Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in 2026: Eligibility, Length and Language Rules

The post-graduation work permit (PGWP) lets international graduates of eligible Canadian programs work for any employer for up to three years. In 2026 you must apply within 180 days of finishing, pass a language test (CLB 7 for university degrees, CLB 5 for college programs), and, if your program is not a degree, graduate in an eligible field of study. The permit’s length depends on your program.

Key points

• Program must be at least 8 months long at a PGWP-eligible DLI (900 hours in Quebec).
• Apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program.
• Language: CLB/NCLC 7 for university programs, CLB/NCLC 5 for college and other non-university programs.
• The field-of-study list applies only to non-degree programs, and it is frozen for 2026.
• You get only one PGWP in your lifetime.

Who is eligible

IRCC’s eligibility page (updated June 24, 2026) says you must meet all of these:

1. Complete a program of at least 8 months at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI).
2. Study full time in each semester. Part-time is allowed in your final semester.
3. Apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program.
4. Have held a valid study permit at some point during those 180 days.
5. Meet the language requirement.
6. Meet the field-of-study requirement, if it applies to you.

The language requirement

For PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, you need an approved language test result showing these levels in all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking):

Program type	Minimum level
Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree	CLB/NCLC 7
Other university programs	CLB/NCLC 7
College, polytechnic or other non-university programs	CLB/NCLC 5

If you applied for your PGWP before November 1, 2024, the language rule did not apply. Take your test early: results must be valid when you apply, and your 180-day clock keeps running while you wait for a test date.

The field-of-study requirement

The field-of-study rule depends on your credential and when you applied for your study permit.

Your situation	Field-of-study rule applies?
Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree	No
Graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school	No
Study permit applied for before November 1, 2024	No
Other program, study permit applied for on or after November 1, 2024	Yes

If the rule applies, your program’s six-digit CIP code must be on IRCC’s list of eligible fields, which are linked to long-term labour shortages. For 2026, IRCC states: “we won’t add or remove any eligible fields of study.” See our PGWP field of study guide for how to find your CIP code and check the list.

How long your PGWP will be

From IRCC’s About the PGWP page (updated March 9, 2026):

Program	PGWP length
Under 2 years (at least 8 months)	Up to the length of the program (a 9-month program gets up to 9 months)
2 years or more	Up to 3 years
Master’s program, at least 8 months (since February 15, 2024)	Up to 3 years, even if shorter than 2 years
Two or more eligible programs, each at least 8 months	Lengths can be combined (meet the higher language level if they differ)

Two things can make your permit shorter than expected:

• Passport expiry. IRCC will not issue a permit past your passport’s expiry date. Renew first if needed. If it does expire early, you can apply on paper to extend once you have a new passport.
• Time studied outside Canada. For programs with a lock-in date on or after September 1, 2024, at least 50% of the program must be completed in class in Canada, and time studied outside Canada is deducted from the PGWP length.

If you finish an accelerated program early, you may still qualify for a permit based on the full normal program length.

Who cannot get a PGWP

IRCC lists these as ineligible:

• Anyone who already received a PGWP.
• English or French as a second language programs.
• General interest or self-improvement courses.
• Non-credit programs (flight school is an exception).
• Students funded by Global Affairs Canada with a requirement to return home.
• Programs where more than 50% was distance learning (with limited COVID-era exceptions).
• Non-Canadian institutions located in Canada.
• Programs at DLIs that are not PGWP-eligible, including most curriculum licensing (public-private partnership) programs.

Fees

The PGWP is an open work permit, so the IRCC fee list charges two fees as of October 2026:

Fee	Amount (CAD)
Work permit processing	$155
Open work permit holder fee	$100
Total	$255

Biometrics ($85) may also apply if yours are no longer valid.

How to apply, step by step

1. Get your completion documents. Your school’s official letter or transcript confirming completion starts the 180-day clock.
2. Book a language test early if you do not have a valid result.
3. Check your passport expiry and renew if it would cut your permit short.
4. Confirm your field of study if you are in a non-degree program.
5. Apply online from inside Canada (you must be living in Canada when you apply from inside), or from outside Canada if you meet the rules for doing so.
6. Keep your status. If your study permit will expire before your marks come out, IRCC suggests applying for a visitor record or leaving Canada and applying from outside. If your status expires, you must restore it, which costs extra ($396.25 to restore as a student, or $401.25 as a worker).

A sample timeline

Every school issues completion documents differently, but a typical sequence looks like this:

When	What to do
Final year, first semester	Book a language test so results arrive before you graduate. Check your passport expiry.
Final semester	Confirm your program and school are PGWP-eligible. Check your CIP code if your program is not a degree.
Exams finish	Request your official completion letter or final transcript.
Completion confirmed	Your 180-day window starts. Apply as soon as you have your documents.
Before your study permit expires	Apply for the PGWP (or a visitor record if you are waiting for marks).

Applying early also protects you if IRCC asks for more documents.

Bringing your spouse

If you are married or in a common-law relationship, your spouse’s ability to work in Canada while you hold a PGWP depends on your job. Since January 21, 2025, spouses of workers qualify for a family open work permit only if the worker is in a TEER 0 or 1 occupation, or a listed TEER 2 or 3 occupation, and has at least 16 months left on their permit (IRCC notice). Dependent children of workers no longer qualify for open work permits. See our spousal open work permit guide.

Common mistakes

• Waiting too long for a language test. The 180-day clock does not stop while you wait for results.
• Assuming a diploma is exempt from the field-of-study rule. Only degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD) are exempt.
• Letting your passport limit your permit. A passport expiring in 18 months caps your permit at 18 months.
• Studying online from abroad. Under current rules, time studied outside Canada can be deducted from your PGWP length, and online study from outside Canada after August 31, 2024 does not count.
• Losing status before applying. Restoring status costs extra and adds risk.

What comes after the PGWP

Many graduates use PGWP work experience to qualify for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class or a provincial nominee program. Our Canada hub explains these routes. Rules for PR pathways and PGWP lists change often, so follow our updates page.

When to get professional help

If you studied partly online, transferred schools, took a leave, studied at a curriculum-licensing college, or let your status lapse, ask a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) or lawyer to check your eligibility. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

What to do next

1. Confirm your school and program are PGWP-eligible before you enrol, using our Canada study permit guide as a starting point.
2. If you are in a diploma or certificate program, check your CIP code against the field-of-study list.
3. Plan your language test so the result is ready when you graduate.
4. Mark the 180-day deadline in your calendar as soon as you get your completion letter.