IRCC Confirms Freeze on PGWP Eligible Programs
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced a freeze on the list of educational programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for the entirety of 2026. The decision, communicated through a website update on January 15, 2026, confirms that no new fields of study will be added or removed from the eligibility list throughout the year. This move aims to provide stability and predictability for international students planning to study and work in Canada.
Background and Previous Changes
The freeze comes after IRCC had indicated in 2025 that it would undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the PGWP-eligible programs list in early 2026. In June 2025, IRCC had revised the list, adding 119 new fields of study while simultaneously removing 178 others. However, the removal of these 178 programs was subsequently paused until the next scheduled update. With the current freeze, these previously 'removed' programs will continue to be eligible throughout 2026, maintaining the total number of eligible programs at 1,107.
Implications for International Students
The Post-Graduation Work Permit is a crucial pathway for eligible international graduates to gain valuable Canadian work experience, often serving as a stepping stone towards permanent residence. For prospective international students, the freeze offers significant clarity regarding program selection, allowing them to rely on the existing eligibility criteria when making study plans for 2026.
It is important to note that in 2024, IRCC introduced a field-of-study requirement for certain PGWP applicants. This requirement primarily applies to students enrolled in non-degree programs below the bachelor's level, such as certificate programs. These students must complete programs linked to occupations facing long-term labor shortages to qualify for a PGWP. Conversely, graduates with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees are exempt from this field-of-study condition.
Eligible Sectors and Program Verification
The current list of 1,107 PGWP-eligible educational programs spans key sectors vital to the Canadian economy. These include:
- Healthcare and social services
- Education
- Trades
- Agriculture
- Science and Technology (STEM)
- Transport
Students in non-degree programs are advised to verify their chosen course's eligibility by checking IRCC's official list of Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes. This ensures that their program aligns with the requirements for PGWP eligibility upon graduation.
5 Comments
BuggaBoom
This isn't stability, it's stagnation. What about new, in-demand fields that aren't on the old list?
Loubianka
Providing stability for students is commendable, especially after recent policy shifts. However, a freeze might also mean missing opportunities to adapt to new economic demands or emerging educational trends in the coming year.
Katchuka
A freeze? So IRCC just admits they can't manage the list properly and hits pause. Typical.
Bella Ciao
Finally, some clear direction from IRCC! This stability is exactly what international students need to plan their future.
Africa
The clarity for bachelor's and master's degree holders is a positive step, ensuring their pathway to PGWP. Yet, the continued restriction for non-degree programs still creates an uneven playing field for different types of international students.