The Post-Graduation Work Permit field-of-study rule does not apply to every graduate in the same way. Before choosing a program or filing a PGWP application, check your Designated Learning Institution, credential level, program length, language requirement and—when required—the program’s Classification of Instructional Programs code.
What is a CIP code?
A CIP code is a six-digit Statistics Canada classification describing the instructional subject of a program. Similar program names can have different CIP codes, and a marketing title is not enough to prove eligibility.
Who must meet the field-of-study rule?
The requirement generally affects certain graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-degree programs when their study permit application was submitted on or after the date set by IRCC. Graduates of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs are treated differently. Always use IRCC’s official eligibility page because transitional rules depend on application dates.
How to check your program
- Ask the school for the exact six-digit CIP Canada 2021 code for your program.
- Confirm that the school and campus appear on IRCC’s Designated Learning Institution list and check whether the program is PGWP eligible.
- Open IRCC’s eligible fields-of-study tool.
- Search the six-digit code without relying only on the program name.
- Read the CIP description, examples and exclusions to confirm the classification fits.
- Save dated screenshots or PDFs of the school’s answer and IRCC result for your records.
Eligible field groups
IRCC organizes qualifying programs around labour-market needs. The official tool includes eligible codes within areas such as agriculture and agri-food, education, health care and social services, science/technology/engineering/mathematics, trades and transport. Not every program inside a broad faculty automatically qualifies.
What “frozen for 2026” means
IRCC announced that it will not add or remove fields from the eligibility list during 2026. That gives students more stability, but it does not make every program eligible and does not remove other PGWP conditions. Future years can change.
Common mistakes
- Checking a job’s NOC code instead of the academic program’s CIP code
- Assuming a program qualifies because its title contains “health,” “technology” or “trade”
- Ignoring the study-permit application date
- Checking only the institution and not the exact program and campus
- Relying on an agent’s verbal promise without written confirmation
- Forgetting language-test and program-length requirements
If you cannot find the code
Contact the registrar or international-student office and request the code in writing. Compare it with the Statistics Canada CIP 2021 catalogue. If the institution gives conflicting answers, ask it to explain the program curriculum and classification before paying a non-refundable deposit.
After graduation, make sure your work authorization is valid. Our guide explains working with an expired SIN while a work permit application is pending. For permanent-residence planning, see the latest Express Entry draw.
Related PR and career guides
- How to Find Your NOC Code and TEER Level in Canada
- Skilled Trades Jobs in Canada: Best Trades, PR Pathways and Job Search Tips
- Can You Work With an Expired SIN While Waiting for a Work Permit?
Official source
Use IRCC’s current PGWP field-of-study eligibility page and CIP search tool. It is the controlling source and should be checked again before applying.
This article is educational and is not immigration or legal advice. Rules can change and individual eligibility depends on the complete application history.
After you apply: Check the current PGWP processing-time guide, including status checks and working while waiting.
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