Newspunjab
31 july,2026
Thousands of Indian students, especially Punjabi youth, who had dreams of studying in Canada and a bright future, are now facing deportation. About a thousand Indian students have been protesting continuously in the city of Calgary, Alberta, for the past three weeks. The students claim that the post-graduation work permit applications of about 500 of them have been rejected, due to which their legal status has been put in jeopardy. Many students are on hunger strike, while some are forced to spend nights on the streets and many have become victims of mental stress. The students say that they had spent lakhs of rupees to get admission in Canadian colleges, but now their studies are being denied work permits, saying that they are not recognized.
The students said that many other students studying with them have received three-year work permits, while their files have been canceled. This situation has increased the financial burden on many families, as many students had taken loans and went abroad. Due to not getting a work permit, their health cards, driving licenses and work rights are also being affected. On the other hand, the Calgary Gurdwara Management Committee has come out in support of the students and has assured them of providing them with langar, ration and other necessary facilities. Legal experts have advised the students to take their case to the federal court instead of applying for a new work permit and try to maintain their student status by taking a new course at an accredited college within 90 days. At the same time, the Canadian government says that students who do not have a valid work permit or permanent residence (PR) will have to return to their country after the visa expires.
