Effective immediately! Canada announces new rules, customs has the authority to directly cancel visas! International students and foreign workers are impacted!

Original message:https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/new-rules-strengthen-temporary-resident-document-cancellations-border-security-integrity.html

The Canadian government has officially introduced new regulations to further strengthen the management of temporary residents, including study permits, work permits, and temporary resident visas. According to the latest IRCC announcement, the new policy grants border immigration officers greater authorityto directly cancel temporary resident status and related visas under specific circumstances, to ensure the integrity of Canada's immigration system.

The regulation took effect on February 12, 2025, and is expected to result in approximately 7,000 study permits, work permits, and temporary resident visas being cancelled.

According to IRCC regulations, the following situations may lead to visa cancellation:

Failure to meet entry eligibility

If an applicant has a criminal record, provides false information, or does not meet entry requirements for other reasons, immigration officers can directly cancel their visa.

Example: If an applicant is found to have submitted a fake letter of acceptance, their study permit may be cancelled.

Overstaying

If an immigration officer believes that the visa holder will not leave Canada on time after the visa expires, the visa may be revoked.

Example: A person who enters on a tourist visa and is suspected of possible illegal overstay or working illegally may be denied renewal or have their visa cancelled outright.

Lost or damaged documents

If a passport, travel document, or visa is lost, stolen, or damaged, the visa may be revoked.

Identity errors or status changes

If a visa was issued due to an administrative error, immigration authorities have the right to cancel it.

If a visa holder has passed away, their visa automatically becomes invalid.

After obtaining permanent resident status, the original temporary visa will also be cancelled.

International students impacted

The Canadian government has announced that it will issue 437,000 study permits in 2025 to control the number of international students. However, the new study permit cancellation policy may affect some applicants, and even those who already hold study permits may be impacted.

The following situations may lead to study permit cancellation:

• Applicant submitted false materials (such as a fake letter of acceptance)
• Administrative error led to the study permit being issued incorrectly
• Applicant did not report to school on time
• Illegal overstay or violation of study permit conditions

Canadian government data shows that in 2024, as many as 50,000 international students applied for study permits but ultimately did not report to their schools. These "no-show students" mainly came from countries such as India, China, Nigeria, Iran, Ghana, and Rwanda, so the Canadian government has decided to increase scrutiny.

Foreign workers with work permits will also be affected

The new regulations not only affect international students but also involve temporary foreign workers in Canada.

In which situations can a work permit be cancelled?

• Visa expiry or death of the visa holder
• Work permit issued incorrectly due to administrative error
• Work permit holder violates the conditions of the work permit, such as working overtime or engaging in unauthorized occupations

Example: If a foreign worker provided incorrect employer information when applying for a work permit, or is found not to be working for the authorized employer, their work permit may be cancelled.

Consequences of temporary resident visa cancellation

It is expected that this new change will have little impact on foreigners, but cancellations have already occurred.

Businesses affected by this new regulation will face the following situations:

• If they do not meet the eligibility requirements, they will leave Canada.
• Immigration authorities will not allow them to board.
• They will be refused entry into Canada at the port of entry.
• If foreigners cannot purchase travel tickets but are no longer authorized to travel to Canada, they will suffer financial losses.

These new regulations make Canada's study permits, work permits, and temporary visas more stringent. Do you think such policies are reasonable, or will they bring unnecessary pressure to international students and foreign workers? Welcome to share your thoughts in the comments!