The Canadian government is likely to come up with a Mass Visa Cancellation Programme.
Canada’s Mass Visa Cancellation Proposal: Concern for Indian and Bangladeshi Applicants
The Canadian government is likely to come up with a Mass Visa Cancellation Programme that could cause serious repercussions for applicants from India and Bangladesh. As per a CBC News report, internal documents suggest that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), along with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. partners, has formed a task force to identify and revoke fraudulent visa applications.
This proposal is a part of Bill C-12, which seeks to empower Ottawa to cancel all categories of temporary visas in extraordinary circumstances such as pandemics, wars, or national security crises. However, the documents specifically mention India and Bangladesh as “country-specific challenges,” raising concerns that the measure could be applied in a discriminatory or selective manner.
More than 300 civil society organizations have expressed opposition, warning that the plan could create a “mass deportation mechanism.” Several immigration lawyers have also raised concern, suggesting that the bill may be aimed more towards reducing Canada’s growing application backlog than tackling actual fraudlent activities.
The timing of this move is really sensitive. In August 2025, nearly 74% of Indian student visa applications were rejected — almost triple the previous year’s rate of 32%. Meanwhile, asylum claims by Indian nationals have surged dramatically, rising from about 500 per month in mid-2023 to nearly 2,000 by July 2024.
Government officials maintain that the proposed powers are imperative for protecting the integrity of Canada’s borders. An IRCC spokesperson stated that steps are being taken to “curb non-genuine applications” and strengthen data-sharing measures, noting a 25% increase in fraud-related visa refusals compared to last year.
This move comes as Canada is working towards restoring diplomatic ties with India, following last year’s tensions. During the G7 Summit in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Narendra Modi discussed improving cooperation and reestablishing trust between the two countries.
As the Canadian Parliament continues to debate Bill C-12, key questions remain about how the government will balance national security, fairness, and transparency, especially for Indian and Bangladeshi students and workers who have significantly contributed towards Canada’s growth.
