Post-grad work permit refusals have int'l students worried

They came to Canada with the promise of a future after graduation.But now more than 1 ,500 international students across the country say that future is uncertain.Dozens gathered in Calgary today fighting a decision made by the federal government which led to mass refusals for postgraduate work permit applications.Mark Villani has more.

Jaspinder Kaur graduated last month with a diploma in business management from Portage College.Her family back home in India spent $32 ,000 for her to complete the two -year program in Calgary.She dreamed of working in Canada, but now she's left in limbo.

I didn't heard any news and I was so shocked.

On Friday, dozens of international students gathered in front of the college after 95 % of them were refused their applications for post -graduation work permits.Despite many of them applying 18 to 24 months ago, government claims their programs were non -credit, meaning they no longer qualify.

It all stems from a move made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Its website previously had no mention of non -credit programs being an issue for anyone who applied prior to May 15, 2024.But on June 24 of this year, the department added this bullet point, programs were not eligibl Shawry law is now handlin with local international here is a lot of students because that was not som to their attention.

And s change shouldn't apply to be enforced on the future But that is enforced on the past dates.We are very hard to survive without any job.It's very hard to, like, manage their bills or expenses and their rents.

Meanwhile, other students, like Sukpreet Singh, were lucky enough to be approved for a work permit, even though others taking the same number.credit program as him didn't qualify.

And for now they are giving approvals one out of 20.So how, like same course, same intakes.

In a statement, the IRCC claims there have been no changes to the eligibility criteria for the post graduation work permit program.IRCC is committed to ensuring its communications with clients are clear.The department continuously reviews and updates its guidance and online content, but without being notified, these students say they've been blindsided.

We just need like the fair decision.

Mark Villani, CTV News, Calgary.

Portage College and its partner school, Calgary CIOT declined to comment, but it sent a letter to students earlier this year stating that their work permit applications would be eligible so long as the students stayed in good standing.