To:
The Honourable Lena Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Cc: International Students, Designated Learning Institutions, and Members of Parliament

 
Petition Statement
We, the undersigned, call upon Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to urgently review and reverse Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) refusals issued to international graduates because of missing language exam results.

This refusal ground is unjust and procedurally unfair, as the GCKey checklist for PGWP applications did not provide a dedicated upload option for these results, and no procedural fairness letters were issued before refusal.

Many affected students had no way to attach the document in their application, nor were they given a second chance to submit it — even though the language test results predated the application date and were available if requested.

 
Why This Matters
System Limitation
The GCKey checklist for PGWP applications did not include a field for uploading language exam results. Applicants followed the checklist faithfully and had no opportunity to submit this file elsewhere.
IRCC’s Own Website Confirms the Issue
IRCC publicly states on its website that it is “working on adding a field for language test results” — proof that the omission was from IRCC’s end, not the applicants’.
Violation of Procedural Fairness
Officers are refusing files without requesting missing documents that existed prior to the application date, violating the principle of procedural fairness and natural justice.
Excessive Delays (180+ Days)
Many applications remain pending for months. Since students only have 180 days after graduation to apply for the PGWP, delayed decisions combined with summary refusals leave them without legal status or recourse.
Unclear Policy Communication
At no stage did IRCC notify colleges, universities, or applicants that language results must be uploaded elsewhere. The lack of clear instruction has created inconsistent outcomes and widespread confusion.
 
Our Demands
We urge IRCC and the Minister of Immigration to:

Reopen and review all PGWP applications refused solely for missing language exam results.
Reinstate status or reconsider decisions for affected students without charging new fees.
Ensure procedural fairness by requesting missing documents before refusing.
Fix the GCKey checklist immediately to include a permanent upload field for language test results.
Provide internal officer guidance to prevent future unfair refusals.
 
Who Is Affected
Thousands of international graduates across Canada, particularly from the 2024–2025 cohorts, who studied in public colleges and universities, are now losing the opportunity to gain legitimate work experience due to IRCC’s administrative shortcomings.

 
We Believe in Fairness
International students have invested heavily in Canada — financially, emotionally, and academically. They followed every rule.
Now, they deserve fairness, transparency, and a chance to stay and contribute to the country they call home.

Reference:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/apply.html