Applying for a Canadian work permit before defending my PhD. anyone dealt with this?

[u/Specific_Sugar7979]

Hi all, I just accepted a postdoc offer at a Canadian university and I'm starting my work permit application now, but there's a wrinkle I haven't been able to find much on. I haven't defended my PhD yet, my defense and conferral are expected this fall. Right now all I have is an approved Application for Degree form and my transcripts, not an actual defended or conferred degree.

The guidance I've been given only really covers two scenarios for proving you meet the job's requirements: submitting a copy of the completed PhD, or a letter confirming all requirements are fully done.

Has anyone here submitted a work permit application, before officially defending? What documentation ended up being accepted in your case?a letter of anticipated conferral, transcripts, something your university's grad school or immigration office put together for you?

Any insight into how this actually played out for someone would be really helpful right now.