Canada is planning to outright reject visa applications from India, reports CBC News. The federal government aims to acquire the authority to cancel visa applications for certain groups of visa holders. This mass cancellation of visas is driven partly by concerns over fraud from India and Bangladesh, as revealed in internal documents obtained by CBC News.
A presentation to the immigration minister’s office indicated that IRCC, Canada Border Services Agency, and undisclosed U.S. partners are working to identify and cancel fraudulent visitor visa applications, reports CBC News.
The presentation has singled out India and Bangladesh as “country-specific challenges.” However, according to CBC News, publicly, Immigration Minister Lena Diab has listed a pandemic or war as why the government is seeking these powers, but has not mentioned country-specific visa holders.
Asylum claims from Indian nationals rose from under 500 per month in May 2023 to around 2,000 by July 2024, according to the document. Additionally, the presentation notes that the verification of temporary resident visa applications from India is causing delays in processing applications.
Bill C-2 introduces new authorities that would give the Government of Canada greater control over its immigration documents when needed, in the public interest.
The provision in Bill C-2, relating to border legislation, has been separated into two parts, with mass visa cancellation now included in C-12, which the government aims to pass swiftly.
Bill C-2 also proposes to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to expand legal authorities to strengthen control over immigration documents and, by extension, migration to Canada.
Bill C-2 outlines the management protocols regarding the intake, suspension, and termination of applications from foreign nationals seeking various immigration documents. The powers also relate to the cancellation, suspension, and variance of active immigration documents held by non-Canadian citizens.