Canada has abruptly ended a policy of allowing work permits to those on visitor visas from within the county, in yet another blow to thousands of migrants, many of them from India. Canada is rolling back or limiting several liberal immigration schemes introduced in the wake of the Covid pandemic. India is reportedly the second highest source country of temporary workers to Canada, behind only Mexico.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC, the country's immigration agency, said in a release, "Canada has ended the policy allowing visitors on temporary visas to apply for work permits from within the country, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic."&nbsp;

The change will be effective immediately, the agency said on Wednesday (Aug 28). It will continue to process applications submitted before that date.

Indians protest against changes in Canada's immigration policy

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The temporary work permits were introduced in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions. Under this scheme,&nbsp;visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. Foreigners who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could also apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.

This 'temporary policy' was set to expire on February 28, 2025, but now it has been stopped abruptly.

The agency said that some fraudsters were misusing this provision to lure foreigners into working in Canada without authorisation.

"IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system. IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorisation," said the release.

<h2>Canada cracks down on temporary residents, Indian students protest</h2>

The stopping of work permits for visitors is the latest in a string of immigration reforms being undertaken by the Justin Trudeau administration to roll back the number of temporary residents in the country.

It came even as hundreds of Indian graduates and students have started protests amid fears of deportation due to several overnight changes to immigration policies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unfair-to-indians-canada-witnesses-massive-protests-as-70000-students-face-deportation-753788">Also read: ‘Unfair to Indians,’ Canada witnesses massive protests as 70,000 students face deportation</a> 
 
Among the issues of contention is a policy set to be implemented in September that would set limits on employers on how many temporary residents they could give jobs to.

It is common practice for international students to work part-time, often for very low wages, to meet some of their expenses. Their hope is to eventually find jobs in Canada, and gain permanent residency.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foreign-student-receiving-study-permits-soar-in-canada-despite-government-restrictions-739914">Canada sees rise in number of foreign students receiving study permit despite government restrictions</a>

One of the policies that would face some caps is the PEI PNP, or Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program. This was one of the so-called 'express entry' routes for many foreigners to enter, live and work in Canada. It gave pathways to permanent residency for skilled workers and recent graduates.&nbsp;

The rollback of several&nbsp;policies is mainly aimed at reducing the temporary resident population in the country, which includes some 70,000 student graduates who now face uncertain futures. The government's contention is that the presence of temporary residents is stressing out the housing market and infrastructure of the country.

Immigration minister Marc Miller had said in March that Canada's temporary resident population "had grown rapidly, reaching up to 2.5 million or 6.2 per cent of the total population.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada has abruptly ended a policy of allowing work permits to those on visitor visas from within the county, in yet another blow to thousands of migrants, many of them from India.

Canada has abruptly ended a policy of allowing work permits to those on visitor visas from within the county, in yet another blow to thousands of migrants, many of them from India. Canada is rolling back or limiting several liberal immigration schemes introduced in the wake of the Covid pandemic. India is reportedly the second highest source country of temporary workers to Canada, behind only Mexico. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC, the country's immigration agency, said in a release, "Canada has ended the policy allowing visitors on temporary visas to apply for work permits from within the country, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic." The change will be effective immediately, the agency said on Wednesday (Aug 28). It will continue to process applications submitted before that date. Indians protest against changes in Canada's immigration policy × The temporary work permits were introduced in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions. Under this scheme, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. Foreigners who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could also apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application. This 'temporary policy' was set to expire on February 28, 2025, but now it has been stopped abruptly. The agency said that some fraudsters were misusing this provision to lure foreigners into working in Canada without authorisation. "IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system. IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorisation," said the release. Canada cracks down on temporary residents, Indian students protest The stopping of work permits for visitors is the latest in a string of immigration reforms being undertaken by the Justin Trudeau administration to roll back the number of temporary residents in the country. It came even as hundreds of Indian graduates and students have started protests amid fears of deportation due to several overnight changes to immigration policies. Also read: ‘Unfair to Indians,’ Canada witnesses massive protests as 70,000 students face deportation Among the issues of contention is a policy set to be implemented in September that would set limits on employers on how many temporary residents they could give jobs to. It is common practice for international students to work part-time, often for very low wages, to meet some of their expenses. Their hope is to eventually find jobs in Canada, and gain permanent residency. Also read: Canada sees rise in number of foreign students receiving study permit despite government restrictions One of the policies that would face some caps is the PEI PNP, or Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program. This was one of the so-called 'express entry' routes for many foreigners to enter, live and work in Canada. It gave pathways to permanent residency for skilled workers and recent graduates. The rollback of several policies is mainly aimed at reducing the temporary resident population in the country, which includes some 70,000 student graduates who now face uncertain futures. The government's contention is that the presence of temporary residents is stressing out the housing market and infrastructure of the country. Immigration minister Marc Miller had said in March that Canada's temporary resident population "had grown rapidly, reaching up to 2.5 million or 6.2 per cent of the total population. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada ends work permits to those on visitor visas in yet another blow that could affect Indians

Limiting work hours for international students, including Indian students, Canada has implemented a new rule allowing a maximum of 24 hours per week of off-campus work for these students.

