Growing confusion around Canada’s postgraduate work permit (PGWP) application process is leaving some international graduates unable to work and facing possible removal from the country, despite completing their studies and building careers in Canada.
The issue centres on a language test requirement introduced in November 2024 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for most PGWP applicants.
Many students say the government website and online application system failed to clearly explain:
- that a language test was mandatory
- where the results needed to be uploaded
- and how applicants were supposed to submit them
UBC Graduate Forced to Stop Working
Lukas Troni graduated from University of British Columbia in April 2025 and had already begun working with a Canadian environmental organization when his application was unexpectedly rejected.
The Chile-born graduate said he believed his application was complete and expected approval.
Instead, he received a refusal letter stating he had not included the required English or French language test results.
Troni said:
“It’s like a truck hits you all of a sudden.”
Because his permit was denied, he was forced to immediately stop working while seeking reconsideration.
Lawyers Say Information Was Hard to Find
Will Tao said many applicants were confused because:
- the language requirement appeared buried deep inside government webpages
- there was no dedicated upload section for test results
- automated application checklists often failed to clearly flag the requirement
According to Tao, many students relied on outdated application guides that predated the new language rules.
Online forums and Reddit communities focused on Canadian immigration now contain dozens of complaints from graduates who experienced similar refusals.
Government Admits Some Confusion
The office of Immigration Minister Lena Diab acknowledged there was confusion surrounding the process.
The government says:
- more than 302,000 PGWP applications were received between November 2025 and December 2025
- 945 applications were rejected for language-related reasons
- nearly 80% of those refusals occurred in the second half of 2025
IRCC says it is now developing:
- a dedicated upload field for language tests
- clearer website instructions
- broader IT updates to reduce confusion
Some Reconsideration Requests Also Failing
Another graduate from Carleton University said he was also denied despite later scoring a perfect 10 on the language test.
His reconsideration request failed because officials ruled the test had not been completed before the original refusal decision.
The graduate, who now plans to return to Boston after eight years in Canada, said:
“I feel like collateral damage.”
Broader Immigration Pressures
The issue comes amid broader reforms to Canada’s international student and immigration systems, including:
- tighter permit rules
- reductions in temporary resident programs
- staffing cuts at IRCC
- increased reliance on digital application systems
IRCC announced earlier this year that approximately 3,300 positions would be cut over three years as the department returns to pre-pandemic staffing levels.
Immigration experts warn that communication failures risk damaging Canada’s reputation among skilled international graduates the country hopes to retain long-term.
Growing Frustration Among International Graduates
For many affected students, the controversy is about more than paperwork.
Graduates say they:
- studied in Canada for years
- built careers and relationships
- contributed to the economy
- and followed the immigration rules as they understood them
Now, many fear being forced to leave because of what they describe as technical confusion rather than intentional non-compliance.