IRCC plans to add language test field to post-graduation work permit application portal

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is developing a dedicated field to submit language test results on its post-graduation work permit (PGWP) site, in the face of continued applicant confusion.

In an article in Global News, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Diab's office said the change is in the works as part of broader IT improvements at the department, and acknowledged that the current application portal has caused confusion for some international graduates.

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This comes after the Canadian federal government introduced a new language test requirement for PGWP applications in 2024, but failed to update its application portal due to what it described as “system limitations.”

Language test results are required documents for all PGWP applicants (applying after November 1, 2024), regardless of level of study.

With applicants not seeing any specific field for language results, many believed they were not required at all and failed to submit them along with their PGWP applications, leading to a slew of rejections stemming from the missing documents.

Between November 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, IRCC received more than 302,000 PGWP applications. Of those, 945 were rejected due to language-related reasons, according to the spokesperson.

No date has been shared for the implementation of this change. Until this field has been developed by IRCC, international students will need to continue to submit their language test results as per IRCC’s specific guidelines (covered below).

Who needs to submit language test results?

In November 2024, IRCC introduced language test requirements for international students seeking PGWPs.

Under these rules, PGWP applicants must submit results from an officially designated language test in either English or French as part of their initial application. Language test results remain valid for two years from the testing date.

The required level of proficiency, as measured by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), depends on the applicant's level of study:

• University bachelor's, master's, doctoral, or other university programs, as well as college bachelor's degree programs: CLB 7
• College programs or other non-university programs: CLB 5

How can international students currently submit their language test results as part of a PGWP application?

International students seeking a PGWP need to upload their language test results under the “Client Information” section of their online account.

It’s important to keep in mind that only one file can be saved in that section.

If you upload multiple files, only the most recent one will remain in your application. If you need to provide more than one document (for example, a language test report and a letter from your school confirming your program/field of study), IRCC recommends combining everything into a single file (such as one merged PDF) before uploading it to the “Client Information” slot.

You may also need to compress your file to ensure that it meets IRCC’s system requirements. Further guidance is provided on the department’s webpage.

What to do if you already submitted your application without these documents

Applicants who submitted their PGWP application without the required language test results are not necessarily out of options.

IRCC allows applicants to add missing documents to a submitted application through the department's web form. To do so:

• Go to the "Ask about or update your application" section of the IRCC web form.
• Select "Add a document to your application."
• When asked who you are, choose "I'm the principal applicant."
• Fill in your application number and Unique Client Identifier (UCI) so IRCC can locate your file.
• When asked whether IRCC requested the document, select "No, I want to add the document(s) to support or complete my application."
• Upload your documents. Unlike the application portal, the web form allows multiple file uploads, provided the total size does not exceed 3.5 megabytes.

What to do if your application has been rejected?

For applicants whose applications have already been rejected, the path forward is more complex.

If your study permit is still valid, you can submit a new work permit application. But if your study permit has expired, you will have to apply for a restoration of status as a student, and then submit another PGWP application, if you are still within 180 days of completing your program.

If your PGWP application has been refused, it may be possible to submit a reconsideration request to have the decision on your application reviewed. This can be done online through IRCC’s web form or by email if one was provided with your decision letter.

There is no fee or hard deadline for this process but it is best to act in a timely manner, which is ideally within 30 days of receiving your refusal letter.

However, there is no guarantee that it will be successful. Many applicants in this situation look to consult a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or immigration lawyer.

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