International students protest with hunger strike after Canada denies post-graduation work permits

International students in Canada have entered the fifth day of a hunger strike after Canada’s immigration authority rejected around 480 post-graduation work permit applications from Portage College graduates, citing their programmes’ “non-credit” classification.

International Students on Hunger Strike Over Rejected Work Permits

Nearly five days without food, and still no answers. According to Peoples Gazette, international students in Canada have staged a hunger strike after the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rejected post-graduation work permit applications for about 480 Portage College graduates in Calgary and Edmonton.

The IRCC cited the programmes’ classification as “non-credit” as grounds for denial, despite students having paid international tuition and begun working while awaiting decisions. Protester Jashan Preet Singh said community leaders urged them to end the strike but offered no concrete help.

IRCC maintains it processes applications fairly under immigration law, while Portage College says it has no influence over the review process, directing affected graduates to seek legal advice.