Canada Plans Mass Visa Cancellations For Indians: What You Should Do Now!

Canada Considers Mass Visa Cancellations: Official Proposal

Internal documents, as reported in early November 2025, show Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) want legal power to cancel visas for entire cohorts or countries, not just individual files. This is a shift from case-by-case decisions to sweeping cancellations. That is the policy change which could impact every non-immigrant in Canada.

This means that this move could reshape how Canada handles student, visitor, and work visas. As an international student planning to study in Canada, this could potentially disrupt student permits, visitor visas, and even work authorisations.

Why is India targeted for Visa Cancellations by Ottawa, Canada?

Along with Bangladesh, India is considered a major example of the potential mass visa cancellations in Canada. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of Indians applying for asylum in Canada (people asking for protection or refugee status) grew very quickly from less than 500 per month in 2023 to about 2,000 per month by mid-2024. Moreover, the processing time in India for Canada student visa applications increased from 30 days to 54 days within a year.

Canada’s clampdown in 2025 included rejection rates of around 74% for Indian student permit applications in August. This indicates that nearly 3 in 4 Indian applications for Canada study visa were refused.

Civil society groups and diaspora organisations are already warning that this could become a “mass deportation machine,” and MPs will debate amendments. The bill was publicised in early November 2025. So, international students and other temporary workers can track Parliament’s schedule and official IRCC briefings to know when (or if) powers will take effect.

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Canada Government Report: Why Mass Cancellations are Important?

One of the main reasons why such visa cancellations in Canada are necessary in 2025 is due to fraud and integrity concerns. Canada’s agencies and some international partners flagged fraudulent application patterns tied to certain source countries, including India. As per the latest reports by Canada’s immigration for 2025, India continues to lead as the top source country for international students and temporary workers, followed by China, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

The proposed power is pitched as a way to protect border integrity and speed up enforcement when fraud is systemic, but civil groups warn it could unfairly sweep honest applicants into cancellations. As this is currently a proposal, there can be a parliamentary debate through November 2025 on this topic. The proposed power is pitched as a way to protect border integrity and speed up enforcement when they detect

Also Reads: Popular Medical Courses in Canada After 12th for Indian Students

Want To Apply For Canada Student Permit: What You Can Do Now!

As the current immigration policies and proposals in Canada are restrictive for international students and other temporary workers, it is becoming more and more difficult for Indian students to obtain a study visa. Here are some of the things you can do if you want to apply for a Canada study visa amid immigration policies:

• Gather documents without discrepancy: As immigration in Canada for Indian students is becoming quite competitive, applicants must avoid even minor inconsistencies that could trigger extra scrutiny. So, you must make sure passports, transcripts, offers, and sponsor letters are flawless. Get them audited as well.

• Name must be same on application and documents: Applicants must ensure that the names are the same on the filled-out application and on passports, identity cards, academic transcripts, accommodation documents, tuition fees receipt, and more.

• Keep proof of genuine intent and funds: Indian applicants must ensure that they have solid evidence of real study plans, employer contracts, or sufficient funds to reduce the chance that their file is flagged as suspicious.

• Apply early: The current rejection rate of 74% for the Canada student visa from India. However, the chances of getting the visa approved are there if you have a legitimate and strong application. Consider applying before the passing of any proposal to be passed.

• Take legal advice: Applicants can also consider consulting an immigration lawyer if they receive any unusual notifications or notices from IRCC/CBSA.

• Consider alternative pathways: Students can also consider other study abroad countries amid the current restrictions on international students in Canada. You can also check out streamlined countries, including New Zealand, Ireland, and more.

What To Do If Your Study Visa Is Cancelled Under This Canada Proposal?

If this proposal is passed to become a bill, you may receive an administrative cancellation or refusal. You are always recommended to document every communication, preserve originals, and immediately ask for written reasons. You may be eligible for judicial review, ministerial relief, or re-application depending on the grounds. You can consult an immigration lawyer to get expert legal help. Several reports stress legal counsel as critical in such scenarios.

Related Reads: Canada Student Visa Processing Time From India

Conclusion

As per the latest proposal by Canada’s government, plans on granting Ottawa the power to cancel temporary visa and documents, especially for India and Bangladesh. Canada’s proposed mass-cancellation power raises concerns for applicants from India and Bangladesh. However, if you are still planning to study in Canada for the academic year 2026. They need to present a strong application with correct documentation and apply early. As the current Canada proposals are on the line that can disrupt your study plans, you must keep copies of the documentation and notifications and monitor official IRCC updates.