Canada PGWP 2026: Eligibility, Duration, and Application Rules

The Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit, commonly known as the PGWP, allows eligible international graduates to gain Canadian work experience after completing their studies. The permit can be issued for up to three years, but graduating from a Canadian designated learning institution does not automatically guarantee eligibility.

Important PGWP rules now include mandatory language results for most applicants and field-of-study restrictions for certain university, college, polytechnic, and non-degree programs.

What Is a Post-Graduation Work Permit?

A PGWP is a temporary work permit available to graduates of eligible programs at participating Canadian designated learning institutions, or DLIs.

The Canadian work experience gained during the permit period may later help some graduates qualify for economic immigration programs. However, receiving a PGWP does not guarantee Canadian permanent residence.

Canada PGWP Requirements in 2026

Applicants generally need to meet all the following conditions:

• Complete a PGWP-eligible study program at an eligible DLI.
• Study for at least eight months, or 900 hours for certain Quebec programs.
• Maintain full-time student status during each academic semester.
• Apply within 180 days of receiving confirmation that the program was completed.
• Have held a valid study permit at some point during the 180-day application period.
• Meet the applicable English or French language requirement.
• Graduate from an eligible field of study when this requirement applies.
• Provide the required completion, enrolment, and immigration documents.

Students may study part-time during their final semester without automatically losing eligibility. Certain exceptions also apply to accelerated programs, authorized study leave, school transfers, and older distance-learning arrangements.

How Long Is a PGWP Valid?

The duration of the post-graduation work permit in Canada depends on the level and length of the completed program and the validity of the applicant’s passport.

Special Rule for Master’s Graduates

Graduates of eligible master’s degree programs may qualify for a three-year PGWP even when the program lasted less than two years, provided it was at least eight months long.

This special rule does not apply to ordinary certificates or diplomas.

Combining Two Study Programs

The length of two programs may be combined when:

• Each program was PGWP eligible.
• Each program lasted at least eight months.
• The applicant meets the eligibility rules for both programs.
• The applicant has not previously received a PGWP.

When the programs have different language requirements, the applicant must meet the higher applicable level.

PGWP Language Requirements in 2026

Applicants submitting a PGWP application on or after November 1, 2024, normally need to provide valid English or French test results.

Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, and Other University Programs

Graduates must achieve at least:

• CLB 7 in English, or
• NCLC 7 in French

The minimum level must be achieved separately in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

For IELTS General Training, CLB 7 currently corresponds to a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four abilities.

College, Polytechnic, and Other Non-University Programs

Graduates must achieve at least:

• CLB 5 in English, or
• NCLC 5 in French

The minimum must be met in all four language abilities.

Accepted Language Tests

IRCC currently accepts:

• CELPIP-General.
• IELTS General Training.
• PTE Core.
• TEF Canada.
• TCF Canada.

Results must generally be less than two years old when the application is submitted. IELTS Academic and PTE Academic should not be used when IRCC specifically requires the General Training or Core versions.

Graduates of eligible flight schools are exempt from the PGWP language requirement.

PGWP Field-of-Study Requirements

Field-of-study restrictions mainly affect graduates of non-degree programs who submitted their study permit applications on or after November 1, 2024.

Graduates Exempt from the Requirement

The field-of-study requirement does not apply when the applicant:

• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
• Graduated with a master’s degree.
• Graduated with a doctoral degree.
• Applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024.
• Graduated from an eligible flight school.

Applicants Who Must Meet the Requirement

Graduates of other university, college, polytechnic, or non-university programs may need a program connected to an eligible Classification of Instructional Programs, or CIP, code.

Eligible areas are linked to occupations facing long-term labour shortages and currently include categories such as:

• Agriculture and agri-food.
• Education.
• Healthcare and social services.
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• Skilled trades.
• Transport.

IRCC announced that the eligible field-of-study list is frozen for 2026, meaning no eligible CIP codes will be added or removed during the year. Applicants should still check the exact six-digit CIP code for their program before applying.

