Success: PGWP (new rules)
The team at CIL has helped many international students obtain Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) after they complete their studies. There have been many recent changes to the PGWP program, including new restrictions. We have seen many PGWP refusals from students who are not aware of the new rules and they are not careful.
In this case, our client came to us after a lengthy gap in his studies. PGWP applications may be challenging when a student’s academic history includes gaps or leaves of absence. Even short interruptions may raise eligibility concerns under IRCC rules.

This success story demonstrates how professional help, including strong legal analysis and good evidence, helped secure a PGWP for our client. We were able to help our client explain the reasons for his academic leave, issues with his family and his medical issues. We have to balance the duty to disclose all relevant evidence with our client’s right to privacy. This can be very tricky and it requires extension knowledge regarding how IRCC Officers process Work Permit applications.
Background
Our client arrived in Canada in August 2018 as an international student on a Study Permit. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics at the University of Manitoba and consistently maintained valid status. He successfully obtained multiple Study Permits from inside Canada; however, he had many issues during his studies and he knew there was a high chance of a PGWP refusal.
Our client did the right thing and sought professional help. He did not wait for a refusal. This was his first Post-Graduation Work Permit application, and he had no previous IRPA violations.
We have helped many students get PGWPs after they finish their studies:
PGWP (PART TIME STUDENT)
PGWP (FAST PROCESSING)
LONG PGWPs
PGWP & RESTORATION
The Challenge – Leave of Absence
In Fall 2022, the client faced exceptional personal circumstances. While studying in Canada, his father experienced serious medical complications requiring emergency hospitalization and ongoing medical care. Due to the severity of the situation and postponed medical procedures, the client made the difficult decision to return to his home country to provide family support.
As a result, he took an academic leave during the Fall 2022 semester. This raised potential PGWP eligibility concerns, as IRCC generally requires continuous full-time studies and closely examines any academic interruptions.
Timeline of Key Events
- August 2018 – Client arrived in Canada as an international student
- Fall 2021 – Began Bachelor of Arts (Economics) program at the University of Manitoba as a full-time student
- October–December 2022 – Temporary return to Bangladesh due to family medical emergency; academic leave during Fall 2022
- January 2023 – Returned to Canada and resumed full-time studies without requiring a new Letter of Acceptance
- 2024 – Successfully completed study program
- March 2025 – PGWP application submitted with statutory declaration and legal submission
- January 2026 – PGWP approved!
Key Legal Considerations & Our Approach
Clarke Immigration Law conducted a detailed legal assessment to determine whether the academic leave could be treated as “authorized leave” per IRCC policies and regulations. The analysis focused on the duration of the leave, the family medical emergency, and the client’s continuous compliance with study permit conditions before and after the interruption.
Based on these particular circumstances, we argued the leave was temporary in nature, supported by credible medical documentation. Our client promptly returned to Canada and to resume his studies at the DLI. The client completed his degree without further interruptions and maintained valid temporary resident status throughout.
Legal Strategy
Our team prepared a comprehensive statutory declaration and legal submission, directly linking the facts of the case to IRCC policy on authorized academic leave. The submission clearly demonstrated:
- Our client’s academic leave met the legal definition as authorized leave
- Our client remained in compliance per study permit requirements (IRPA)
- No prior refusals or previous immigration violations
- Our client had a strong academic record and genuine intent to work in Canada and support a Manitoban business.
The case was presented in a clear, structured, and policy-driven manner, allowing the officer to fully understand the context and exercise discretion appropriately.
IRCC accepted the explanation and supporting evidence, confirming that the temporary academic leave did not break PGWP eligibility and met the criteria for authorized leave.
The Result: Post-Graduation Work Permit approved!
Feedback from Client
Our client is, of course, extremely happy that he obtained a positive result. His reply:
Thank you so much for the update. It was a huge relief.. i was so worried. Thank you so much.
Conclusion
This case confirms that a temporary academic leave does not automatically prevent PGWP approval. When a leave is limited in duration, properly explained, and supported by evidence, IRCC may recognize it as authorized under existing policy. Most importantly, this outcome highlights the value of clear legal analysis and well-prepared submissions. PGWP applications are assessed on their individual facts, and presenting those facts accurately and coherently can significantly influence the final decision.













