Canada
Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Official Rules Summarised
A summary of IRCC's PGWP rules: eligibility, CLB 7 language scores, how long the permit lasts, the C$255 fee and the 180-day time limit.
By the 47 Fellows team · Bachelor's · Master's · PhD · 4 min read ·
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In brief
This page summarises what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published on canada.ca on 20 October 2026 about the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). It is general information, not advice on any person's case.
| PGWP (as published by IRCC) | |
|---|---|
| Programme length | At least 8 months (900 hours in Quebec) |
| Permit length | Programme of 8 months to under 2 years: up to the length of the programme. Programme of 2 years or more: 3 years. Master's degree of at least 8 months: 3 years |
| Language | CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all four skills for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; CLB 5 / NCLC 5 for college and other non-university programmes |
| Field of study | No requirement for bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees |
| Time limit | Apply within 180 days of confirmation that the programme is complete |
| Fee | C$255 (C$155 work permit fee plus C$100 open work permit holder fee), approx. PKR 51,500 |
PKR figures are our own approximate conversions at C$1 ≈ PKR 202 (October 2026). Rules change, and IRCC's pages are the final word.
Eligibility rules listed by IRCC
IRCC lists these general requirements:
- The programme was at least 8 months long (900 hours in Quebec).
- The school is a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI).
- Full-time study in every semester (part time allowed in the final semester).
- Not more than 50% of the programme by distance learning, with rules that depend on the start date.
- The application is made within 180 days of completion, and the study permit was valid at some point in those 180 days.
IRCC also lists people who are not eligible, including anyone who already received a PGWP, and programmes such as English or French as a second language, general interest courses and non-credit courses.
Language test scores
IRCC's PGWP language page lists the scores that equal CLB 7 for each accepted test, including:
- IELTS General Training: 6.0 in each of reading, writing, listening and speaking
- CELPIP-General: 7 in each skill
- PTE Core: score ranges for each skill, listed on IRCC's page
The full tables, including the French tests, are on IRCC's language results page linked below.
Permit length, as described by IRCC
- 8 months to under 2 years: a permit up to the same length as the programme.
- 2 years or longer: a permit of 3 years.
- Since 15 February 2024, a master's degree of at least 8 months can lead to a 3-year permit.
- The permit cannot be valid beyond the passport's expiry date.
Official sources
- PGWP eligibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html
- PGWP length: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/about.html
- PGWP language results: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility/language-results.html
- IRCC fees: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp
Related pages on 47 Fellows
Summary last compared with canada.ca on 20 October 2026.