Calgary international graduates denied work permits after retroactive policy changes
Upwards of 480 students who completed programs at Calgary college are fighting federal rejections, saying new rules shouldn't apply retroactively to students already enrolled.
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Nearly 480 international students who graduated from Calgary-based programs are fighting the federal government after their work permit applications were rejected due to policy changes made after they enrolled.
Students completed two-year non-credit courses at Portage College, delivered through the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy (CIOT), under the understanding they would be eligible for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) if they met the criteria — including enrolling before May 2024. Sikander Singh, who holds an Administrative Professional diploma, said approximately 50 students were approved, but hundreds of others received refusal letters earlier this month.
The rejections cite recent changes making non-credit courses ineligible for work permits. But Singh said the policy shift was announced after students had already started their programs and 18 to 21 months after they submitted applications. According to a timestamp on the Government of Canada's website, the modification was made on June 24 — years after students initially enrolled.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it "updated" the PGWP webpage in June 2026 to "clarify existing eligibility requirements," not introduce new ones. But Singh said the college only sent a vague letter about "announced" changes without details.
"We did everything on time … then we got our refusal letters in the mail," Singh said. "I have no words to explain what we are feeling on this day, because we were supposed to be eligible for our conditional terms."
Students now have 90 days to secure alternate permits before their current status expires.
The facts
How many Calgary international graduates had work permit applications rejected?
Nearly 480 international students who graduated from Calgary-based programs had their work permit applications rejected due to policy changes made after they enrolled.
When was the PGWP policy change made?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updated the PGWP webpage on June 24, 2026, to clarify eligibility requirements for post-graduation work permits.
What type of programs were the students enrolled in?
The students completed two-year non-credit courses at Portage College, delivered through the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy (CIOT).
