Canada has approved sweeping amendments to its immigration and border security laws through Bill C-12, according to information issued by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment of Pakistan. The legislation, known as the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, alters how refugee claims and asylum applications are handled. It also changes how government departments share information and how immigration authorities operate.
The bureau said the reforms cover four major areas and could affect refugees, permanent residency applicants, workers and international students hoping to travel to Canada.
New powers to suspend visas and applications
Under the new law, the Canadian government can temporarily pause the acceptance or processing of new applications for work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations and permanent residency. The pause can be imposed on public interest grounds. Immigration officers have also gained formal legal authority to suspend or cancel visas and immigration documents already issued. This applies where there are concerns about national security, fraud or the integrity of the immigration system.
Stricter asylum deadlines and eligibility rules
The legislation brings new eligibility requirements and firmer deadlines for refugee claims. People who entered Canada after 24 June 2020 must file their asylum claims within one year of arriving. Claims filed after that window may be ruled ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
Individuals who cross into Canada from the United States at unofficial land crossings face a shorter limit of 14 days. Those who miss it may not have their cases sent to the IRB for consideration. The law also allows asylum claims to be treated as abandoned or withdrawn in certain situations. These include when applicants leave Canada and return to their home country, or when they fail to attend required interviews or provide requested documents.
Wider information sharing between agencies
The law also permits greater information exchange between Canadian departments and agencies. Authorities may share applicants’ personal details, including immigration status and passport information, to identify suspected fraud, misrepresentation and possible misuse of the immigration system.
Taken together, the changes mark a significant tightening of Canada’s immigration and refugee framework. They expand government oversight and set stricter conditions for people seeking protection in the country.
