Canada’s New Visa Rules May Pose Challenges for Indian Students and Workers

Ottawa, Canada:
Canada’s recent immigration policy changes, effective from February 2025, may have significant consequences for thousands of foreign students, workers, and migrants, particularly from India. The new rules grant Canadian border officials extensive authority to alter visa statuses, potentially affecting those on study, work, and temporary resident permits.

Under the updated Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, border officers now have the power to deny or revoke temporary resident documents such as electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs). This means student visas and work permits can also be canceled at an officer’s discretion.

One of the key provisions states that if an officer believes an individual is unlikely to leave Canada upon the expiration of their authorized stay, their visa or permit can be denied or revoked—even while they are already in the country. The decision-making power is entirely at the officer’s discretion, adding a layer of uncertainty for temporary residents.

These new regulations could impact a vast number of international students and workers, with Indians being the largest group in both categories. Currently, over 420,000 Indian students are studying in Canada, making it one of the top destinations for higher education.

If a visa or permit is revoked, the individual will either be denied entry at the port of arrival or, if already in Canada, be issued a notice to leave the country by a specified date. This also affects tourists from India, who frequently visit Canada on temporary permits. In the first half of 2024 alone, Canada issued travel visas to over 360,000 Indian tourists.

Those affected by visa cancellations will receive notifications from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via email and their IRCC account. However, there is no clear policy regarding refunds for education fees, loans, rent, or other financial commitments made by students and workers in Canada.

These changes come just months after Canada shut down the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program in November 2024. The SDS program was a preferred option for Indian students who could guarantee financial proof upfront to secure their education in Canada.