More than 1,000 Punjabi students have been protesting on the streets of Calgary for nearly 10 days. They are angry about being denied post-graduation work permits (PGWPs). Now, the protest reportedly has a connection to a Jalandhar-based immigration firm.
Jalandhar immigration firm allegedly behind student recruitment
The students were reportedly lured by an immigration firm in Jalandhar. The owner of that firm also co-owned the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy (CIOT). This institute is a designated learning institution that operated through a public-private partnership with Protage College.
According to The Star, international graduates have been protesting near the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy in Calgary after hundreds of them had their work permits denied.
Students enrolled in diploma courses face uncertain future
The students were enrolled in various diploma courses at the institute. These courses ranged from eight months to two years in duration. Now, with their work permits denied, these students are at a crossroads with no clear path forward.
The owner of the immigration firm is currently believed to be in Dubai. There, he is reportedly running a realty business. Meanwhile, the students who came to Canada on his advice are left dealing with the consequences.
Owner's local ties in Jalandhar
The immigration agent-turned-realtor allegedly owns a plush house in the New Jawahar Nagar locality in Jalandhar. This local connection has drawn attention to the firm's role in recruiting students for the Canadian institute.
"We have done nothing wrong." — Protesting students, as reported by The Star
What this means for students and immigration practices
This situation raises serious questions about how students are recruited for overseas education. The students trusted the Jalandhar firm and the institute to provide them with a path to work in Canada after graduation. Now, they are stuck in a foreign country without the permits they were promised.
The case also highlights the risks of public-private partnerships in education. Students may not always know who is actually running the institution they are enrolled in or whether their credentials will be recognized for work permits.
Our Take: Students deserve answers, not silence
To put it plainly, this is a mess that could have been avoided. Students paid money and moved to a new country based on promises made by an immigration firm. Now, the owner is in Dubai, and the students are on the streets protesting.
In our view, the authorities on both sides — in Canada and in India — need to step in. The students need clear answers about why their permits were denied. And the Jalandhar firm needs to be held accountable for its role in this situation.
This is not just about one group of students. It is about the broader system of overseas education consulting, which often leaves students vulnerable. If a firm recruits students for a specific institute, it should bear some responsibility when things go wrong.
The protest in Calgary is a warning sign. Students are no longer willing to quietly accept unfair treatment. They want answers, and they deserve them.
