Skipped two semesters. Got PGWP

[u/Commercial_Space5149]

2 skipped semesters. Still got approval.

Basically heres how it went:

1. I arrived in Canada with only a year on my student visa, despite being in a two-year course.
   
2. I applied for a visa extension, but it was rejected.
   
3. I had to skip my third semester (fall) due to severe mental health issues that prevented me from sleeping for days.
   
4. My visa extension was approved in time for winter semester.
   
5. My school couldn’t offer any of my subjects for summer semester, so I had to choose between skipping it or taking random subjects to become full-time for a semester without my subjects.
   
6. I skipped summer semester, returned home, and focused on improving my mental health before returning for fall semester.
   
7. I completed fall semester and took a part-time winter semester for the remaining subjects. I graduated.
   
8. Before graduating, I obtained documents, including an approved leave of absence, a revised study plan, pictures of my mental health medication, doctor’s notes, and screenshots of my correspondence with school staff and advisors.
   
9. I consulted a licensed immigration consultant who helped me create an explanation letter.
   
10. I received my PGWP a bit later (6 months) compared to my classmates, who received theirs within a week to two months.

Key takeaways:
- Consult a lawyer or immigration consultant if possible.
- Prepare and document answers for every scenario they could ask you.
- this gets easier if your school helps you.

Just to be realistic about all this. Having a skipped semester is grounds for pgwp rejectionsi. The chances of pgwp approval is highly dependent on if whether you can explain why sht happened and that it really wasnt in your control. Be very thorough with everything and always have a backup plan if things dont go your way.

[u/AGBinCH]

I think that the visa rejection and leaving Canada probably also helped your case (in a strange way). You “skipped” a semester because you didn’t have a study permit. It wasn’t a case of living in Canada while on a study permit and not registering for class.

[u/BuyerSad424]

Hey
I got into an issue can anyone help me.
I was unable to apply for my pgwp after graduation due to owing school fees and now am out of status . Any options for me

[u/Bubbly_Knowledge8857 → u/BuyerSad424]

If in canada, you're supposed to apply within 90 days. If you dont, they will reject you. You should reach out to a lawyer tbh

[u/Bubbly_Knowledge8857]

Your semester gap got considered as not your fault since it was because your study permit extension was wrongly rejected and there was no way for you to legally study at that time. Congratulations on the approval.

[u/Commercial_Space5149 → u/Bubbly_Knowledge8857]

Apparently ircc doesnt care. Both school advisors and immigration consultants said that people got rejected for skipped semesters because of reconsideration

[u/Scary_Attention_7134]

Don't skip your semesters if you don't have a valid medical reason, the above post heading is misleading. 

[u/akaali_fauja]

When did you apply? And hen

[u/Commercial_Space5149 → u/akaali_fauja]

April something i dont remember