r/pgwprefusal

Quick update + PSA for those waiting on PGWP extensions due to passport expiry!

I applied for my PGWP extension on December 5, 2025.My original PGWP was only valid for 2 years which was till Dec 10,2025 due to my passport expiry date, so I applied to get the remaining time added.

Got an update today
it’s been approved, and the validity date is exactly what it should be. No surprises there.

Just wanted to share a heads-up for anyone who’s heard rumors: don’t expect any bonus time on your extension, in case someone out there is claiming otherwise. You’ll get what you’re entitled to, nothing more.

Hope this helps someone who’s been waiting!

I promised myself that if things worked out, I would come back here and share my story to help others going through the same thing, because this situation seems to be happening to a lot of people lately. I'll divide this post in 2 parts for people who have already submitted new applications (PART 1) and for people who just got their refusal and are stuggling with filling out the new IMM 5710e form (PART 2).

PART 1:

So here’s the full timeline of my situation and what i did about it:

• Graduated from a 2-year master’s program at a designated university in Vancouver: January 6, 2026
• PGWP applied: January 13
• Study permit expired: March 31
• PGWP refused because I forgot to attach my CELPIP scores: April 14
• Request for reconsideration submitted: April 16
• Restoration + new PGWP application submitted: April 18 (for another freaking $650)
• Contacted local MP office: April 23

The MP office contacted IRCC on April 27. IRCC told them:

• they had received my reconsideration request,
• my new PGWP application had already passed criminality checks,
• but they claimed they didn’t receive my restoration fee payment.

I had the receipt though, so I sent it to the MP caseworker, who forwarded it to IRCC. The IRCC agent said they would pass the proof of payment to the processing centre.

***I SHOULD'VE DONE THIS EARLIER, BUT on May 5, I called IRCC myself. I honestly got lucky and spoke to one of the nicest agents I’ve ever talked to there. You could tell he genuinely wanted to help. I called mainly to confirm they could see my payment, but I also politely asked if they could send an internal note to the officer reviewing my file saying that all my documents were now complete and ready for review. I had heard agents can do that internally, although many don’t.

May 15:
I got an update that my reconsideration request was ACCEPTED. They internally withdrew my restoration application and reopened my refused PGWP file. (Which also means I should get part of that money refunded.)

I then had to wait until the next business day to call IRCC and ask whether I could return to work.

May 19:
IRCC told me NO, wait until the status officially changes to approved before working again. They did say it shouldn’t take long though.

May 20 (today):
PGWP APPROVED and issued with document number and everything.

I’m not even gonna lie - this entire process was emotionally brutal.

This year already came with a lot of unexpected financial losses, reduced work, and personal problems at home. It honestly felt like one bad thing after another. Then getting hit with a refusal over ONE missing document just completely crushed me internally.

Having to suddenly spend another $650 when I barely had savings left was awful. And seeing those 7 to 8 months processing times terrified me because one possible reality was not being able to work for months while living in expensive-ass Vancouver.

But I want people reading this to know: there IS hope.

Sometimes you have to create additional avenues for yourself:

• submit reconsideration ASAP,
• apply for restoration/new PGWP if needed,
• contact your MP,
• follow up,
• keep records of EVERYTHING,
• and stay proactive.

Most importantly: don’t lose hope.

Reading other people’s stories on Reddit was one of the only things keeping me sane during this process, so I hope this post helps someone else the same way.

Now, for people who just got their refusal and are struggling with the IRCC IMM5710e form!

Part 2:

If your situation is:

• you were last a student,
• you applied for PGWP,
• your PGWP got refused,
• and now your study permit is expired,

then this might help you.

I submitted my new application after lots of reasearch and then confirming that with an immigration consultant and later an IRCC agent (although its better to confirm it with an immigration consultant or even the new IRCC's immigration chatgpt, just google it out), and this is basically how I did it.

Before the document checklist appears, during the questionnaire section, I stated my current status as Student because that was technically my last valid status. Due to IRCC system limitations, there isn’t really a proper “out of status after refusal” option there.

Then comes the IMM5710 form itself.

This is the IMPORTANT part:

• DO NOT choose “Restoration of status as worker.”
• You were never issued a work permit, so legally you were never a worker.
• You are applying for a PGWP for the FIRST time.

So in IMM5710:

• choose the option related to applying for a work permit for the first time / PGWP,
• under “Current immigration status,” choose Other,
• and specify: Out of Status
• leave the status expiry dates blank.

Then fill out the rest of the form normally like you did the first time. Once everything else is complete properly, the form should validate and finally upload successfully.

Now comes the restoration payment part, which is honestly the most mindfucking part of the process.

Search on Google:
“IRCC restoration payments”

You’ll find the payment page where you need to separately pay for:
Restoration of status as a STUDENT, not worker.

The amount was:
$396.25

Download that receipt immediately.

Then, in your “Client Information” section, upload:

• the restoration fee receipt,
• a Letter of Explanation (LOE),
• your refusal letter,
• your expired study permit,
• your language test results,
• and any other supporting documents.

I combined everything into ONE PDF using iLovePDF lol.

