What international students should know about PGWP-Eligible Programs for 2026

Are you heading to Canada soon to work and study? The most current news from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is good: the list of programs that qualify for the PGWP in 2026 will not change. This means that international students may plan their education and careers in Canada with confidence, knowing that the options for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) will not change for the next year.

What Does the PGWP Freeze in 2026 Mean for International Students?

The decision to freeze the list of programs that qualify for the PGWP in 2026 means that people don’t have to worry about changes in policy happening all of a sudden. Because of this, students can feel more at ease as they move forward with their applications and enrollments. This stability entails the following for anyone who desires to study in Canada:

Less stress about choosing a curriculum and being able to find a job in the future
Protection from unexpected developments that could ruin plans for school or after graduation
More clear for people who desire to have good work experience in Canada and stay there for good
Finding out about the PGWP and what you need to do in your field of study
International students who have graduated from specific Canadian colleges and universities can acquire useful work experience with the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This work history in Canada is usually a step toward gaining permanent status.

Starting in early 2024, IRCC has a new rule that affects some PGWP applicants based on what they study:

Certificates and diplomas are types of non-degree programs that need to be linked to jobs in Canada that always need more workers.
If you have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, this regulation does not apply to you.
Most of the time, the restriction only applies to credentials that are lower than a bachelor’s degree.

Focus Areas and Chances for PGWP-Eligible Programs in 2026

There are currently 1,107 educational programs that can earn a PGWP in 2026. These programs focus on areas where there are a lot of jobs, like:

Health care and social services
School Jobs that need skill
Farming and the food that comes from it
STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Moving stuff and getting things done You need to check if the program you want to go to college for is PGWP-eligible before you apply for a study permit if you want to go to college but don’t want to acquire a degree.

How to Check whether Your Program Qualifies for PGWP

For international students, especially those who are not getting a degree, it is vitally crucial to make sure they are eligible for a PGWP. Look for the program’s Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code. The IRCC utilizes this six-digit federal code. You need this code for: Requests for study permits

How to Apply for PGWP
Even if you did well in school, your application for a work permit may be denied if the program you wish to pursue isn’t on the IRCC’s official list of PGWP-eligible programs.

What changes have already happened and what will happen in 2025 and 2026?

The IRCC announced revisions in June 2025 that would change who can acquire a PGWP. They started 119 new programs but planned to get rid of 178 of them. But in July 2025, the end of these programs was pushed out to the next upgrade, which is set for 2026. With the freeze in effect:

All 178 programs that were slated to be cut are still eligible until 2026.
The number of programs that can get PGWP has gone up from 920 to 1,107.

What This Means for Your Plans to Work and Study

This is a good opportunity for international students to plan their academic and career pathways without worrying about unexpected changes to PGWP-eligible programs in 2026. People who are receiving a diploma or certificate should be very careful about how they plan their future to make sure that the path they choose matches with their long-term goals.

How Navigate Migrate Can Be Useful to You

At Navigate Migrate, we support students with every step:

Checking to see if the programs you picked qualify for PGWP
Offering suggestions for educational pathways that fit with aims for permanent residency
Helping you figure out how to deal with the shifting requirements for Canadian immigration
Making plans that work for everyone, from students to workers to people applying for permanent residency
Getting advice from an expert can make a big difference in your success as immigration rules get increasingly intricate.

Final Thoughts

It’s more important than ever to stay up to date and make sensible choices when immigration regulations change. The list of PGWP-eligible programs for 2026 has been checked and will not change, so international students can be ready with confidence. If you want to study in Canada, especially in a non-degree program, you need to be proactive. Look into your options, make sure you fit the requirements, and get help from professionals to arrange your course.

Are you ready to leave for Canada? Contact Navigate Migrate, skilled immigration consultants for Canada, for expert help with PGWP-eligible programs and study-to-PR approaches.