A growing number of international graduates in Calgary are reporting work permit refusals after what they describe as retroactive changes to eligibility criteria.

According to LiveWire Calgary, two students at Calgary colleges say they completed programs they believed qualified for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), only to find their eligibility was denied. One student reports being asked to reapply with previous time counted toward limits, which would drastically reduce the available work period.

The issue appears to center on whether certain programs or institutions were added to or removed from IRCC's eligibility list. If an institution or program changes status retroactively, students who enrolled under the old rules may find themselves ineligible for a PGWP.

IRCC maintains an official list of eligible programs on their website. Students should check their specific program code and institution eligibility before applying for a PGWP. The list can be found at the IRCC website under eligible designated learning institutions and programs.

Key questions to ask IRCC directly:
- Was my institution on the eligible list when I enrolled?
- Was my program code on the PGWP-eligible list at time of graduation?
- Are there any grandfathering provisions for students already enrolled?

For students who have been denied, consulting a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer may be important, especially if there are questions about whether retroactive changes should apply to existing students. Remember, IRCC's decisions can sometimes be appealed or reviewed if you believe the application was processed incorrectly.