Hundreds of thousands of international students in Canada are grappling with uncertainty as expiring work permits and recent immigration policy changes put their futures at risk. Many fear deportation or being forced to live in Canada illegally when their permits expire in the coming year.
Gurkirat Kaur, a biotechnology graduate from Ontario’s Centennial College, is among those impacted. Speaking from a protest encampment in Brampton, Ontario, she shared her distress over potentially losing her legal status. “I have already invested so much in my education. I paid $36,000 for my diploma,” she said, adding that her father spent his life savings to help her pursue her studies.
Kaur and others accuse the federal government of misleading advertising, citing promises to “study, explore, work and stay” in Canada. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that studying in Canada offers only temporary status and does not guarantee permanent residency.
Bikram Singh, another international graduate, now relies on a visitor visa after his work permit expired. An automotive technician, Singh expressed frustration over the lack of clear pathways to permanent residency. “We came here with a dream for a good life, but you can’t imagine a good life without permanent residency,” he said.
The government’s changes, which include stricter parameters for post-graduate work permit eligibility and a cap on international student admissions, have broader implications. Ontario’s Sheridan College recently announced it would suspend 40 programs and lay off staff, projecting a 30% drop in enrollment and a $112 million revenue loss in the next fiscal year.
In response to criticism, Immigration Minister Marc Miller defended the changes, emphasizing the need for effective tracking of residents with expired permits. Protesters in Brampton are urging the government to extend work permits from three to five years and establish a clear, fair path to permanent residency, honoring the promises they believe were made when they chose Canada as their destination.
As tensions rise, international students and advocates are calling on Ottawa to reconsider its policies to ensure these individuals, who have invested significantly in Canada, are given a fair chance to build their futures.
