Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that it will not change the list of Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible fields of study in 2026. The update was posted on January 15, 2026.
This means no programs will be added or removed for the rest of the year, even though IRCC had previously suggested changes could happen in early 2026.
The field-of-study rule introduced in 2024 still mainly affects non-degree programs such as certificates and diplomas. Bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD graduates remain exempt.
The current list includes 1,107 eligible programs, mostly in healthcare, education, trades, agriculture, STEM, and transportation.
For students in college or other non-degree programs, the key takeaway is simple: check your program’s CIP code to confirm it remains PGWP-eligible. With the list frozen, eligibility will stay the same until the end of 2026.
