A large number of international students are currently receiving PG Work Permit (PGWP) refusals because they completed a non-credit program at institutions such as Portage College and MacEwan University. This has become a major concern, especially for students who started their studies long before the recent policy update.
If you are studying in a non-credit program or have already completed one, this information is extremely important. Many students who began their studies one or two years ago are now facing refusals, even though the update regarding non-credit programs was introduced only recently.
According to the information discussed in this video, more than 1,500 students from Portage College alone have already received PGWP refusals based on this issue.
1. Why Are These Refusals Happening?
The refusals state that students who completed a non-credit program are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
However, the issue is that many students started their studies before this policy update existed. Their programs began under the previous rules, yet their applications are being assessed using the new requirement.
Because of this, many students are now required to defend their applications through the appropriate legal and administrative processes.
2. What This Guide Covers
This guide explains the steps that can be taken after receiving a refusal, including:
- Reconsideration Request
- MP Inquiry
- Reapplication
- Judicial Review
It also explains the documentary evidence that can be used to support a PGWP application when the refusal is based on a non-credit program.
According to the information shared, the commonly circulated support letter issued by Portage College is not the strongest document for defending a non-credit program refusal.
That letter explains that the student’s program started before 15 May 2024, but it relates to PPP programs, not to refusals issued specifically because of a non-credit program.
For a non-credit refusal, a different defence is required.
3. Current PGWP Policy for Non-Credit Programs
The current PGWP webpage states that students who complete a non-credit program (except certain flight school programs) are not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
According to the transcript, this update was introduced on 24 June 2026.
Soon after this update—and in some cases even before it—students began receiving refusals based on the non-credit program requirement.
Many affected students, however, had started their studies in 2024 or earlier, well before this update existed.
4. The Previous IRCC Page Can Support Your Case
One of the most important pieces of evidence discussed in the video is the archived version of the previous PGWP webpage.
According to the transcript, the archived page dated 10 December 2025 does not mention non-credit programs under the section describing who is ineligible for a PGWP.
Since many students began their studies before 10 December 2025, this archived webpage can be used as documentary evidence to show that the non-credit restriction was not part of the eligibility requirements when they started their program.
The archived page has also been saved as a PDF, and because it is an archived government webpage, it remains available as supporting documentation.
5. Portage College Non-Credit PGWP Refusal: What Should You Do Next?
Many students are relying on the support letter issued by Portage College, but that letter is not sufficient to defend a PGWP refusal based on a non-credit program.
The support letter states that the student’s program started before 15 May 2024, but this explanation relates to PPP programs. It does not address the actual reason for refusal when IRCC states that the applicant completed a non-credit program.
For this reason, the transcript explains that students should not rely solely on the college letter. Instead, the focus should be on demonstrating that the non-credit program restriction did not exist when their studies began.
6. Focus on the Correct Defence
The refusal is based on the statement that the applicant completed a non-credit program and is therefore not eligible for a PGWP.
The defence presented in the transcript is based on the archived IRCC webpage from 10 December 2025, which does not list non-credit programs as an ineligible category.
According to the transcript, this archived webpage serves as documentary evidence showing that students who started their studies before the policy update were studying under different eligibility requirements.
Rather than relying mainly on the college support letter, the transcript recommends attaching this archived IRCC webpage as supporting evidence while explaining that the applicant began studying before the new non-credit policy was introduced.
7. Submit a Reconsideration Reques
After receiving a refusal, the first recommended step is to submit a Reconsideration Request.
According to the transcript:
- There is no official government fee for submitting a reconsideration request.
- Every student who receives a refusal should submit one.
- A proper explanation and supporting documents should be included.
- A reconsideration request can be submitted more than once if additional supporting evidence becomes available.
The transcript also explains that reconsideration requests are currently taking approximately 2 to 3 months to receive a response.
Although there is no guarantee of approval, it is recommended that students submit the request because it provides another opportunity for IRCC to review the application.
8. Submit an MP Inquiry
It also recommends submitting an MP (Member of Parliament) Inquiry immediately after filing the reconsideration request.
The same documents prepared for reconsideration can also be sent to the local MP.
According to the transcript, the MP can forward the case to IRCC and request that the application be reviewed again. The MP may explain that the applicant has already submitted a reconsideration request and deserves a proper review based on the evidence provided.
The transcript recommends completing both steps:
- Submit the Reconsideration Request directly to IRCC.
- Submit an MP Inquiry using the same supporting documents.
This ensures that the case is being followed through two different channels at the same time.
