By pteexamprep editorial teamPublished 13 Oct 2026Updated 13 Oct 2026Reviewed 13 Oct 2026 against official sources
For a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) you need CLB 7 in all four skills if you finished a bachelor's, master's, doctoral or other university programme, and CLB 5 in all four skills if you finished a college, polytechnic or other non-university programme. The English test IRCC lists for PGWP that is a PTE product is PTE Core, not PTE Academic. Both statements apply to applications made on or after 1 November 2024. Checked 13 Oct 2026. Source: IRCC, PGWP eligibility and IRCC, PGWP language results.
This page covers only the PGWP language rule. For Express Entry and the full CLB picture, read the PTE score for Canada guide. For admission scores, see the Canada study permit guide.
Which level applies to you
| What you graduated from | Language level IRCC asks for | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree | CLB 7 in all 4 skills | 13 Oct 2026 |
| Any other university programme | CLB 7 in all 4 skills | 13 Oct 2026 |
| Other college, polytechnic or non-university programme | CLB 5 in all 4 skills | 13 Oct 2026 |
| PGWP-eligible flight school | No language requirement | 13 Oct 2026 |
| PGWP application submitted before 1 Nov 2024 | No language proof needed | 13 Oct 2026 |
Source for every row: IRCC, PGWP eligibility and language results. French results (NCLC 7 or 5) also count, but this site covers PTE only. The same IRCC page says field of study rules may also apply to non-degree programmes, so check that separately.
Which tests IRCC lists
IRCC's language results page lists these English tests: CELPIP General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. It lists TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. PTE Academic is not on that page. Checked 13 Oct 2026. Source: IRCC, PGWP language results.
So the test you took for admission may not be the test you need now. The PTE Academic vs Core vs UKVI guide explains the difference, and the PTE Core guide covers the format. If you are weighing PTE against IELTS for this purpose, see PTE or IELTS for Canada.
PTE Core scores that equal CLB 7 and CLB 5
These are the lowest PTE Core scores in each IRCC band. Checked 13 Oct 2026. Source: IRCC PTE Core table.
| Skill | CLB 7 band | Lowest score for CLB 7 | CLB 5 band | Lowest score for CLB 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 60-68 | 60 | 42-50 | 42 |
| Writing | 69-78 | 69 | 51-59 | 51 |
| Listening | 60-70 | 60 | 39-49 | 39 |
| Speaking | 68-75 | 68 | 51-58 | 51 |
The full table, with every other CLB level, is on the PTE score for Canada page, so it is not repeated here. Use the official IRCC page for the final check.
Worked example: same scores, two different outcomes
A student finishes a master's and a diploma holder finishes a college programme. Both take PTE Core and get Listening 65, Reading 65, Speaking 66 and Writing 68.
| Skill | Score | CLB on IRCC table |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 65 | 7 (60-70) |
| Reading | 65 | 7 (60-68) |
| Speaking | 66 | 6 (59-67) |
| Writing | 68 | 6 (60-68) |
The master's graduate needs CLB 7 in all four, and speaking and writing are CLB 6. The result does not meet the university requirement. The college graduate needs CLB 5, and every skill is CLB 6 or higher, so the same result is enough. To fix the master's case, speaking needs 68 and writing needs 69 on a retake. Checked 13 Oct 2026, using IRCC's table.
Checklist before you book
- Confirm your programme type: university or college. That decides CLB 7 or CLB 5.
- Confirm your application date. Proof is needed if you apply on or after 1 November 2024.
- Take the test IRCC lists. Reopen the language results page the week you book, because IRCC may update it.
- Convert each skill on the table above. The lowest skill decides.
- Check how old your result may be and how to send it. The PGWP page we read did not state a validity period, so read the "get the right documents" page on canada.ca before relying on an older score.
- Check that your name and ID details on the score report match your permit documents.
Plan before you graduate
Many students leave language proof until the end of the course. A better approach is to take a practice test early, see which skill lags, and leave time for a retake. The PTE eligibility checker helps you compare your score with requirements, and the universities directory shows institution scores for admission. Practice estimates on this site are not official CLB results.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Academic accepted for the Canada PGWP?
IRCC's PGWP language results page lists PTE Core, not PTE Academic. Check the page again before you apply. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
What PTE Core score do I need for CLB 7?
At least 60 in reading, 69 in writing, 60 in listening and 68 in speaking, based on IRCC's table. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
What PTE Core score do I need for CLB 5?
At least 42 in reading, 51 in writing, 39 in listening and 51 in speaking. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
Does one weak skill sink my PGWP language proof?
Yes. The level applies to all four skills, so the lowest skill decides.
Do I need a language test if I applied before 1 November 2024?
No. IRCC says applications submitted before that date do not need language proof. Later applications do, except flight school graduates.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Academic accepted for the Canada PGWP?
IRCC's PGWP language results page lists PTE Core for English. It does not list PTE Academic. If you took PTE Academic for admission, check the IRCC page before you apply and plan to book PTE Core if Academic is still not listed. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
What PTE Core score do I need for CLB 7?
On IRCC's table, CLB 7 is 60-68 in reading, 69-78 in writing, 60-70 in listening and 68-75 in speaking. The lowest score in the range is the minimum, so you need at least 60 reading, 69 writing, 60 listening and 68 speaking. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
What PTE Core score do I need for CLB 5?
CLB 5 starts at 42 in reading, 51 in writing, 39 in listening and 51 in speaking, using IRCC's PGWP table. Every skill must reach its own minimum. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
Does one weak skill sink my PGWP language proof?
Yes. IRCC asks for the minimum level in all four language areas, so a high overall score does not cover a low skill. Convert each skill separately on the IRCC table and compare the lowest one with your required level.
Do I need a language test if I applied for my PGWP before 1 November 2024?
IRCC says you do not need to provide language proof if you submitted your PGWP application before 1 November 2024. For applications on or after that date, proof is required, except for graduates of PGWP-eligible flight schools. Checked 13 Oct 2026.