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PGWP Field of Study Requirements

· Reviewed by Tamara Bulantseva, RCIC

Some non-degree graduates must complete a program linked to an eligible Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code to get a PGWP. IRCC exempts bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree graduates, eligible flight school graduates, people who submitted a PGWP before November 1, 2024, and people who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024. For 2026, IRCC states it will not add or remove eligible fields of study. Always confirm your 6-digit CIP code on the live IRCC field-of-study page.

Quick reference

Who is often affectedCollege / non-degree grads (study permit on/after Nov 1, 2024)
Degree gradsNo field-of-study requirement
2026 listFrozen — no adds or removals
How eligibility is shown6-digit CIP code on IRCC list

Overview

IRCC links some PGWP pathways to fields of study tied to long-term labour shortages, identified by 6-digit CIP codes. If the field-of-study requirement applies to you, graduating from a program that is not on the eligible list can block a PGWP even if your school is a DLI.

For 2026, IRCC states it will not add or remove any eligible fields of study. Treat the current list as fixed for the rest of the year unless IRCC later updates that policy.

Common situations

Choosing a college diploma after November 1, 2024

Check the CIP code before you pay tuition. Field-of-study eligibility can matter as much as DLI status.

Graduating with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD

You do not need to meet the field-of-study requirement. You still need language proof for PGWPs filed on/after November 1, 2024.

Study permit application submitted before November 1, 2024

IRCC exempts you from the field-of-study requirement based on that earlier study-permit filing date (confirm you truly filed before the cut-off).

CIP eligible at study-permit time, later list changes

IRCC allows meeting the requirement if the CIP was eligible when you submitted either the study permit application or the PGWP application. Keep records.

Who does not need to meet the field-of-study requirement

Per IRCC’s field-of-study page, you do not need to meet it if any of the following applies:

  • you submitted your PGWP before November 1, 2024
  • you graduated from a PGWP-eligible flight school
  • you graduated with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree
  • you applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024

Who typically must check the CIP list

If you are not exempt, IRCC’s eligibility page applies field-of-study checks to:

  • graduates of other university programs (not bachelor’s/master’s/doctoral degrees) whose study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024
  • graduates of college, polytechnic, or other non-university programs whose study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024

Always match your facts to the live tables—program marketing labels can be misleading.

How to meet the requirement

  1. Identify your program’s 6-digit CIP (CIP Canada 2021).
  2. Confirm it appears on IRCC’s currently eligible list when you submit your study permit application or your PGWP application.
  3. Follow IRCC’s instructions for uploading proof in the online PGWP application.
Is your CIP code on IRCC’s eligible list?

Field-of-study rules can decide PGWP eligibility before you enrol. Tamara can help you verify against current IRCC pages.

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2026 list freeze — what it means practically

IRCC’s page includes a section titled PGWP field of study list freeze for 2026:

  • No fields will be added in 2026
  • No fields will be removed in 2026

Implications:

  • If your CIP is eligible today, it should remain eligible through 2026 under this freeze.
  • If your CIP is not eligible, waiting through 2026 for an addition is not a plan.
  • Still re-check Canada.ca before you enrol or apply—policy pages can change.

Practical CIP verification tips

  • Ask the DLI international office for the CIP they report for your exact program version.
  • Read CIP descriptions carefully; program titles can be broad.
  • Save screenshots/PDFs of IRCC list results with dates.
  • Remember language requirements still apply separately (PGWP Language Requirements).

When to get help

Get advice before enrolment if the school cannot confirm a CIP, your program was reclassified, you transferred schools, or a PGWP refusal mentioned field of study.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming every DLI program leads to a PGWP
  • Checking only the program name, not the 6-digit CIP
  • Confusing degree exemptions with college post-graduate certificates
  • Ignoring study-permit filing date lock-ins
  • Expecting a 2026 mid-year list expansion despite IRCC’s freeze statement

This guide summarizes official IRCC sources listed above. Requirements change. Confirm current rules on Canada.ca before you enrol or apply.

Before you apply

  • Confirmed whether field-of-study rules apply to your credential and study-permit filing date
  • Obtained the program’s 6-digit CIP code from your DLI (or verified carefully via Statistics Canada CIP tools)
  • Checked the CIP against IRCC’s currently eligible list
  • If the code was eligible when you submitted your study permit, kept proof of that timing
  • Prepared the proof documents IRCC asks for in the online PGWP checklist
  • Confirmed language requirements separately (CLB 5 or 7)

Frequently asked questions

Do bachelor’s or master’s graduates need an eligible field of study?
No. IRCC states there are no field-of-study requirements for graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.
When do field-of-study rules apply?
Generally if you are not in an exempt group and you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024 for a program type that IRCC subjects to the requirement (including many college/polytechnic/non-university programs and certain other university programs that are not bachelor’s/master’s/doctoral degrees).
What is the 2026 freeze?
IRCC’s field-of-study page states that for 2026 it will not add or remove any eligible fields of study. Waiting for a mid-year list update in 2026 will not add a missing CIP.
My CIP was eligible when I applied for my study permit but not when I apply for PGWP—am I okay?
IRCC says you meet the requirement if your CIP is on the eligible list when you submit either your study permit application or your PGWP application. Keep evidence of timing and the code your school assigned.
Where do I find my CIP code?
Ask your DLI first. You can also review Statistics Canada’s CIP Canada 2021 catalogue. IRCC uses 6-digit CIP codes for PGWP field-of-study checks.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide summarizes official IRCC guidance. Outcomes depend on your full facts and officer assessment.

See also

References

  1. PGWP field of study requirement
  2. PGWP eligibility
  3. Work in Canada after you graduate (PGWP)
  4. Designated learning institutions list

Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on your facts and IRCC’s assessment. Confirm current rules on Canada.ca before you apply.

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