IELTS Score for the Canada PGWP
The IELTS band you need for a Canada post-graduation work permit, scored against the Canadian Language Benchmark. Mandatory since 1 November 2024 — here is the exact level by program type, and how to check your band first.
What IELTS score do I need for a PGWP?
University graduates (bachelor's, master's or doctoral) need CLB 7 — IELTS General Training 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. College, polytechnic and other non-university graduates need CLB 5 — Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0.
Since 1 November 2024, every post-graduation work permit (PGWP) application must include proof of English or French language ability — this was not required before. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sets the level by the program you graduated from. If you graduated with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, or from any other university program, you need Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four skills. If you graduated from a college, polytechnic or other non-university program, you need CLB 5 in all four skills. You must take IELTS General Training — IELTS Academic is not accepted for the PGWP — and your test results must be less than two years old when you apply. Graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school are the one exception to the language requirement.
Which IELTS test: IELTS General Training (IELTS Academic is not accepted).
PGWP IELTS requirements by program type
| Program you graduated from | Required level | IELTS General Training (each skill) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degreeNo field-of-study requirement for degree graduates | CLB 7 | Listening 6.0 · Reading 6.0 · Writing 6.0 · Speaking 6.0 |
| Any other university program | CLB 7 | Listening 6.0 · Reading 6.0 · Writing 6.0 · Speaking 6.0 |
| College, polytechnic or non-university programA field-of-study requirement also applies if the study permit was applied for on or after 1 November 2024 | CLB 5 | Listening 5.0 · Reading 4.0 · Writing 5.0 · Speaking 5.0 |
| PGWP-eligible flight schoolThe only exception to the PGWP language requirement | Exempt | No language test required |
| Applied before 1 November 2024The language requirement applies only to applications submitted on or after that date | Exempt | No language test required |
You must meet the required level in every skill — one section below the threshold fails the whole requirement. Results must be less than two years old on the day you apply, and IRCC accepts IELTS General Training (not Academic), CELPIP General or PTE Core. Confirm the current rule on the official IRCC page before booking.
Official source: IRCC (Canada.ca)
Canada PGWP IELTS requirement - common questions
What IELTS score do I need for a PGWP?
It depends on the program you graduated from. Graduates of a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree — and of any other university program — need CLB 7, which is IELTS General Training 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Graduates of a college, polytechnic or other non-university program need CLB 5: Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0 and Speaking 5.0. You must hit the level in every skill.
Is IELTS Academic accepted for the PGWP?
No. IRCC accepts IELTS General Training for the post-graduation work permit, not IELTS Academic. This catches out a lot of graduates, because the IELTS Academic test they sat for university admission cannot be reused for the PGWP. IRCC also accepts CELPIP General and PTE Core.
When did the PGWP language requirement start?
It applies to PGWP applications submitted on or after 1 November 2024. If you submitted your application before that date, you do not need to meet the language requirement. Graduates of a PGWP-eligible flight school are exempt regardless of the date.
How old can my IELTS results be for a PGWP application?
Your language test results must be less than two years old on the day you apply for the post-graduation work permit. If your test is older than that, you need to sit IELTS General Training again before applying.
What is CLB 7 in IELTS for the PGWP?
CLB 7 corresponds to IELTS General Training Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0 and Speaking 6.0. This is the level university-program graduates need for the PGWP. It is the same CLB 7 threshold that serves as the Express Entry minimum, so a single IELTS General Training sitting can cover both.
Can I check my band before booking the IELTS General Training test?
Yes. Take a free full-length IELTS practice test on this site to get AI-graded per-section bands, then use the IELTS score calculator to convert your raw Listening and Reading answers into bands. Compare each section against the CLB 7 or CLB 5 row in the table above before you pay for the real test.