Canada rejects more visa applications from tourists, students and workers

Canada is increasingly restricting access by issuing fewer visas to tourists, students and workers and turning away more visitors with valid documents, according to recent data seen by Reuters. The rise in rejections coincides with a strategy by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to reduce the influx of temporary and possibly permanent residents. Concerns stem from a housing shortage, which has been blamed on migrants.

Canada’s traditionally welcoming attitude toward newcomers is changing, with public opinion now tending to believe that the country is accepting too many immigrants. This shift appears to be affecting immigration and border policies. In July, Canada turned away 5,853 foreign travellers, including tourists, students and workers, the highest monthly total since January 2019.

Border officials averaged 3,727 rejections per month in the first seven months of 2024, a 20% increase from a year earlier, Reuters reported.

Additionally, in July, 285 visa holders were deemed inadmissible, the most since 2019. A Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson told Reuters that such decisions are influenced by migration trends and policy adjustments, although no specific policy changes were highlighted.

Read also: Canada ends policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within the country

The immigration department is approving fewer visas and the ratio of denied visitor visa applications to those approved was the highest in June since the peak of the pandemic, with more denials than approvals in several months of 2024. Study and work permit approvals have also declined from recent highs. Immigration Minister Marc Miller said in August that Canadians expect a well-run immigration system.

Miller’s office attributed the drop in study permit approvals to a cap implemented in January, although the decline began last year. Reports from eight lawyers indicate increased scrutiny of visa holders at borders. British Columbia lawyer Will Tao told Reuters that some clients faced harsh questioning and were advised to return or risk deportation, reflecting a notable shift in government policy.

Another person cited by Reuters experienced the tightening of controls first-hand when he was barred from entry while travelling from Paris to Toronto last September. Despite having his visa cancelled and being sent back to Accra, he remains optimistic about Canada and may try to visit again in the future. Gideon Christian of the University of Calgary criticised the practice of issuing visas that are not honoured and questioned the logic of such admissions.

(With contributions from Reuters)