In recent months, many Indian migrants in Canada have found themselves in a troubling situation: their work permits are expiring, and renewals are delayed, leaving them unable to work or access essential services. This silent crackdown is causing significant distress among the Indian community across Canada, creating uncertainty for thousands of individuals and families who once thought they had found stability.
The Growing Problem
Thousands of Indian nationals working in Canada, particularly under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, are losing their legal work status. This issue stems from significant delays in processing Labour Market Impact Assessments ( LMIAs), which are crucial for work permit renewals. Processing times have almost tripled over the past year, going from about 58 business days to nearly 165 business days by early 2025.
Because of these massive delays, many migrants are stuck in a state of limbo. They are unable to work legally, unable to access healthcare, and in some cases, unable to continue paying their bills or supporting their families. While they have dutifully paid taxes and contributed to the Canadian economy, the administrative backlog has left them vulnerable. Some have been forced to find work in the underground economy, where they risk exploitation and loss of legal protections.
A Shift in Immigration Policy
Canada's immigration system has historically been praised for being open and welcoming. However, recent changes reflect a growing shift towards more restrictive policies. In response to concerns that an influx of migrants was straining public services, the Canadian government has adopted quieter, administrative measures to control migration numbers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has already announced reductions in immigration targets. Plans to admit around 500,000 permanent residents each year have been scaled back to approximately 395,000 for 2025, with gradual declines expected over the next few years. In practice, this means that fewer temporary workers are being transitioned to permanent residency, and more are quietly losing their legal status without much public acknowledgment.
Rather than mass deportations or headline-making raids, the government's strategy relies on slowdowns, processing delays, and rule changes that encourage migrants to leave voluntarily once their permits expire.
Devi Acharya's Story
The story of Devi Acharya illustrates the human cost of these policy shifts. Devi moved to British Columbia from India with her husband and son in October 2022. She found a housekeeping job at a hotel and even purchased a home, believing she was building a stable future in Canada. In September 2024, Devi applied for a new LMIA through her employer to extend her work permit. Months passed without any response. By the time her permit expired, she was not legally allowed to work. Tragically, Devi suffered a miscarriage in early 2025 but was afraid to seek medical attention because she had lost access to publicly funded healthcare and feared the costs she could not afford.
Devi’s case is not unique. Many Indian migrants now face similar hardships, balancing the fear of being without legal status with the urgent need to survive.
Understanding the LMIA Process
An LMIA is a document that Canadian employers must obtain if they want to hire a foreign worker. The assessment confirms that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact Canadian workers. Without a positive LMIA, a foreign worker cannot apply to renew their work permit.
The LMIA process was already considered bureaucratic and slow even before the current crisis. Now, with wait times stretching into half a year or more, many migrants are trapped. Their work permits expire before they can even submit renewal applications or receive a decision. Without a valid permit, they are stripped of the legal right to work, health coverage, and in many cases, their sense of security.
Changes to Family Work Permits
To make matters even more difficult, Canada introduced tighter restrictions on open work permits for the family members of temporary residents beginning January 2025. Now, only spouses of certain skilled international students and workers are eligible. This change impacts Indian migrants who had hoped to bring their spouses or dependents to Canada under more flexible rules.
For many families, these changes mean making painful decisions about separation, uprooting children from schools, or returning to uncertain futures in India.
How to Stay Compliant
Given the difficult situation, Indian migrants must take extra care to stay compliant with Canadian immigration laws. Migrants must closely monitor their application status at all times. Even slight delays in submitting documents or missing a communication from authorities can result in loss of status. It is crucial to apply for extensions well before the expiry date of current work permits. Early action allows applicants to maintain implied status, which lets them continue working legally while their new permit is processed.
Seeking professional advice is another important step. Licensed immigration consultants and lawyers are trained to deal with these complicated scenarios and can help navigate options that individuals may not even be aware of. Migrants must also avoid working without a valid permit, even if opportunities are available. Unauthorized work can lead to serious consequences, including removal orders and being barred from re-entering Canada for several years.
Finally, staying updated on the latest immigration news and policy changes through official sources is essential. Information changes rapidly, and being caught unaware can be extremely costly.
The silent crackdown on Indian migrants in Canada is a stark reminder that immigration policies can shift quickly, leaving vulnerable communities exposed. While Canada’s reputation as a migrant-friendly country remains, the reality on the ground is becoming much tougher for those seeking to build a future there. For Indian migrants, the key to navigating these uncertain times lies in staying proactive, informed, and compliant. Acting early, seeking legal guidance, and keeping a close eye on policy developments can make the difference between maintaining a life in Canada or being forced to leave it all behind. By understanding the challenges and preparing accordingly, migrants can better protect their futures and continue contributing to Canadian society despite the growing obstacles.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com)
The Growing Problem
Thousands of Indian nationals working in Canada, particularly under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, are losing their legal work status. This issue stems from significant delays in processing Labour Market Impact Assessments ( LMIAs), which are crucial for work permit renewals. Processing times have almost tripled over the past year, going from about 58 business days to nearly 165 business days by early 2025.
