Working Holiday & PGWP Rule Update
Hello World! In today’s blog, we introduce the registration start for the 2026 Working Holiday Visa and the update list of eligible fields of study for PGWP.
Working Holiday 2026: Registration Now Open
Canada started registration for the 2026 Working Holiday Visa on December 19, 2025. As mentioned in last year’s blog, Japanese passport holders aged 18–30 can participate in the program up to two times in their lifetime starting from April 1, 2025.
Application status as of April 2, 2026 (for Japanese)
* Please note that the application fee for the 2026 Working Holiday Visa has increased from $179.75 to $184.75.
If you registered for the 2025 Working Holiday pool and did not receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply), you need to create a new profile for the 2026 program. Visit the IRCC website, submit a new profile, and enter the pool for the 2026 season. You can check the latest program information on the IRCC HP.
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/work/iec/selections.asp?country=jp&cat=wh
Second Working Holiday application from within Canada
Also, there is an updated instructions announced on February 10, 2026. The process that allows International Experience Canada (IEC) participants, who are in Canada and who submit a subsequent IEC application while holding a valid IEC work permit, to request examination and document issuance from within Canada has been extended and will remain in place until further notice.
PGWP 2026: Eligible Fields List Remains Unchanged
On January 15, 2026, IRCC announced that it will keep the PGWP eligible fields of study list unchanged for 2026.
As introduced in last year’s blog, since November 2024, international students enrolled in non-degree programs must complete from an eligible field of study to qualify for a PGWP. IRCC expanded the list from 920 to 1,107 eligible fields in 2025 and indicated a major review in early 2026. However, this announcement confirmed that IRCC will not add or remove any fields this year.
Eligible Fields of Study
The current list includes 1,107 programs from the following fields, which face long-term labor shortages:
- Healthcare and social services
- Education
- Trades
- Agriculture
- STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics)
- Transport
Before applying for a Study Permit or PGWP, students must confirm whether their program qualifies for a PGWP by using the CIP code. (*a six-digit code that classifies post-secondary education programs) Students can search for the list of PGWP-eligible programs by CIP code on the IRCC HP.
Students Exempt from This Requirement
The following students are not subject to this requirement:
- Students graduating from bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs
- Students graduating from PGWP eligible flight schools
- Students who applied for PGWP before November 1, 2024 (regardless of program level)
- Students who applied for a Study Permit before November 1, 2024
Please check our previous blog for updates on Study Permit applications for graduate students.
Simplified Study Permit for Grad Student
For details of this announcement, please visit the IRCC HP.
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While recent immigration news has been strict, this article highlights positive updates for people planning to come to Canada. If you are considering a Working Holiday or studying in Canada, prepare early and keep up with the latest information to achieve your goals. If you need advice or support with your application, please feel free to contact us through this form.
“You are one step closer to Canada!”
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