Canada’s new immigration regulations have introduced stricter measures that grant border officials the authority to cancel study permits, work visas, and other temporary resident documents under certain conditions.
The move is expected to affect thousands of Indians studying or working in Canada, adding to concerns about financial losses and uncertainty for many.
The changes, which came into effect on 31 January, fall under the amended Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
They allow officials to revoke electronic travel authorisations (eTAs), temporary resident visas (TRVs), work permits, and study permits if an individual is deemed ineligible or inadmissible.
Reasons for cancellation may include providing false information, failing to leave Canada after their visa expires, or administrative errors in visa issuance.
Canada has been a popular destination for Indian students, with approximately 4,27,000 Indian students currently enrolled in institutions across the country.
The new rules follow the cancellation of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme in late 2024, which previously allowed faster processing for students from certain countries, including India.
The revised regulations could result in an estimated 7,000 additional cancellations of temporary resident visas, study permits, and work permits annually. Those affected may face entry restrictions or be required to leave Canada.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has assured that individuals will be notified via their IRCC accounts or email, but concerns remain about the financial implications for those whose documents are revoked.
Canada has been tightening its immigration policies in recent months. The suspension of the SDS programme was initially met with fears of delays in student visa processing.
Authorities, however, stated that students could still apply under the Regular Study Permit route, which allows tuition fee payments in instalments. Despite this, international students, including those from India, may face further difficulties under the new visa cancellation rules.
For students whose permits are revoked, completing their studies and transitioning to work permits post-graduation could become more challenging. Similarly, foreign workers in Canada risk losing their job opportunities if their work permits are cancelled under the new framework.
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