Canada Tells International Students Without PR: Time to Go Home

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a blunt warning to international students studying in Canada without permanent residency (PR): when their visas expire, they should return home. According to Smith, a study visa is a temporary document meant for students to study in Canada, and those who cannot secure PR after their permitted stay should not expect to remain in the country.

In a post on X, Smith emphasized that Alberta's colleges and universities were primarily established to serve students from the province. She stated that international students should understand the terms attached to studying in Canada, which include earning an education and then returning home to build a life with it.

The controversy surrounding this issue has raised questions about whether some students were given misleading impressions about their chances of staying in Canada after graduation. Smith acknowledged that there have been instances where unscrupulous operators set up diploma-granting programs and took advantage of students.