Visa-Versa: Canada’s New Rules Have Indians Crossing Borders and Fingers!

Canada introduced major revisions to its visa rules, which went into effect on February 2025, potentially having a massive impact on Indian workers and students. The new rules give border authorities greater leeway to adjust or cancel visa statuses, adding an element of uncertainty for overseas residents.

 

Major Changes and Consequences

 

Increased Border Power: Canadian border officials are now empowered with discretionary authority to cancel temporary resident documents such as electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), temporary resident visas (TRVs), work permits, and study permits.

 

Reasons for Cancellation:

 

Suspicion of staying beyond authorized time

Giving false information

Criminal history

Lost/stolen documents

Administrative mistakes in issuing documents

 

Range of Impact:

 

More than 420,000 Indian students studying in Canada

 

Thousands of Indian employees and temporary visitors

 

Additional Measures:

 

Suspension of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program in November 2024

 

437,000 new study permits for 2025 in total across all levels of education

 

Navigating the New Landscape

 

For individuals impacted or considering studying/work in Canada, keep these strategies in mind:

 

Stay Informed: Check your Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account and email regularly.

 

Maintain Proper Documentation: Have all your documents updated and at hand.

 

Understand Your Rights: Learn about Canadian immigration laws and your rights as a temporary resident.

 

Plan for Contingencies: Think ahead about possible financial losses and plan a contingency if there are last-minute permit cancellations.

 

Explore Alternatives: Look into alternative study or work destinations with policies that are welcoming to students, like Germany, Australia, or Ireland.

 

Seek Support: Use support mechanisms available through Canadian universities, such as counseling and transfer programs.

 

Show Intent to Depart: Be overt in establishing connections with your home country and intentions to return once your approved stay has expired.

 

Seek Legal Advice: If visa problems arise, seek the advice of an immigration attorney well-versed in Canadian law.

 

These adjustments bring new challenges, but they are meant to fortify Canada's education system and promote authentic student engagement. By remaining up to date and ready, Indian workers and students can more confidently navigate this changing immigration landscape.

 

Source: Indian Express, News18, NDTV, Munsif Daily