It was supposed to be the start of a new life. Like many others, Ravi arrived in Canada on a visitor visa, his heart filled with hope and excitement. As the pandemic locked borders and halted flights, Ravi found himself stuck in a foreign land. But when Canada introduced a temporary policy allowing visitor visa holders to apply for work permits without leaving the country, it seemed like a golden opportunity. For Ravi, this policy meant survival; it meant the chance to work legally and build a life in Canada, even as the world outside remained in turmoil.

Fast forward to today, and Ravi’s dreams, like those of many others, have been abruptly shattered. The Canadian government has announced the end of this very policy, leaving countless people in limbo and sparking a wave of anxiety and unrest, especially among international students who are already grappling with new immigration reforms.

In a surprising move, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated on Wednesday that the policy allowing visitors to apply for work permits within Canada would be discontinued immediately. This change, initially set to expire in February 2025, is part of a broader effort to manage the number of temporary residents and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.

Introduced in August 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy aimed to help stranded visitors who could not return home due to closed borders. It allowed them to work legally while waiting for decisions on new work permit applications. However, the IRCC has now expressed concerns that the policy was being exploited by bad actors to mislead foreign nationals into unauthorized work.

For many, this announcement comes at a particularly challenging time. Just days ago, tens of thousands of international students flooded the streets in protest against new immigration measures that could result in the deportation of around 70,000 students. With international students making up 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada, these reforms have hit hard, especially as the government seeks to reduce the intake of foreign students by 35 percent to address issues like housing shortages and unemployment.

In addition to ending the work permit policy for visitors, the Canadian government had already tightened other immigration rules earlier this year. In June, they announced that foreign nationals could no longer apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the border, a decision that has only deepened fears among international students about their future in the country. Advocacy groups like the Naujawan Support Network warn that many graduates may face deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year.

As Canada grapples with these sweeping changes, the effects on its immigrant population are profound and far-reaching. For those like Ravi, the dream of a better life in Canada has become uncertain, raising questions about the future of immigration in a country known for its welcoming stance.