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HALANIImmigration
Shoukat Qumruddin Halani, RCIC-IRB
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HALANIImmigration
Shoukat Qumruddin Halani, RCIC-IRB
Enquiries+1 (647) 979-7175
HALANIImmigration

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — Processing Time

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Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
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Processing Time

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Processing Time — Current Windows and Timeline

Current processing windows for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), the factors that move the timeline up or down, and the typical milestone-by-milestone sequence from application submission to final decision.

Last reviewed:
Current Window

80–100 days standard. In-person applications at IRCC offices (where available) faster. Online applications most common.

Times are operationally derived from recent IRCC service standards and our own file-volume observations. Individual files vary based on the factors below.

What moves the timeline

These are the variables that most commonly extend or shorten Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) processing beyond the typical window.

  • Application completeness — incomplete files extend timeline.
  • DLI verification — IRCC verifies the DLI's PGWP-eligibility for the specific program and enrollment dates.
  • Status maintenance — applicants with status gaps face additional scrutiny.
  • Field-of-study eligibility — since late 2024, certain college fields lose PGWP eligibility for new graduates.

Typical milestone-by-milestone timeline

The table below sequences the main checkpoints from application submission to final decision. Use this to plan downstream events like start dates, housing, and family arrival.

MilestoneTypical duration
Final marks received → 180-day deadline to apply for PGWP180 days (strict)
PGWP application submission → biometrics (if required)1–4 weeks
Biometrics → eligibility review2–8 weeks
Eligibility → decision60–80 days from submission
Approval → permit issuance1–2 weeks

Important notes on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) processing

• Apply within 180 days of receiving final marks. Missing this deadline forfeits the PGWP option permanently.

• PGWP is one-shot per lifetime; you cannot hold a second PGWP.

Frequently asked questions — Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) processing

Can I work while my PGWP application is being processed?
Yes, in most cases. If you apply for the PGWP before your study permit expires, you are on 'implied status' and can continue working full-time under the same conditions as your most recent permit until the PGWP decision. If your study permit has expired and you apply within the 180-day window, you can apply for status restoration; during restoration you cannot work until the PGWP is issued.
What's the 180-day deadline and what happens if I miss it?
You must apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving your final marks or completion letter (whichever is earlier). Missing this deadline forfeits the PGWP option permanently — there's no extension, no humanitarian exception. Many students mistake this for 180 days from convocation (the graduation ceremony) or from leaving the institution; it's from final marks receipt. Check your DLI portal for the exact date your marks were posted.
My PGWP application has been pending 4 months. Is something wrong?
Possibly slow but not necessarily wrong. PGWP processing is typically 80–100 days but can extend to 150+ days for files with DLI verification questions, biometrics scheduling delays, or completeness issues. Request GCMS notes if past 120 days to confirm status. Common holds: IRCC verifying the DLI's PGWP-eligibility for your specific program, or requesting additional academic completion documentation.

Need help understanding your file's status?

Use our live IRCC Processing Times tool for current service standards across all programs, or book a free consultation to review your specific file timeline.

Live processing times →Back to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
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