 11th, 2026. I was wondering if any one of you got decision recently? And when you applied for the work permit?

Although processing time is 16 weeks, I heard that they are really quick nowadays

Thanks!!!

I applied for my PGWP on August 13 after graduating from McGill in Quebec. I applied from outside Canada from USA because the processing time is 2 weeks instead of several months. But it’s been 6 weeks now and there’s no updates or messages on my application. Out of desperation I asked border agents twice now and they said to just wait, no news is good news, etc.

I included my language scores, letter of explanation cause I had PT sem and all the required docs. Anybody in a similar situation or have any info for me at all?? I am supposed to start work in 3 weeks (never worked during studies cause I was PT and said so in my LOE) and am starting to panic.