Canada's Immigration Authorities Pursue New Powers To Cancel Visa Applications From Indian Nationals

Canadian authorities are seeking powers to cancel visa applications amid fraud concerns, particularly impacting Indian students, with a significant increase in rejection rates.

Canadian authorities are reportedly seeking new powers to cancel visa applications amid concerns about potential fraud. This move targets a group of visa holders, including some from India. According to CBC News, Canadian officials have teamed up with US entities to identify and cancel fraudulent visitor visa applications originating from India and Bangladesh.

The crackdown on international students has particularly affected Indian applicants. In August, Canada rejected approximately 74% of Indian applications for study permits at post-secondary institutions. This translates to nearly three out of four applications being denied.

Visa Cancellation Powers

A departmental presentation to the immigration minister's office revealed that Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and their US partners have formed a working group. This group aims to empower authorities to refuse and cancel visas, focusing on challenges specific to India and Bangladesh.

The document suggested that mass cancellation powers could be employed in situations like pandemics, wars, or issues with "country-specific visa holders." Although Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Diab acknowledged the government's pursuit of such powers for pandemic or war scenarios, she did not mention country-specific visa holders.

Legislation and Protests

A bill to legalise this provision has been introduced in the Canadian parliament. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is pushing for its swift passage. However, over 300 civil society groups have expressed concerns about the legislation. They argue that group cancellations could enable the government to establish a "mass deportation machine."

Immigration lawyers quoted by CBC suggest that the government might seek mass cancellation powers to address its growing backlog of applications. The documents highlighted an increase in asylum claims from Indian nationals, rising from fewer than 500 per month in May 2023 to around 2,000 by July 2024.

Impact on Indian Applicants

Verifying temporary resident visa applications from India reportedly slows down processing times. By July 2024, processing time had increased from an average of 30 days in July 2023 to 54 days a year later. Consequently, approvals dropped in 2024—from over 63,000 in January to about 48,000 in June—as more resources were allocated for verification.

The presentation also noted an increase in Indian passengers denied boarding as of summer 2024. By July 31, 1,873 applicants received procedural fairness letters outlining their rights and potential legal recourse after being identified for further questioning.

India has been Canada's leading source of international students over the past decade. In August alone, it had the highest study-permit refusal rate among countries with more than 1,000 approved applicants.