Applying for the wrong permit type — an Open Work Permit instead of a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) — right after finishing your studies is a fixable mistake, but it needs to be corrected quickly and clearly.
Steps the group recommended:- Submit the correct PGWP application as soon as possible. Don't wait — the sooner you apply for the right permit, the shorter the time spent under the wrong application.
- Withdraw the mistaken Open Work Permit application. Include the submission confirmation letter from your new PGWP application along with a written explanation of the mistake in the client information section.
- Work done during the mistaken implied-status period is generally not treated as a red flag if the correction happens quickly and is clearly explained — this is a recognized, fixable error rather than something that disqualifies you.
Acting promptly and documenting the correction clearly is what makes this a non-issue rather than a compliance problem down the line.