Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department has officially stated that there will be no modifications to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible fields of study for the year 2026. This announcement was made on January 15, 2026.

It has been clarified that no new programs will be included or removed from the list throughout the year, despite earlier indications from IRCC about potential changes in early 2026.

The regulations introduced in 2024 primarily impact non-degree programs like certificates and diplomas, while graduates with Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees remain unaffected.

The existing list comprises 1,107 eligible programs, predominantly in sectors such as healthcare, education, trades, agriculture, STEM, and transportation.

For students pursuing non-degree programs in colleges or other institutions, the key advice is to verify their program’s CIP code to ensure its continued eligibility for the PGWP. Given the freeze on the list, eligibility criteria will remain consistent until the conclusion of 2026.