A Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) application was refused after the applicant’s previously submitted bachelor’s degree could not be verified. Despite having received a study permit and completed her studies in Canada, she faced serious immigration consequences when concerns about her earlier educational documents arose during her PGWP application.
This case highlights three critical issues for Canadian visa applicants: IRCC can review previous applications, submitted documents may be subject to verification, and missing an important email from IRCC can have serious consequences.
1. How the PGWP Refusal Happened
The applicant submitted her study permit application in April 2023, including her bachelor’s degree. She subsequently received her study permit, completed her studies in Canada, and applied for a study permit extension.
In March 2025, she applied for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. After approximately one and a half years of processing, she received a refusal in October.
During the PGWP application process, the visa officer raised concerns about the bachelor’s degree submitted with her earlier study permit application. The degree was considered suspicious, and verification was sought through the relevant offices in India.
The verification process involved contacting Desh Bhakti University. The university did not verify the degree, leading to further concerns about the educational document.
The applicant then received a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL), giving her an opportunity to respond to the concerns. However, she did not check the email containing the letter and did not submit a response within the given period.
The visa officer ultimately refused her PGWP application and issued a removal order.
The applicant had been in Canada for approximately four years and had completed a diploma there. The refusal represented a significant setback to her Canadian journey, including a financial loss of at least $35,000.
A judicial review is now being pursued, but its outcome remains uncertain.
2. IRCC Can Revisit Your Previous Visa Applications
Receiving approval for a previous application does not mean that the documents submitted with it will never be examined again.
In this case, the applicant had already received a study permit and completed her studies in Canada. However, the bachelor’s degree submitted with her 2023 study permit application was questioned during the later PGWP process.
IRCC can review information from previous applications when processing a new one. This may include educational qualifications, employment records, work experience, and information about previous refusals.
Applicants should not assume that a degree or work experience accepted in an earlier application will automatically be accepted in a subsequent application for a PGWP, spouse open work permit, or permanent residence.
If an officer identifies concerns about previously submitted information, further verification may be requested. A document that was included in an earlier approved application can still become an issue later.
This applies to different types of Canadian immigration applications, including study permits, study permit extensions, work permits, spouse open work permits, and PR applications.
3. Keep Control of Every Document You Submit
Educational qualifications and employment documents can become important during the verification process. Applicants should know what they have submitted and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if questions arise.
In this case, the bachelor’s degree could not be verified by the university. This became a central issue in the PGWP application, even though the applicant had previously received a study permit.
If a visa officer contacts a university to verify a degree and does not receive confirmation, the officer may question the document. Similarly, if an employer does not respond or provides a negative response during employment verification, the applicant’s work experience may be questioned.
Applicants need to maintain control over their educational documents, employment records, previous application details, and information about their universities and employers.
Documents may be examined at different stages of the immigration process. Applicants should therefore be prepared to address concerns and provide relevant supporting documents when requested.
Understanding PFL and ADR
Two important terms in the immigration process are:
Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL): A letter raising concerns that the applicant has an opportunity to address.
Additional Document Request (ADR): A request for additional documents.
When a PFL or ADR is received, the applicant needs to review the request and respond with the relevant documents and explanation.
In this case, the applicant received a PFL regarding her bachelor’s degree but did not respond within the given period. As a result, she did not submit a defence or supporting documents addressing the officer’s concerns at that stage.
4. Why Checking Your Email and GCKey Account Is Essential
Missing an email from IRCC can create serious difficulties during an immigration application.
The applicant did not notice the email containing the PFL. She checked her email after receiving the refusal, when the opportunity to respond within the original period had already passed.
She had been given 10 days to submit the requested information.
Not responding to the visa officer weakened her ability to explain the situation later. Simply stating that the email was not checked does not provide a strong defence.
Applicants should check their email and GCKey account every day so that they do not miss requests, letters, or other important communications from IRCC.
If more time is needed to collect documents or prepare a response, an applicant can request an extension from the visa officer. The officer may or may not grant additional time, but making the request can form part of the explanation presented later.
When no response is submitted at all, it becomes more difficult to explain why the requested documents were not provided.
5. The Consequences of Missing a Procedural Fairness Letter
The applicant had completed her studies in Canada and waited approximately one and a half years for a decision on her PGWP application. However, concerns about her previously submitted bachelor’s degree ultimately led to refusal.
After the university did not verify the degree, the applicant received a PFL but did not respond within the given time. The result was a PGWP refusal and a removal order.
A five-year ban was also a potential concern in this situation, although the applicant did not receive one.
The case is now being taken for judicial review. The process may take six months to one year, and the relevant documents and defence need to be prepared for submission to the court. However, the final outcome depends on the judge’s decision.
The removal order also creates difficulties when considering other applications.
The situation demonstrates how the failure to respond to a request from IRCC can become a significant issue, particularly when the officer has raised concerns about previously submitted documents.
6. Previous Approval Does Not Prevent Future Verification
Applicants sometimes believe that if they have already used a particular degree or work experience successfully in a study permit application, they can use the same information again without further questions.
However, IRCC can review previous applications and verify documents during later processing.
If a university or qualification raises concerns, the officer may request verification. The application may then face additional scrutiny, and the applicant may be asked to provide supporting evidence.
The same applies to employment records. If an employer does not confirm the experience or provides a negative response, the officer may question the information submitted.
Applicants should therefore be prepared for verification of their educational qualifications, employment history, and other details included in earlier applications.
Three Important Lessons for Every Canadian Visa Applicant
1. Be Prepared for IRCC to Check Previous Applications
Previous applications may be reviewed again. Do not assume that documents accepted during an earlier study permit or other application will never be questioned.
2. Maintain Control Over Your Documentation
Keep track of your educational qualifications, employment records, work experience, and previously submitted information. Be prepared to provide supporting documents if the visa officer raises concerns.
3. Check Your Email and GCKey Account Daily
Do not miss important communications from IRCC. If you receive a PFL or ADR, review it carefully and respond within the given period. If you need more time, you can request it from the visa officer.
Final Thoughts
The PGWP refusal in this case followed concerns about a bachelor’s degree submitted with an earlier study permit application. Although the applicant had received a study permit and completed her studies in Canada, the degree could not be verified during the later PGWP process.
The applicant received a Procedural Fairness Letter but did not respond within the given period. Her PGWP application was subsequently refused, and a removal order was issued. A judicial review is now being pursued, with the outcome still uncertain.
The key lessons are clear: IRCC can revisit previous applications, documents may be subject to verification, and responding to important communications within the given time is essential.
These three points are important for anyone applying for a Canadian study permit, work permit, spouse open work permit, permanent residence, or another immigration program.
