Indian students in Canada denied of post-graduation work permit start hunger strike: 'We studied here, we deserve to work here'

Indian students at Portage College in Calgary, Canada started a hunger strike after being denied post-graduation work permits by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The denial is because their diploma program at Portage College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy was deemed a non-credit program, making it ineligible for the PGWP.

Students claim the course and college were on the eligibility list when they enrolled and paid $32,000 for the two-year program.

Around 5-6 students began a round-the-clock hunger strike, with about a thousand students protesting overall, demanding a review of the work permit denials.

Portage College stated the decision is made by IRCC, and the shutdown of some partner campuses is unrelated to the PGWP issue.