Canada’s Proposed Mass Visa Cancellation Powers Worry Indian Applicants

Toronto – Ottawa is preparing legislation that would permit authorities to revoke batches of visas at once, a move that has unsettled civil society groups and many visa seekers, notably from India.

Internal government papers indicate Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and their US counterparts have set up a working group to locate and cancel allegedly fraudulent visa applications, with a focus on applicants from India and Bangladesh.

The draft law would empower officials to carry out "mass cancellation" actions during events such as pandemics, armed conflicts or acute country-specific problems. Critics warn the clause could be applied in ways that single out particular nationalities.

More than 300 civil society organisations have voiced opposition, cautioning the measure could become a "mass deportation machine" and weaken procedural safeguards. Some immigration lawyers say the government may also be seeking to shrink a growing visa backlog rather than solely combating fraud.

The proposal arrives as Canada’s refusal rate for Indian study permits has jumped. In August alone, roughly 74 percent of Indian student visa applications were turned down.

India has been the top source of international students in Canada for over a decade, but recent policy shifts have strained ties. Processing times for Indian temporary resident visas have increased from about 30 days in mid-2023 to around 54 days by mid-2024.

Government statistics show asylum claims by Indian nationals climbed from under 500 per month in May 2023 to almost 2,000 by July 2024. In response, Canadian agencies have tightened document checks and scrutiny, contributing to more refusals and longer waits.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has tabled the bill in Parliament and is pressing for expedited passage. Immigration Minister Lena Diab has defended the measure as necessary for crisis scenarios such as pandemics or conflicts, while not directly addressing fears of country-specific targeting.

As debate unfolds in Ottawa, many prospective Indian students and other visa applicants are watching closely, worried the new powers could jeopardise plans to study or work in Canada.