One Mistake Can Cost You Everything: Why You Shouldn’t Apply for Immigration on Your Own
Immigration is not grocery shopping. You don’t get a return policy. You don’t get a do-over. A single wrong move can cost you your career, your money, and years of valuable time. At Globexa Immigration, we’ve seen how even one poorly thought-out action in a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) application can ruin everything. Today, we share two real-life cases that highlight how missteps—either from lack of knowledge or poor execution—can lead to devastating consequences.
Case 1: The Cost of Asking the Wrong Question
One client completed his course on April 15, 2025, and had a study permit valid until April 30, 2025. Ideally, he could have submitted his PGWP application right away. Instead, he made a crucial mistake: he asked IRCC if he could apply for a visitor record to maintain his status, because he hadn’t yet received his English proficiency result (like IELTS). IRCC said “yes,” so he applied for the visitor record.
But this was the wrong question.
He should have asked: “Can I extend my study permit?” That would’ve preserved his eligibility to work during the bridging period before the PGWP. Had he applied for PGWP directly or asked a qualified consultant, he would’ve known that submitting the application even without the IELTS was acceptable—and that the document could be added later during processing. Because he applied for a visitor record, his status changed to “visitor,” and he lost his work eligibility.
Result: He is now in Canada but cannot legally work for 9 months until his PGWP is approved. That’s a full year of wasted time, lost income (approximately $60,000), and lost Canadian work experience that could have contributed to his Permanent Residency (PR) application.
Case 2: The Mistake in Execution
The second case is even more painful. The applicant submitted the PGWP application correctly, but his English test result wasn’t available at the time. Later, when IRCC opened a tab in the GCKey portal requesting the missing document, he uploaded the result—but failed to click “Submit.”
Result: The document was uploaded but not submitted to IRCC. The application was refused. Now, we’re restoring his status and resubmitting the application—but again, he cannot work for at least 9 months while the new application is processed.
This is a perfect example of how knowledge alone isn’t enough. You also need perfect execution. A small technical error can ruin months of effort and create irreversible damage.
Why You Shouldn’t DIY Your Immigration Application
Some people think they know “80%” of the process, so they decide to apply themselves. They may know how to fill out the forms, upload documents, and pay the fees. But immigration applications aren’t about knowing most of it—they’re about getting every single detail right.
Many come to us after they’ve ruined their application and say, “Please help fix it.” But by then, it’s often too late. Unlike with groceries, you can’t just return your immigration mistake. Once it’s done, you may not be able to undo it.
A professional consultant sees your case through the lens of dozens or even hundreds of past cases. We know the legal nuances, common pitfalls, and strategic options that a first-time applicant simply doesn’t. That’s the difference between trusting your career to chance—and securing it with expert help.
False Savings = Real Loss
Many applicants avoid hiring consultants because they want to save a few hundred dollars. But that “saving” could end up costing you:
$50,000–$60,000 in lost wages due to delayed or rejected work permits
Irreversible harm to your PR pathway due to gaps in Canadian work experience
Stress, anxiety, and endless delays in restoring your immigration stat
Real-Life Mistakes We See Every Day
Applicants don’t include their part-time job history, missing the chance to justify their full-time job and future PR application.
Applicants submit SOPs or immigration forms without understanding how one statement can trigger red flags.
Applicants use the wrong document (like a visitor record instead of a study permit extension).
Some rely on IRCC call center answers without asking the right questions.
Some follow university advisors or consultants with licenses but without up-to-date knowledge or practical experience.
What Happens When You Use a "Package" Consultant?
Another common mistake is handing your passport over to someone who promises a visa in return for money—but never shows you the actual documents submitted. This “package” approach can destroy your future. You don’t know what was submitted, how many applications were made in your name, or what information was included. If anything was false, you risk a 5-year ban and you may never be able to apply again.
When you later come to a genuine consultant, we’re stuck—we can’t proceed because we don’t know the details of your past submissions.
Stop Following Friends' Advice
Another major issue: people trust friends over professionals. One woman argued with us that she needed to explain her “PR application” in her study visa SOP. When we asked, we found she hadn’t even submitted a PR application—only created a profile in the express entry pool, which doesn’t require any explanation.
This type of misleading information from friends or social media can ruin your profile, get you banned, or delay your future plans indefinitely.
Final Thoughts: The True Cost of Misjudgment
Every day we receive calls from people who handled their immigration files alone and made a mistake. Now they need help fixing it. But in many cases, there is no fix. That’s the harsh reality.
Immigration is too serious to leave to guesswork. Just like you wouldn’t perform your own surgery, don’t handle your immigration application alone. It’s not worth the risk.
At Globexa Immigration, we offer expert services at honest prices:
PGWP application: just $100
SOP extension: $250
PR and complex files: fair pricing based on the level of effort required
Your immigration journey is one of the biggest investments of your life. Don’t take shortcuts. Let a professional handle it with care, insight, and accountability.
Need help with your application?
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