Limiting work hours for international students, including Indian students, Canada has implemented a new rule allowing a maximum of 24 hours per week of off-campus work for these students. This rule will take effect in September. "The temporary rule that permitted students to work more than 20 hours per week off-campus will end on April 30, 2024, and it will not be continued," said Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, in a press release. "We plan to change the number of hours students can work off-campus per week to 24 this fall," he said. This change comes as many international students are studying in Canada now. Canada has become a popular destination for Indian students. A report from 2022 by the Canadian Bureau for International Education says that there are around 319,130 Indian students in Canada, marking the highest number of international students in Canadian colleges and universities. "Students who come to Canada should be here to study. Allowing them to work up to 24 hours per week will help them focus on studying, but they still have the option to work if they need to," says the news release. Also read: India summons Canada envoy over Khalistan slogans at event attended by PM Justin Trudeau This development comes on the back of recent studies in the US and Canada showing that students who work more than 28 hours per week have been suffering in their academic performance. They're also more likely to drop out of their programmes if they work over 24 hours per week. It is pertinent to note that before international students start working off-campus in Canada, both the student and the employer must make sure that the student is allowed to work without a work permit. If the student fails to meet these requirements, he/she might have to leave the country. The student can only start working in Canada once their study programme has started. Indian students in Canada can't work off-campus without a work permit if their study permit says they can't work off-campus while studying." (With inputs from agencies)

If you're studying in Canada, read this. Int'l students can only work 24 hours per week

Canada is considering putting&nbsp;a cap on the number of international students living in the country, as the housing crisis in the nation continues to deepen.&nbsp;Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller raised concerns over the current volume of international students in the country.

In an interview with CTV News,&nbsp;Miller did not indicate how big the reduction would be if implemented but added there was a need for serious conversation.&nbsp;

"This is a conversation the federal government will need to have with provincial governments to make sure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis," said Miller.&nbsp;

“That volume is disconcerting. It is really a system that has gotten out of control," he added.&nbsp;

The Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been aiming to bring&nbsp; 485,000 immigrants to Canada in 2024 and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. However, the population spurt and an increase in foreign students indicate that the housing sector is nowhere near ready to house the volume.&nbsp;

Canada's population grew by more than 430,000 during the third quarter of 2023, which was the fastest in any quarter since 1957.&nbsp;

Quizzed why the government was considering the move now given the idea was floated in August last year, Miller said:&nbsp;"We need to be doing our jobs and making sure that we have a system that actually makes sure people have a financial capability to come to Canada, that we're actually verifying offer letters."

"And now it's time for us to have a conversation about volumes and the impact that that is having in certain areas."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/canada-finance-minister-acknowledges-housing-crisis-challenge-637043">Watch | Canada finance minister acknowledges housing crisis challenge</a>

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<h2>What does it mean for India?</h2>

The decision could have serious ramifications for Indian students who often prefer Canada as their desired choice to secure advanced degrees. As per data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there were&nbsp;215,910 Indian international students in Canada out of&nbsp;579,075.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/torontos-housing-desperation-half-a-bed-for-c-900-a-month-amid-soaring-prices-660985">Also read | Toronto's housing desperation: Half-a-bed for C$ 900 a month amid soaring prices</a>

Nearly half of the 32,000 tech workers who moved to Canada between April 2022 and March 2023 originated from India.&nbsp;Between July and October 2023, the Canadian government processed nearly 87,000 new study permit applications for Indian nationals, although it was 40 per cent less than the same period in 2022.

Canada remains an attractive destination for Indians but the charms might be dwindling if the current housing crisis persists and the Trudeau government is unable to commit to a solution.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada is considering putting a cap on the number of international students living in the country, as the housing crisis in the nation continues to deepen. Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller raised concerns over the current volume of international students in the country.

