Canada is considering mass cancellation of temporary visas issued to Indians due to concerns about fraud and misuse of the system. The Canadian government is seeking new powers through pending legislation to enforce mass cancellation of temporary visas, potentially targeting fraudulent applications from India.
Internal documents and presentations have revealed that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), and unnamed U.S. partners have formed a working group to identify and cancel fraudulent visitor visa applications. India, along with Bangladesh, has been specifically identified as a "country-specific challenge" in this context.
The proposed measure is part of Bill C-12, which aims to strengthen Canada's borders. This legislation includes a "mass cancellation" provision that could be used in various scenarios, including pandemics, wars, or specifically targeting visa holders from certain countries. While Immigration Minister Lena Diab has publicly mentioned pandemics or wars as reasons for seeking these powers, internal documents suggest that addressing fraud related to specific countries is also a key motivator.
The move comes at a time when Canada is looking to reduce immigration, both permanent and temporary. This has already led to a significant reduction in the number of Indian applicants being accepted. Data shows that approximately 74% of Indian applications for study permits were rejected in August 2025, a sharp increase compared to about 32% in August 2023. Consequently, the number of Indian student visa applications has also decreased, from nearly 21,000 in August 2023 to around 4,500 in August 2025.
Canadian authorities have stated that the rise in rejections is due to the detection of over 1,550 fraudulent letters of acceptance from India in 2023. Additionally, there has been an increase in asylum claims from Indian nationals, rising from fewer than 500 per month in May 2023 to approximately 2,000 by July 2024.
According to a report, the focus on verifying Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications has increased processing times for Indian applications, from about 30 days to approximately 54 days. An IRCC memorandum from October 2024 noted that the ability to cancel temporary resident documents reduces security risks and limits potential misuse of such documents.
Some civil society groups and immigration lawyers have expressed concerns about the proposed mass cancellation powers. They argue that such measures could lead to a "mass deportation machine" and raise questions about due process. However, the government maintains that these powers are necessary to maintain the integrity of the immigration system and deter fraud.
