\u201cWe\u2019re out of time. I think 70 days, about 70 days that have been left,\u201d said Chitrakshi Kaur, one of hundreds of students impacted in Alberta\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n
Kaur enrolled in an educational assistant diploma program offered through Portage College in Lac la Biche through a partnership with Edmonton\u2019s Campbell College. She says she was told she would be eligible for a PGWP once she graduated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only reason they\u2019re refusing a work permit, saying it\u2019s non-credit, which doesn\u2019t really, to my sense, it doesn\u2019t really make any sense, because there wasn\u2019t anything mentioned about non-credit in the website,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told CityNews last week there have been no changes to the eligibility criteria for the PGWP Program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe updated our PGWP webpage in June 2026 to clarify the existing eligibility requirements related to non-credit programs of study,\u201d a statement from July 21 reads. \u201cTo be eligible for a PGWP, applicants must complete a program of study that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate from a designated learning institution (DLI). This longstanding requirement does not include general interest programs, ESL\/FSL programs, and other types of non-credit programs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Portage College and Campbell College are listed as DLIs on the government website.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Campbell College told CityNews last week its partnership with Portage ended in April when the federal government started regulating partnerships with public and private colleges. The college said this is the first time it\u2019s heard of students being denied without a specific reason.<\/p>\n
Portage College says in a statement it\u2019s seeking clarification on the issue, but decisions related to immigration rest with IRCC.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe guys have reached out to local lawyers,\u201d said Jai Singh, who was also denied. \u201cWe\u2019re holding meetings, and today it was decided that we guys will go to the legislature. But the weather is harsh today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singh says he\u2019s been protesting since last week and will continue to do so until they get answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur next steps are to talk with the local government to get their assistance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u2013With files from James Dunn <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/International-student-protest-e1785249217821.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tInternational students protest in Edmonton on July 27, 2026, after their post-graduate work permits were denied. (CityNews) <\/p>\n
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