Canada’s New Visa Rules Spell Trouble for Indian Students & Workers

Canada (The Uttam Hindu): Canada’s recent amendments to its immigration policies are expected to severely impact tens of thousands of foreign nationals, particularly Indian students, workers, and migrants. The revised Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, effective from February, grant extensive discretionary powers to Canadian border officials. These officials can now alter, deny, or even revoke temporary resident documents—including student visas, work permits and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs)—if they believe the individual may not leave Canada upon the expiration of their stay. This shift introduces a new layer of uncertainty for international applicants, with the power to make such decisions entirely resting with immigration officers.

With over 4.2 lakh Indian students currently enrolled in Canadian institutions and thousands more applying for work and resident permits, these new regulations could have far-reaching consequences. If a visa is rejected at the port of entry, the individual will be immediately deported. For those already residing in Canada, a notice to leave the country will be issued upon permit cancellation, raising concerns about financial losses linked to tuition fees, mortgages, or rental payments. Additionally, Canada has been a major travel destination for Indian tourists, with over 3.6 lakh visas issued in the first six months of 2024 alone. These stricter immigration measures could affect thousands seeking temporary entry into the country.

This policy change comes just three months after Canada shut down the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program in November 2024, which had been a preferred route for Indian students willing to deposit guaranteed funds for a smoother application process. With increasing restrictions on visas and permits, Indian nationals face heightened uncertainty about their educational and career prospects in Canada. While affected individuals will be notified by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there remains a lack of clarity regarding financial reimbursements for those whose permits are revoked unexpectedly.