PGWP received only for 12 months post Masters Degree

[sidroy09]

Hey guys,

My brother completed two full-time programs at The University of Western Ontario: a Master's Degree in Engineering (Software Engineering) and a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Leadership & Innovation (Total 16 months). He applied for PGWP and got it issued only for 1 year. As per the IRCC policy update of February 15, 2024, graduates of a master's program of at least 8 months are eligible for a 3-year PGWP. His program meets all criteria, and all his batch-mates received a 3 yrs PGWP.
This whole situation is not only stressful but annoying as well because it seems like IRCC themselves are not following set standards and no clear explanation has been provided even after submitting 3 webforms. In the last webform submitted in last week of October, IRCC Agent mentioned that the request has been forwarded to the concerned office and we will be informed. But no update since then.

Did anyone come across similar situation? Any suggestions here?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hey guys,

My brother completed two full-time programs at The University of Western Ontario: a Master's Degree in Engineering (Software Engineering) and a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Leadership & Innovation (Total 16 months). He applied for PGWP and got it issued only for 1 year. As per the IRCC policy update of February 15, 2024, graduates of a master's program of at least 8 months are eligible for a 3-year PGWP. His program meets all criteria, and all his batch-mates received a 3 yrs PGWP.
This whole situation is not only stressful but annoying as well because it seems like IRCC themselves are not following set standards and no clear explanation has been provided even after submitting 3 webforms. In the last webform submitted in last week of October, IRCC Agent mentioned that the request has been forwarded to the concerned office and we will be informed. But no update since then.

Did anyone come across similar situation? Any suggestions here?

Thanks in advance!

So which program did he do first. When did he complete Masters (month and year) and when did he graduate with graduate diploma. What are the set standards you are referring too? So all his class mates took a masters then a graduate diploma?

 

[sidroy09]

So which program did he do first. When did he complete Masters (month and year) and when did he graduate with graduate diploma. What are the set standards you are referring too? So all his class mates took a masters then a graduate diploma?

He did a 12 months Master's Degree in Engineering (Software Engineering) at Western followed by a 4 months a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Leadership & Innovation between September 2023 to December 2024.
With set standards I meant the PGWP eligibility as per the IRCC policy. I think there was 1 another person who did the same 16 months Degree+Diploma and received 3 yrs of PGWP. And all others who did only a 12 months Master's Degree in Engineering (Software Engineering) at Western alongside him are issued 3 yrs of PGWP. Did reach out to many and not able to find even 1 student who is facing such problem.
We did come across someone from previous batch who had the same issue but it was resolved through webform before he could re-apply for PGWP (paper based second time).

 

[Naturgrl]

He did a 12 months Master's Degree in Engineering (Software Engineering) at Western followed by a 4 months a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Leadership & Innovation between September 2023 to December 2024.
With set standards I meant the PGWP eligibility as per the IRCC policy. I think there was 1 another person who did the same 16 months Degree+Diploma and received 3 yrs of PGWP. And all others who did only a 12 months Master's Degree in Engineering (Software Engineering) at Western alongside him are issued 3 yrs of PGWP. Did reach out to many and not able to find even 1 student who is facing such problem.
We did come across someone from previous batch who had the same issue but it was resolved through webform before he could re-apply for PGWP (paper based second time).

A 4 month program would not give him any PGWP as program must be a minimum of 8 months.Did he apply for PGWP within 6 months of graduating from Masters since 4 month program is not eligible. Those who just did the masters would be eligible for 3 years. He took a 4 month program. When did he graduate from Masters and apply for PGWP?

Seems like all he can do is wait for reconsideration request and see if reopen file.

 

[sidroy09]

A 4 month program would not give him any PGWP as program must be a minimum of 8 months.Did he apply for PGWP within 6 months of graduating from Masters since 4 month program is not eligible. Those who just did the masters would be eligible for 3 years. He took a 4 month program. When did he graduate from Masters and apply for PGWP?

Seems like all he can do is wait for reconsideration request and see if reopen file.

Yes, he applied for PGWP within a month as he also started working in the 2nd month.
Yea, that is why I said its annoying because it feels like IRCC did not pay attention to the actual programs completed while reviewing his application. We even checked with University and they said that he should have been given 3 yrs of PGWP.
Today, we submitted the 4rth webform to follow-up on previous response on which they said the request has been forwarded to right office.

 

[Naturgrl]

Yes, he applied for PGWP within a month as he also started working in the 2nd month.
Yea, that is why I said its annoying because it feels like IRCC did not pay attention to the actual programs completed while reviewing his application. We even checked with University and they said that he should have been given 3 yrs of PGWP.
Today, we submitted the 4rth webform to follow-up on previous response on which they said the request has been forwarded to right office.

So you submitted a reconsideration request to re-open file. There are no timelines for reconsideration. Nothing more to do since he completed both programs within two years.

 

[sidroy09]

So you submitted a reconsideration request to re-open file. There are no timelines for reconsideration. Nothing more to do since he completed both programs within two years.

Yup! Currently he is doing a very good job in technology but his PGWP is ending in Sept, 2026 and we probably have to either submit an appeal through a lawyer or medium suggested by Western University's International students office.
IRCC's suggestion was to submit paper based application for reconsideration along with fee. That option felt like such a scam TBH.

 

[canuck78]

Yup! Currently he is doing a very good job in technology but his PGWP is ending in Sept, 2026 and we probably have to either submit an appeal through a lawyer or medium suggested by Western University's International students office.
IRCC's suggestion was to submit paper based application for reconsideration along with fee. That option felt like such a scam TBH.

Reconsideration is actually the much better option if an error was made although JR does have a time limit so submitting one makes sense at the same time if the reconsideration doesn’t lead to 3 year PGWP. JR will take over a year to get heard and if granted will be sent back for redetermination by another VO so reconsideration is a much faster option. Was he full-time? No breaks in study? Did he use any transfer credits?

 

[sidroy09]

Reconsideration is actually the much better option if an error was made although JR does have a time limit so submitting one makes sense at the same time if the reconsideration doesn’t lead to 3 year PGWP. JR will take over a year to get heard and if granted will be sent back for redetermination by another VO so reconsideration is a much faster option. Was he full-time? No breaks in study? Did he use any transfer credits?

Was he full-time? - YES
No breaks in study? - NO
Did he use any transfer credits? - NO

 

[Naturgrl]

This is combined program at western. Since he applied for PGWP with a valid study permit and within a month of program completion then you wait.

No sense in sending more webforms. Your first webform would have asked for reconsideration outlining the error in law and include his completion letter and transcripts (again). You will get an email if your file is reopened.