Canada’s New Visa Rules: A Nightmare for Indian Students and Workers?

Sweeping Immigration Changes Give Border Officers Unchecked Powers

February 25, 2025: Canada has introduced new visa and immigration rules that could significantly impact Indian students, workers, and migrants. Effective from February 2025, these regulations grant border officials unchecked authority to alter, reject, or cancel visas at their discretion—a move that has sparked concern among international communities, particularly Indians.

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What Has Changed?

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations now allow Canadian border officials to:
✅ Deny or cancel student and work permits at any time.
✅ Reject visas if they believe the applicant will not leave Canada after expiration.
✅ Stop individuals at the port of entry and send them back home.
✅ Cancel visas even after the person has already started studying, working, or residing in Canada.

Why This Is a Big Problem for Indians

1️⃣ Uncertainty for Students:

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• 4.2 lakh+ Indian students are currently studying in Canada.
• They could face deportation or permit cancellations, disrupting their education.
• Money spent on tuition, housing, and student loans may not be refunded.

2️⃣ Job Loss Risks for Workers:

• Indian professionals form the largest foreign workforce in Canada.
• The risk of sudden visa cancellations could result in mass layoffs.
• Those with loans, mortgages, or rent payments face financial instability.

3️⃣ Tourist Visa Uncertainty:

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• Over 3.6 lakh Indians visited Canada in the first half of 2024.
• Temporary visas could be revoked, stranding travelers.

SDS Visa Program Already Shut Down

In November 2024, Canada closed the Student Direct Stream (SDS)—a program that made visa processing faster for Indian students who paid tuition upfront. This move, combined with the new discretionary visa cancellation powers, has further complicated Canada’s immigration landscape.

What This Means for Future Applicants

• Less security: Even approved visas are no longer guaranteed.
• Higher rejection rates: Canada may reduce overall student/work visas.
• Increased costs: No clarity on refunds for visa cancellations.
• Uncertainty about long-term immigration prospects.

What’s Next?

With Canada becoming more restrictive on immigration, students and professionals may start looking at alternative destinations like the UK, USA, and Australia. Meanwhile, those already in Canada must stay updated with their visa status via Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notifications.