How long is a PGWP?
| Program | PGWP length |
|---|---|
| Less than 8 months | Not eligible |
| 8 months to less than 2 years | Up to the same length as the program |
| 2 years or more | 3 years |
| Master's degree of at least 8 months (not certificates or diplomas) | 3 years |
The permit can't be longer than your passport's validity.
Language requirement
| You graduated from | Minimum in all 4 abilities |
|---|---|
| A bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, or any other university program | CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) |
| A college or other non-university program | CLB 5 or NCLC 5 |
| A PGWP-eligible flight school | No language requirement |
The language requirement applies to PGWP applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024. Convert your test scores with the CLB calculator.
Field-of-study requirement
If you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024 and you're not graduating from a degree program, you must graduate in an eligible field of study (listed by 6-digit CIP code). There's no field-of-study requirement for:
- bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree graduates;
- graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school;
- people who applied for their study permit before November 1, 2024.
IRCC says it won't add or remove any eligible fields of study for 2026. Its last published total was 920 eligible fields after the June 25, 2025 update (some removed fields were added back on July 4, 2025).
Other rules
- Deadline: apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program. If your study permit has expired, you have 90 days to apply and restore status.
- One per lifetime: you can't get a PGWP if you already had one.
- Fee: $255 — the $155 work permit fee plus the $100 open work permit holder fee.
- Distance learning: for some programs, at least 50% must be completed in class in Canada.
After the PGWP
Skilled Canadian work on a PGWP can count toward the Canadian Experience Class and CRS points. If you apply for PR before your PGWP expires, see the Bridging Open Work Permit.