How Canada’s new visa rules can impact Indian students and workers

Canada’s new Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, effective from January 31, have granted authorities greater power to cancel study permits, work permits, and temporary visas under specific conditions. This follows the discontinuation of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme in late 2024, which previously allowed faster processing for students meeting financial requirements such as prepaid tuition and guaranteed investment certificates (GICs).

Under the updated rules, visas and permits can be revoked if an individual provides false information, has a criminal record, or fails to convince immigration officers that they will leave Canada upon the expiry of their authorized stay. Additional grounds for cancellation include lost, stolen, or destroyed documents, administrative errors, and a temporary resident obtaining permanent residency. If a study or work permit is denied, immigration authorities can also cancel related documents.

According to available data, Canada currently hosts approximately 4,27,000 Indian students, while 3,65,750 visitor visas were issued to Indian nationals between January and July 2024. The regulatory changes are expected to result in the cancellation of around 7,000 additional temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits. Those impacted will be notified via their Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account or email.

If an individual is denied entry due to a cancelled visa or permit, they will be stopped at the port of entry and sent back to their home country. Those already in Canada whose documents are revoked will receive a notice with a specified date to leave the country. The policy change places stricter scrutiny on international students, workers, and visitors, increasing the risk of permit cancellations.

The revised regulations are part of Canada’s efforts to enforce immigration policies more strictly, affecting thousands of applicants from India, one of the largest sources of international students and temporary workers in the country. With visa requirements becoming more stringent, students and workers will need to ensure strict compliance with updated regulations to avoid disruptions.