Avoid PGWP Refusals: IRCC’s 2025 Language and CIP Proofs

Canada 🇨🇦 immigration officers have been turning away more Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications for a simple reason: missing documents that now must be filed up front. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it issued new online instructions on December 10, 2025 after a rise in refusals tied to rules that took effect November 1, 2024, when many graduates became responsible for proving both language ability and, in some programs, an eligible field of study. The department’s message is blunt: if a required file is absent when you apply, the case can be refused as incomplete under the Document Checklist [IMM 5583], even if you could have provided it later. IRCC’s update aims to stop graduates from losing weeks, jobs, and legal status over paperwork.

What IRCC now requires up front

According to IRCC’s revised guide, most applicants who completed programs after the November 1, 2024 change must upload valid language test results—such as IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF Canada—showing the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) required for their credential. IRCC notes, for example, that many college diploma graduates need at least CLB/NCLC 5.

The new instructions also focus on students in non-degree programs who now have to show their education sits in an approved training area. That proof must match IRCC’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code list, which assigns eligible programs six-digit codes. IRCC said the field-of-study rule does not apply to university bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs, but it can affect other programs.

Commonly-missed basic documents

IRCC has long required graduates to submit basics such as:

• Passport
• Photo
• Confirmation of program completion (at least 8 months) at a Designated Learning Institution

However, IRCC says the newer proof requirements—language test reports and field-of-study documentation—are being missed in many applications. The department stresses that the personalized upload list in the online portal is authoritative and that the Document Checklist [IMM 5583] is treated as an all-or-nothing gatekeeper for completeness.

If a required item (for example, a language score or an official CIP-coded graduation letter) is missing from your initial upload, IRCC officers can refuse the application as incomplete without asking for the document later.

Field-of-study proof: what IRCC expects

IRCC describes the field-of-study proof as an “official graduation letter” from the student’s school that meets all of the following:

• Printed on institution letterhead
• Signed by the registrar
• Names the program
• Includes the exact six-digit CIP code that matches IRCC’s eligible list

In practice, that means graduates may need to return to the registrar to request wording that schools did not always provide before 2024. For many college and non-university programs, a CIP match is mandatory, and it can also be required for some university programs that are not bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

Applicants who assume a transcript alone suffices risk refusal. IRCC explicitly warns that officers will not guess a program’s code—if the letter does not show the exact code, it will be treated as missing.

How to add documents after you’ve already applied

IRCC urges graduates who filed without the required proof to add documents before a decision is made using the online account. Follow these steps:

1. Click “Ask about or update your application”
2. Choose “Add a document to your application”
3. Enter both the application number and the Unique Client Identifier (UCI)
4. Select “No, I want to add the document(s) to support or complete my application.”
5. Upload the supporting files (multiple files allowed)

Important upload limits and notes:

• Total upload cap: 3.5 MB
• Acceptable documents: language test reports, official graduation letters, transcripts, passport pages, etc.
• IRCC highlights the in-account “add a document” route as the most reliable method for matching uploads to an existing application. Applicants can also use IRCC’s web form, but the in-account option is preferred.

Applying for a new PGWP: forms, fees, and links

For new PGWP filings, IRCC requires applicants to:

• Apply online
• Pay the standard work permit fee plus the open work permit holder fee
• Use the main application form IMM 5710 (official title: “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker”)
  • The form can be downloaded from: IMM5710
• Check the Document Checklist: IMM5583
• Review the PGWP program guide on IRCC’s site: IRCC

Processing times can change, so applicants should monitor IRCC’s site for updates.

Timing rules and work/permit status

IRCC’s timing rules that commonly trip up applicants:

• Apply within 180 days of receiving written confirmation that you completed program requirements.
• If your study permit has expired, you may have a tighter window: apply within 90 days and apply to restore status, paying a $350 restoration fee.

Key status implications:

• If you submit a complete PGWP application while your study permit is still valid, you may work on maintained status until a decision is made.
• A refusal for incompleteness can immediately cut off the ability to work while you wait, forcing reapplication and possibly additional fees.

Why many applicants are surprised

Colleges and student advisers report more anxious visits from graduates who believed the PGWP was automatic once final grades posted. The 2024 expansion of language and field-of-study screening changed the risk profile for many one-year certificates and diplomas, especially where both a test score and a CIP match are required.

Common pitfalls include:

• Forgetting to upload the full language test report (uploading only a screenshot or partial report that lacks identifying details is often treated as missing)
• Assuming a transcript is sufficient instead of an official graduation letter with the CIP code
• Waiting to add documents until after a refusal triggers loss of work authorization

IRCC’s guidance: treat required language test results like a passport page—if the checklist requires it, include it in the initial upload.

Language requirement details

IRCC’s language rule varies by level and timing:

• Some graduates are exempt, including those who finished certain degrees before November 1, 2024.
• Many graduates who finished after that date must attach official results from approved test providers.
• Approved tests include IELTS, CELPIP (English) and TEF Canada (French), with scores that convert to the required CLB/NCLC levels.

IRCC warns that uploading incomplete test evidence (for example, a screenshot that lacks name, date, or test report number) can lead to a refusal under the checklist logic.

Final guidance and practical tips

• The safest approach is to check eligibility before paying or submitting your application—some programs do not lead to a PGWP.
• For late additions, use the in-account “add a document” route for the best chance documents are matched correctly. The IRCC web form is an alternative but less direct.
• The December guidance does not name specific schools, provinces, or employers—but it signals a tougher completeness culture at IRCC.
• The faster applicants adapt to the language and CIP paperwork requirements, the less likely they are to see a permit slip away.

Key takeaway: make sure your initial upload package includes all required documentation (language test reports and CIP-coded graduation letters when applicable). Missing items on the Document Checklist [IMM 5583] can trigger a refusal without the opportunity to supply them later.