Some Indian students of Portage College in Calgary, Canada started a hunger strike as part of their ongoing protest against Canada Immigration’s decision to deny them post-graduation work permits. They said that they were waiting for some positive results as they had been protesting for the last few days but now they have to start round-the-clock protests to attract the attention of the authorities. While one thousand students are protesting, around 5-6 students have started a hunger strike.
What is the post-graduation work permit issue?
The issue concerns students who participated in a diploma program offered by Portage College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy. Thousands of students were refused their post-graduation work permits because the IRCC said the course they studied did not qualify for a work permit. In Canada, this PGWP depends on the course the student is pursuing and also the institution from where the degree is obtained.The students claimed that both the course they studied and the college they took admission in were in the eligibility list. When he paid $32,000 for the two-year course and completed it, he was told that the course and institute were no longer eligible.Portage College officials said they were aware of the immigration issue, but the decision is made by the IRCC and they have nothing to do with it, although they have asked for clarification from the Immigration Department. Meanwhile, some of Portage College’s partner campuses decided to close their physical locations. Portage College said it was unrelated to the PGWP issue and was planned for 2024.
‘We have studied here, we are eligible to work here’
The students said they want their work permit rejections reviewed and that they are eligible to work in Canada because they studied here. The students claimed that after two years they were informed that their diploma was a non-credit program. Non-credit programs are not eligible for a work permit. The students claimed on the website that the new rule was made only in June 2026. Two years ago, they were told their programs qualified for work permits.