PGWP Renewal application returned - Urgent

[dastanmo]

I had completed a 4 year Bachelor program in Canada and hence was eligible for a 3 year Post-grad Work permit (PWGP) but I had only received one for 2 years since my passport was expiring after 2 years. I had applied for a renewal of my PGWP a month ago but my application was returned to me along with the following letter:


This refers to your application for a Work Permit received August 26th, 2014.

An application to change conditions or extend your stay in Canada can only be considered as having been made if it is made on the prescribed forms and if it is accompanied by the required fees and all supporting documents. The entire application package is being returned to you for the following reason(s):

[X] You did not complete all of the required fields on your application.

We cannot take any action in your case until such time as you resubmit your entire application with a copy of this letter and the following item(s):

[X] You must sign your application form.

[X] Your status in Canada is/was valid until 18th September 2015.

Now my queries:

1) I had *not* signed the application form by hand, rather I had just electronically typed my name in the Signature box while I was filling out the forms. Is that the reason why my application was returned? I had applied by paper since the Call center people tell me that the online system would recognize that I have already been issued a PGWP and won't allow me to apply for any other/renewal through the online system.

2) My current work permit is valid until September 2015. Is it too early to apply for a PGWP renewal? I thought since it is a PGWP, I could apply any time for a renewal. I just can't think of a reason as to why they mentioned about my status expiring on September 2015.

3) I had already paid once for this application online and had included a receipt with my application package. Since my application was returned, can I just send the same receipt with this application or do I need to pay again and send the new receipt?

Thank you so much for reading my post and would really appreciate your help.

 

[scylla]

1) Yes - you needed to sign the application. If you didn't - this is why it was returned.
2) I don't know.
3) Since your application was returned rather than refused, you should not have to pay the fee again.

 

[dastanmo]

Thank you so much Scylla! So electronically signing isn't good enough for paper application?

I wish they had mentioned that somewhere or disallowed the ability to type in the Signature box....

 

[dastanmo]

Any inputs from anyone else?

 

[MJ009]

Hi Dastanamo,

You have to sign physically on the application. CEC will not consider electronic sign. For you second question I am not sure, what you should do. But I would suggest that if you are applying again, include one cover letter with this application to mention why you are applying so earley...

I hope this would help.

 

[dastanmo]

Thanks MJ009! I had already included a cover letter with my original application and will also include it this time.

I will re-apply anyway since I already paid the fees and lets see if my application gets approved after I physically sign the form.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[SriniB]

hi dastanmo!!! did u got ur renewed pgwp"? I'm in the same kind of situation.. my question is do i need apply as same as how I applied for pgwp with final transcript or should I include a cover letter? im confused pls help..

 

[dastanmo]

hi dastanmo!!! did u got ur renewed pgwp"? I'm in the same kind of situation.. my question is do i need apply as same as how I applied for pgwp with final transcript or should I include a cover letter? im confused pls help..

Hi SriniB, I haven't received/heard back on my PGWP renewal application yet since the processing times are currently quite long though I do expect to hear back by mid-December.

Here is the link to the instructions for applying for PGWP renewal by paper: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp

Also, make sure you include a cover letter explaining for situation.

I guess I'd be able to help you more if I happen to get my renewed PGWP.

 

[jimmy-george]

I had the exactly same issue with passport expiry before the 3 year term and was hence issued a two year permit. I got my new passport and sent an application for the balance year. Received with no issues. Just sign it and fill all fields. I did through an attorney, paid them $500 but did not had any headaches with getting the balance time work permit.

 

[JumpingJacks]

You should NOT apply for an extension to your PGWP based on your RENEWED passport until at LEAST THREE MONTHS before your current work permit is about to expire.

The same happened to me. Wait until next year to renew, you have NO problems from what you have said

 

[dastanmo]

You should NOT apply for an extension to your PGWP based on your RENEWED passport until at LEAST THREE MONTHS before your current work permit is about to expire.

I wish I knew this before I applied in October... I guess my application will get rejected this time.

But thanks for helping me out!

 

[dastanmo]

Just wanted to post an update to my case:

My application to renew my PGWP was approved even though I had applied almost a year before its expiry date. I have a feeling this is because I had applied for a renewal since my passport was expiring before 3 years at the time of my initial PGWP application. For other types of work permits and renewals, I'm sure the 3 month rule applies.

 

[spicym]

Hi, I read your post and I have a similar situation, I would be grateful for your help, that is if you have successfully resolved your situation. I graduated from a two year master program, and I was given 2 years and 6 months instead of 3 years. I would like to apply to get the 6 extra months, my expiry date as at now is April 2016 but i renewed my passport. Is it too early to apply for the extension? or I should wait till early next year? anyone with this experience or knowledge can please share it, thank you

 

[dastanmo]

Hi, I read your post and I have a similar situation, I would be grateful for your help, that is if you have successfully resolved your situation. I graduated from a two year master program, and I was given 2 years and 6 months instead of 3 years. I would like to apply to get the 6 extra months, my expiry date as at now is April 2016 but i renewed my passport. Is it too early to apply for the extension? or I should wait till early next year? anyone with this experience or knowledge can please share it, thank you

My work permit was expiring in September 2015 and I had applied for a renewal in October 2014 and I successfully received a renewed work permit for the remaining period of the 3 years. So I don't think it is too early to apply for the extension.

Good luck!

 

[retwant]

Hi, I read your post and I have a similar situation, I would be grateful for your help, that is if you have successfully resolved your situation. I graduated from a two year master program, and I was given 2 years and 6 months instead of 3 years. I would like to apply to get the 6 extra months, my expiry date as at now is April 2016 but i renewed my passport. Is it too early to apply for the extension? or I should wait till early next year? anyone with this experience or knowledge can please share it, thank you

When are you applying for your CEC PR? Do you have any other important reason other than getting the 6 extra months? If you have a special case and are able to explain it properly through a cover letter to CIC, you could try to extend it. In general, it is adviseable to extend your work permit within 3 months of expiry date, as the risk for yourself to a worser situation might outweight that extra 6 months.

Dastanmo had his first application refused (one of the reasons was early extension application), and with strong case or even a good luck got his second one approved. His case might not applicable to you. Let's assume worst case scenario : what happened if instead, you work permit was issued with less time, or even got refused or revoked? I don't know your case but anything could happen there. Might be a good idea to wait until you know your situation better in a couple of months...

There is a saying from Willie Nelson: "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."