Canada’s new visa policy may impact thousands of foreign students and workers; know all about it here, ET TravelWorld

Canada’s latest measures to curb migration, which came into effect at the beginning of February, are expected to adversely affect tens of thousands of foreign students, including a large number from India.

If reports are to go by, under the amended Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Canadian border officials have been granted extensive discretionary powers to alter the visa status of students, workers, and migrants at any time. These changes allow officials to reject or cancel temporary resident documents such as electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs) if they determine it necessary.

The implications of these new regulations are significant, as border personnel can now deny or revoke work permits and student visas. One of the key provisions allows officers to reject a permit or entry request if they are not convinced that an individual will leave Canada upon the expiration of their authorized stay.

Uncertainty for foreign nationals, especially Indians

The new regulations introduce considerable uncertainty for thousands of international students and workers, with Indian nationals forming the largest group in both categories. Canada remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students, and if reports are to go by, there are 4.2 lakh Indian nationals currently enrolled in higher education programs in the country.

Impact on visa holders

With the new rules in place, individuals whose permits are rejected will be stopped at the port of entry and sent back to their home country. If a visa or permit is revoked while a person is already studying, working, or residing in Canada, they will receive a notice to leave the country by a specified deadline.A major concern for affected individuals is the lack of clarity regarding financial losses incurred due to sudden visa cancellations. As far as reimbursement is concerned, there is no official information on whether students, workers, or migrants will be reimbursed for tuition fees, loans, mortgages, or rent already paid in advance.

Canada’s policy shift: Closure of Student Direct Stream program

This move follows Canada’s decision in November 2024 to close the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa program. The SDS program allowed students to expedite their visa applications by demonstrating financial capability upfront. Its closure has already made it more difficult for Indian students to secure study permits in Canada.

Those affected by the latest regulatory changes will receive official notifications from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via email and their IRCC accounts.