Canada is considering putting a cap on the number of international students living in the country, as the housing crisis in the nation continues to deepen. Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller raised concerns over the current volume of international students in the country. In an interview with CTV News, Miller did not indicate how big the reduction would be if implemented but added there was a need for serious conversation. "This is a conversation the federal government will need to have with provincial governments to make sure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis," said Miller. “That volume is disconcerting. It is really a system that has gotten out of control," he added. The Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been aiming to bring 485,000 immigrants to Canada in 2024 and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. However, the population spurt and an increase in foreign students indicate that the housing sector is nowhere near ready to house the volume. Canada's population grew by more than 430,000 during the third quarter of 2023, which was the fastest in any quarter since 1957. Quizzed why the government was considering the move now given the idea was floated in August last year, Miller said: "We need to be doing our jobs and making sure that we have a system that actually makes sure people have a financial capability to come to Canada, that we're actually verifying offer letters." "And now it's time for us to have a conversation about volumes and the impact that that is having in certain areas." Watch | Canada finance minister acknowledges housing crisis challenge ideo Embed Code: × What does it mean for India? The decision could have serious ramifications for Indian students who often prefer Canada as their desired choice to secure advanced degrees. As per data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there were 215,910 Indian international students in Canada out of 579,075. Also read | Toronto's housing desperation: Half-a-bed for C$ 900 a month amid soaring prices Nearly half of the 32,000 tech workers who moved to Canada between April 2022 and March 2023 originated from India. Between July and October 2023, the Canadian government processed nearly 87,000 new study permit applications for Indian nationals, although it was 40 per cent less than the same period in 2022. Canada remains an attractive destination for Indians but the charms might be dwindling if the current housing crisis persists and the Trudeau government is unable to commit to a solution. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada considers cap on international students amid housing crisis

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has come up with evidence that some people, including Indians, who came to Canada on student visas were not attending universities or colleges, and were involved in criminal activity and gangs. On July 21, The CBSA told the publication The Globe and Mail that an investigation into 300 students who gained study permits with fake acceptance letters from universities and colleges identified 10 people involved in criminal activity.&nbsp;

The agency's investigation into the abuse of student visas dates back to a 2018 probe into organised crime. The 2018 probe led to the discovery that student visas were being used by people to come to Canada to join gangs.

Speaking to the publication, CBSA spokesperson Guillaume Bérubé said that the agency would continue to focus inland investigative resources on high-risk cases, with criminality and national security being the highest priorities.&nbsp;

In July, CBSA's Intelligence and Enforcement Branch's vice president Aaron McCrorie sent a letter to a group named Victimised Students of Fraud, the Hindustan Times reported on Wednesday (August 9).&nbsp;

The letter stated that in 2018, the agency was probing organised crime groups and became aware of issues with students not attending schools and getting involved in criminal activity.&nbsp;

This led to new lines of enquiry which led the CBSA to identify more than 2,000 cases where fraudulent documents may have been used to obtain a student visa, the letter said. "In collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we reviewed those cases and we narrowed them down to approximately 300 cases of concern," it added.&nbsp;

Agency spokesperson Bérubé told The Globe and Mail that uncovering links to crime was a priority for the agency. The CBSA's Pacific Region team recently probed Brijesh Mishra, an Indian education agent who allegedly played a role in the scam involving fake Canadian college admission letters. He was arrested last month.&nbsp;

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The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has come up with evidence that some people, including Indians, who came to Canada on student visas were not attending universities or colleges, and were involved in criminal activity and gangs.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has come up with evidence that some people, including Indians, who came to Canada on student visas were not attending universities or colleges, and were involved in criminal activity and gangs. On July 21, The CBSA told the publication The Globe and Mail that an investigation into 300 students who gained study permits with fake acceptance letters from universities and colleges identified 10 people involved in criminal activity. The agency's investigation into the abuse of student visas dates back to a 2018 probe into organised crime. The 2018 probe led to the discovery that student visas were being used by people to come to Canada to join gangs. Speaking to the publication, CBSA spokesperson Guillaume Bérubé said that the agency would continue to focus inland investigative resources on high-risk cases, with criminality and national security being the highest priorities. In July, CBSA's Intelligence and Enforcement Branch's vice president Aaron McCrorie sent a letter to a group named Victimised Students of Fraud, the Hindustan Times reported on Wednesday (August 9). The letter stated that in 2018, the agency was probing organised crime groups and became aware of issues with students not attending schools and getting involved in criminal activity. This led to new lines of enquiry which led the CBSA to identify more than 2,000 cases where fraudulent documents may have been used to obtain a student visa, the letter said. "In collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we reviewed those cases and we narrowed them down to approximately 300 cases of concern," it added. Agency spokesperson Bérubé told The Globe and Mail that uncovering links to crime was a priority for the agency. The CBSA's Pacific Region team recently probed Brijesh Mishra, an Indian education agent who allegedly played a role in the scam involving fake Canadian college admission letters. He was arrested last month. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Some Indians who came to Canada on student visas involved in gang activity: Border agency