7 New Visa
Rules That Could
End Your Canada Stay

1. Misrepresentation or False Information

• What It Means
  Providing inaccurate or incomplete details—or outright fraudulent documents—during your application or after arrival can make you inadmissible.
• Why It Matters
  If IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) finds you lied or withheld facts about your background (e.g., criminal history, educational credentials), your permit or visa can be revoked immediately.
• How to Avoid
  
  • Always disclose any relevant changes to IRCC (IRCC Disclosure Requirements).
  • Double-check your application for accuracy before submitting.

2. Suspected Overstay

• What It Means
  Canada wants to ensure visitors, students, and workers leave the country once their authorized period ends.
• Why It Matters
  If an officer believes you have no intention of departing when your visa expires, your temporary status might be canceled—even if it was previously approved.
• How to Avoid
  
  • Demonstrate ties to your home country (e.g., property, employment).
  • Renew or extend your permit well before it expires (How to Extend Your Permit).

3. Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Documents

• What It Means
  If the passport containing your visa or eTA is lost or stolen, IRCC can cancel those documents to prevent unauthorized use.
• Why It Matters
  You could be barred from re-entering Canada if your canceled document is still listed as valid in the system.
• How to Avoid
  
  • Keep your passport and permits in a secure place.
  • Report any lost or stolen documents to authorities and IRCC immediately (Reporting Lost or Stolen Passports).

4. Transition to Permanent Residency

• What It Means
  Once you become a Permanent Resident (PR), any existing temporary permits—like a study or work permit—automatically lose validity.
• Why It Matters
  This is one cancellation you want—but you must be aware that you’ll no longer be under “temporary resident” rules.
• How to Avoid Confusion
  
  • Once you have your Confirmation of PR, all your temporary documents are effectively moot.
  • Check IRCC guidelines on transitioning from temporary to permanent status (IRCC PR Transition Guide).

5. Working or Studying Outside Permit Conditions

• What It Means
  Canada issues work and study permits with specific conditions. Violating these—such as working off-campus beyond permitted hours, or working for an unauthorized employer—can trigger cancellation.
• Why It Matters
  IRCC closely monitors compliance, particularly for international students (through designated learning institutions) and temporary foreign workers (through employer compliance reviews).
• How to Avoid
  
  • Understand your permit limits: how many hours you can work, who you can work for, or whether you must remain enrolled full-time.
  • If conditions change (e.g., a new job), consider applying for a permit amendment (Changing Permit Conditions).

6. Administrative or Clerical Errors

• What It Means
  Sometimes, errors happen: an officer might issue a permit with the wrong expiration date or incorrect personal information.
• Why It Matters
  If IRCC realizes a mistake in issuing your document, they can cancel or correct it, potentially altering your legal status.
• How to Avoid
  
  • Check all permit details for accuracy as soon as you receive them.
  • Report discrepancies immediately to IRCC (Correcting Visa Errors).

7. Criminal or Health Inadmissibility Changes

• What It Means
  A new criminal charge or a health condition deemed high-risk can make you inadmissible under Canadian law—even if your permit was valid when originally issued.
• Why It Matters
  If IRCC learns of your altered admissibility status, they can cancel your visa and potentially order you to leave Canada.
• How to Avoid
  
  • Stay updated on any changes to your criminal or health status that IRCC might consider relevant.
  • When in doubt, consult a legal professional to determine if you must disclose new concerns (Legal Counsel Directory).