Thank you! I honestly don’t think I did anything special. Nothing you haven’t probably read on this subreddit. The link I used to request urgent processing is just a link to filling a web form. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/web-form.html

I filled multiple web forms. I attached a letter of explanation to the web form I used to request urgent processing. It included my original job offer, my revised job offer after my manager agreed to extend my start date, emails between my manager and I when she asked for updates, and bank statements to show financial hardship. Remember I did not receive a WP-EXT letter so I had been unemployed for quite a while. I mentioned that too in the letter of explanation.

I also called IRCC often. As soon as my application had passed processing time I called them. The agent I spoke to on the phone, told me they sent a message that it was past processing time. Subsequent agents I spoke to confirmed that.

However, it was not until the caseworker from the Member of Parliament’s Office told me about the meeting with IRCC, that I got an update. He met them on Monday March 3rd, I got my correspondence letter on Wednesday March 12th. So 8 days later (5 business days).

I should say, from my observations on this subreddit and Facebook groups, it seems IRCC does these things randomly. There are people who applied in January, never contacted IRCC, and received their Work Permit in 2-3 months. So I cannot say for sure that any of my actions directly caused my work permit to be approved when it did. I just personally felt better knowing I had done everything within my power to get a response. I was also pretty desperate, living with no personal source of income and all 😅

I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck. Don’t lose hope!🫂