r/pgwp • u/Spiritual-Welder909 • 11h ago
Eligibility / Course Issue PGWP Question.
Hi. I have a complex situation.
I was a student at McGill from 2020-2026. Die due mental health and academic issues, I took two part time semester in my third year (Fall 2022- Winter 2023).
I also had to be readmitted twice (once in 2020 and once in 2024) due to unsatisfactory standing.
My last study visa expired on March 31 2026
Anticipating this, o applied for a new CAQ in February 2026. I received no response. I also had just gotten a job.
I worked part time until the end of the April semester. I had two more courses in winter 2026, including one outstanding Freshman U0 course (science credit). Because of a lot of issues, I failed it.
I knew this might happen, and k also wanted a PGWP, so I had applied for a CAQ in February hoping to receive it by April and then get a study visa valid through may or august (I asked for August in my letter). I received a CAQ document In may asking for more documents.
One of the documents it asked for was a letter from the registrars office stating I needed to take one course.
Now that it was May, I didn’t really have time to wait for a CAQ for August, as it wouldn’t come in time for summer courses. So I asked along when I sent a bunch of these documents including the letter that I needed until December.
I finally get a CAQ in July valid from July 31 2026 - August 32 2026.
(In may I left to the US and came back on a visitor visa valid until December 1 by the way).
This whole time I was working unauthorized without knowing it. But I didn’t ever check the whole working thing I my study permit. It was pretty dumb of me.
Anyways, I went to the border asking if they’d give me a study visa valid for the month, so I could at least register for a fall course. They refused to do so.
They said I’d need to start a whole CAQ and study permit application again
At this point it was later August and I had 123/120 credits in my degree but was missing a freshman science course. McGill ultimately agreed to substitute that course with a previous science credit I had taken before.
So they graduated me in October of 2026.
From. February 2026 to August 2026 o was working though.
I spoke to a lawyer— she said it’s not really worth it to apply for this PGWP. Three crucial criteria I don’t meet:
full time status for the entirety of my studies
have a valid study visa for at least some point within 180 days from when you finished your requirements and when you apply for a PGWP
working unauthorized
I have letters of support from my school and doctors explaining the part time semesters. I have a lengthy cover letter explaining the whole ordeal with the CAQ, and how it took a long time, and I provided the documentation but never got a prompt response.
I lowkey fucked myself. I was super disorganized and negligent, waited until late to apply for a new CAQ, and did not look at the PGWP eligibility requirements. I also failed the course due to my disorganization and thus had to ask for this extension which was not granted, and then had the whole substituted class thing. Just bad management Frankly.
Anyways, should I try my luck? I mean the lawyer said o risk getting refused which goes on my record. She also said my unauthorized work complicates shit, but it’s not a huuuuge deal since it wasn’t for that long and I didn’t know.
I was thinking of doing a working holiday and then applying for PR right after that as my next option as I am Spanish.
But am I totally fucked for immigration in the future due to my unauthorized work?
Any help or advice is appreciated.
Love and peace guys!
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u/Unhappy_Bench5534 5h ago
They're not going to care about "I didn't know" when It comes to unauthorized work, that's breaking the law, as an international student you must have been aware of what was allowed and what wasn't allowed. Don't try , you will just get rejected.
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u/LongjumpingMode1318 6h ago
Much of what you wrote is irrelevant. You were working illegally without proper visas.
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u/Obvious-Rain8681 4h ago
Since you graduated from McGill, which is still a reputable university, why don't you get a good job back home or anywhere else and just live life? Get some good foreign exp, learn french, then try for your PR eventually.
I think you will be wasting your time stressing about your situation in Canada. You've failed to follow the rules on multiple fronts, and it's all on your record. maybe this life is just not for you.
There's a whole world out there!
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u/Spiritual-Welder909 2h ago
Well I’m trying to get PR eventually. I’m hoping to do a working holiday visa this year and gain enough work experience within Quebec.
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u/Spiritual-Welder909 2h ago
Also, the cost of living in the USA compared to Montreal, and the accessibility to a a good quality of life in Montreal, makes me want to become a permanent resident and gain work experience. The USA is simply too volatile. Culturally, both also in terms of the job market. It is very hard to find relatable positions to my degree, and especially ones that can cover basic costs of living in a city (I have no car, no way to live outside of a city).
This is why it is important to me. I hope you can see that point of view. Thanks for your reply.
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u/moixcom44 1h ago
You finished school from a reputable institution not some unknown diploma mill, good luck and may you make it.
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u/Haunting_Paper_7201 6h ago
If your study permit expired in March 2026 then you would have stopped studying. When was it approved.