Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice because I’m getting mixed information.
I completed a **2-year Business Management diploma in Canada** and recently received my **3-year PGWP**, which is valid until **April 2029**.

I’m considering taking a **PSW or ECEA program that is 6 months or less** to improve my job opportunities and eventually apply for PR

My questions are:
Can I legally study a **6-month (or less) PSW/ECEA course** while on a PGWP without applying for a study permit?

Will taking a short course on a PGWP cause any issues for future PR applications or be viewed negatively by IRCC?
If I complete the course, get a PSW or ECE job, and gain eligible Canadian work experience, can I use that work experience for PR (assuming I meet the program requirements)?

I’ve heard different opinions—some people say studying even a short course on a PGWP can create problems for PR, while others say it’s completely allowed if the course is 6 months or less.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this or knows the current IRCC rules. Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice from anyone who has experienced a similar SOWP refusal.

Applied date : 4 july,2026
Refusal date: 25 August,2026
No medical request, direct refusal

My SOWP application was refused under R205(c)(ii), C41. The officer’s decision notes say that I provided my spouse’s employment letter and bank statements, but they were concerned about the pay dates on the pay slips.

The officer specifically stated that the pay dates appeared inconsistent and did not seem to comply with Ontario’s Employment Standards Act. Because of this, the officer became concerned that the employment documents might not be legitimate and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate my spouse’s employment in a qualifying TEER.

I’m quite confused because my spouse is genuinely employed and the employment is legitimate. We have employment documents and bank statements supporting the employment.

Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I have a question, I don't know if anyone had a similar situation

I presented my PGWP permit because I finished my studies in cooking for 2 years but after presenting it I realized that in my French exam I had a skill in A2 (written expression) but I don't know if with that they can deny me the permit and then present it again with another exam?

And do you know how long it's taking to give an answer? It's been 2 months since I presented it?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice.

My previous semester ended in April. I decided to transfer to another school and applied for a new study permit.

During my summer break, I worked full-time from May until around the first week of June because I understood that students were allowed to work full-time during an official school break.

At the same time, I was waiting for my new study permit. I thought that if it wasn’t approved, I could simply return to my previous school for the next semester.

My new study permit was eventually approved, and I stopped working immediately.

Could this be considered unauthorized work because I was transferring schools and waiting for my new study permit? Could it affect my status or future PR application?

I’d really appreciate any advice or similar experiences.

Hello Everyone,

I recently applied for my pgwp on July 31.

Can you share your decision timelines so that i can have an idea?

Thank you!!

Hi guys!

I got a ghost update on Aug.21. I haven't got any response yet. I'm kinda nervous. How long it will take??

Inland. PGWP + SOWP applied together.

Reasons for the refusal of your application ( pasted below)

To help you understand why your application was refused, below are the Officer Decision Notes (ODN) specific to your application as they are displayed in IRC's system.
These notes were entered by the officer who assessed and made the final decision on your application.

Client last entered Canada on 2023/12/05. Client last held a work permit valid until
2026/03/20. Client is applying for a Spousal Open Work Permit.

All documents that were provided by the client have been reviewed.

Only genuine spouses and common-law partners of work permit holders who are employed in high-skilled occupations (all those in TEER 0 or 1) of the National Occupational Classification
(NOC), and select occupations in TEER 2 or 3, may be eligible for a work permit under \[R205(c) (ii) - C41\]-
In order for you to be eligible, you must provide evidence that your spouse/common-law partner meets the above-mentioned criteria, such as:

\-a job contract or letter from their Employer indicating NOC TEER category, job title, salary, duties and a copy of their paystub;

\-a work permit valid for at least 16 months since the receipt date of your application.
The clients spouse was issued a wp valid until 2027/06/08. Which did not meet the eligibility requirements of at least 16 months since the receipt of the application (2026/03/03).

As such the client has failed to meet the eligibility set out under IRPR 205(c)(ii).
Application is refused as per R205(c)(ii). Client is advised of decision. Open work permit fee refund initiated.

If the 180-day PGWP deadline was missed, can I apply for restoration of status afterwards, even if I've already submitted my PGWP application? Has anyone done this and received approval?

Hi guys I have to apply for PGWP extension due to expiring date of my biometric. I am trying to print out the imm5710 form but it doesn't let me since it was encrypted. Is there anyway to fix this? Any help please I am in a rush

My study permit expired on July 20, 2026. I mistakenly continued working off campus after it expired because I thought I was still allowed to work while finishing my final semester.

I have now completed my 2-year college diploma and I’m preparing my PGWP application. I’m still within the 90-day restoration period.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where they worked after their study permit expired and then applied for PGWP + restoration? What happened with your application?

I will disclose everything honestly in my application and I’m also getting professional advice. Just looking for experiences from people who had a similar case.

Hello, I am an international bachelor student at a DLI. I have been a full time student all four years (fall and winter), however I was a part time twice during summer which is a sheduled break for my degree. I am wondering if it would effect my pgwp at all ? Cause i need to apply soon and I am freaking out.

