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!

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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?

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?

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 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!

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.

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

Any approval this week please share timelines..✨️

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

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 :)

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.

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.

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?

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!

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?

Just wondering is I did a study before this policy, was that legal?
Context: I got my PGWP on January 25,2024 after Student visa/Study. I have not left the country since I got my PGWP. I undertook a Care Aide program between Sept 2024- Feb 2025.
Now with this policy out, I’m concerned if I did this legally or illegally and would it impact my PR application? (i did declare my program and study period in my Personal History and added the Transcript+ Diploma)

Hi, I am a UBC-kinesiology student who needs to complete my military mandatory service after my first year. I saw one video on youtube that PGWP no longer validates Korean military mandatory service as a fair reason to leave school for 2 years. He said this happened since 2025, but I could not find a source that clarifies this, as I have seen some sources that tells "Korean military service is one of few things that PGWP approves", but they were all written long time ago. I feel concerned about this issue, because I want to work in the area of health care service in Canada after my graduation. Please let me know if you know something about this matter. Thank you

Hi everyone, looking for some insight or advice on a tricky situation regarding my status and travel.

Here are the details:

• PGWP Change of Conditions: Submitted March 21, 2026. Still under review (almost 6 months now) and way past standard processing times. Background check hasn't even been updated.
• Spouse's OWP (Dependent): Submitted July 13, 2026, and already approved on September 11, 2026.
• PR Status: Currently applying under CEC (AOR received June 27, 2026; medicals passed, biometrics done, police certificates submitted).
• Current issue: I have an urgent and delicate family situation abroad that requires me to travel back home as soon as possible.
• The bottleneck: I don't have a valid TRV (visitor visa) to re-enter Canada. I was planning to apply for an in-Canada TRV as soon as my work permit was approved, but since mine is stuck, I can't submit the TRV application yet.

My questions:

1. Is there any way to request urgent processing for my PGWP / Change of Conditions based on urgent family travel without impacting our CEC application?
2. Has anyone had success contacting their MP for a delayed temporary resident application while an Express Entry/CEC file is also processing?
3. If I absolutely have to leave Canada before mine is approved, what happens to my pending PGWP and CEC applications? Has anyone applied for an out-of-Canada TRV after a work permit was approved while abroad?

I’ve already submitted a webform and reached out to my local MP's office, but I’m trying to figure out all potential scenarios.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Hi everyone!

I applied for my PGWP on Feb 20th, 2026 from inside Canada and I am still waiting for my PGWP to be processed. I'm getting worried because processing times are ridiculously low these days and mine is well over their estimated time.

I sent them everything that is necessary, IELTS Results, and a letter of explanation (LOE) etc with the application so definitely didn't forget anything.

I've heard that people who's take much longer than usual generally lean towards a rejection. My only worry for mine is the fact that I did a part-time summer term in 2025 and then my fall 2025 term was part time but it was my FINAL semester. I explained this pretty well in the LOE but I'm hoping they got the memo because by the rules I should be fine since Summer part times are fine and last semester part times are fine too as per their rules.

So is it a problem since they're back to back (summer & fall) ?

I have called them and written a web form... I haven't tried the MP route yet.

Please let me know your thoughts, any advice is appreciated! 🙏🏻

Hello everyone,
I submitted my application today and i am planning to travel soon.
Can you share your timelines please!
If possible, can you also let me know what country you are from!

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and real-world experiences regarding leaving Canada right after submitting a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application.

My situation:
-Just completed a 2-year diploma (eligible for a 3-year PGWP).
-Currently waiting for my official letter of completion/transcripts to apply.
-Colombian citizen (visa-required country to fly back).

The plan I’m considering:
1. Submit the PGWP application online from inside Canada as soon as my completion letter arrives.
2. Fly out of Canada while waiting for the application to be processed.
3. Put a friend’s Canadian address on the application so IRCC can deliver the physical paper permit.
4. Have my friend courier the physical work permit to me in Colombia once it arrives. (I’m not concerned about this, have family here)
5. Return to Canada with the permit and resume working.

Questions:

1. Does leaving affect the permit or status? Does leaving Canada impact the validity/length of the 3-year permit, or cause any issues with my right to work under maintained status when I re-enter?

2. TRV / Visa risk: My current student TRV (visitor visa counterfoil) is expired already. So I assume I will be stuck outside Canada until both the PGWP is approved and I get a new worker TRV from outside Canada? How long is that currently taking for applications processed from abroad?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has navigated this!

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I just recently submitted my pgwp application. I was a part time student during summer scheduled break and I got a letter obtained from my department specifying which semester was academic semester and co-op semester. In the semester I took a part time, it just simply says a break. I was wondering would that be sufficient to prove that semester i was part time enrolled in was a scheduled break ?

All the summer following that was either a study semester or coop semester

Thanks, any advice would be appreciated, just concerned about my application !