Amid efforts to reduce illegal migration in the country, Canada has tightened its immigration and visa policies, affecting thousands of Indians, especially students pursuing higher education abroad. Since Canada’s new immigration and refugee protection rules came into force on 31 January, many students suddenly reported the cancellation of permits, increased investigation of visa applications and strict enforcement of departure rules.
According to an Economic Times report, “We have lost their permits despite the correct academic records to many customers.”
According to Jain, immigration, refugee and citizenship Canada (IRCC) has estimated 7,000 more revived this year, which is likely to affect 4,27,000 Indian students studying in Canada.
If a student’s permit is canceled, experts said they may need to leave Canada unless they successfully appeal. However, the legal cost for the appeal begins with C $ 1,500, with no guarantee of success.
Jain said, “We are asking our Canadian customers to document everything – worked every hour and every hour change should be reported within seven days. Canada has become suspicious by welcoming, and students have to be roughly adapted,” Jain said.
Canada’s tough stance on immigration is also affecting the number of study permits given to Indian students.
“The study permits issued to Indian students since Q4 2023 have dropped by 40 percent,” the Chief Operating Officer of Onesep Global told ET.
In addition, the decline 2025 applicants face the need for new C $ 20,635 GIC (guaranteed investment certificate) – a massive financial obstruction for middle class Indian families.
In particular, Indian students make around 35–40 percent of the international student population of Canada. The new rules are likely to influence Indian employees and temporary resident visitors.
Changes in Canada’s visa program
To reduce illegal migration, amidst the push of the Canadian government, the country has introduced major changes in its immigration rules, which has been authorized to cancel temporary residents such as Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and Temporary Resident Visa (TRVS).
Under the revised rules, Canadian immigration and border officer can cancel any person’s ETA, TRV, work permits, and study permits. If their position or circumstances change, they turn them disqualified or unknowingly.
The authorities can also cancel a permit of any person if they are not convinced that the person will leave Canada at the end of his authorized stay and if their documents are lost, stolen, destroyed, or issued on the basis of an administrative error.
In addition, students can also be canceled their immigration letters if they are denied any work or study visa. However, rules ensure that immigration and limit officials are the only ones that can cancel these visas to avoid any unauthorized intervention.
Under the new rules, if a student’s study permit is canceled, they may have difficulty in finishing their studies or going into work permits after graduating.
Canada is one of the most preferred sites for Indian students, workers and legal migrants. Students alone, currently chasing their higher education in Canada, are responsible for more than 4.2 lakh Indian citizens according to government data. At the end of the revised Rule 2024, students follow a series of changes in Ottawa’s immigration structure, including cancellation of the Direct Stream (SDS) visa program.