9. Reapplication Depends on the Timeline
It explains that not every applicant should immediately submit a new PGWP application.
Whether reapplication is possible depends entirely on when the refusal is received after the Course Completion Letter.
The important timelines discussed are:
- Within 90 days
- Between 91 and 180 days
- After 180 days
The action to be taken depends on which timeline applies to the applicant.
10. 90-Day Rule, 180-Day Rule, and Judicial Review After a PGWP Refusal
The next step after receiving a PGWP refusal depends entirely on when the refusal was issued in relation to the Course Completion Letter.
Understanding these timelines is important because they determine whether you can reapply, whether restoration is required, or whether Judicial Review becomes your only option.
10.1 Refusal Within 90 Days of the Course Completion Letter
if you receive your refusal within the first 90 days after receiving your Course Completion Letter, you can submit a new PGWP application without restoration.
For example, if the Course Completion Letter is issued on 15 February 2026 and the refusal is received in April 2026, the refusal falls within the 90-day period.
According to the transcript:
- You can resubmit your PGWP application.
- Restoration of status is not required.
- You may continue working while the new application is being processed.
This option is available because the refusal occurred within the initial 90-day eligibility window.
10.2 Refusal Between 91 and 180 Days
If the refusal is received after 90 days but before 180 days from the Course Completion Letter, you may still submit another PGWP application, but the process changes.
According to the transcript:
- The application must be submitted with Restoration of Status.
- Reapplication is still possible because you remain within the 180-day eligibility period.
- However, you are not allowed to work until your PGWP application is approved.
The transcript emphasizes that this is one of the biggest differences between the first 90 days and the period between 91 and 180 days.
10.3 Refusal After 180 Days
According to the transcript, once 180 days have passed after the Course Completion Letter, reapplying for a PGWP is no longer an available option.
Submitting another PGWP application after this period is expected to result in another refusal.
Instead, the transcript recommends taking three immediate steps:
- Submit a Reconsideration Request.
- Submit an MP Inquiry.
- Submit a Judicial Review.
These actions should begin immediately after the refusal is received.
10.4 The 15-Day Judicial Review Deadline
Applicants who receive a refusal after the 180-day period should not delay filing a Judicial Review.
According to the transcript:
- A Judicial Review must be submitted within 15 days for refusals issued inside Canada.
- Waiting only for the outcome of a Reconsideration Request is not recommended.
- If the Reconsideration Request is refused after the 15-day deadline has passed, the opportunity to file a Judicial Review may already be lost.
For this reason, the transcript advises preparing the Judicial Review early rather than waiting until the last possible day.
It specifically recommends aiming to complete the filing within 10 to 12 days, instead of waiting until Day 15.
11. Why Timing Is Critical
The Judicial Review acts as a backup while the Reconsideration Request is being processed.
Although a Reconsideration Request may receive a positive response after two or three months, there is no guarantee of approval.
If no Judicial Review has been filed within the required deadline, the applicant may lose that legal option.
According to the transcript, this is why the first 15 days after refusal are considered the most important period for anyone whose refusal was issued after the 180-day window.
12. Judicial Review Costs and Why It Can Be Important
Filing a Judicial Review involves an additional cost. However, it is presented as a backup option for students who have already invested significant time and money in their studies in Canada.
The transcript explains that if a student has already spent two years studying and invested approximately CAD $35,000 to $40,000, filing a Judicial Review may help preserve the opportunity to continue pursuing a PGWP if the reconsideration process does not result in a positive outcome.
The speaker also mentions that some lawyers charge around CAD $7,500 for a Judicial Review, while stating that assistance can be provided for approximately CAD $2,000, including preparation of documents, written justification, follow-up, and handling the process.
13. The Archived IRCC Webpage Is the Main Supporting Document
The strongest defence for these refusals is the archived IRCC PGWP webpage dated 10 December 2025.
The transcript explains that this archived page does not list non-credit programs under the section describing who is not eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Because many students began their studies before this policy was updated, the transcript recommends using this archived webpage as documentary evidence when submitting:
- A Reconsideration Request
- An MP Inquiry
- A Reapplication (where eligible)
- A Judicial Review
This archived webpage has also been saved as a PDF and remains available because it is an archived government webpage.
14. Why the Defence Is Considered Strong
The defence is based on documentary evidence rather than verbal arguments.
The position presented is that students started their programs under the eligibility requirements that existed before the June 2026 update. Since the archived IRCC webpage did not identify non-credit programs as ineligible at that time, it is used to support the argument that the later policy should not be applied to students who had already begun their studies.
