Canada Cracks Down on Visa Fraud: New Rules Allow Cancellation of Temporary Permits

In a major policy shift, Canada has implemented new immigration regulations that grant authorities the power to cancel temporary resident documents under certain circumstances. Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on February 12, 2025, these changes are part of an ongoing strategy to enhance border security and regulate temporary immigration.

The updated Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations came into effect on January 31, 2025, and have been officially published in the Canada Gazette II. The new rules affect multiple categories, including electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), work permits, study permits, and temporary resident visas (TRVs).

Grounds for Visa Cancellation

Under the newly enforced regulations, temporary resident documents can now be revoked if:

• The individual is found ineligible due to false information, criminal history, or inadmissibility.
• Immigration officers determine the person is unlikely to leave Canada after their authorized stay.
• The document has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or abandoned.
• The individual has transitioned to permanent residency.
• The individual has passed away.
• The document was issued due to an administrative error.

Emphasizing the importance of compliance, IRCC stated, “Canada welcomes individuals from around the world for work, study, and travel. However, all temporary residents must adhere to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and related regulations.”

Why Canada Tightened Immigration Policies

According to Renée LeBlanc Proctor, spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Canada has witnessed a surge in the misuse of temporary resident visas, particularly student permits. Factors like global migration crises and organized smuggling networks have exacerbated this issue, prompting the government to take action.

Impact on Indian Nationals

India has consistently been one of the largest sources of temporary foreign workers and international students. As of the third quarter of 2024, Canada hosted approximately 3 million non-permanent residents, many of whom were from India.

In 2022, Indian citizens accounted for:

• 45% of all international students in Canada.
• 22% of all temporary foreign workers.

Given these statistics, the new immigration rules are expected to have a significant impact on Indian nationals, particularly students and skilled workers.

Impact on International Students

With an increasing focus on curbing visa fraud and unauthorized stays, the new policies introduce tighter regulations for study permits.

Canada is projected to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, yet reports indicate that approximately 50,000 international students applied for visas but failed to enroll in their designated institutions. The highest numbers of non-compliant students reportedly came from India, China, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, and Iran.

In November 2023, many Indian students received emails from IRCC, requesting them to resubmit study permits, visas, and academic records. While this caused widespread concern, IRCC clarified that such requests were standard compliance procedures.

“Since 2015, Canada has required designated learning institutions to report twice yearly on the enrollment status of international students,” IRCC noted. However, students who fail to meet compliance requirements may face the consequences of visa cancellation.

Consequences of Visa Cancellation

Foreign nationals impacted by the new regulations may face:

• Immediate removal from Canada if found ineligible.
• Denial of boarding at airports.
• Refusal of entry at Canadian border checkpoints.
• Financial losses due to pre-booked travel expenses.

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