Some overseas students studying at vocational schools and career colleges in Alberta are voicing concerns over the rejection of their post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) due to their programs being classified as non-credit. Graduates from Portage College have been demonstrating outside the college’s Calgary and Edmonton campuses in recent weeks, with a few engaging in a hunger strike to highlight the issue.
Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney were questioned about the protests during an unrelated news conference on July 29. While Carney was unaware of the protests, he emphasized the importance of following the proper procedures for graduates without authorization to remain in the country.
Lovepreet Singh, who attended Campbell College in Edmonton through a partnership with Portage College, shared his experience with CBC Radio’s Edmonton AM on August 5. Singh completed teacher’s assistant courses as part of a non-credit program before applying for a PGWP in March.
Non-credit programs do not offer academic credits, grades, or contribute towards a formal degree or diploma. Portage College’s spokesperson, Jaime Davies, acknowledged that some international graduate students had their permit applications rejected and mentioned that the decisions are solely made by IRCC.
Singh’s PGWP application was denied in June as his courses were deemed ineligible for the federal permit program. Despite confirming his eligibility with Campbell College before applying, Singh encountered the rejection due to the changing regulations in early 2024.
According to Singh, some international students’ permits were approved, and the IRCC website did not initially specify that non-credit courses were ineligible for the PGWP. However, IRCC stated in a written response to CBC News that the eligibility requirements for the PGWP program have remained consistent.
Singh and his peers attempted to seek clarifications from Portage College twice after their applications were turned down, but no resolution has been provided yet. Portage College announced the termination of partnerships with Campbell College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy in Calgary, stating that this decision was unrelated to the recent PGWP refusals.
International graduates who had their PGWP applications denied have a 90-day window to apply for an alternative visa or leave Canada. Singh pursued a judicial review, anticipating a lengthy process of up to six months, expressing frustration over being denied the PGWP after investing years in their studies.
