“Immigration Experts Caution: Canada May Cancel Thousands of Pending Applications Amid Policy Shifts”
Canada’s immigration system is facing a critical turning point. Legal and policy experts are warning that the federal government may be preparing to cancel large numbers of pending applications — a move that could affect thousands of individuals across several immigration programs.
What’s Happening
Processing times for many immigration streams — from family sponsorships to permanent-residence programs — have grown significantly.
The federal agency Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced regulatory changes that give it more power to cancel temporary resident documents (TRVs, eTAs) when eligibility changes, status is no longer met, or documents were issued in error.
A key piece of legislation, Bill C‑12 (formerly Bill C-2 in earlier drafts), would grant IRCC the authority to suspend or terminate entire classes of applications when they are deemed incompatible with “operational needs” or capacity constraints.
Experts draw comparisons to an earlier large-scale cancellation in 2012, when the government eliminated about 280,000 pending applications under the Federal Skilled Worker stream, hurting many applicants who had invested years in the process.
Who Could Be Affected
Although no specific list has been published, the concern spans:
Applicants with long-pending files in economic streams (e.g., the Start-Up Visa) where designated entities may no longer meet compliance standards.
Temporary residents whose status might shift, or whose permits (work, study, visitor) may be cancelled under the updated regulation.
Individuals in immigration categories where demand far outpaces processing capacity. The risk is heightened when the system is under strain.
Why This Is Happening
The government has signalled a desire to restore balance in the immigration system — controlling intake, addressing processing backlogs, and linking immigration levels to labour-market and infrastructure realities.
With high volumes of pending applications and slower processing times, the logic from IRCC’s perspective may be: reduce the bottleneck by clearing or cancelling files that do not meet current criteria or strategic priorities.
Bill C-12 gives legal teeth to that agenda, enabling broad cancellation powers rather than one-off legislative patches.
What This Means For Applicants
No guarantee your application will be safe: Even if you’ve submitted a file and are waiting, changes in criteria, capacity or program requirements may put your file at risk.
Due diligence matters: Ensure you meet all program requirements, keep your documents current, don’t rely on outdated assumptions about processing times or program rules.
Expect longer waits: The system is under pressure; in many streams, processing times have ballooned.
Consider alternative pathways: If one stream is at risk, explore other immigration routes or adjust your strategy.
Legal and advisory support: If ignoring these signals could cost you your application or investment, consulting a qualified immigration advisor or lawyer may be wise.
Key Program Updates to Watch
Temporary resident documents: IRCC updated rules (as of January 31 2025) giving officers explicit power to cancel eTAs, TRVs, and other permits when eligibility changes or if they were issued in error.
Start-Up Visa and business-incubator files: Under Bill C-12, many applications associated with non-compliant designated entities may face cancellation or refusal.
Immigration levels plan for 2025-2027: Canada plans to admit fewer permanent residents than in the recent high-volume years, which increases pressure on selection and processing.
What To Do Right Now
Review your application status: Know what stream you’re in, what stage you’re at, and whether your file meets current criteria.
Keep documentation updated: Language tests, education credentials, work experience, etc. Make sure they are valid and complete.
Stay informed: Monitor IRCC announcements, legislative changes (such as Bill C-12), and processing-time updates.
Plan for contingencies: If your application is at risk, identify alternate routes (e.g., provincial nominee programs, other economic streams) or postpone fresh filings until clarity improves.
Avoid risky advice: With increased enforcement (including actions against unlicensed consultants, see e.g., Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program fines) make sure your representation is legitimate.
Final Thoughts
Canada remains a globally attractive destination for immigration, but the current signal from Ottawa is that “business as usual” is over. The backlog, rising waits, and new legal architecture suggest that applicants must be better prepared, more agile, and more informed than ever before.
If you have a pending application or intend to file, understanding these risks and adjusting accordingly could make the difference between approval and cancellation. Immigration is now not only about eligibility—but also about adaptability.
