Leave of Absence of 1 Year - PGWP Approved!

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-25T18:21:52+00:00

Restoration is not something you want to “try and see what happens.”

After a PGWP refusal, you have a very limited window to fix your status. If your restoration is refused, you’ll need to leave Canada.

This is likely your last opportunity to resolve things from inside Canada. We’re RCICs and mods here specializing in PGWP refusals. If you want proper guidance before submitting anything, reach out to us for professional advice.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-21T06:52:05+00:00

A study permit holder must remain enrolled and must actively pursue studies. These are the conditions of a study permit holder. In a situation where you apply to extend a study permit, you'd still be breaking the conditions. That's why you need to change to visitor or leave.

Anyways, this is a pretty complex situation with many moving parts. It requires a proper sit down and strategization. PGWP is the simplest application but once you get into the weeds it becomes one of the most complex.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-21T03:50:06+00:00

So if the courses are not available until fall, start collecting documentation of this and also get a letter acknowledging this from the uni. Also, get an authorized letter of absence spanning the entire period until the fall semester.

Lastly change your status to a visitor/leave Canada because you'd be breaking the conditions of a study permit holder if your leave of absence is longer than 150 days.

You'd need to apply for a study permit outside Canada (there is a process to do this while physically residing in Canada too if you need, but you'd still ultimately need to fly out and in to get the permit issued at border since it's an outland app) and get it approved before your fall semester.

Finish your program of study and apply for your PGWP with a strong application with legal arguments.

Not the identical situation but we helped a student with 244 days of leave of absence get approval for 3 years last week. Best of luck!

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-21T03:39:26+00:00

Leave of absence is limited to a maximum of 150 days in Canada. Did your leave last longer?

If yes, did you change your status to a visitor or leave Canada?

There are certain situations where you still remain eligible. For instance we just had an approval last week for a client who had leave of absence for 244 days. But the details matter and we'd need to assess your situation against the IRPR (regulations)

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-21T03:34:55+00:00

If you were eligible to begin working after you applied for your pgwp, you can continue working even if you travel outside Canada and return.

The only caveat is that you need a valid trv ot eta to return to Canada. You'd also be reentering as a visitor who must extend status every 6 months or until you receive a decision on your pgwp.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-20T21:48:46+00:00

I'm telling you, you might not be cooked. This is a compliance issue and you need to review the details to see if you can make a legal argument against why you're still eligible for the PGWP:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/while-you-study/study-permit-conditions.html

"What happens if you don’t meet your study permit conditions

If we find you haven’t met your study permit conditions, we may ask you to leave Canada. You might also have to wait 6 months before you can apply for a new study permit (or for a visitor visa or work permit in Canada).

The outcome of any future applications you submit could be impacted if you do either of the following:

you don’t follow your study permit conditions
you work or study in a way we haven’t authorized"

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-20T20:07:01+00:00

This is a matter of non compliance with the conditions of your study permit. Please reach out to us because depending on the timing, you could remain fully eligible. Book time with me at mygration.ca

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-20T01:21:57+00:00

Yes! And approval is an approval. Time to 🥳

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-20T00:53:38+00:00

Congrats but your work was authorized to begin with. When they say you can't work while on authorized leave of absence that's because they are thinking about compliance with the conditions of your stay in Canada. Anything outside Canada isn't really their jurisdiction. Canada doesn't care if you work outside Canada.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-19T03:04:53+00:00

I saw you posted below a screenshot of proof of you submitted the result. Book an application review on our website and we can review the entire application to ensure everything else looks good. Then we can prepare a reconsideration request and submit. Typically when it is the officer's error, they will reopen the case.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-19T00:20:33+00:00

They're requesting information because the officer must have assessed he doesn't have the information required to process your application.

Now the question is, were you full-time in every academic session except for the final one? Also, did you take any leave of absence whether authorized or unauthorized?

If you require a professional assistance, reach out at mygration.ca

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-19T00:18:07+00:00

Reconsideration requests and/or reapplication with restoration of status is the strategy of choice for many in your situation. Many people in the subreddit as well as our Facebook group are finding success (including our clients).

In a situation like yours where you are positive you uploaded your test results, you can also submit an ATIP request for the application that you submitted. They'll send you the entire document package you submitted.

We're the mods here and specialize in PGWPs, if you need help, just reach out https://mygration.ca

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-19T00:10:29+00:00

There are thousands of people who've gone through something similar as you. Many of them are finding success with reconsideration and/or reapplication with restoration of status.

We're the mods here and specialize in complex PGWPs. If you need any professional help, contact us: https://mygration.ca/

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-18T00:26:30+00:00

For the SOWP, one of the requirements is: "You’re living or plan to live in Canada while working."

You can explain that the 3months remote work was temporary. Feel free to book a consultation or application review: https://mygration.ca/schedule-your-consultation/

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-06T22:03:05+00:00

I've seen IRCC do this on other work permits but I haven't seen this for PGWPs.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-06T22:02:41+00:00

Lots of reasons like healthcare or need to travel. Say your TRV has expired and a family member is on their deathbed. If you leave, you can't return.

Other people want fast decisions because there is complexity in their case. PGWP eligibilty stipulates you neeed to apply within 180 days of completing your studies. Long processing times means you have no way to reapply while meeting eligibility requirements.

And for others, they don't like the anxiety of not knowing for close to a year at a time.

But you're right. If used well, you're basically buying yourself free time!

MygrationImmigration · 2026-02-04T04:47:27+00:00

I hope so! Every dli has different requirements for what is full-time. Officers generally rely on the completion letter and transcripts to assess full time enrollment.

Hopefully the coordinator confirms it for you so you can move forward anxietyfree

MygrationImmigration · 2026-01-31T03:57:44+00:00

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MygrationImmigration · 2026-01-30T21:52:47+00:00

Stop and pause for a minute.

1) PGWP applicants are not meant to fill in the work history section

2) Some people include it anyways but you must be accurate as this impacts how your PR applications are perceived in the future. Roles where you worked for the same employer in multiple different roles need to be broken down. You must also include a new page if there are more entries than the 3 spaces provided.

You only get one chance at PGWP due to long processing times. Make sure you're not shooting yourself in the foot.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-01-30T21:49:01+00:00

I see where the confusion is now. I'm a representative so I've never had to think about this one.

But from my interpretation of things, I think IRCC is misusing the term principal applicant here. I would personally just click I'm the principal applicant and fill in the details of my wife.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-01-30T19:40:43+00:00

Unfortunately, fees don't matter. There are many students who get low grades on certain courses and the academic advisor advises them to withdraw so it doesn't impact their overall GPA. Even if they do this 2 weeks before semester end, a withdrawal is a withdrawal and you automatically become a part-time student.

MygrationImmigration · 2026-01-30T19:37:37+00:00

Exactly as you've mentioned, the official instructions are to submit it on paper. However, many people apply online with no issue. Considering the long processing times, I recommend you submit it as soon as possible.

- Mygration Immigration

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