Post-graduation work permit and transcripts from schools before convocation

[Elias_Andvari]

Hey guys,

I need to apply for a PGWP and was hoping to hear from fellow students who are in the same boat.

For a variety of reasons, a bunch of us apply for the PGWP during that time window when your program is completed (you no longer need to study) but before the official convocation date at your school (so technically before the degree is 'granted' but when all your grades are up or your thesis/dissertation is approved).

I know IRCC wants to see official transcripts alongside the letter of program completion. I am able to obtain the letter of program completion but how do i go about the transcript? What do you guys do to ensure your transcript reflects that you have completed the program if you have not convocated yet (types of documents or explanations you provide)?

ps. insight of graduate students from thesis-based programs would be especially helpful!

 

[primaprime]

Ask your school's international office and registrar.

 

[Elias_Andvari]

Ask your school's international office and registrar.

that's what i am actively trying to do now but having a hard time navigating the bureaucratic system with no in-person appointments (administration offices are all closed because of covid)

 

[danaaa]

Hey guys,

I need to apply for a PGWP and was hoping to hear from fellow students who are in the same boat.

For a variety of reasons, a bunch of us apply for the PGWP during that time window when your program is completed (you no longer need to study) but before the official convocation date at your school (so technically before the degree is 'granted' but when all your grades are up or your thesis/dissertation is approved).

I know IRCC wants to see official transcripts alongside the letter of program completion. I am able to obtain the letter of program completion but how do i go about the transcript? What do you guys do to ensure your transcript reflects that you have completed the program if you have not convocated yet (types of documents or explanations you provide)?

ps. insight of graduate students from thesis-based programs would be especially helpful!

Convocation is not graduation. I'm in the same boat, by the way. Applied in June with the completion letter and non-final transcripts. Though, I provided the letter of explanation from myself, a letter from my department proving that my transcript would be available closer to October (My graduation date is Oct 1, and convocation is Oct 21)and a thesis report with a grade signed by my advisors and the comittee (I`m Masters and the only grade I was missing was for the thesis). I talked to the immigration consultant who assured me that I could apply with whatever I had and then send updated transcript through the webform when it is available.
+ IRCC now is not rejecting applications because of missing school docs, and procession time is currently about 6 months.

 

[Elias_Andvari]

Convocation is not graduation. I'm in the same boat, by the way. Applied in June with the completion letter and non-final transcripts. Though, I provided the letter of explanation from myself, a letter from my department proving that my transcript would be available closer to October (My graduation date is Oct 1, and convocation is Oct 21)and a thesis report with a grade signed by my advisors and the comittee (I`m Masters and the only grade I was missing was for the thesis). I talked to the immigration consultant who assured me that I could apply with whatever I had and then send updated transcript through the webform when it is available.
+ IRCC now is not rejecting applications because of missing school docs, and procession time is currently about 6 months.

Thank you for your answer, this is helpful! My school also has three 'stages' - completing program requirements, then graduation, and then convocation. Both graduation and convocation are some time in October. So the transcript you sent did not have the thesis grade, did it? On my transcript, i have four research credit courses that are simply put there for billing purposes, and they all get updated from 'in progress' to 'passed' when your graduation is approved . So currently on my transcript I still have them as 'in progress'.

I am currently begging the administration to update the transcript so that it reflects that the program has been completed. But in case they refuse, i will probably ask them to provide a support letter specifying what those research credits mean and that they will be updated in october.

 

[danaaa]

Thank you for your answer, this is helpful! My school also has three 'stages' - completing program requirements, then graduation, and then convocation. Both graduation and convocation are some time in October. So the transcript you sent did not have the thesis grade, did it? On my transcript, i have four research credit courses that are simply put there for billing purposes, and they all get updated from 'in progress' to 'passed' when your graduation is approved . So currently on my transcript I still have them as 'in progress'.

I am currently begging the administration to update the transcript so that it reflects that the program has been completed. But in case they refuse, i will probably ask them to provide a support letter specifying what those research credits mean and that they will be updated in october.

The transcript was (and still is) showing thesis as “courses in progress” so no thesis grade so far. It will be updated after aug 27(which is the deadline to declare graduation in october), then the senate meets before oct 1, and on oct 1 I will have “degree conferred”, then convocation.

I was begging the administration and faculty to release my grade earlier as there was no point to wait that long (I finished in June 8), but they didn’t help. So the only thing I managed to get was a letter from my department confirming that I indeed had already earned the credits for research but they wouldn’t show up until September or so. I also included the report of my thesis defence with all of examining committee members passed my thesis, and in my letter of explanation I clarified the situation and also included the link to find my thesis in university cloud storage (it only goes there after defence and final approval).
It seems to be a common problem for masters students who finish earlier in the beginning or middle of a term.

