Ankara: Canada is seeking new powers to revoke a substantial number of visas due to concerns about fraudulent applications originating from India and Bangladesh. This development was reported by CBC News, which cited internal government documents as its source.
According to Anadolu Agency, the documents reveal that the Canadian Immigration Department, in collaboration with the Border Services Agency and unidentified US partners, has been working to identify and cancel suspicious visitor visa applications. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to address what the departmental presentation to the immigration minister's office described as 'country-specific challenges,' particularly concerning India and Bangladesh.
The proposal for these powers is outlined in Bill C-12, which is a section of Canada's comprehensive border and immigration reform legislation. The government has emphasized the need for parliament to adopt the bill swiftly to enhance security measures and curb potential misuse of the visa system. Immigration Minister Lena Diab highlighted that the primary objective of this authority is to manage emergencies such as pandemics or conflicts, without singling out any particular countries.
The CBC report also noted an increase in fraudulent visa applications from India, with asylum claims by Indian nationals rising significantly. In May 2023, fewer than 500 claims were filed monthly, escalating to around 2,000 by July 2024. This surge has led to prolonged processing times, with temporary resident visa applications from India taking 54 days, up from 30 days a year earlier. Consequently, visa approvals saw a decline, dropping from over 63,000 in January to approximately 48,000 by June 2024.
The Immigration Department assured CBC that the proposed authority is not intended to target any specific nationality, and all actions will be compliant with Canadian law. The department also emphasized that Canada has implemented 'concrete steps' to mitigate fraudulent visa activity and illegal border crossings, including enhanced scrutiny of visa applications from countries with high rates of abuse.