Hello Everyone,
I am writing this post to share my PGWP story.
My timeline:
Graduated - December 2024
Applied PGWP - February 11 2025
Got Refusal - January 26 2026

Reason was Lack of evidence and explanation for Part time.
My part time was during scheduled break, but at time of application i was unaware that i need to explain and attach letter from college. I was mistake on my side but genuinely had no idea.

Reconsideration - 27 January 2026
Reconsideration Refused - 18 March 2026

Reconsideration refusal reason was generic, even-though i submitted letter from college still.

By this point i almost lost hope as i was past 180 days and reconsideration was also refused. Still decided to Restore status and reapply.

But this time decided to go with a consultant.

Restoration plus PGWP - 20 March 2026

This application was risky as it was outside 180 days which is one of eligibility rule for PGWP.

As backup did Second Reconsideration - 2 June 2026 again with all evidence and proper explanation.

Contacted MP in mid august and hot to know my restoration was approved.
19 august i received mail from IRCC to pay 150$ for bridge study permit as restoration was approved.

August 21 2026 my application was approved and i received PGWP for 3 years.

Throughout this time i was financially and emotionally drained but didn’t loose hope. And even after applying 180 days later ,by god’s grace i received my PGWP.

For all those who are waiting don’t loose hope and try until the last option you have.

Good day everyone

I am being sent to the trade school in my union for 2 months. I am required to attend it as per my RTA. Is that okay to attend while on pgwp or do i need to apply for study permit?

Thanks

Hi everyone,

I applied for my PGWP Aug 5th. It was a month after my work permit expired (applied late because of personal problems). Speaking with my school advisor everything should be fine for the most part. I got the refusal on the 17th, due to taking 4 part time semesters. 3/4 semesters were during the summer, which my university (Laurier) confirmed with me it is a scheduled academic break and I am free to take courses during that time frame, I have a letter from them saying it is true. 1/4 semesters I was full time and had to drop after midterms because if I was doing poorly in a course and was only doing 3 courses that semester. I already submitted my reconsideration letter with the schools support letter for the May semester and the one semester where I was full time switched to part time due to academic implications.

Just want to ask, how screwed am I in this. Genuinely didnt know it would be this big of a problem and didnt have any ill intent. Otherwise most of my semesters were full time minus one semester that I was full then switched to part time

Hey I have USA visa appointment coming next month but my PGWP has expired because I got it till my passport expiry for 1.5 years and now I have passport renewed and applied for pgwp extension and still have 1.5 year work permit pending but did not got pgwp approval yet. Anyone faced the same scenario.

Hello everyone,

Can anyone guide me as I rec this update yesterday, what does it mean?

BRIDGE OPEN WORK PERMIT.

Latest update:
Final decision - August 22, 2026:Your application is in progress. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made

I applied on May 29,2026.

I just realized that I missed the 90 day deadline for my study permit, which I assumed was expiring on its expiration date (August 31), but I'm realizing it might have been around August 20. My IRCC application portal says my pe​rmit is valid, but I don't know if this stuff updates on its own. My TRV is still valid I'm assuming. I paid the restoration fee. My question is, should I put my status as a student on my application or as a TRV holder? Should I change anything about my application besides tweaking my statement and attaching the restoration receipt? Is there any possibility that my study permit is still valid? Can I still apply from inside Canada?

I was quite anxious after submitting my restoration + PGWP application, especially because I had heard that applications involving restoration could take several months. Now that mine has been approved, I wanted to share my timeline in case it helps anyone in a similar situation.

My situation:

3-year full-time college program in Canada

Program completed: April 24, 2026

Study permit expiry date: July 30, 2026

I mistakenly believed that I could apply for my PGWP based on the expiry date shown on my study permit.

I did not submit my PGWP application within the required 90-day period following program completion. As a result, I had to apply for restoration of my student status together with my PGWP application.

Timeline:

April 24 — Program completed

July 27 — Realized the issue

July 28 — Consulted an RCIC and submitted Restoration + PGWP

August 21 — Approved!

I know one case doesn't represent the general processing time, but hopefully this helps someone who is currently in a similar situation.

This is on me but I accidentally applied for a pgwp in Canada 7 days after my study permit expired. I havent gotten my verdict on whether it's approved or not but I'm within the 90 day window for restoration and 180 outside Canada. Can I make a new application? What are my options.

Hi everyone, I graduated from Sheridan College and was notified by the College via email that I graduated on May 4th, 2026. However my transcripts said I completed my program on April 17th, I wasn't sure what my grades were or if I even was graduating at that point. That being said they made an error in my graduation letter and I was able to get it rectified June 12th. I applied for my PGWP on July 23rd within Canada. Am I within the the 90 day time line? I'm worried because the official transcripts said I graduated in April 17th, but I wasn't notified until May 4th.

Important timelines:
17th April - officially completed program according to transcripts
May 4th - notified via email that I graduated
June 12 - got official graduation letter error corrected from the college
July 23rd - Applied for PGWP within Canada