Canada | New rules for temporary resident document cancellations

Canadian authorities updated rules to strengthen authorities’ ability to cancel temporary resident documents.

Key Points:

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada updated Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to give immigration and border services officers explicit authority to cancel electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs) on a case-by-case basis.
• Documents may now be canceled when there is a change in a person’s status or circumstances that makes them inadmissible or no longer eligible to hold the document, if an officer is not satisfied that certain individuals will leave Canada by the end of their authorized period of stay or if the document is lost, stolen, destroyed or abandoned.
• Officers may now also cancel TRVs, eTAs, work permits and study permits when individuals become a permanent resident, are deceased or if they believe the document was issued based on an administrative error.

Additional Information: The amended regulations came into force on Jan. 31 and are published in the Canada Gazette II. Officials stated the changes will enhance the integrity of Canada’s temporary residence programs and strengthen security. The Canadian government continues to implement changes to their immigration system, including recent changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents as well as a policy change designed to reduce flagpolers at ports of entry for work and study permits.