Canada has introduced significant changes to its immigration regulations, which came into effect on January 31. The new Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations authorize border officials to cancel temporary resident documents such as electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs).
These changes are expected to impact thousands of foreign nationals annually, including a large number of Indians. The new regulations will affect students, employees, and temporary resident visitors, many of whom come from India. Canada remains a top destination for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad, with around 427,000 Indian students currently studying in the country, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Enhanced Authority for Border Officials
The amended rules grant Canadian immigration and border officers enhanced authority to cancel eTAs, TRVs, work permits, and study permits under specific circumstances. These include cases where an individual’s status or circumstances change, making them ineligible or inadmissible, such as providing false information, having a criminal record, or being deceased. Officers can also cancel documents if they are not convinced that the individual will leave Canada upon the expiration of their authorized stay, or if the document is lost, stolen, destroyed, or issued based on an administrative error. Additionally, temporary residents who become permanent residents may have their documents canceled.
Implications for Foreign Nationals and Students
The amended rules could result in the cancellation of approximately 7,000 additional temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits annually. Foreign nationals, including Indians, whose permits are canceled may face issues such as being prohibited from entering Canadian ports or having to leave Canada. Canada issued 365,750 visitor visas to Indians between January and July 2024, surpassing the 345,631 issued during the same period in 2023.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has indicated that affected individuals will be informed via their IRCC account or email. However, there are concerns about the potential financial losses for travelers and students whose documents are canceled.
Canada Continues to Tighten Immigration Policy
These changes align with Canada’s strategy to tighten immigration rules. In November 2024, Canada suspended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program, which was popular among Indian students. The SDS program, introduced in 2018, expedited visa processing for students from certain countries, including India, by requiring them to demonstrate financial readiness upfront.
Despite initial concerns about delays, officials clarified that students could still apply for the Regular Study Permit, allowing them to pay tuition in installments. However, the new rules for canceling temporary resident documents may pose additional challenges for international students, including Indians, who may face difficulties completing their studies or transitioning to work permits after graduation.