Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially frozen the list of educational programs eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for the entire year of 2026. This means no programs will be added or removed from the current list of eligible fields of study during 2026, giving international students stability and predictability when choosing study programs that lead to PGWPs.

📌 Key Points:

The eligible fields list will remain unchanged throughout 2026 — no additions or removals.

The freeze applies to CIP-coded programs (Classification of Instructional Programs), which determine eligibility.

International students must still meet other PGWP requirements (such as program length and school eligibility).

The freeze continues after IRCC paused the removal of 178 programs in mid-2025, so they remain eligible through 2026.

🎓 Why It Matters:
This decision reduces uncertainty for current and future international students planning their education in Canada — especially those in non-degree programs where field-of-study rules impact PGWP eligibility.