New Eligible Programs for Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

To be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), international students taking non-degree studies in Canada must pursue a government-approved field of study. On July 4, 2025, the Government of Canada announced that 119 new fields of study are newly PGWP-eligible, and that nearly 180 fields will be removed from eligibility in early 2026.

These additions align with 2025 Express Entry priorities for in-demand sectors. By matching PGWP-eligible studies to Express Entry permanent residency fields, international students can have a clearer view of which programs can prepare them for a career—and life—in Canada. Read on to learn how the field of study list works, and how it’s changed.                                                                                                                                                                       

What is the Field of Study Requirement?

Since November 2024, the Canadian government has required all international students in non-degree studies to graduate from a program linked to jobs where there are labour shortages to apply for a PGWP.

Every study program has a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code associated with it. The CIP code classifies how that program fits into a broader field of study. To find their program’s code, students can check the academic institution’s website or ask their institution’s team.

Then, to see if that CIP code is PGWP-eligible, non-degree international students can check the current CIP list. To be eligible for PGWP, their study program’s CIP code must be on the Field of Study list, either:

When they submit their study permit application

OR
When they submit their PGWP application      

How has the Field of Study (CIP) List Changed?

Nearly 120 new fields of study were added in the June 25 update. We’ve tracked the new programs in the table below:

New PGWP-Eligible Programs

New PGWP-Eligible Fields of Study for Non-Degree International Students

To address ongoing worker shortages in fields like education, health care, and the skilled trades, the Canadian government focused its Express Entry categories on connecting newcomers to in-demand careers. In 2025, a dedicated education category was added to the Express Entry fields. And, as the Field of Study table above shows, many education jobs are now PGWP-eligible to attract future educators.

From subject-specific instruction, like earth science and geography, to age-specific roles, like preschool and kindergarten teachers, many education programs are newly eligible for PGWP.

Several programs in the health care and social sciences fields also joined the list. A variety of programs in social work, veterinary science, and pharmacy fields are newly eligible for PGWP.

Meanwhile, engineering technologists and technicians across every engineering discipline are in high demand. These roles, which work under the supervision of a professional engineer, offer non-regulated engineering and technical services.

Several skilled trades have also become PGWP-eligible. From culinary arts to pipefitting, cabinetmaking to construction management, these roles affect how our communities are built and how our lives work.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Which Study Programs Will Likely No Longer Be Eligible for PGWP in 2026?

In early 2026, the Canadian government will once again update the PGWP-eligible field of study requirements. At that time, nearly 180 programs will likely be removed, based on the government’s initial June 2025 announcement.

As part of these likely changes, various agriculture and agri-food roles may no longer be eligible. They range from agricultural business and management to dairy production. As with all fields, not all agriculture-related CIPs will become ineligible for PGWP. Check for the specific code when searching for eligible fields of study!

Some health care fields will likely be off the list, too. They include kinesiology, student counselling, and several fields related to homeopathic medicine.

STEM roles may see the most widespread changes in 2026. Further agricultural roles, environmental science, digital media design, digital marketing, data modeling, and cloud computing are among the fields likely to be removed from the list. Similarly, various engineering fields may be removed, including aerospace, computer, hardware, marine, surveying engineering, and engineering physics. In a turn from the high demand of the early 2020s, computer software and systems technology may no longer be PGWP-eligible. The same is true of data science and data analytics.

In the trades, solar and electrical power transmission could be off the list. Some roles related to property management, maintenance, and inspection may also be dropped. Machine shop work, engine machinists, and precision metalworking will likely also no longer be PGWP-eligible.

In the transport field, several air transit roles, from avionics management to engine machinists to airline pilots and crew, may become ineligible for a PGWP. Logistics, materials, and supply chain management could be off the list, along with rail, marine, and ground transportation roles and commercial vehicle operators.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.3  Why is the Post-Graduation Work Permit important for international students?

A PGWP allows graduates to gain Canadian work experience, which can help them qualify for permanent residency pathways such as Express Entry.

Q.4 How can students check if their program is eligible for PGWP?

Students can verify eligibility by checking the CIP code of their program on the official PGWP eligible field-of-study list or through their institution.

Q.5 Which sectors have new PGWP-eligible study programs in Canada?

Recent updates added programs mainly in education, healthcare, social sciences, engineering technologies, and skilled trades to meet labor shortages.