You graduated in Canada. Now you have 180 days to apply for your post-graduation work permit (PGWP), the open work permit that lets you work for any employer and is your fastest path to permanent residence. New rules in 2026 mean thousands of graduates get refused for missing one document or skipping the language test. This guide tells you exactly what to do and how NBCI can handle the entire application for you.
What is a PGWP?
A post-graduation work permit is an open work permit issued by IRCC to eligible international graduates of Canadian schools. Open means you work for any employer, any job, anywhere in Canada, with no restrictions. It is not renewable. You get one PGWP per lifetime, which is why a correct first submission matters so much.
The standard path to Canadian permanent residence for international graduates goes like this:
Graduate → PGWP approved → Work 1 year → Express Entry CEC → Permanent Resident
One wrong step breaks the chain. That is why graduates across Canada, and especially in Montreal, choose professional document support rather than risk their future on a form error.
Not sure if you qualify for a PGWP?
Fill out our free assessment, and we will review your eligibility within 24 hours — no obligation, no upfront cost. Start Now
PGWP eligibility 2026 | who qualifies?
To qualify for a post-graduation work permit in Canada you must meet every one of these conditions. Missing even one results in a refusal.
- Graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) — public colleges and universities qualify; most private colleges do not
- Program was at least 8 months long (or 900 hours for Quebec programs)
- Maintained full-time student status every semester — part-time only allowed in the final semester
- Passed the field-of-study requirement — diploma and certificate grads with a study permit issued after November 1, 2024 must verify their CIP code
- Included a valid language test result — CLB 7 for degree holders, CLB 5 for college graduates
- Applied within 180 days of receiving official proof of program completion
Applied for your study permit before November 1, 2024? You are exempt from both the field-of-study requirement and the language test — regardless of program level. You still must apply within 180 days and meet all other criteria.
Field of study requirement | diploma graduates only
This is the biggest rule change since 2024 and the most common reason diploma graduates get refused. If your study permit was issued on or after November 1, 2024 and you graduated from a diploma or certificate program, your program’s 6-digit CIP code must be on IRCC’s eligible list.
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Degree level
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Field-of-study check?
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Language test?
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Programs that generally qualify: healthcare, engineering technology, computer science, skilled trades, agriculture. Programs that generally do not qualify: business administration, hospitality, marketing, communications, liberal arts — at the diploma level.
Language requirement | new since November 2024
Every PGWP application submitted on or after November 1, 2024 must include a language test result. Results must be less than 2 years old at the time you apply. Accepted English tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core. Accepted French tests: TEF Canada, TCF Canada.
How long is a PGWP valid?
PGWP document checklist 2026
Every item below is required. One missing document means a refusal or a major delay inside your 180 day window.
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Document
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What to check
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Not sure if you qualify for a PGWP?
Fill out our free assessment, and we will review your eligibility within 24 hours — no obligation, no upfront cost. Start Now
PGWP application fees 2026
These fees are paid directly to IRCC and are separate from NBCI’s document preparation service fee.
How to apply for a PGWP | step by step
All PGWP applications must be submitted online through your IRCC Secure Account. Paper applications are no longer accepted as of 2024.
1 - Create your IRCC Secure Account (GCKey)
Go to canada.ca and register a GCKey. Save your login and security questions securely. Never create a second account — IRCC flags duplicates and it can delay your application.
2 - Start a new application
From your dashboard click “Apply to come to Canada.” Under “I do not have a Personal Reference Code” select “Visitor, study and/or work permit.”
3 - Answer the eligibility questionnaire
Say you want to work in Canada. Set your status as “Student.” Confirm your country of residence is Canada applying from inside Canada is strongly recommended over applying from abroad.
4 - Download and complete form IMM 5710
This is the core PGWP form. Open it only in Adobe Acrobat Reader never a browser or mobile device. Enter your UCI number without hyphens. Every field must exactly match your passport. One mismatch triggers a delay or refusal.
