Canada’s immigration department has confirmed that it will not make any changes to the list of educational programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in 2026, bringing clarity for international students planning to study and work in the country. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the decision in a website update posted on January 15, 2026, stating that no fields of study will be added or removed for the rest of the year.

No changes despite earlier plans

The freeze comes after IRCC had indicated in 2025 that it would overhaul the list of PGWP-eligible programs in early 2026. With the latest update, the existing list will remain unchanged throughout the year, providing certainty to students and education providers.

Background on field-of-study rules

In 2024, IRCC introduced a field-of-study requirement for some post-secondary graduates applying for a PGWP. Under this rule, certain international students must complete programs linked to occupations facing long-term labour shortages to qualify for the work permit. The requirement generally applies to non-degree programs below the bachelor’s level, such as certificate programs. Graduates with bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees are exempt from this condition.

A PGWP is an open work permit that allows eligible graduates to work in Canada and gain local work experience, which is often a pathway toward permanent residence.

(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)

What the freeze means for students

For prospective international students, the freeze provides predictability about which programs can lead to a PGWP after graduation. At present, IRCC’s list includes 1,107 eligible educational programs. These are mainly spread across sectors such as healthcare and social services, education, trades, agriculture, science and technology, and transport.

Students enrolled in colleges and other non-degree programs are advised to ensure that their chosen program appears on the eligible list if they plan to apply for a PGWP after completing their studies.

Checking eligible programs

Students in non-degree programs must verify that their course falls under an eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code before applying for a study permit or a PGWP. A CIP code is a six-digit number used to classify post-secondary programs by discipline, and IRCC maintains an official list of eligible codes.

In June 2025, IRCC revised the PGWP eligibility list, adding 119 new fields of study and removing 178. The department later paused the removal of programs until the next update, allowing the removed programs to remain eligible through 2025. With the list now frozen for 2026, those programs will continue to be eligible until the end of the year.

Following the 2025 revisions, the total number of PGWP-eligible programs rose from 920 to 1,107, a figure that will remain unchanged in 2026.