Canada has taken measures to restrict migration from abroad, leaving an adverse impact on Indian students, workers and temporary resident vistors.
The new rules under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations came into effect on January 31, 2025. The immigration officials can now cancel study and work permits, electronic travel authorisations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs).
In order to avoid unauthorised intervention, the new regulations stipulate that only the immigration authorities can cancel these documents.
The latest regulations come after Canada cancelled the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme in 2024. The scheme, which began in 2018, allowed students to get visa quickly if they could demonstrate money upfront, including tuition fees and guaranteed investment certificates for living expenses.
Around 4.27 lakh Indian students are studying in Canada, according to the foreign ministry. In the first six months of 2024, 3.65 lakh Indians were issued Canadian visas.
What are the conditions for visa cancellation?
Under the new regulations, Canadian immigration offices can cancel visas, permits and authorisations under specific conditions. These include
- Submitting false information, having a criminal record, or being deceased.
- An officer is not convinced that the person would not leave Canada once their authorised stay expires.
- Documents that are lost, stolen, destroyed, or issued due to an administrative error.
- A temporary resident becomes a permanent resident.
The officials can also cancel study and work permits, eTAs and TRVs
- If a person becomes a permanent resident
- If they are deceased
- If the documents are issued due to an administrative error
The immigration papers can be cancelled if the person is denied study or work visa.