5 - Upload all documents
Upload your language test results in the “Client Information” section. Combine your cover letter and language results into one PDF. Upload your transcript and completion letter together as graduation proof.
6 - Check if you need a medical exam
Healthcare, childcare, agriculture, and close-contact occupations require an Immigration Medical Exam (IME). Complete it before applying to avoid work restrictions being placed on your permit.
7 - Pay fees and submit
Pay $155 + $100 by credit card or Visa Debit. Save your receipt. After submission, download your Submission Confirmation PDF — this is your legal proof of application and protects your implied status.
Can I work while waiting for my PGWP?
Yes — if you apply before your study permit expires. Submitting your PGWP application while your study permit is still valid gives you implied status, meaning you can keep working full-time for any employer while IRCC reviews your file.
If your study permit already expired, you have up to 90 days to apply and restore your status — but you cannot work during that waiting period and a $350 restoration fee applies.
Not sure if you qualify for a PGWP?
Fill out our free assessment, and we will review your eligibility within 24 hours — no obligation, no upfront cost. Start Now
PGWP to permanent residence in Canada
A post-graduation work permit is not just permission to work — it is your bridge to Canadian permanent residence. Once you are working with a PGWP you accumulate Canadian work experience, which is the core requirement for Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — the fastest PR pathway for people already in Canada.
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan explicitly prioritizes in-Canada applicants. PGWP holders in TEER 0, 1, or 2 occupations who apply through CEC are at the front of the line for PR. The strategy that works in 2026:
PGWP approved → TEER 0–2 job → 1 yr experience → Express Entry CEC → PR
Every month your PGWP is delayed is a month of work experience you are not building toward PR. This is why a fast, error-free application matters beyond just the work permit itself.
5 mistakes that get PGWP applications refused
1 — Missing the 180-day deadline
The window opens the day your school issues final marks — not convocation day. Many graduates lose their eligibility waiting for their transcript. Apply within 30 days of your completion letter. After 180 days, no extension is possible.
2 — Passport expires before PGWP end date
IRCC issues a PGWP only as long as your passport is valid. Eligible for 3 years but passport expires in 9 months? You get 9 months. Renew your passport before submitting the application.
3 — Missing or expired language test
Every application since November 2024 requires a test result. Missing it = outright refusal, not a request to resubmit. Test results must be less than 2 years old when you apply.
4 — Ineligible CIP code (diploma graduates)
Two programs with nearly identical names at the same school can have different CIP codes — and only one qualifies for a PGWP. Always verify your exact 6-digit CIP code against IRCC’s list, not the program title.
5 — Errors in form IMM 5710
Wrong UCI format, mismatched passport data, selecting the wrong permit type — these cause delays or refusals. Professional document review catches every error before you submit.
Frequently asked questions — PGWP 2026
Can I apply for a PGWP from outside Canada?
Yes, but strongly not recommended. Consular processing is significantly slower. Apply from inside Canada while your study permit is still valid to protect your implied status.
Can my spouse work while I hold a PGWP?
As of January 2026, spouses of PGWP holders qualify for an open work permit only if the PGWP holder works in a TEER 0, 1, or 2 occupation. Retail and general admin jobs no longer qualify your spouse for a work permit.
Can I apply if I studied part-time?
Only if the part-time semester was your final one. Full-time status is mandatory for every other semester in your program.
How do I find my program's CIP code?
Check your school’s website most DLIs publish CIP codes for PGWP purposes. Contact your registrar if it is not listed. Never assume eligibility from a program name alone.
What if my study permit already expired?
You have up to 90 days after expiry to apply and restore your status. A $350 fee applies and you cannot work during this period. After 90 days you must leave Canada and lose PGWP eligibility permanently.
How much does NBCI charge for PGWP application support?
Our service fee is $299 CAD, charged only after your PGWP is approved. You pay IRCC’s government fees ($255 minimum) directly. No upfront fees — ever. If your application is refused due to our preparation error, you owe us nothing.
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