The Abrupt End of Pacific Link College
Pacific Link College, a private post-secondary institution with campuses in Surrey and Burnaby, British Columbia, suddenly ceased operations on October 8, 2025. The Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU), the provincial body overseeing such schools, revoked the college's designation certificate, prohibiting it from delivering any career-related programs. This decision stemmed from a thorough investigation revealing multiple serious infractions under the Private Training Act.
Founded in 2011, Pacific Link College primarily served international students seeking diplomas in fields like business administration, hospitality management, and digital media. At its peak, it hosted hundreds of learners from countries including India, Nigeria, and others, drawn by promises of practical training and pathways to Canadian work experience. The closure caught many off guard, especially those midway through their studies or recently graduated, leaving them without credentials, refunds pending, and uncertain immigration statuses.
Key Violations That Led to the Shutdown
The PTIRU's probe uncovered a pattern of non-compliance that undermined student trust and educational integrity. Inspectors found that work experience placements failed to align with program learning objectives, often substituting genuine professional opportunities with unrelated tasks. Students were enrolled despite not meeting basic admission criteria, diluting program quality.
Further issues included coercive attendance policies, where threats of reporting absences to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created a climate of fear. One glaring example involved replacing in-class instruction with mandatory volunteering for a political campaign during a federal byelection, an activity wholly disconnected from curriculum goals. Adjudicator Joanna White highlighted this as 'highly inappropriate' and emblematic of 'disrespectful and coercive conduct.'
These lapses echoed earlier complaints dating back to 2019, including a May 2025 order alongside Granville College to issue refunds for misleading practices. By late 2025, the cumulative evidence forced the full revocation.
Human Impact: Stories from Affected Students
For the approximately 300 international students enrolled at closure, the fallout has been profound. Many had invested $10,000 to $18,000 in tuition, plus living costs and migration expenses, only to face program interruptions after one or two years. Charukesh Kavya Chandrika Sivaprasad from India, nearing completion, awaits an $18,000 refund decision. Moses Ugwueze from Nigeria decried non-English-speaking instructors and absent support, while Devender Singh Sandhu lamented labor jobs instead of promised business roles.
Emotional tolls compound financial woes: disrupted education timelines, stalled permanent residency dreams, and family pressures back home. Balraj Kahlon of One Voice Canada, aiding students since 2019, notes irrecoverable time losses despite potential refunds. Virtual info sessions in October 2025 drew packed crowds seeking clarity amid the college's unresponsive website and silence.
Securing Refunds: The Claims Process Explained
Students qualify for full tuition refunds (excluding application fees, books, materials) via the Student Tuition Protection Fund. Claims must use the official form submitted to PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca by October 8, 2026—one year post-cancellation.
- Complete the Tuition Refund Claim Form fully.
- Answer five supplemental questions on program start, delivery mode, last attendance, enrolled courses/instructors, and final evaluations.
- Expect possible video verification; processing takes months.
Graduates feeling misled also qualify. As of early 2026, no widespread payout updates, but prompt filing maximizes chances. Non-profits like One Voice Canada offer guidance.
Study Permits and Immigration Hurdles
As a former Designated Learning Institution (DLI), Pacific Link's delisting jeopardizes study permits. IRCC advises immediate school changes: enroll in a new DLI while applications pend, potentially needing Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) under 2026 caps.
Steps include notifying IRCC of transfers, updating permits online, and monitoring extensions. Delays risk status loss, forcing permit restorations or departures. Immigration lawyers like Marina Sedai urge proactive public institution shifts for stability.
IRCC's school change guidance details timelines.
Transferring Credits and Finding New Programs
No formal train-out exists; students self-select comparables via PTIRU's directory or public post-secondary lists. Prior learning assessments determine credit transfers, but mismatches common in private-to-public shifts.
Cambria College and others offer spots, yet advocates caution against 'troubling histories.' Public options like community colleges provide safer bets amid federal caps limiting private growth. StudentAid BC requires Appendix 5 forms for seamless aid transfers within 21 days; disruptions over three weeks trigger overaward reviews.
The Shadow of Education Agents
Overseas agents, often college-linked, hyped guaranteed jobs and visas, funneling rural, trusting students into subpar programs. Vancouver Sun reports highlight false co-op promises turning into online job hunts for low-skill roles. BC's 2026 Bill 7 targets such recruitment, banning non-designated schools from enrolling internationals.
Regulatory Overhaul in British Columbia's Private Sector
PLC's demise signals intensified scrutiny. BC pauses new college approvals till February 2026, introduces unannounced inspections, and legislates Education Quality Assurance (EQA) standards. Federal 2026 study permit caps (408,000 total, BC allocations slashed) hit privates hardest, prompting layoffs elsewhere like Langara (69 jobs).
Similar closures/fines: Vancouver Career College accused of shortchanging. Auditor General reports 66% B.C. permit drop in 2024 underscores unsustainable growth.
National Ripples in Canadian International Education
Canada's intl student boom (over 1M in 2024) fueled private colleges, but quality lapses prompted caps. B.C., hosting 20% of permits, sees rural campuses close, workforce training gaps. Public unis absorb transfers, straining resources.
Stakeholders push balanced growth: robust oversight, agent regulation, public-private partnerships. Positive: Emphasis on genuine credentials aiding immigration pathways.
Protective Measures and Forward Outlook
Lessons: Vet DLIs via official directories, visit campuses, scrutinize agents. Prospective students prioritize public institutions for stability. B.C.'s reforms promise cleaner sector, though 2026 caps challenge recovery.
Optimism lies in resilient students rebuilding paths, bolstered by refunds and transfers. Enhanced IRCC-PTIRU coordination could prevent repeats, fostering ethical intl education.
Photo by Arno Senoner on Unsplash
Actionable Advice for Displaced and Future Students
- Contact PTIRU immediately for refunds.
- Consult IRCC/IRCC web forms for permits.
- Seek non-profits/immigration consultants for transfers.
- Research EQA-certified schools; avoid unverified agents.
- Notify StudentAid BC to safeguard aid.
With deadlines looming, swift action preserves dreams. B.C.'s higher ed evolves toward quality, benefiting genuine seekers.
