Canada’s international students, foreign workers and even visitors now face tougher compliance checks under newly updated guidelines that allow immigration officers to cancel visas and study permits that have already been issued.On Nov 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated its operational guidance, giving officers clearly defined authority to revoke visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs).The change — part of a regulatory framework that was enacted earlier this year — signals a shift from a system that focused on one-time approval to one requiring ongoing compliance with the stipulated immigration conditions.“Canada has recently formalized regulatory changes that apply to all temporary residents, including those holding temporary resident visas, study permits, and work permits. Under these changes, introduced in June 2024 and enacted in Feb 2025, immigration officers can now cancel a visa or permit after it has been issued. This can occur before boarding a plane, at the port of entry, or during the period of stay in Canada. The shift is from a system that focused on approval at the application stage to one that requires continuous compliance with conditions and temporary intent,” said Gurpreet Oshan, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC).
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A frequent traveller to Canada, points out that an officer can now cancel an existing temporary resident visa (visitors visa) if the officer believes that the holder will not depart from Canada by the end of his authorised stay period. This could adversely impact parents who visit their children in Canada from time to time, he points out.The impact on international students, Oshan noted, is especially significant. Under the new framework, a study permit remains valid only if the student continues to meet eligibility conditions throughout their stay.According to Statistics-Canada as of September 30, 2024 there were 5.10 lakh Indian study-permit holders accounting for nearly 40% of international students. “A study permit remains valid only if the student is enrolled at a designated learning institution, is making academic progress, and is working within the limits set by their permit. If a student reduces their course load without authorization, stops attending classes, or works beyond the permitted hours or conditions, their study permit may be cancelled,” she said.The revised rules also address issues relating to institutional compliance and documentation integrity. “Students may also be affected by institutional or documentation issues. If a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) loses its eligibility or is suspended, the student must transfer to another eligible institution in a timely manner to maintain status. Additionally, recent cases involving fraudulent Letters of Acceptance have resulted in study permits being cancelled even when students were unaware that the letter was not genuine,” Oshan explained.These new measures are part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen oversight and prevent misuse of temporary immigration programs. The operational guidance specifies discretionary and automatic grounds for cancellation. A study permit can be revoked if it was issued in error, or automatically cancelled if the holder becomes a permanent resident, loses eligibility, or passes away. The same applies to visitor and work permits.In parallel, Bill C‑12 has been recently been referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration for detailed review. This bill, titled ‘The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act’, seeks to modernize enforcement by giving the immigration minister and border officers expanded authority to cancel visas and permits, and streamline deportations. It also enhances data-sharing between federal agencies to curb fraud and overstays. Immigration experts warn that the bill could heighten uncertainty for temporary foreign workers and international students.
