PGWP Eligibility & Deadline Checker

Review the program, language, dates and status facts that matter for a post-graduation work permit.

Source: PGWP eligibility, canada.ca · page updated Jun 24, 2026 Once in a lifetime Not legal advice

Program and dates

Institution / delivery arrangementChoose how your program was delivered. A public college name on a credential is not enough if teaching was through a private partner.

CredentialA university certificate or diploma uses a different language threshold from a non-university college program.

Have you verified this DLI and program are PGWP-eligible?Verify the exact program on the DLI list. It must be a qualifying credit credential (or flight program), not ESL/FSL or general interest; a GAC award must not require you to return home.

Official program length (months)Use the normal length even if you finished faster.

Program start date

Written completion confirmation receivedUse the first official confirmation, not convocation.

Study-permit application submittedThis date helps determine field-of-study and historical distance-learning rules. Use the application receipt.

Planned PGWP application datePlan around the date you will submit a complete application, not the day you start filling it in.

This is a Quebec program using the 900-hour alternative

Language and field of study

Lowest CLB/NCLC of all four abilitiesEnter your lowest ability, not an overall average. Convert raw scores in the CLB/NCLC tool.Use the CLB converter for an accepted General/Core/Canada test.

Date the language test was taken

My program's CIP is eligible on the current PGWP list

If needed: the CIP was eligible when I applied for the study permit

Either applicable date can establish field eligibility. Obtain your CIP from your registrar and check the current list and historical eligibility. The list is frozen for 2026; verify again for a future application.

Enrolment and study location

Full-time every semester except possibly the final one

Program completed online / distance (%)Include all distance learning, whether you were inside or outside Canada. Example: 25 means one quarter of the program.

Program completed while in Canada (%)Include in-person and online study while you were physically in Canada.

Program completed in class within Canada (%)Count only classes attended in person within Canada; exclude online study.

For a historical program only: I rely on a pandemic distance-learning exception

Percentages can overlap: online study inside Canada is included in both “online” and “in Canada.” In-class-in-Canada study cannot exceed in-Canada study. Keep dates for overseas and pre-permit study because they can reduce permit length.

Application location and status

My study permit was valid at some point during the 180 days after completionThis is different from holding a valid study permit on the day you apply. Visitor and outside-Canada routes have their own conditions.

Where will you apply?

Passport expiryA permit cannot extend beyond passport validity. A short passport can shorten the permit actually issued.

I already received a PGWP

This checks the specific facts above. DLI and CIP status require your verification. Historical exceptions with unresolved conditions stay open for review. Include required documents when applying: IRCC document instructions. Date-only planning uses your device calendar; use the exact deadline in your account. Permit length and passport-extension rules.