 

[danaaa]

Thank you for your answer, this is helpful! My school also has three 'stages' - completing program requirements, then graduation, and then convocation. Both graduation and convocation are some time in October. So the transcript you sent did not have the thesis grade, did it? On my transcript, i have four research credit courses that are simply put there for billing purposes, and they all get updated from 'in progress' to 'passed' when your graduation is approved . So currently on my transcript I still have them as 'in progress'.

I am currently begging the administration to update the transcript so that it reflects that the program has been completed. But in case they refuse, i will probably ask them to provide a support letter specifying what those research credits mean and that they will be updated in october.

What school are you at?
I’m at the University of Manitoba

 

[Elias_Andvari]

What school are you at?
I’m at the University of Manitoba

I am at McGill. I have just got another rejection from of the administrative offices saying they won't be able to release the grades. So yeah, I will be requesting a bunch of letters that would hopefully explain the situation and support my claim.

I think I will also attach the thesis report and the confirmation that it has been approved.

Do you think I should show that I have exhausted my resources to get that transcript and attach the email correspondence with all those administrative departments?

 

[danaaa]

I am at McGill. I have just got another rejection from of the administrative offices saying they won't be able to release the grades. So yeah, I will be requesting a bunch of letters that would hopefully explain the situation and support my claim.

I think I will also attach the thesis report and the confirmation that it has been approved.

Do you think I should show that I have exhausted my resources to get that transcript and attach the email correspondence with all those administrative departments?

It depends on your situation. In my case, my study permit was expiring soon, as I have completed the program and applied to graduate my student status wasn’t active, so I couldn’t extend my study permit. Plus I’ve got a job offer to start immediately. I didn’t include any screenshots of my correspondence with the administration but only a letter from my department saying they are unable to release my grade until the end of Summer term. But I explained my situation in the letter.
To be safe you can include correspondence with your school as a good evidence and explain why you can’t wait any longer.

 

[Elias_Andvari]

It depends on your situation. In my case, my study permit was expiring soon, as I have completed the program and applied to graduate my student status wasn’t active, so I couldn’t extend my study permit. Plus I’ve got a job offer to start immediately. I didn’t include any screenshots of my correspondence with the administration but only a letter from my department saying they are unable to release my grade until the end of Summer term. But I explained my situation in the letter.
To be safe you can include correspondence with your school as a good evidence and explain why you can’t wait any longer.

Thank you! Yeah, I am literally in the exact same situation - same with the completion of the program and the immediate job offer starting in 10 days. I will try to follow your advice, it has been extremely helpful and valuable for my case, thank you again.

Did you by the way provide the details of your job offer under 'Details of Intended work in Canada' section of the application? There is a part where they ask you to indicate the dates and I only have a one year long contract. I don't want to risk being issued a PGWP that is only one year long when I qualify for a three-year long one.

I watched some online guides on PGWP and people generally recommend not to fill out the jobs part because the job offer is not needed for this permit. But on the other had, I will be using this job offer for my future PR application hopefully, and in case IRCC is particular about the dates, I don't want to be accused of misrepresentation or anything like that. Plus my job is in 'essential services', maybe this would have some impact on the processing time of my application

 

[danaaa]

Thank you! Yeah, I am literally in the exact same situation - same with the completion of the program and the immediate job offer starting in 10 days. I will try to follow your advice, it has been extremely helpful and valuable for my case, thank you again.

Did you by the way provide the details of your job offer under 'Details of Intended work in Canada' section of the application? There is a part where they ask you to indicate the dates and I only have a one year long contract. I don't want to risk being issued a PGWP that is only one year long when I qualify for a three-year long one.

I watched some online guides on PGWP and people generally recommend not to fill out the jobs part because the job offer is not needed for this permit. But on the other had, I will be using this job offer for my future PR application hopefully, and in case IRCC is particular about the dates, I don't want to be accused of misrepresentation or anything like that. Plus my job is in 'essential services', maybe this would have some impact on the processing time of my application

I’m happy to help and share my experience! But don’t take it as professional advise. I’m still waiting for my pgwp.
I provided job offer details. I have a permanent employment so I put in 2025 as the last year of intended employment but in fact I could stay at this job longer.
You better not include it in you permit application, but I think you could mention it in your letter of explanation (and say that you wish to work in Canada longer or so), but I can’t give you any advise in terms of your job offer, sorry.

 

[Elias_Andvari]

I’m happy to help and share my experience! But don’t take it as professional advise. I’m still waiting for my pgwp.
I provided job offer details. I have a permanent employment so I put in 2025 as the last year of intended employment but in fact I could stay at this job longer.
You better not include it in you permit application, but I think you could mention it in your letter of explanation (and say that you wish to work in Canada longer or so), but I can’t give you any advise in terms of your job offer, sorry.

No worries! Thanks so much for sharing your experience, I am currently just trying to get different perspectives from different people so that I could evaluate what IRCC might be looking at during these times