Canada has implemented new immigration regulations that empower officials to revoke temporary resident documents, such as study visas and work permits, under specific conditions. These modifications, effective from January 31, 2025, seek to enhance Canada’s border security and uphold the integrity of its immigration framework.
Reasons for Cancellation
Immigration and border services officers now have explicit authority to cancel temporary resident documents on a case-by-case basis. The reasons for cancellation include:
- Inadmissibility or Changes in Eligibility: If an individual’s status or circumstances change, making them inadmissible or no longer eligible to hold the document.
- Risk of Overstay: If an officer is not satisfied that someone will leave Canada by the end of their authorized period of stay.
- Administrative Errors: If the document was issued based on an administrative error.
- Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Documents: If the document is lost, stolen, destroyed, or abandoned.
Impact on Temporary Residents
These modifications will impact temporary residents, such as tourists, employees, and learners. About 7,000 extra cancellations of temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permit documents are anticipated each year.
Temporary residents are required to meet the admissibility and eligibility criteria set forth in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its associated Regulations. They need a TRV or an eTA to enter and travel to Canada, unless they are exempt.
Consequences of Cancellation
The impacts on foreign nationals, both outside and inside Canada, could include:
- Waiting for Re-issuance: Waiting for the re-issuance of their temporary resident document.
- Cancellation Record: Having a cancellation record on their IRCC account, this could impact future temporary resident document assessments.
- Leaving Canada: Having to leave Canada, in cases of inadmissibility and ineligibility.
- Refusal of Entry: Being refused entry to Canada at the port of entry or being turned back at the airport.
- Financial Loss: Financial loss in cases where a foreign national has purchased their travel ticket and is no longer authorized to travel to Canada.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will inform foreign nationals via their IRCC account or email when their document is cancelled, including the reason for the cancellation.
