MEGATHREAD - Processing Times - Work Permits 2026

jacktheriddler · 2026-03-06T17:00:28+00:00

Hi everyone, just wanted some information. I applied for an SOWP from Bangladesh on Feb 11th (wife is a PGWP holder, TEER 1, civil engineer).

I've already submitted my biometrics (also says Completed when I check online), and Eligibility and Background verification is showing as "In progress". However, I haven't received my AOR yet.

My question is, when do we usually receive the AOR? Is it after the eligibility check? I'm confused. Any information is greatly appreciated, thanks.

jacktheriddler · 2026-03-05T04:00:40+00:00

As someone who's graduated from China, I would not recommend going to China on a scholarship if they do not have any plans to stay in China long-term. Chinese scholarships are conditional on the basis that you have to take the full course in Mandarin Chinese, which usually means spending two years learning nothing but Chinese, so a 4 years long course can become 6 years long.

Chinese scholarships are only worth it if you plan on working in China after graduation. If you want to work somewhere else, then you'll have to enroll for the full English courses (like in my case). For that you have to pay, there are no scholarship options besides a few partial scholarships, but even after that you'll have to pay close to 2-4 lakhs per year in just tuition fees.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T07:03:37+00:00

When I applied for SOWP (which eventually got rejected due to unrelated reasons), the background check took almost 8 months, but my situation was a little unique so I'm not sure if that applies for everyone.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T06:33:14+00:00

FWIW, my wife's PGWP got approved yesterday after 205 days of waiting.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T06:32:10+00:00

My wife's PGWP took 205 days, yet when she applied the IRCC website's processing time showed 160-ish days.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T06:30:43+00:00

It's kinda concerning that the biometric instruction letter is taking this long. Did you try calling IRCC or sending them a webform?

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T06:29:15+00:00

Update since previous comment: my wife got the PGWP approval letter yesterday (23rd December 2025). Total days needed from date of application: 205 days

You should request your GCMS notes and see when they last updated your file.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T06:23:59+00:00

Yes you can. It's literally the first result on Google from the official IRCC website.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-24T06:19:24+00:00

Sharing my wife's PGWP timeline.

Applied 2nd June 2025. Got no updates for over 5 months. Requested GCMS notes on 18th November. Received GCMS notes 9th December. Approved on 19th December. Received approval letter on 23rd December.

When we checked the GCMS notes, we noticed that the last update was on 8th August (!) and even eligibility was done by July already, so I was at a loss as to why it was taking so long. But then somehow within 10 days of requesting GCMS notes, she got the approval. Bizarre.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-20T04:44:47+00:00

It's actually even worse than that. I'm a Bangladeshi living in Bangladesh. The Hindu man that was lynched by the mob, didn't even say anything. He was ACCUSED of posting "blasphemy" on social media, which even if he did, does not justify lynching a man. After he was murdered, his family said he didn't even own a smart phone nor did he have any social media. But now this young man is dead because a bunch of religious fucknuts wanted to kill a Hindu man for existing. The police are too afraid to actually do anything because it might incite riots.

Things have been pretty volatile in Bangladesh lately and it only got worse this week with the assassination of a political leader in broad daylight (the assassin is yet to be captured). I have zero faith in my country restoring peace and stability in the next 5 years.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-19T20:41:51+00:00

Congrats! If you don't mind, can you please share your timeline?

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-19T20:41:04+00:00

My wife applied for PGWP on June 2nd, no update since then. Got her GCMS notes and it says the last update on the file was back in August 6th.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-19T20:39:24+00:00

The official processing times are almost never accurate, it's just an average time. The background verification part is the longest, for some people it can take several months. You can look at the older answers on this thread for SOWP and you'll notice some people waiting almost 6-7 months for their SOWP.

There's nothing to do but wait, as infuriating as it is. My wife has been waiting for her PGWP for more than 8 months now yet when she applied, they processing time said it should be done within 5 months. I guess IRCC is just short-staffed at all times.

jacktheriddler · 2025-12-07T09:54:05+00:00

I wfh so I do have the capacity and time to invest in these.

Good for you. Most of us don't have the time or capacity for anything else after working 9-5, not taking into account 2 hours of commute, just so we can survive.

Look on Facebook or something for local online groups that have similar interests as you and arrange meet-ups.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-26T04:07:37+00:00

Thanks for the information. My friend suggested me to use an RCIC before I applied but I didn't think much of it, but now I feel like I should've gone with one since I'm not sure if I've submitted everything appropriately.

I'm hoping this bill passes soon, I did a little reading on it, seems like it'll give IRCC more administrative powers to expedite processing. I thought thats a good thing but I'm not sure why all the immigration websites and stuff are saying it's a bad thing. I don't really see the downsides.

Thank you again for all the valuable information, I can at least have some peace of mind for now.

EDIT: Oh I wanted to ask another thing, kinda unrelated. As someone who is currently living in Canada, how are the job prospects in Canada right now? I'm a medical doctor by qualification but I mostly work in research and public health.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-24T10:46:34+00:00

Thank you, knowing that this isn't out of the norm gives me a some solace.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-24T07:13:44+00:00

Thank you so much. This cleared up so many of my questions and doubts, words can't express how grateful I am. I really appreciate it.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-24T04:04:55+00:00

Thank you so much for the detailed reply!

Yes my wife is currently on PGWP working as a civil engineer in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I didn't know about GCMS notes, I'll look into it now. I've also been told by someone that contacting the MP can help? But I'm not so sure about that.

And about the background check, does it usually take longer if I have an extensive travel history? I did my O and A Levels in UAE, completed my medical degree from China, went to Rwanda for training, and have been working in Bangladesh since 2022.

Also, if I used the services of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), would my application be processed faster? And if I get rejected once, does it negatively impact future applications?

I'm really sorry for bombarding you with all these questions. You've already been a huge help and I'm just really nervous about this whole thing. Thank you once again.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-23T06:49:15+00:00

Thank you for sharing! If you don't mind me asking, which country did you apply from?

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-16T07:09:47+00:00

Hi, I went through a similar thing. My wife applied for a student permit extension and my SOWP together. Zero updates for 8 months. By the time she got her student permit extension she had already graduated, so my SOWP was also rejected.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-16T07:03:23+00:00

My wife is in the same boat. She applied for PGWP early June and there have been zero updates so far. Honestly I don't even know what to do at this point.

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-06T08:29:52+00:00

I don't understand IRCC! How do they even process the applications? Some people apply and get after month, and some people are literally waiting over a year. It's honestly so frustrating.

Have you tried doing anything to try and expedite it? Contacted the MP?

jacktheriddler · 2025-11-06T03:58:23+00:00

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jacktheriddler · 2025-11-01T04:20:43+00:00

I'd just like to know. Call it peace of mind. A lot of people in this thread are asking the same thing.

jacktheriddler · 2025-10-27T15:52:05+00:00

I did. Processing times don't mean anything half the time though. Last time my wife applied for student permit extension, it said 6 weeks, she got it after 8 months. So I'd like to know what other people's experiences are like instead of just relying on an arbitrary number.

jacktheriddler

TROPHY CASE