India has been Canada's top source of international students over the past decade.
Canadian immigration authorities are reportedly seeking sweeping new powers to cancel visas in bulk — a move that could impact thousands of applicants from India and Bangladesh. The proposal has drawn criticism from civil society groups and immigration advocates, who warn it could pave the way for “mass deportations.”
According to internal documents cited by CBC News, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and U.S. counterparts have formed a joint working group to identify and cancel fraudulent visitor visa applications. The plan reportedly highlights “country-specific challenges” linked to India and Bangladesh.
Push for Group Visa Cancellations
A departmental presentation to the immigration minister’s office suggested that the proposed powers would allow authorities to refuse or revoke visas collectively. The measure could apply in situations such as a pandemic, war, or issues tied to specific countries.
While Immigration Minister Lena Diab has admitted the government is exploring such powers for emergencies, she has not mentioned any intent to target country-specific visa holders.
The bill introducing these provisions has already been tabled in Parliament, and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is reportedly moving to fast-track its approval.
Widespread Opposition and Legal Concerns
The proposal has ignited strong opposition from more than 300 civil society organizations. These groups argue that granting the government the authority to revoke visas in bulk would effectively create a “mass deportation machine.”
Immigration lawyers also expressed concern that Ottawa may use the new law to manage growing visa backlogs rather than address fraud. They caution that legitimate applicants could be unfairly caught up in large-scale cancellations.
India in the Spotlight
India’s inclusion in the proposal has sparked particular alarm. The documents revealed that asylum claims from Indian nationals rose sharply — from fewer than 500 per month in May 2023 to about 2,000 by July 2024. Officials claim this surge has slowed the processing of temporary resident visa applications.
Processing times reportedly jumped from 30 days in mid-2023 to 54 days by mid-2024. As a result, visa approvals dropped from more than 63,000 in January to around 48,000 by June 2024, as authorities devoted more resources to fraud verification.
The report also noted a rise in Indian travelers being denied boarding over documentation issues. By July 31, more than 1,800 applicants had been flagged for further questioning and sent procedural fairness letters explaining their rights and legal options.
Mounting Pressure on Indian Students
The development comes amid an already strained immigration environment. Canada has tightened rules for international students, a move that has disproportionately affected Indian applicants. In August, nearly 74 percent of study permit applications from India were rejected — the highest rate among all countries with over 1,000 approved candidates.
India has been Canada’s largest source of international students for more than a decade. The possibility of group visa cancellations now threatens to deepen uncertainty for thousands of families who view Canada as a preferred destination for education and opportunity.
As debate intensifies, critics are urging Ottawa to ensure transparency and fairness before granting such extraordinary powers — warning that a policy meant to target fraud could instead erode trust in Canada’s immigration system.
