What CIP Codes Are
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a standardized coding system used to categorize post-secondary programs by field of study. CIP codes are maintained by Statistics Canada and the US National Center for Education Statistics, and they provide a consistent way to identify programs across institutions. Since 2024, IRCC has used CIP codes to determine which college-level programs qualify for Post-Graduation Work Permits.
Under the 2026 framework, a college diploma program qualifies for PGWP eligibility only if its CIP code appears on the approved list. The list is linked to labour market needs, with fields facing shortages receiving eligible status while over-subscribed fields are excluded. University degree programs are generally not subject to the CIP code restriction.
Eligible Field Categories
The approved CIP code list covers several broad categories of fields tied to labour market demand. While the specific codes are numerous and subject to updates, the general categories remain relatively stable.
Healthcare and Allied Health
Healthcare-related fields are broadly represented on the eligible list. Nursing support, personal support work, medical laboratory technology, pharmacy technician, and various allied health diploma programs generally qualify. These fields address long-standing labour shortages in the Canadian healthcare system.
Skilled Trades
Skilled trades fields including electrical, plumbing, welding, carpentry, automotive service, and heavy equipment operation are included on the eligible list. Canada faces significant shortages in skilled trades, and the PGWP framework reflects this priority.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
STEM fields including computer science, information technology support, engineering technology, and scientific research support generally qualify. Specific sub-fields may have varying eligibility status, so verification of the exact CIP code is important.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agricultural technology, forestry, and natural resource management programs are often included, reflecting the importance of these sectors to the Canadian economy and their labour needs.
Excluded Field Categories
Several categories of fields are excluded from the eligible CIP code list. Exclusion typically reflects lower identified labour market need or concerns about program quality in specific areas.
Business Administration
General business, management, marketing, and hospitality administration diplomas are largely excluded. Business fields have historically attracted high international student volumes but are not identified as areas of acute labour shortage at the diploma level.
Arts and General Studies
General arts, liberal studies, and broad-based interdisciplinary programs are generally excluded. These programs are typically viewed as preparatory rather than directly linked to specific labour market destinations.
Looking Up Your Program's CIP Code
Identifying a program's CIP code is the first step in verifying its PGWP eligibility. Programs are assigned CIP codes by their institution based on the primary field of study.
Institutional Records
The institution's program information, including the course calendar and official program documentation, typically includes the CIP code. International student offices can provide the code on request if it is not readily available in public materials.
IRCC Lookup Resources
IRCC publishes lookup resources that list eligible CIP codes and allow verification against specific programs. Cross-referencing the institutional CIP code against IRCC's current list confirms eligibility status.
Implications for Program Selection
The CIP code-based system means that program selection has become more directly tied to post-graduation work authorization prospects. Students whose plans depend on obtaining a PGWP should consider CIP code eligibility alongside traditional factors like program quality, cost, and location.
Changing Programs Mid-Study
Students who change programs after beginning studies may encounter changes in PGWP eligibility if the new program has a different CIP code. Program changes should be evaluated for their impact on future work permit prospects.
Stacked Credentials
Completing an eligible program after a previously ineligible one may restore PGWP eligibility, but the PGWP duration is calculated based on the most recent qualifying program. Credential stacking can be a strategy for students who initially enrolled in an ineligible field.