Indians in Canada to be severely impacted by new visa rules: What changes for students, workers

Canada’s news visa rules with an aim to curb migration are expected to adversely affect tens of thousands of foreign students, including those from India. The rules that came into effect in early February will also severely impact individuals applying for work and residency permits.

As per the new order, border officials now have the authority to modify the visa status of students, workers, and migrants whenever they feel that action is necessary. 

Here’s what the order says: 

Under the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Canadian border personnel are now vested with the powers to deny or reject temporary resident documents such as electronic travel authorisations or eTAs and temporary resident visas or TRVs.

This means that border officials can now cancel such documents, which include work permits and student visas. However, there are some guidelines which need to be met in order for them to reject permits and visas. This includes one which states that if an officer is not convinced that the individual will leave Canada upon the expiration of their authorised stay, they can reject their entry or cancel their permit even during their stay in Canada.