Canada’s border agency says 2,831 Indians were removed in 2025, but India’s MEA reports only 188 deportations from Canada. (File Photo)
Canada Immigration New Rules: Canada has rolled out a series of policy and regulatory shifts on January 1, 2026, ranging from study-permit reforms to labour rules in key provinces. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the measures are designed to “streamline pathways, improve workforce mobility, and prepare for new pilot initiatives.”
Here’s a breakdown of the five changes now in force and what they mean for prospective immigrants, including Indian applicants.
Graduate students exempt from attestation requirement
Master’s and PhD students no longer need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter. Students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programmes at public DLIs are no longer required to submit a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit.
Canada halts fresh Start-Up Visa submissions ahead of a new pilot program.
Officials say the exemption means graduate students are no longer counted under the provincial study-permit cap, with some doctoral candidates now eligible for expedited processing in as little as two weeks.
This eases entry for many Indian post-graduate aspirants, reducing up-front deposit costs and helping applicants proceed even when cap limits are reached.
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Start-Up Visa paused for new applicants
Canada halts fresh Start-Up Visa submissions ahead of a new pilot program. IRCC stopped accepting new Start-Up Visa (SUV) permanent-residence applications as of 11:59 pm on December 31 ,2025.
Only candidates who have already received a commitment certificate from a designated organisation in 2025 may still apply until June 30, 2026. New SUV-linked work permit applications have also been paused, although existing holders may still seek extensions.
The government says the pause supports a “transition to a new, targeted pilot for immigrant entrepreneurs” to be launched in 2026.
Indian startup founders without prior commitments will need to wait for the new pilot or explore provincial entrepreneur streams.
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Faster mobility for certified professionals in Ontario
Out-of-province workers can begin working within 10 business days. Ontario has activated its “As of Right” framework, giving certified professionals from other Canadian provinces the ability to work in Ontario within 10 business days of credential validation for up to six months while they obtain local authorisation.
The rule applies to over 50 regulators and 300 designations, including engineers, architects, electricians and select healthcare roles.
Ban on ‘Canadian work experience’ in job postings
Employers are barred from demanding Canadian experience as a hiring condition. From January 1, 2026, Ontario has enforced changes under the Employment Standards Act prohibiting employers from listing “Canadian work experience” as a mandatory requirement in job ads or application forms. The reforms also introduce new transparency rules, including disclosure when AI tools are used in hiring.
Travellers at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia. REUTERS File/Jennifer Gauthier
This is expected to support newcomers and recent arrivals, particularly internationally trained Indian professionals facing entry-barriers in their fields
Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments.
A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences.
Experience
Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting.
At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways.
Expertise
Her core areas of reporting include:
• Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information.
• Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments.
• Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities.
Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration.
Authoritativeness and trustworthiness
Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More
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Canada’s border agency says 2,831 Indians were removed in 2025, but India’s MEA reports only 188 deportations from Canada. (File Photo) 