In your LOE:

• clearly write your full name, UCI, DOB, application number if available, etc.
• clearly state in bold that the application is for: RESTORATION OF STATUS + POST GRADUATION WORK PERMIT
• explain why the original PGWP was refused,
• confirm that you understand restoration conditions,
• state that you stopped working after refusal,
• and explain that you are requesting restoration along with reconsideration/PGWP processing.

Then after uploading everything, you’ll pay the additional PGWP/work permit fees during final submission, which is another:
$255

This process is incredibly stressful and confusing, especially when you’re already panicking after a refusal, so I genuinely hope this helps someone.

Best of luck to anyone going through this. I really pray things work out for you too.

I keep logging back to reddit every 3 days or so, so IF there is any question i see here, i'll follow-up with you shortly 😄

I got a refusal for PGWP because I hadn't uploaded any English test, which I vaguely remember doing, but I guess it didn't go through. I am not quite sure, but regardless, I raised a reconsideration request on my own and later used a rep.

I was going through the explanation letter the rep wrote for me, and found an error, where they mentioned the wrong refusal date in one instance, but it is correct everywhere else. What would be an appropriate thing to do here?

Should I raise another web form explaining to them to ignore that mistake, or should I leave it? I don't want to keep raising unnecessary forms if it affects my timeline and if I don't have to.

Any suggestion is appreciated.

Hello everyone, I am here to share one of the most stressful events and timeline thinking it might give some hope to someone who is facing the same situation.

2 years post grad completed on Aug 2025
Applied PGWP - Aug 31 2025 (thinking all the docs were attached even Ielts)
Ielts completion - July 2025 with good band score
Refused after 180 days - March 7, 2026 stating that there’s no proof of English Language documents
Applied for reconsideration - March 8th 2026
Reached out to MP for help - March 9th
MP office somehow provided me updates regarding the application
Application forwarded to officer on March 20th
Reached out to MP on April 24 asking for update and they never replied back
Called MP’s office on March 12, inquired about the email and application l, the receptionist asked me if it was life and death situation and if not I should wait at least 3 weeks to hear back from them, it had been over 3 weeks.
May 12th applied to restoration- to student and new PGWP even after 180 days. I knew the risks and did it anyways.
I waited for over 2 months hoping it would be approved from reconsideration, and also I was really confused about the restoration process- I did not want to restore as visitor.
New application was withdrawn - May 13th 2026
They approved my old application from Aug 31 -May 14
The status is changed to approved. Now, I am waiting for the letter.
These 2 months were really stressful. Even though I kept saying myself, this is the time I get for myself to relax and do something I like, but my mind was never at peace. I had good support system around me, my friends who kept me going. I am really thankful to Reddit community here as I came to know about reconsideration and kept reading updates which gave me hope. Well, I hope everyone who is currently going through the same situation may get the approval soon.
All the best!!!

I’m sharing this because I want to give hope to anyone who feels like their future is over after a refusal. If you are right and you made an honest mistake, you can fight it—but you have to be smart about who you trust.

The Initial Errors: Check Every Single Page
My refusal happened because of two simple, avoidable mistakes:

1 The Half-Printed Document: My college provided a transcript that was only half-printed. I didn’t notice the missing information and uploaded it as-is.

2 The "Submit" Trap: When IRCC requested a new transcript, I uploaded the file until the button turned green. I thought I was done. I didn’t realize I had to digitally sign and click "Submit" again.
My application sat as "Uploaded" for two days past the deadline, so the officer never officially received it.

Important: Before you click anything, read every page of your documents to ensure they aren't cut off. And never leave the portal until you have a confirmation of transmission.

The Agency Experience: Don't Let Them Take Your Money. When I got my refusal, I was depressed and desperate. I went to an immigration agency for help, and my experience was a wake-up call.

They saw my situation—knowing I was out of status and stressed about my loans—and tried to take advantage of me.

They insisted I had to pay for both a reconsideration request AND a restoration of status (since my study permit had expired in September 2025). It felt like they were just trying to "snatch" as much money as possible while I was down.

My Advice: Many agencies are there just to make money. If you are in a serious legal bind, go to a licensed immigration lawyer. I found a lawyer who gave me a free consultation and honestly told me I could handle the reconsideration myself. She guided me on how to convince the officer that it was a genuine mistake. She saved my future without trying to drain my bank account.

The Timeline of My Case

May 19, 2025: Applied for my PGWP.
Feb 19, 2026: Received a request for a new transcript from IRCC.
Feb 20, 2026: Uploaded document (but failed to "Submit" it officially).
March 1, 2026: Received the Refusal Letter.
March 3, 2026: Applied for Reconsideration and called IRCC to confirm they had the files.
May 1, 2026: Contacted my local MP to request a follow-up on the file.
May 12, 2026: SUCCESS! Reconsideration approved and my file was reopened.
Final Words of Advice

Double-check everything: Look at every document for printing errors.
Verify with IRCC: After you submit a requested document, call them. They can tell you within 2–3 minutes if the file is actually attached to your application.
Be your own advocate: No one cares about your file as much as you do. Write a sincere reconsideration request, provide proof of your honest mistake, and don't be afraid to ask your MP for a follow-up.
If you are innocent and proactive, the system will listen.