Canada has decided to keep the current list of study programs that qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit unchanged throughout 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirmed it will not change the list of study programs that qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit in 2026. The department shared this update online on January 15, 2026. As a result, students will see no new programs added and no existing ones removed for the rest of the year.
The announcement marks a shift from earlier plans. In 2025, the federal government said it would review and update the list in “early 2026.” That review will no longer happen this year.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit allows eligible international graduates to work in Canada after they finish their studies. This permit often helps graduates gain Canadian work experience, which many later use when applying for permanent residence.
In 2024, the government added a new rule for some graduates. Under that rule, some students must complete a program linked to jobs facing long-term worker shortages in Canada. This requirement mainly affects programs below the bachelor’s level.
Students who earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree do not face this rule. They remain eligible for a PGWP regardless of their field of study.
The 2026 freeze brings clarity for students planning their education in Canada. With no changes coming this year, students can rely on the current list when choosing their programs.
At present, the list includes 1,107 eligible programs. These programs mainly fall into key areas such as health care and social services, education, skilled trades, agriculture, science and technology, and transportation.
Graduates from colleges and other non-degree programs should carefully check whether their chosen program appears on the approved list before applying for a work permit.
Students enrolled in non-degree programs must confirm that their program meets the field-of-study rules before they apply for a study permit or a PGWP.
Each post-secondary program carries a Classification of Instructional Programs code, known as a CIP code. This six-digit number identifies the subject area of a program. Only programs with approved CIP codes qualify under the current rules.
Checking the correct code early can help students avoid problems later in their application process.
The government last changed the list in June 2025. At that time, it added 119 new fields of study and removed 178 others. A month later, officials paused the removals and said they would revisit the list in “early 2026.”
Because of that pause, all 178 removed programs stayed eligible through 2025. With the new freeze in place, those programs will remain eligible until the end of 2026.
After the 2025 update, the total number of eligible programs grew from 920 to 1,107, where it will stay for now.
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