Because of these massive delays, many migrants are stuck in a state of limbo. They are unable to work legally, unable to access healthcare, and in some cases, unable to continue paying their bills or supporting their families. While they have dutifully paid taxes and contributed to the Canadian economy, the administrative backlog has left them vulnerable. Some have been forced to find work in the underground economy, where they risk exploitation and loss of legal protections.
A Shift in Immigration Policy
Canada's immigration system has historically been praised for being open and welcoming. However, recent changes reflect a growing shift towards more restrictive policies. In response to concerns that an influx of migrants was straining public services, the Canadian government has adopted quieter, administrative measures to control migration numbers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has already announced reductions in immigration targets. Plans to admit around 500,000 permanent residents each year have been scaled back to approximately 395,000 for 2025, with gradual declines expected over the next few years. In practice, this means that fewer temporary workers are being transitioned to permanent residency, and more are quietly losing their legal status without much public acknowledgment.
Rather than mass deportations or headline-making raids, the government's strategy relies on slowdowns, processing delays, and rule changes that encourage migrants to leave voluntarily once their permits expire.
Devi Acharya's Story
The story of Devi Acharya illustrates the human cost of these policy shifts. Devi moved to British Columbia from India with her husband and son in October 2022. She found a housekeeping job at a hotel and even purchased a home, believing she was building a stable future in Canada. In September 2024, Devi applied for a new LMIA through her employer to extend her work permit. Months passed without any response. By the time her permit expired, she was not legally allowed to work. Tragically, Devi suffered a miscarriage in early 2025 but was afraid to seek medical attention because she had lost access to publicly funded healthcare and feared the costs she could not afford.
Devi’s case is not unique. Many Indian migrants now face similar hardships, balancing the fear of being without legal status with the urgent need to survive.
Understanding the LMIA Process
An LMIA is a document that Canadian employers must obtain if they want to hire a foreign worker. The assessment confirms that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact Canadian workers. Without a positive LMIA, a foreign worker cannot apply to renew their work permit.
The LMIA process was already considered bureaucratic and slow even before the current crisis. Now, with wait times stretching into half a year or more, many migrants are trapped. Their work permits expire before they can even submit renewal applications or receive a decision. Without a valid permit, they are stripped of the legal right to work, health coverage, and in many cases, their sense of security.
Changes to Family Work Permits
To make matters even more difficult, Canada introduced tighter restrictions on open work permits for the family members of temporary residents beginning January 2025. Now, only spouses of certain skilled international students and workers are eligible. This change impacts Indian migrants who had hoped to bring their spouses or dependents to Canada under more flexible rules.
For many families, these changes mean making painful decisions about separation, uprooting children from schools, or returning to uncertain futures in India.
How to Stay Compliant
Given the difficult situation, Indian migrants must take extra care to stay compliant with Canadian immigration laws. Migrants must closely monitor their application status at all times. Even slight delays in submitting documents or missing a communication from authorities can result in loss of status. It is crucial to apply for extensions well before the expiry date of current work permits. Early action allows applicants to maintain implied status, which lets them continue working legally while their new permit is processed.
Seeking professional advice is another important step. Licensed immigration consultants and lawyers are trained to deal with these complicated scenarios and can help navigate options that individuals may not even be aware of. Migrants must also avoid working without a valid permit, even if opportunities are available. Unauthorized work can lead to serious consequences, including removal orders and being barred from re-entering Canada for several years.
Finally, staying updated on the latest immigration news and policy changes through official sources is essential. Information changes rapidly, and being caught unaware can be extremely costly.
The silent crackdown on Indian migrants in Canada is a stark reminder that immigration policies can shift quickly, leaving vulnerable communities exposed. While Canada’s reputation as a migrant-friendly country remains, the reality on the ground is becoming much tougher for those seeking to build a future there. For Indian migrants, the key to navigating these uncertain times lies in staying proactive, informed, and compliant. Acting early, seeking legal guidance, and keeping a close eye on policy developments can make the difference between maintaining a life in Canada or being forced to leave it all behind. By understanding the challenges and preparing accordingly, migrants can better protect their futures and continue contributing to Canadian society despite the growing obstacles.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com)
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