Canada’s Proposed Mass Visa Cancellations: Targeting Temporary Visas for Indian Nationals Amid Fraud Crackdown

Last updated on 42 minutes ago

As part of a major crackdown on immigration policy, Canada is seeking expanded legislative powers to enable the mass cancellation of temporary visas, with internal documents pointing squarely at applicants from India and Bangladesh as primary targets. The proposal, embedded in the pending Strong Borders Bill (Bill C-12), would allow authorities to revoke groups of temporary resident visas (TRVs), study permits, and work permits en masse—beyond just emergencies like pandemics or wars—to address “country-specific challenges” such as widespread fraud and misuse. While not yet law, this move signals a deepening scrutiny on Indian nationals, who form the largest cohort of temporary visa holders in Canada, amid a broader strategy to curb temporary migration and restore public trust in the system.

The revelation comes from internal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) presentations reviewed by CBC News, which highlight collaborative efforts with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. partners to fortify visa integrity. For Indian travelers, students, and workers—numbering over 1.2 million temporary residents as of mid-2025—this could mean abrupt disruptions, including forced departures, travel bans, and financial losses from non-refundable bookings. As bilateral ties thaw post-2023 diplomatic tensions, the policy risks reigniting friction, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June 2025 G7 visit to Canada underscored a desire for reset.

The Scope: What Visas Are at Risk?

Temporary visas in Canada encompass TRVs for tourists and short-term visitors, study permits for international students, and work permits for temporary foreign workers. Under the proposed powers:

• Mass Cancellation Mechanism: Authorities could target entire cohorts based on nationality or application patterns, requiring Governor in Council approval and public disclosure in the Canada Gazette—detailing rationale, affected groups, exceptions, and refunds. This extends beyond individual revocations, potentially impacting thousands in one sweep.
• Focus on India: Internal docs flag India for “concentrated fraud,” including fake documents and non-genuine intent. Recent data shows heightened verification has already slowed TRV processing for Indians from 30 days in July 2023 to 54 days in July 2024.
• Early Impacts: Since January 2025, amended regulations have led to about 7,000 additional cancellations of temporary documents annually, including eTAs and TRVs—many affecting Indians. The suspension of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program in late 2024 has compounded delays.

For affected holders, consequences include immediate inadmissibility at borders, potential five-year re-entry bans, and appeals limited to the Federal Court—processes that can take months.

Key Statistics: A Sharp Decline in Indian Visa Success

Canada’s clampdown has already reshaped flows from India, the top source of international students (427,000 enrolled as of 2025). Here’s a snapshot of the trends:

• Study Permit Rejections: Rose to 74% for Indian applicants in August 2025 (from 32% in August 2023), per IRCC data. Applications plummeted from 20,900 to 4,515 over the same period.
• Asylum Claims Surge: Indian nationals filed fewer than 500 monthly in May 2023, escalating to ~2,000 by July 2024—often using temporary visas as entry points.
• Fraud Detections: Over 1,550 fake letters of acceptance from India in 2023; globally, 14,000+ potential fakes verified in 2024. “No boards” (denied boarding) for Indians hit 1,873 by July 2024.
• Broader Migration Cuts: Canada slashed permanent immigration by 20% for 2026–2028; temporary caps reduced study permits for the second year running.

These figures reflect a 97% drop in irregular U.S.-Canada crossings since June 2024, credited to targeted TRV scrutiny from high-abuse countries.

Possible Reasons: Fraud, Overstay, and Systemic Pressures

Canada’s push stems from a confluence of security, economic, and public sentiment drivers, though critics argue it’s overly punitive:

• Visa Fraud and Misuse: The core trigger is rampant document forgery, particularly fake university acceptance letters and misrepresented intent. IRCC detected a spike in non-genuine applications from India, where temporary visas are allegedly used as backdoors for asylum or permanent residency. This has strained resources, with fraud refusals up 25% in early 2025.
• Asylum and Overstay Surge: Temporary visa holders from India have driven a 300%+ rise in asylum claims, overwhelming the system and leading to backlogs. Overstays—estimated at 10–15% for Indian TRVs—exacerbate housing shortages and labor market pressures in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia.
• Temporary Migration Overload: With temporary residents nearing 3 million (up 50% since 2019), Canada faces infrastructure strain—housing crises, healthcare queues, and wage suppression. Public polls show 60% of Canadians now favor reduced immigration, prompting Ottawa’s pivot from growth to sustainability.
• Geopolitical and Bilateral Context: Lingering 2023 tensions over the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—allegedly linked to Indian agents—have fueled scrutiny. Enhanced U.S.-Canada collaboration on border security adds pressure, though recent diplomatic overtures (e.g., Modi’s G7 visit) aim to balance enforcement with ties.

Immigration Minister Lena Diab has framed these as emergency tools only, but documents suggest broader application to deter abuse.

Impacts: A Chilling Effect on Indian Aspirants

For Indian nationals, the ripple effects are profound. Students face plummeting enrollment at community colleges, where fraud allegations are rife, costing Canada’s economy $26 billion annually from Indian tuition. Workers in tech and healthcare—key sectors—risk sudden job losses, while tourists may hesitate amid uncertainty.

Civil society backlash is fierce: Over 300 groups, including the Migrant Rights Network, decry a potential “mass deportation machine,” warning of family separations and humanitarian crises. Immigration lawyers speculate the powers could clear backlogs (over 2 million applications) rather than just fight fraud. India’s High Commission in Ottawa calls it a sovereign matter but urges fair processing.

Economically, while fraud crackdowns save administrative costs (~$500 million yearly), they could deter genuine talent, hitting universities and provinces reliant on international fees.

Advice for Affected Travelers: Navigating the Storm

• Check Status: Use IRCC’s online portal to monitor applications; expect delays up to 90 days for Indians.
• Alternatives: Eye Australia (visa success ~85% for Indians) or the UK (post-study work extensions). For Canada, prioritize Provincial Attestation Letters for study permits.
• Compliance Tips: Submit verified documents via certified translators; prepare for biometrics and interviews. Enroll in STEP for alerts.
• Legal Recourse: Cancellations can be challenged via humanitarian applications or judicial review—consult RCIC-registered advisors.

As Bill C-12 advances, Canada balances security with openness. For Indian dreamers, it’s a reminder: Authenticity is key in an era of tightened gates.