As per protesting students, only a limited number of PGWP applications have been approved, while hundreds have reportedly been refused.
Edmonton: The uncertainty surrounding Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) approvals has pushed hundreds of international students in Canada into weeks of protest, with many Punjabi students sharing deeply personal accounts of financial hardship, emotional distress and an uncertain future.
Students associated with Portage College have been staging demonstrations for the past three weeks, alleging that they were assured their academic programmes would qualify them for a post-study work permit. They now claim that a large number of applications have been rejected despite completing their courses and meeting the prescribed requirements.
According to students participating in the protest, only a limited number of PGWP applications have been approved, while hundreds have reportedly been refused. They say the unexpected outcome has left many graduates without employment opportunities and facing mounting financial pressure.
One student from Punjab, speaking during the protest, said her family had invested everything they had in her education. She alleged that her in-laws sold a portion of their farmland to finance her studies in Canada, hoping it would secure a better future.
Holding back tears, she said she is now unable to find stable work and is struggling to pay rent and manage daily expenses. She claimed there were days when she could not afford even basic food, despite spending lakhs of rupees on tuition and living costs.
Several other students narrated similar experiences, saying they had taken loans or relied on family savings to pursue higher education abroad. Many said they now feel trapped between returning home with heavy debt and staying in Canada without a valid work permit.
One student recalled missing her grandfather's funeral in India because she chose to remain in Canada to complete her studies and safeguard her immigration status. She said she never imagined that after making such sacrifices, she would still face uncertainty over her future.
The protesters also alleged that they possess emails and documents issued by their educational institution indicating that their programmes were eligible for PGWP. However, they claim those assurances have not been accepted during the immigration process.
Some students further alleged that the college has expressed its inability to provide legal representation or challenge the decisions on their behalf, leaving affected students to pursue the matter independently.
Student representatives have appealed to elected officials and community leaders to intervene and help secure a fair resolution. They insist that those who enrolled under earlier guidelines should not be adversely affected by subsequent policy changes.
As demonstrations continue, students say their primary demand is a transparent review of the rejected applications and a solution that protects the future of those who invested heavily in pursuing higher education in Canada.
