World · India Bureau
Canadian college advises Indian students to lobby MPs over work permit issues
Portage College in Canada has suggested that protesting Indian students take their work permit concerns directly to elected representatives. The advisory comes as international students face mounting obstacles to securing post-graduation employment authorization.
LSN India ·

Portage College in Alberta has recommended that Indian students experiencing difficulties with Canadian work permits approach their Members of Parliament for assistance, according to reports of the institution's response to student grievances.
The college's guidance reflects growing frustration among Indian nationals studying in Canada, who have encountered significant challenges in obtaining and maintaining work authorization following their studies. International students have increasingly voiced concerns about permit denials, processing delays, and shifting government policies affecting their ability to work after graduation.
Canada's work permit regulations for international students have faced scrutiny in recent months, with policy changes creating uncertainty for thousands of foreign nationals pursuing education and employment opportunities in the country. Indian students constitute a substantial portion of Canada's international student population and have been notably affected by the evolving regulatory landscape.
By directing students to engage with elected officials, Portage College is encouraging them to leverage political channels to address systemic issues with federal immigration processes. This approach suggests that institutional support alone may be insufficient to resolve individual permit complications, requiring intervention at the parliamentary level.
The situation underscores broader tensions between Canada's educational institutions, international student populations, and federal immigration authorities regarding work permit accessibility and processing efficiency.