IRCC Now Has Clear Rules for Cancelling Visitor Visas, Work Permits, Study Permits, and eTAs
On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new rules that clearly explain when they can cancel temporary resident documents. This is important because it means immigrants and visitors now have a transparent understanding of what could go wrong with their status in Canada.
Before these changes, the rules were unclear. Officers had general power to cancel documents, but the exact reasons weren’t always spelled out. Now everything is official and written down, making it fairer and more predictable for everyone.
Why Did Canada Make These Changes?
Canada has been receiving record numbers of temporary residents (students, workers, and visitors). The government wants to manage this better and make sure people follow the rules. These new regulations also bring Canada in line with countries like the US and Australia, which already have clear cancellation rules.
Canada still welcomes temporary residents, but the country is getting stricter about making sure people follow the conditions of their permits.
Visitor Visas: When Can IRCC Cancel Them?
A visitor visa (also called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV) lets you visit Canada for tourism, business, or to see family. IRCC can now cancel your visitor visa for specific reasons.
Reasons IRCC Can Cancel Your Visitor Visa:
1. Officer Made a Mistake: Your visa was approved by accident—maybe the officer missed important information or made a procedural error.
2. You Became Inadmissible: After you got your visa, you did something that makes you inadmissible. This includes getting a criminal record abroad or having a serious health condition.
3. You No Longer Meet the Requirements: When you got your visa, you met all the requirements. But now you don’t. For example, the job that supported your visit no longer exists, or your financial situation changed dramatically.
4. You Got a Different Document: If IRCC issues you a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) after your visitor visa, the original visa gets cancelled to avoid confusion.
5. You’re Likely Not Leaving: The officer has good reason to believe you won’t leave Canada when your visit ends. Maybe you applied for a work permit, started looking for jobs, or showed other signs of planning to stay permanently.
6. You Were Refused Another Document: After approving your visitor visa, IRCC refuses your work permit, study permit, or eTA application. This refusal can lead to cancellation of your original visitor visa.
7. Security or Fraud Issues: IRCC discovers you made false statements or there are security concerns about you.
Automatic Cancellations if you:
- Become a permanent resident
- Lose, destroy, or abandon your passport
- Die
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eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): When Can It Be Cancelled?
An eTA is a fast online approval for visitors from certain countries (like France, Germany, Australia, and others) who don’t need a traditional visitor visa. Think of it as a digital stamp in your passport.
Reasons IRCC Can Cancel Your eTA:
1. You Became Inadmissible: You got a criminal record, or you have a serious medical condition that makes you inadmissible.
2. You No Longer Qualify: Your passport expired, or you renewed it. An eTA is linked to one specific passport, so a new passport means you need a new eTA.
3. Officer Made a Mistake: The eTA was approved by accident due to a computer error or wrong passport information.
Automatic Cancellations if you:
- Become a permanent resident
- Lose, destroy, or abandon your passport
- Die
Study Permits: When Can They Be Cancelled?
A study permit allows you to study at a Canadian school as an international student. IRCC can now cancel study permits, but the reasons are fairly limited.
Reasons IRCC Can Cancel Your Study Permit:
1. Officer Made a Mistake:
- The school you applied to was not actually approved by IRCC
- The officer missed important documents
- You didn’t actually meet the eligibility requirements
2. Automatic Cancellations if you:
- Become a permanent resident
- Die
IRCC is paying more attention to schools and students now. If your school gets in trouble (loses its approval status, breaks rules), your study permit could be at risk.
- Your school is on IRCC’s official list of approved schools
- You’re actively enrolled and attending classes
- You don’t work more hours than allowed
- You report any changes to your school or program
Work Permits: When Can They Be Cancelled?
A work permit allows you to work in Canada. It’s usually tied to a specific employer and job. IRCC can cancel work permits, but again, the reasons are limited.
Reasons IRCC Can Cancel Your Work Permit:
1. Officer Made a Mistake:
- The employer wasn’t actually approved for hiring foreign workers
- The officer didn’t verify the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) number
- You didn’t actually qualify for the job
2. Automatic Cancellations if you:
- Become a permanent resident
- Die
Important Protection: The Waiver Clause
If IRCC approved your document because they waived (forgave) a missing requirement under a special policy, they can’t later cancel it for that same missing requirement.
Common Cancellation Scenarios
Scenario 1: Visitor Applies for Work Permit, Gets Refused
You enter Canada as a visitor. While here, you apply for a work permit but get refused. IRCC may cancel your visitor visa because:
- Your reasons for visiting have changed
- You’re showing signs of wanting to stay permanently
- It’s unlikely you’ll leave when required
Scenario 2: You Renew Your Passport
You have an eTA. You renew your passport (the old one expires). Your old eTA automatically stops working. You must apply for a new eTA linked to your new passport before you can travel.
Scenario 3: Your School Gets in Trouble
You have a study permit at a private college. IRCC discovers the college was making fake acceptance letters to get students. Your study permit gets cancelled as an administrative error.
Scenario 4: Your Employer Loses Approval
You’re working under a work permit with Company ABC. Company ABC stops following the rules for hiring foreign workers and loses its approval. IRCC can cancel your work permit.
Scenario 5: You Get Permanent Residency
You have a work permit or visitor visa. You get approved for permanent residency through Express Entry. When you land as a permanent resident, your work permit and visitor visa automatically disappear. This is normal and expected.
What Happens If Your Document Gets Cancelled?
If IRCC cancels your document, the consequences are serious:
- You lose your legal status in Canada
- You may face removal (deportation)
- You can’t work or study anymore
- Future applications become much harder (work permits, study permits, visitor visas, or even permanent residency)
- Travel becomes difficult if you’re in the removal process
If this happens to you, talk to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) immediately. You may have options like asking the Federal Court to review the decision.
Protect Your Status: Get Expert Help from Elaar Immigration
At Elaar Immigration, our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) specializes in helping temporary residents navigate Canada’s evolving immigration landscape. We can:
- Review your specific situation to ensure you’re compliant with all permit conditions
- Explain how these cancellation rules apply to your visitor visa, work permit, study permit, or eTA
- Help you stay compliant and avoid the serious consequences of document cancellation
- Represent you if IRCC ever questions your status or considers cancellation
- Plan your next immigration step, whether it’s a permit extension, work permit application, or pathway to permanent residency
