Canada's Immigration Rules Leave Indian Students in Limbo
More than 400 Indian students gathered in Calgary for three weeks to protest against Canada's decision to reject their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications. The students, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, had enrolled in non-credit diploma programmes at Portage College, a public institution that partnered with private colleges like Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy (CIOT).
According to the students, they were assured by both the college and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that their programmes would qualify for PGWP. IRCC had initially allowed these programmes but later updated its website in June 2026 to clarify that non-credit programmes don't qualify.
Students claimed that IRCC's update changed the rules mid-game, affecting those who had already enrolled and paid tuition. They pointed out that some students had received work permits for identical programmes before the update, which they believed was inconsistent with IRCC's new policy.
The protest ended abruptly when Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers arrived to check immigration status, flagging 12 students as 'possibly inadmissible' under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The incident has left many students questioning whether they will be allowed to stay in the country.
A Canadian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Parmjit Singh Sandhu, expressed concern about the government's handling of international student immigration, highlighting the need for a clear policy that protects both students and the economy.