Alberta premier says international students must leave when visas expire

In a social-media post, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasized that a student visa is only a temporary permission to study and that Alberta’s universities primarily serve provincial residents. She stated that any international student whose visa expires without a permanent residency grant must leave Canada. The comment was prompted by demonstrations from Indian students at Portage College who say they are struggling to obtain Post-Graduation Work Permits.

While rejecting the label of a "diploma mill" for the college, Smith acknowledged that certain programs may have exaggerated the immigration pathways they promised. She also referenced broader national tightening of immigration rules by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which warns of removal and bans for unauthorized work. The premier urged prospective students to verify program eligibility and not assume a study visa will automatically lead to long-term status.