OTTAWA – Lukas Troni, a graduate from the University of British Columbia, faced a sudden setback after receiving a rejection letter from the Canadian federal government regarding his postgraduate work permit (PGWP). Troni completed his geography and environment degree in April 2025 and began working for a Canadian environmental organization, utilizing his skills and knowledge in the field.
Upon graduation, Troni applied for the PGWP, which enables international students who have completed their studies at an accredited Canadian institution to work in the country for a specified duration. While waiting for a decision on his permit, he continued his job, expecting an uncomplicated approval process. However, on April 14, 2026, he was informed that his application had been denied due to his failure to include results from a French or English language test—a requirement implemented for most applicants since November 2024.
Troni, originally from Santiago, Chile, was fluent in English, often spoken at home by his parents. When he submitted his application in August 2025, he found the instructions for required documents clear, except for the language test. He noted that while essential documents such as transcripts and completion certificates were specified, the area for language test information was ambiguous and misleading. The section titled "client information" did not mention the need for a language test, and the application guide he referenced likely predated the new requirement.
This issue is not unique to Troni. A Reddit community focused on PGWP has seen numerous discussions from individuals facing similar rejections for the same reason. Will Tao, a Vancouver-based immigration lawyer, has observed widespread confusion regarding the language test requirement. He noted that the format of information provided on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, following the implementation of the language requirement, made it difficult for applicants to find crucial details. Tao emphasized that the automated checklist applicants follow did not prominently flag the necessity of the language test.
The IRCC acknowledged the challenges that applicants faced regarding the language test submission. A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Diab indicated that the department is in the process of developing a dedicated field for submitting language test results as part of broader IT improvements. From November 1 to December 31, 2025, the IRCC received over 302,000 PGWP applications, with 945 rejections related to language issues—about 80% occurring in the last six months of 2025.
Despite Troni's successful completion of the language test following his rejection, he is presently awaiting a decision on his request for reconsideration. He hopes that the approval will allow him to continue his endeavors in Vancouver, where he has established a life with his partner in the environmental sustainability sector. However, Troni expressed that his trust in the Canadian immigration system has been significantly undermined. He lamented the unfairness of the system, which he believed should have been more transparent and supportive to applicants like him.
The frustrations extend further, as another graduate from Carleton University experienced a similar ordeal. After being rejected for not having taken the required language test, he achieved a perfect score but was denied again because he took the test post-rejection. He described a scenario where thousands of students could be adversely affected by this issue, calling for clearer communication from the government regarding submission guidelines.
Tao criticized the communication barriers that have been compounded by staff shortages within the IRCC, which has been further exacerbated by recent cutbacks in positions. He conveyed a sense of resignation among individuals caught in this system, where appeals or reconsiderations might not adequately address the root of the issue.
As these stories unfold, individuals such as the Carleton graduate are making difficult decisions about their futures, contemplating moves back to their home countries after investing years in Canada. Their experiences illustrate the disparity between the government’s goals to attract skilled immigrants and the challenges posed by unclear communication surrounding critical application requirements. The federal government recognizes the need for clarity in the PGWP application process but faces obstacles in effectively implementing changes amidst resource constraints.
