Some international students enrolled in career colleges or vocational schools in Alberta are voicing their 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 staging protests outside the college’s Calgary and Edmonton campuses in recent weeks. Some students even resorted to a hunger strike to raise awareness about the issue.
During a news conference on July 29, Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney were questioned about the ongoing protests. While Carney was unaware of the situation, he emphasized the importance of following proper procedures for international graduates without authorization to stay.
Lovepreet Singh, a student at Campbell College in Edmonton through a partnership with Portage College, shared his experience of completing teacher’s assistant courses in a non-credit program before applying for a PGWP in March.
In response to the denials, Jaime Davies, a spokesperson for Portage College, stated that the college is investigating the matter and seeking clarification, noting that PGWP approvals fall under the jurisdiction of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Singh revealed that his PGWP application was rejected in June because his non-credit courses did not meet the federal permit program’s criteria. Despite seeking confirmation from Campbell College before applying, Singh found himself ineligible for the permit.
IRCC updated its eligibility requirements in early 2024, disqualifying graduates of certain public-private partnership programs like the one offered by Portage College from the PGWP. Singh enrolled before the new regulations took effect and was initially assured of his eligibility.
While some international students had their permits approved, Singh discovered the updated information on non-credit courses’ ineligibility on the IRCC website in June.
According to IRCC, the PGWP program’s basic requirement of completing a credit-earning program at a designated learning institution remains unchanged. The recent updates were made to clarify existing rules and their application to non-credit programs following feedback from stakeholders.
Despite multiple attempts to seek clarification from Portage College and IRCC, Singh and his classmates have yet to receive a solution to their PGWP rejections. Portage College announced the discontinuation of partnerships with Campbell College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy, emphasizing that these decisions were unrelated to the recent PGWP denials.
International graduates facing PGWP rejections have 90 days to apply for an alternative visa or leave Canada. Singh has initiated a judicial review process, anticipating a lengthy wait of up to six months for a resolution.
Singh expressed disappointment over being denied the PGWP after investing two-and-a-half years in his studies, describing the situation as perplexing and challenging for him and his fellow classmates.
