PGWP Eligibility Checker

Written by NextMovePath editorial team · Last updated: September 27, 2026

What this checker looks at

You only get one PGWP in your life, and most refusals come from a rule the applicant did not know applied to them. The checker walks through the rules IRCC uses in the same order an officer would, and marks each one as met, at risk, or not met.

1. One PGWP per person. If you have held a PGWP before, you cannot get another.
2. An eligible school and program. Your DLI must offer PGWP-eligible programs. Language courses, general interest courses and most non-credit programs never qualify.
3. Public-private partnership programs. A program taught by a private college for a public college is not eligible, unless you started before May 15, 2024 (same province) or on or before January 31, 2023 (different provinces).
4. At least 8 months long (900 hours in Quebec).
5. Full-time in every semester, with part-time allowed in your final semester and approved leaves of up to 150 days. Read more on gaps, breaks and full-time status.
6. Mostly in person in Canada. More than 50% online makes you ineligible, and study from outside Canada is usually taken off the permit length.
7. Field of study for college and non-degree programs when the study permit was applied for on or after November 1, 2024. See the field-of-study guide.
8. Language test: CLB 7 for degrees and university programs, CLB 5 for college programs. See the language requirement guide.
9. The 180-day window, counted from the earliest of your final marks, completion letter or credential.
10. Your status: a valid study permit, visitor status, a permit that expired less or more than 90 days ago, or being outside Canada. See what to do if your permit is expiring.

How to read your result

Likely eligible means none of your answers break a rule. It does not mean approval. You still need the right documents: proof of completion, a transcript showing full-time study, language results, and proof of your CIP code if the field-of-study rule applies to you.

At risk means at least one rule depends on facts an officer will look at closely, or on something you have not confirmed yet. Most at-risk results can be fixed before you apply.

Not eligible as answered means one of your answers breaks a rule. Check that answer first. If it is right, a PGWP is unlikely, and it is time to look at other options.

How long your PGWP could be

For programs of 8 months to under 2 years, the PGWP can be as long as the program. Programs of 2 years or more can give up to 3 years. Master’s degree graduates can get up to 3 years if the program was at least 8 months, but this does not apply to graduate certificates or diplomas. The permit also cannot go past your passport’s expiry date. Two programs can be combined if both qualify and you finish the second within 2 years of the first.

For the full rules, read the PGWP eligibility guide or start at the PGWP guide. If your PGWP was already refused, see the PGWP refusal guide.