Indian students in Canada face PG work permit rejection over programme eligibility

Thousands of Indian students in Canada face uncertainty after being denied post-graduation work permits over programme eligibility concerns. While students claim rule changes affected their applications, authorities maintain that eligibility criteria remain unchanged.Canada PGWP Trouble: Thousands of Indian students in Canada face PGWP eligibility hurdle (representative image)Thousands of students, mostly from India, who enrolled in a business management diploma programme offered through Portage College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy in Calgary, are facing uncertainty as they have been unable to obtain a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from Canada.The graduates claimed that Canadian immigration authorities changed eligibility rules, making non-credit programmes ineligible for the work permit. However, they said they had applied for the permits before the alleged rule change. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), meanwhile, maintained that there has been no change in the eligibility criteria. Some students from the same institution have also received their work permits, as reported by The Times of India.The report further states that Calgary immigration lawyer Laura-Anne Goulding of Shory Law said her office has been approached by dozens of affected students. She added that her firm is currently assisting around 200 students facing similar issues.CANADA'S POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMITThe Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students who graduate from eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) to gain valuable Canadian work experience. However, graduating from a DLI does not automatically guarantee eligibility for a PGWP. Students must meet specific requirements related to their programme, institution, and other eligibility criteria.From November 1, 2024, most PGWP applicants are required to submit proof of language proficiency while applying for the permit. The eligibility criteria also vary depending on the type of programme completed by the student, according to the official website of the government of Canada. A PGWP is an open work permit issued by the Canadian government that allows eligible international students to work in Canada after completing a qualifying programme at a designated learning institution. The eligibility of both the programme and institution plays a crucial role in securing the permit.While a PGWP cannot be renewed, it provides international students with an opportunity to gain Canadian work experience, which may help them qualify for permanent residency pathways in the future.Hundreds of international students continue protesting in Calgary after mass PGWP refusals. They say they studied at Portage College, completed their programs, and applied for Post-Graduation Work Permits, but IRCC rejected their applications, stating their programs were not pic.twitter.com/tlE4dbcoE1— RED FM CALGARY (@REDFMCALGARY) July 17, 2026CANADA PGWP CRISISThe uncertainty surrounding PGWP eligibility has left several international students, particularly those from India, worried about their plans in Canada.While students continue to seek clarity over their applications, immigration authorities have maintained that existing eligibility requirements remain unchanged.For aspiring international students, understanding programme eligibility and meeting all permit requirements remains crucial before enrolling in Canadian institutions.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Jul 19, 2026 11:54 IST