CELPIP for the PGWP: CLB 7 or CLB 5 by programme, the two-year rule, and what IRCC accepts
Since 1 November 2024 most graduates need a language result to get a post-graduation work permit, and the level depends on the programme they finished rather than on the permit. The rule is spread across four IRCC pages: eligibility, documents, the language-level tables, and the about page with its rule for two programmes. This page brings them together, in IRCC's words, with the CELPIP score that meets each level and the source beside every figure.
The level, by the programme you finished
IRCC's eligibility page sets the requirement under “eligibility requirements based on study program”, always in all four abilities.
| Programme you graduated from | Minimum level | IRCC's note |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree | CLB 7 | In all four abilities. No field-of-study requirement. |
| Any other university programme | CLB 7 | In all four abilities. Field-of-study requirement applies if the study permit was applied for on or after 1 November 2024. |
| College, polytechnic or other non-university programme | CLB 5 | In all four abilities. Field-of-study requirement applies if the study permit was applied for on or after 1 November 2024. |
| PGWP-eligible flight school | None | No language or field-of-study requirement. |
Source: IRCC, PGWP eligibility, checked 6 September 2026. Applications submitted before 1 November 2024 had no language requirement for any programme.
One line on that page is easy to miss: “any other university program” carries the same CLB 7 as a degree. A university certificate or diploma is at the degree level for language purposes; only college, polytechnic and non-university programmes sit at CLB 5. And IRCC's about page settles the case of two programmes: to combine their lengths into one permit, meet the higher of the two language requirements.
The scores that meet CLB 7 and CLB 5
From IRCC's PGWP language-level page, which carries the same tables as its Express Entry charts. Abilities in IRCC's order: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking.
| Level | CELPIP-General | IELTS General Training | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 7 | 7 in each ability | R 6.0 · W 6.0 · L 6.0 · S 6.0 | R 60–68 · W 69–78 · L 60–70 · S 68–75 |
| CLB 5 | 5 in each ability | R 4.0 · W 5.0 · L 5.0 · S 5.0 | R 42–50 · W 51–59 · L 39–49 · S 51–58 |
Source: IRCC, PGWP: how to find your language level based on your test results, checked 6 September 2026. The full CLB 4 to 10 tables for all three tests are on the Express Entry comparison.
Because CELPIP-General reports on the CLB scale, the requirement reads straight off the report: every one of the four numbers at 7 or above, or every one at 5 or above. The lowest number is the one IRCC tests against. A report of 9, 9, 9 and 6 is a CLB 6 report for a permit that needs 7.
The rules around the result
- In person. IRCC's documents page: language tests should be taken in person. An at-home or online sitting of any brand is not the test IRCC describes.
- All four abilities. The same page: you must demonstrate your skill in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The two-skill CELPIP-LS used for citizenship does not apply here.
- Under two years old at submission. “Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your application.” The clock is the submission date, not the graduation date.
- The accepted tests. CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English; TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. IRCC's wording is “you should take the CELPIP-General test” and the General Training and PTE Core options respectively.
- Within 180 days. The eligibility page requires the PGWP application within 180 days of confirmation that the programme is complete, with a study permit valid at some point in those 180 days. A test booked late can collide with that window; Paragon posts CELPIP scores in two to four business days, so the constraint is the sitting date, not the marking.
- “Optional” on the checklist. Both the documents and the apply pages say the checklist lists the proof as optional and that it must be included where the programme requires it.
- Disability. If a section could not be completed and the test provider gave no averaged score, IRCC's language averaging tool supplies one, uploaded with an explanation; incomplete results without it may be refused.
Who does not need a language result
IRCC's language-level page lists two exemptions: applications submitted before 1 November 2024, regardless of the level of study, and graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school. Its apply page adds one narrow case: a PGWP issued short because the passport expired first can be extended on paper after a new passport is obtained, and that extension needs no new proof of language. Everyone else applying now falls under the table above.
For what the same CELPIP result is worth beyond the permit, the Express Entry comparison sets out the programme minimums and CRS points, and the citizenship page explains why the same report, even expired, still serves at CLB 4 years later. Booking, fees and test-day rules are on the registration page.
Before you book
The PGWP requirement is a floor in every ability, so the useful question is not your average but your weakest skill. A graduate who reads and listens at CLB 9 and writes at CLB 6 needs one skill moved one level, and needs to know that before paying for a sitting inside a 180-day window. One section under CELPIP conditions, marked to the CELPIP level, answers it.
Questions graduates ask
What CELPIP score do I need for a PGWP?
It depends on the programme you graduated from, not on the permit. IRCC's eligibility page sets CLB 7 in all four abilities for a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree and for any other university programme, and CLB 5 in all four for a college, polytechnic or other non-university programme. On CELPIP-General the level is the score, so that is 7 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, or 5 in each. Flight-school graduates have no language requirement.
Is the requirement the lowest of my four scores or the average?
The lowest. IRCC's wording is a minimum level 'in all 4 language areas', and its documents page says you must demonstrate your skill in each of reading, writing, listening and speaking. A CELPIP report of 9, 9, 9 and 6 does not meet CLB 7.
Can I use an old test result?
Only if it is less than two years old on the day you submit the PGWP application; IRCC's documents page states the rule in those words. This is the same rule as Express Entry and the opposite of citizenship, where IRCC accepts expired results.
Can I take the test online or at home?
No. IRCC's documents page says language tests should be taken in person, and lists the accepted tests as CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are not on the list.
Who is exempt?
IRCC's language-level page names two groups: anyone who submitted the PGWP application before 1 November 2024, whatever the level of study, and graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school. Its apply page adds a third case: an extension applied for only because a passport expired before the full permit period needs no new language proof.
The checklist says the language proof is optional. Is it?
IRCC's documents and apply pages both say the PGWP document checklist lists the proof of language results as an optional document, and both say you must include it if your study programme requires it. Optional on the form does not mean optional for you; an application without it is judged against the requirement all the same.
I completed two programmes. Which level applies?
The higher one, if you want a permit that combines the length of both. IRCC's about page gives exactly this example: if one of the programmes has a higher language requirement, you need to meet the higher requirement to get a PGWP that combines the length of both. Each programme must also be PGWP-eligible and at least eight months long.
What if a disability stops me completing a section?
IRCC's documents page allows it: if the testing organisation did not give an averaged score for the ability you could not complete, you obtain one through IRCC's language averaging tool and upload the result with an explanation in the client-information section. Incomplete results submitted without that explanation may be refused.
Sources
- IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: eligibility — the level by programme, the 1 November 2024 cut-off, the 180-day window.
- IRCC, Get the right documents — in-person tests, all four abilities, the two-year rule, accepted tests, the disability rule.
- IRCC, How to find your language level based on your test results — the CLB tables and the exemptions.
- IRCC, About the PGWP — the rule for more than one programme; How to apply — the checklist note and the passport-extension case.
Checked 6 September 2026. IRCC's rules are IRCC's and change; confirm on its pages before applying. Nothing on this page is immigration or legal advice.
Related: Listening guide · Reading guide · Writing guide · Speaking guide · How CELPIP is scored · CELPIP vs IELTS vs PTE Core · CELPIP for citizenship · CELPIP registration, fee and test day · CLB calculator.