Distance Learning Rules

For programs with a lock-in date on or after September 1, 2024:

• At least 50% of the program must be completed in person in Canada.
• Time spent studying outside Canada is deducted from the PGWP duration.
• Online study completed outside Canada after August 31, 2024, does not count toward the permit’s length.

Completing more than 50% of a program through distance learning can make an applicant ineligible, except under specific older COVID-19 temporary policies.

Programs That Are Not PGWP Eligible

An applicant may be ineligible after completing:

• English or French as a second-language studies.
• General-interest or self-improvement courses.
• A non-credit program, except certain flight programs.
• A program at a non-eligible DLI.
• More than 50% of a program through distance learning.
• A program delivered through an ineligible public-private curriculum licensing arrangement.
• A scholarship program that requires the recipient to return home after graduation.

A person who has already received a PGWP cannot normally receive another one. The PGWP is generally a one-time opportunity.

Documents Required for a PGWP Application

Applicants should prepare:

• A valid passport.
• Degree, diploma, or completion certificate.
• Official completion letter from the institution.
• Official academic transcript.
• Evidence of full-time enrolment.
• Valid language test results.
• Proof of an eligible field of study when required.
• Medical examination evidence when required.
• Digital photograph and immigration forms.
• Proof of fee payment.

When the field-of-study rule applies, evidence of the eligible CIP code must be uploaded in the “Client Information” section because the standard document checklist may not specifically request it.

How to Apply for a PGWP

Step 1: Confirm Your School and Program

Check that both the institution and the specific study program are PGWP eligible. Being enrolled at a DLI alone is not sufficient.

Step 2: Receive Completion Confirmation

The 180-day application period begins after the school confirms that the program has been completed, normally through a transcript, official letter, degree, or diploma.

Step 3: Complete the Language Test

Take an approved test early enough to receive valid results before the application deadline.

Step 4: Prepare the Documents

Collect the transcript, completion letter, passport, language results, and field-of-study evidence.

Step 5: Apply Online

Most applicants submit the PGWP application through their IRCC secure account. Applications may be submitted from inside or outside Canada.

Canada PGWP Application Fee in 2026

The standard PGWP government fees are:

• Work permit processing fee: CAD 155.
• Open work permit holder fee: CAD 100.
• Total PGWP fee: CAD 255.
• Biometrics fee, when required: CAD 85 for one person.

Applicants restoring expired student status must also pay the applicable restoration and study-permit fees.

Can You Work While Waiting for the PGWP?

Graduates may work full-time while waiting for a decision when they:

• Held a valid study permit when submitting the PGWP application.
• Completed their study program.
• Were authorized to work off campus during their studies.
• Did not exceed the permitted working hours.

Applicants who do not meet these conditions must wait until the permit is approved before working. If the PGWP is refused, any temporary work authorization ends on the date of notification.

What Happens If the Study Permit Expires?

An applicant whose study permit expires before applying may have up to 90 days after the expiry date to submit a PGWP application and restore student status.

The applicant cannot work while waiting when applying through restoration. If more than 90 days have passed without restoring status, the person must leave Canada.

Passport Validity and PGWP Duration

A PGWP cannot normally be issued beyond the passport’s expiry date. Applicants should renew a passport before applying when possible.

When a shorter PGWP is issued solely because the passport expired early, the applicant may apply on paper for the remaining eligible period after receiving a new passport.

Common PGWP Application Mistakes

Avoid these frequent problems:

• Applying more than 180 days after graduation.
• Choosing a program that is not PGWP eligible.
• Allowing student status to expire without taking action.
• Submitting an expired or incorrect language test.
• Failing to meet the required CLB or NCLC score in every ability.
• Uploading no proof of the eligible CIP code.
• Studying part-time outside the permitted final-semester exception.
• Working after graduation before becoming legally authorized.
• Applying with a passport that expires soon.

Official Sources

• IRCC — Post-Graduation Work Permit Overview
• IRCC — Who Can Apply for a PGWP
• IRCC — PGWP Field-of-Study Requirement
• IRCC — Required PGWP Documents
• IRCC — How to Apply for a PGWP
• IRCC — Immigration Application Fees