Canada Freezes Fields Of Study For PGWP In 2026

Last Updated On 16 January 2026, 11:43 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially confirmed that, for 2026, it will not add or remove any eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

This matters because the field-of-study requirement has become one of the biggest “decision makers” for international students choosing study programs.

If their program’s CIP code isn’t eligible, they can finish school in Canada and still lose access to a PGWP—often without realizing it until they apply.

The new freeze removes one layer of uncertainty: the eligible fields list will remain stable throughout 2026.

Full list of fields eligible for PGWP in 2026

IRCC organizes PGWP-eligible fields of study into 6 broad field categories.

These are the fields that remain “frozen” (no additions or removals) throughout 2026.

Agriculture and agri-food
Education
Health care and social services
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
Trade
Transport

Important: the category list above is not the same thing as a “program list.”

Each category contains many specific eligible CIP codes, and PGWP eligibility is determined at the CIP-code level.

Full list of study programs eligible for PGWP in 2026

The bigger question is whether your program’s CIP code stays on the eligible list when you apply.

Because the official eligibility check is CIP-code based, the fastest way for readers is to search by either:

the exact 6-digit CIP code, or
keywords from the program title.

Check out the below searchable tool to search your field of study instantly by category or CIP code.

PGWP Eligible Programs – CIP Code Browser

Who is affected by the field-of-study requirement

The field-of-study rule is not universal. It targets specific students and programs.

You generally need an eligible field of study if

You applied for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, and you graduated from a non-degree program (meaning a program other than a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree).

You may be exempt from the field-of-study requirement if

IRCC lists several situations where you do not need to meet the field-of-study requirement, including (among others) graduates with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees, and certain timing-based exceptions tied to when you applied.

Because these exceptions are timing-sensitive, it is critical to check eligibility the same way IRCC checks it: using your program’s 6-digit CIP code and the relevant dates (study permit timing and PGWP timing).

What a CIP code is and why it decides PGWP eligibility

A CIP code (Classification of Instructional Programs) is the numeric label used to classify post-secondary education programs by field of study.

For PGWP purposes, IRCC uses 6-digit CIP codes based on CIP Canada 2021.

That is why two programs that sound similar on paper can have different outcomes—because what matters is the exact CIP code assigned to your credential, not the marketing name of the diploma or certificate.

IRCC introduced the field-of-study requirement as part of changes to the International Student Program.

The stated intent was to link PGWP eligibility for non-degree programs to fields tied to long-term labour shortages and Express Entry priorities.

In the beginning of 2025, IRCC updated eligible CIP codes and reported that it added 119 new fields of study and removed 178, resulting in 920 eligible fields of study at that time.

Following this, IRCC then reinstated PGWP eligibility for those 178 fields of study in July 2025.

Many students and colleges were expecting another round of changes in early 2026.

Instead, IRCC’s current position is clear: the list will not be adjusted during 2026.

What the 2026 freeze does and does not mean

What the freeze means

If your field is currently eligible, it will not be removed during 2026.
If your field is currently not eligible, it will not be newly added during 2026.
Planning becomes more predictable for students starting or switching programs in 2026 because the “eligible fields” target is stable.

What the freeze does not mean

It does not override other PGWP rules (length of program, institutional eligibility, and other criteria still apply).
It does not mean the list is frozen forever—only that IRCC is not adding/removing eligible fields during 2026.
It does not remove the need to time your eligibility correctly; IRCC’s own pages emphasize that eligibility can depend on when you submitted your study permit application or PGWP application.

Common mistakes that trigger PGWP surprises

Assuming a program is eligible because a friend’s similar program was eligible (CIP codes can differ even when program names look alike).
Searching by a broad keyword only, then picking the “closest” match without confirming the CIP code used by the DLI.
Switching majors or program streams mid-way and graduating under a different CIP code than originally planned.
Ignoring timing rules: IRCC explicitly ties eligibility checks to when you submit your study permit application or your PGWP application.

If your program is not eligible, what are realistic options

This is not legal advice, but in practical terms students typically look at one of these paths:

Choose a program that graduates under an eligible CIP code in one of the 6 fields.
Consider a degree pathway (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral), which IRCC lists among scenarios that don’t require meeting the field-of-study requirement.
Confirm with your DLI whether there are alternate eligible CIP codes legitimately tied to your curriculum (do not guess—CIP codes are classification-based).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If the list is frozen in 2026, can IRCC still refuse my PGWP based on field of study?

Yes—because the freeze only stops additions/removals to the eligible fields list. You still must meet the field-of-study requirement if it applies to you, and you must match an eligible CIP code at the appropriate time.

Will IRCC update the list again after 2026?

IRCC has only confirmed that it will not add/remove eligible fields in 2026. It has not promised that future years will stay the same.

If my school changes my program title or curriculum, can my CIP code change without me realizing?

Yes, it can as CIP codes are tied to how the program is classified, not just the marketing title. If a college updates a program (new specialization, different course mix, new credential structure), the internal classification can change even if the name looks similar. The safest move is to confirm the CIP code for your exact intake and credential version with the registrar or international office, and keep proof (email/letter/screenshot of the official confirmation).

What should I do if my CIP code is “close” to an eligible one, but not an exact match?

Treat “close” as “not eligible” unless your institution confirms otherwise. IRCC decisions are typically based on exact matches, and guessing can backfire. Ask your school whether your program can legitimately be classified under an eligible CIP code based on curriculum and credential details. Do not try to “select” a different CIP code yourself—your institution’s official classification is what matters.

Can I switch to an eligible program late in my studies and still qualify for a PGWP?

Sometimes, but it depends on duration, timing, and what credential you ultimately graduate with. The credential you complete (and its CIP code) is usually what anchors your eligibility, but switching late can create issues like mixed transcripts, changed program length, or graduating under a different credential than planned. Before switching, confirm: (a) the CIP code of the new program, (b) whether you will still meet PGWP program-length rules, and (c) whether the switch affects any timing-based conditions that apply to you.

If I’m not eligible for a PGWP, what are the most realistic “Plan B” options students look at?

Most students evaluate one of these routes:
1) Re-plan into a credential type that typically doesn’t trigger the same field-of-study restriction (where applicable), while staying compliant with study permit rules.
2) Pivot to an eligible program that aligns with your career plan and can still support strong PR outcomes (work experience + language + job alignment).
3) Secure an employer-supported work permit pathway (if you qualify) instead of relying on PGWP—this usually depends on employer readiness and your occupation/wage details.
4) Consider provincial pathways that value specific occupations, but only after confirming you can maintain valid status and meet requirements without a PGWP.

Will this PGWP field-of-study freeze affect Express Entry category-based draws or PR eligibility?

Not directly, PGWP eligibility determines whether you can get a post-study open work permit, which affects your ability to gain Canadian work experience. Express Entry eligibility and category-based draws are separate decisions that depend on your work experience, language scores, education, and category criteria. The practical link is indirect: if you cannot get a PGWP, it can be harder to accumulate the Canadian work experience that often boosts PR pathways.

Satinder Bains

Satinder brings expertise, knowledge, and experience related to internal work flows at IRCC. She worked at Canadian Consulate in Chandigarh before moving to Canada. Her articles on “Chinook – An internal IRCC tool used to bulk process temporary applications” was one of the notable work on our news website