Canada has announced the changes in the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals in the country. Starting November 1, 2024, study program requirements are changing for Post-Graduation Work Permit Program applicants.
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must continue to meet the general and physical location eligibility requirements (even after November 1, 2024) and complete a study program at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution.
If your study program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. The fields of study are divided into 5 broad categories – agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
trade and transport.
If you apply for a PGWP before November 1, 2024, you only need to meet the current eligibility criteria.
New eligibility requirements for study permit application before November 1, 2024
If you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024 and are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, you must also meet the new requirement that applies to your situation.
If you graduated with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree from a university:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
If you graduated from any other university program:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
If you graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.
New eligibility requirements for study permit application on or after November 1, 2024
If you graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
Field of study requirement: All fields of study are eligible. There is no additional field of study requirement.
If you graduated from any other university program:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
Field of study requirement: You must graduate in an eligible field of study.
If you graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above:
Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.
Field of study requirement: You must graduate in an eligible field of study.
Language requirements
You must provide proof of language ability to meet the language requirements for the PGWP when you submit your application. To measure your English or French levels, IRCC uses Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) for French.
Further, you must demonstrate your skill in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your application.