PGWP Rules for 2026: What Changed Since 2024 and What Applies to You

Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319 · Updated Oct 16, 2026 · 7 min read

The PGWP rules that apply in 2026 are the ones IRCC set in 2024 and 2025. You need a program of at least 8 months at a PGWP-eligible school, language level CLB 7 (university) or CLB 5 (college), a listed field of study for most non-degree programs, and an application within 180 days of finishing (IRCC, updated June 2026). IRCC will not add or remove fields in 2026, and since April 1, 2026 required co-op placements no longer need a separate work permit.

This guide covers the rules and the timeline. For which programs qualify, read our PGWP eligible programs guide. For the official overview, see our post-graduation work permit page.

Key Takeaways

Language: CLB 7 for bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and other university programs. CLB 5 for college and other non-university programs. All four skills.
Field of study: not needed for degrees. Needed for other programs if you applied for your study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
Timing: apply within 180 days of getting confirmation that you finished your program.
2026 list: IRCC says it will not add or remove eligible fields this year.
Co-op: from April 1, 2026, post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for required placements.
2026 cap: IRCC plans up to 408,000 study permits, including 155,000 new arrivals. The cap applies to study permits, not to the PGWP itself.

What are the PGWP rules in 2026?

You qualify for a PGWP only if every rule in this table works for you. Missing one is enough to be refused (IRCC, updated June 24, 2026).

Rule	What IRCC requires
Program length	At least 8 months. For transfers between designated schools, the total study time must be at least 8 months.
Study status	Full time in each semester of the program. Your final semester can be part time.
School	A PGWP-eligible designated learning institution.
Language	CLB or NCLC 7 for university programs and 5 for college programs, in all four skills. It applies to PGWP applications from November 1, 2024.
Field of study	Not needed for bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs. Needed for other programs if your study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024.
Deadline	Apply within 180 days of confirmation that you finished. Your study permit must have been valid at some point in those 180 days.
Distance learning	If your lock-in date is on or after September 1, 2024, at least 50% of the program must be in class in Canada, and time studied outside Canada is deducted from your PGWP.

What changed since 2024?

IRCC changed the PGWP in steps. This timeline shows what happened and when, using IRCC’s own notices.

Date	What changed
September 1, 2024	Distance learning rule: at least 50% of the program in class in Canada, and online study from outside Canada no longer counts toward PGWP length.
November 1, 2024	Language levels (CLB 7 or 5) and the field of study requirement start for new applications.
January 21, 2025	Spouse open work permits limited to spouses of master’s students (16 months or more), doctoral students and certain professional programs.
June 25, 2025	IRCC updates the field of study list: 119 fields added and 178 removed (the list is dated July 4, 2025).
January 1, 2026	Master’s and doctoral students at public designated schools no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter.
2026	IRCC says it will not add or remove any eligible fields of study this year.
April 1, 2026	Post-secondary students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for placements that their program requires (IRCC notice, April 9, 2026).

IRCC plans up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, with 155,000 for new arrivals and 253,000 for extensions (IRCC notice, November 25, 2025). Read our cap exemption guide and our article on the 2026 field of study freeze for the details.

How long will your PGWP last?

A PGWP can be valid from 8 months up to 3 years, and the length follows your program. A program of 8 months up to under 2 years can give a PGWP of the same length, and a program of 2 years or more can give 3 years (IRCC help centre).

Master’s programs: since February 15, 2024, a master’s program of at least 8 months can give a 3-year PGWP, even if it is under 2 years. This does not apply to certificate or diploma programs.
Accelerated programs: the PGWP can cover the full program length even if you finish early.
Study outside Canada: time studied outside Canada after August 31, 2024 does not count, and an overseas part of a program is not counted either.
Your passport: the PGWP cannot run past the expiry date of your passport.
Authorized leave: if your school approved it, IRCC may allow up to 150 days of leave.

Renew your passport before you apply if it expires soon, because it can shorten your PGWP.

Who is not eligible for a PGWP?

You are not eligible if your program is at a school that is not PGWP eligible, or at a non-Canadian institution that operates in Canada. Most programs run through public-private partnerships (curriculum licensing) are also not eligible. IRCC lists exceptions based on start dates, so check the date rules for your program.

Not sure about your school? Ask it in writing whether your exact program is PGWP eligible, and see our college and diploma PGWP guide.

Which rules apply to you, based on your dates?

The date you applied decides which rules you face. IRCC sets two dates:

PGWP application before November 1, 2024: the language requirement does not apply to you.
Study permit application before November 1, 2024: you do not need a listed field of study.
Study permit application on or after November 1, 2024: you need a listed field if your program is not a degree.
Applied before June 25, 2025: a field removed later stays eligible for you if it was on the list when you applied.

How do you check your own PGWP eligibility?

Ask your school for your program’s 6-digit CIP code and its length.
Check that your school is PGWP eligible on IRCC’s designated learning institution list.
If your program is not a degree, search IRCC’s eligible fields list for your code.
Check your study permit application date against the dates above.
Plan a language test for CLB 7 (university) or CLB 5 (college) in all four skills.
Keep your full-time status every semester, and apply within 180 days of finishing.

What about your spouse?

Your spouse can get an open work permit only if you study in a master’s program of 16 months or more, a doctoral program, certain professional programs or selected eligible programs. A 15-month master’s does not qualify. See our spousal open work permit page and our 2026 spousal open work permit guide.

What does a PGWP mean for permanent residence?

A PGWP gives you Canadian work experience, which routes such as the Canadian Experience Class count. It does not guarantee permanent residence. Plan your route early with our study to PR page.

Frequently asked questions: PGWP rules 2026

Do I need a language test for the PGWP?

Yes, if you applied for the PGWP on or after November 1, 2024. You need CLB 7 for university programs or CLB 5 for college programs, in all four skills.

Do degree graduates need a field of study?

No. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates do not need a listed field. Other programs do if the study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024.

How long do I have to apply for a PGWP?

You must apply within 180 days of getting confirmation that you finished your program. Your study permit must have been valid at some point in that window.

Do online classes count toward a PGWP?

Study from outside Canada after August 31, 2024 does not count toward PGWP length. If your lock-in date is on or after September 1, 2024, at least 50% of the program must be in class in Canada.

Will my spouse get a work permit while I study?

Only if you study in a master’s program of 16 months or more, a doctoral program, a certain professional program or a selected eligible program. Undergraduate and college students’ spouses generally do not qualify.

Do I still need a co-op work permit?

Not if you are a post-secondary student with a required work placement and you meet IRCC’s conditions, since April 1, 2026. Secondary school students still need one.

Did the 2026 study permit cap change the PGWP rules?

No. The cap limits how many study permits IRCC issues. The PGWP rules on language, field of study and timing are separate.

Where do I check my program’s code?

Ask your school for the 6-digit CIP code, then search IRCC’s currently eligible CIP codes page. Our PGWP eligible programs guide shows examples of codes that are and are not on the list.

To check your PGWP eligibility before you apply, Book a Strategy Consultation.

Amir Ismail is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R412319) who has been associated with the immigration consulting industry since 1991.