A surge in Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) refusals has prompted IRCC to publish detailed filing instructions on December 12. The advisory targets recent international graduates who, unaware of portal limitations, have been omitting required language-test scores and proof-of-field-of-study documents when applying online.
Under the current system, the PGWP e-application lacks dedicated slots for these uploads, leading some applicants to assume they are unnecessary. Officers have been refusing such files outright, costing graduates valuable time and, in some cases, status—particularly problematic because the PGWP is a once-in-a-lifetime permit that underpins many permanent-residence pathways.
For applicants looking to avoid these pitfalls, VisaHQ offers practical assistance: its Canadian visa specialists (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can review document bundles, identify missing or mis-categorized evidence, and submit the application on the graduate’s behalf, reducing the likelihood of refusal caused by portal quirks and oversight.
![IRCC issues new guidance to prevent Post-Graduation Work Permit refusals]()
IRCC now instructs applicants to consolidate missing items into a single PDF labelled “Letter of Explanation—Mandatory Documents” and attach it under the optional documents section. The department also clarified that an official transcript or completion letter must accompany the proof of study field. Applications already refused may be reconsidered if the only deficiency was document placement, provided a new application is filed before status expiry.
For employers counting on PGWP holders to fill entry-level roles, the clarification is critical. A refused permit can break onboarding timelines and trigger compliance headaches if the graduate inadvertently works without authorization. Universities have likewise been asked to integrate the new instructions into their international-student exit briefings.
Recommendation: Mobility teams should cross-check in-flight PGWP applications and proactively coach graduates to include the consolidated PDF until IRCC updates its portal.
Under the current system, the PGWP e-application lacks dedicated slots for these uploads, leading some applicants to assume they are unnecessary. Officers have been refusing such files outright, costing graduates valuable time and, in some cases, status—particularly problematic because the PGWP is a once-in-a-lifetime permit that underpins many permanent-residence pathways.
For applicants looking to avoid these pitfalls, VisaHQ offers practical assistance: its Canadian visa specialists (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can review document bundles, identify missing or mis-categorized evidence, and submit the application on the graduate’s behalf, reducing the likelihood of refusal caused by portal quirks and oversight.
IRCC now instructs applicants to consolidate missing items into a single PDF labelled “Letter of Explanation—Mandatory Documents” and attach it under the optional documents section. The department also clarified that an official transcript or completion letter must accompany the proof of study field. Applications already refused may be reconsidered if the only deficiency was document placement, provided a new application is filed before status expiry.
For employers counting on PGWP holders to fill entry-level roles, the clarification is critical. A refused permit can break onboarding timelines and trigger compliance headaches if the graduate inadvertently works without authorization. Universities have likewise been asked to integrate the new instructions into their international-student exit briefings.
Recommendation: Mobility teams should cross-check in-flight PGWP applications and proactively coach graduates to include the consolidated PDF until IRCC updates its portal.
