This explains the newly announced updates to the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
What remains unaffected
- To be eligible for a PGWP, you must meet the general and physical location requirements, even after November 1, 2024, and complete a study program at a designated learning institution (DLI) that qualifies for PGWP.
- If you apply for a PGWP before November 1, 2024, only the current eligibility criteria will apply to you.
- Graduates from PGWP-eligible flight schools only need to meet the existing eligibility rules, even after November 1, 2024.
- The new eligibility requirements below do not apply to you if you fall into the above categories.
Updated Eligibility Criteria
If you applied for your study permit before November 1, 2024
- If you completed a college program or another unlisted program:
Language requirement: You must show that you meet a minimum of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language areas. - If you obtained a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a university:
Language requirement: You must demonstrate your proficiency in English or French by achieving a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all four language areas. - If you graduated from any other university program:
Language requirement: You must provide proof of your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four areas.
If you apply for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024
If you submit your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you will need to meet the new requirements relevant to your situation in order to be eligible for a PGWP.
- If you completed a college program or any other unlisted program:
Language requirement: You must demonstrate English or French language skills at a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language areas.
Field of study requirement: You must graduate from a program in an eligible field of study. - If you graduated from a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program at a university:
Language requirement: You must demonstrate proficiency in English or French with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all four language areas.
Field of study requirement: All fields of study qualify. No additional field of study criteria apply. - If you graduated from any other university program:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French proficiency with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four areas.
Field of study requirement: You must graduate from a program in an eligible field of study.
Language Requirements
You must provide evidence of your language proficiency to satisfy the language criteria for the PGWP when submitting your application.
To assess your English or French proficiency, we utilize:
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French
Evidence of language proficiency
You are required to show your proficiency in each of the following skills:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
Your test results must be no older than two years at the time you submit your application.The IRCC accepts language test results from the following assessments:
Program of Study Requirement
If your study program includes a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program associated with specific occupations that are in long-term demand. The fields of study are categorized into five main groups:
- Transportation
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trade
