Immigration Minister Marc Miller is calling for enhanced federal efforts to prevent the misuse of visitor visas as Canada experiences a notable increase in temporary residents. With growing concerns about the impact on local communities, including unemployment among youth and newcomers, the federal government is now tightening visa regulations, especially for applicants from India.

Record Numbers Along Canada-US Border

From October 2023 to August 2024, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 21,929 migrant encounters at the Canada-US border, with 17,810 occurring in the Swanton Sector, which borders Quebec, New York, and Vermont. This figure marks more than double the 8,686 encounters from the previous year and a significant increase from the 2,238 encounters two years ago. Of those detained, nearly 60 percent—12,992—were from India. In response, Minister Miller indicated that visa applicants from India could face increased scrutiny.

Impact of Growing Temporary Residents on Local Communities

The Canadian government has acknowledged a substantial rise in international students, temporary foreign workers, and asylum seekers. While newcomers are vital to the country’s economic and cultural landscape, the influx has sparked concerns over rising unemployment rates, particularly among youth.

Study Permit Reductions on the Horizon

Minister Miller plans to unveil a new Immigration Levels Plan on November 1, which will include a 10% reduction in study permits over the next two years. By 2025 and 2026, Canada aims to issue 437,000 study permits annually, a 36% decrease from 2023 levels. These changes are part of broader adjustments to manage the increasing volumes of international students, foreign workers, and permanent residents.

Canada is tightening visa regulations in response to the surge in temporary residents and growing border crossings, particularly from India. Immigration Minister Marc Miller is emphasizing the need for stricter oversight of visitor visas and plans to reduce the number of study permits over the next two years. These measures aim to balance the benefits of immigration with the challenges faced by local communities, such as rising unemployment among youth and newcomers, while ensuring the country’s economic and cultural landscape remains robust.