On January 31, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented updates to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. These amendments provide immigration and border services officers with greater authority to cancel temporary resident documents, reinforcing the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

Key Changes to Temporary Resident Document Regulations

The updated regulations grant officers explicit authority to cancel electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs) on a case-by-case basis under specific circumstances, including when:

• A change in a person’s status or circumstances renders them inadmissible or ineligible (e.g., providing false information, having a criminal record, or being deceased).
• An officer is not satisfied that the individual will leave Canada by the end of their authorized stay.
• The document is lost, stolen, destroyed, or abandoned.

Additionally, officers can now cancel TRVs, eTAs, work permits, and study permits in situations where:

• The individual has become a permanent resident.
• The document holder is deceased.
• The document was issued due to an administrative error.

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Enhancing Security and Program Integrity

These changes are designed to improve the effectiveness of Canada’s temporary residence programs and bolster security both at the border and within the country. By giving officers more explicit cancellation powers, the government aims to prevent misuse of immigration documents and ensure compliance with Canadian immigration laws.

The amendments are officially published in the Canada Gazette II and mark another step in IRCC’s ongoing efforts to enhance immigration processes, invest in security tools, and protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.