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Your passport expires before your PGWP decision is made — what to do

Canada • Post-Graduation Work Permit • work 0 views
By VisaBuddies Communityvia community — compiled from public visa forums

Documents Needed

  • Renewed passport

    Get your passport extended/renewed if it will expire before your PGWP processing is expected to finish.

  • Webform submission with new passport copy

    Used to proactively notify IRCC of the updated passport so it can be linked to your existing application.

Step-by-Step

An applicant whose Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) had an estimated processing time stretching past their passport's expiry date asked what would happen if their passport expired before a decision was made.

What the thread advised:
  1. Renew or extend your passport's validity proactively, rather than waiting to see what IRCC does when it expires mid-processing.

  2. Submit a webform to IRCC with a copy of your new passport attached, so the application is updated with your current passport details before a decision is issued. This avoids potential delays or complications that can arise if a decision is tied to an expired travel document.


The practical takeaway: don't wait passively for your PGWP decision if your passport is set to expire first — get it renewed and proactively notify IRCC via webform so your file stays current, which helps prevent processing delays or the need to redo steps later.

Dos, Don'ts & Tips

  • Do: Renew your passport before it expires if your PGWP decision is expected to take longer than its remaining validity.
  • Do: Submit a webform to IRCC with your new passport details rather than waiting for them to notice the expiry.
  • Don't: Don't assume an expiring passport will pause or protect your application automatically — take action yourself.

Have a question about this? Join the discussion.

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