A significant number of immigrants in Canada are at risk of losing their legal status to work. Many of the work permits will lose their validity in the next two years. This scenario might result in an increase in the population living in Canada without proper documents.
Many of the Permits Are Close to Expiration
The Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) has reported that work permits for close to one million people will be due for expiry by December 2025. Also, it is predicted that another 900,000 permits will run out by the end of 2026. The reports suggest that almost 50% of the persons whose permits are expiring are from India.
The workers whose permits have lapsed may not be able to reapply for their respective visas. In fact, they might even be left international till they land up with permanent residency.
The Immigration Regulations Have Become More Stringent
Canada is implementing more restrictive immigration measures. The government is setting tougher requirements for:
- Temporary visa workers
- Foreign students
- Refugees
A consequence of this shift is that it will be no longer easy to obtain a new visa or permanent residency. According to experts, this is a situation such that Canada has never previously experienced the simultaneous loss of work authorizations of so many migrants.
Effect on Students and Refugees
A large number of study visas are going to be expired soon. An immigration consultant Kanwar Seira has said that under the present rules, the number of asylum applications being turned down might get higher. This is a further strain on migrants who are trying to live in the country legally.
Concerns and Public Response
Local media reports suggest that the growing number of people without legal status is contributing to social challenges in Canada. In response, migrant rights groups plan to organize protests in January. These groups aim to raise awareness and advocate for workers who lack clear legal pathways to stay in Canada.
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