We, a collective of international students and graduates, respectfully call on the Government of Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to reconsider recent policy changes affecting international graduates whose work permits are set to expire soon. These sudden shifts have created immense uncertainty for thousands of students who came to Canada in good faith, having invested significant financial, emotional, and personal resources with the hope of building a future in this country.

Most of us paid upwards of $40,000 in tuition fees to Canadian institutions and have since worked hard, contributed to the economy, paid taxes, and integrated into our communities. Canada has benefitted greatly from the presence of international students—not only through the revenue we generate, but also through the skilled labour we provide in key sectors across the country.

However, ongoing policy changes, particularly the restriction on post-graduate work permit (PGWP) extensions and sudden language or program requirements, have left many of us in limbo. These changes are often implemented with little notice, giving current workers—many of whom are supporting themselves and their families—very limited time to meet new criteria. For instance, expecting individuals to achieve official French-language benchmarks or secure complex employment arrangements within two months is not only unrealistic, but deeply unfair.

As a result, some international graduates, desperate to remain in Canada legally, fall into the hands of unethical immigration consultants or resort to unregulated pathways like fake admissions or misrepresented job offers. We believe this situation is a direct consequence of limited legal and accessible options to maintain status.

We urge IRCC to consider implementing a “grandfather clause” in its policy—ensuring that international students and workers are subject to the rules that were in place at the time they entered Canada. This would restore fairness and predictability to the system, and allow people to plan their lives and careers without constant fear of policy reversals.

Furthermore, we respectfully request an extension of post-graduate work permits for those who have been contributing actively to the Canadian economy and society, and who have demonstrated their intention to stay in Canada permanently through honest, legal means.

We came to Canada because we believed in its values of opportunity, inclusion, and justice. We ask you to uphold those values by giving international students a fair and dignified chance to continue their journey in this country we now call home.