n November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the instructions and guidance used by the IRCC staff, outlining regulatory provisions for the cancellation of visitor visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), work permits, and study permits.

Canada has long maintained stringent controls over admission and stays of non-citizens, but until now the rules governing cancellation of already-issued temporary resident documents lacked clear instructions.

The revised regulations provide IRCC officers with clearly defined provisions to cancel various temporary resident authorizations upon not meeting certain conditions.

It signals enhanced risk for noncompliance, overstays, eligibility shifts, or misrepresentation.

It also outlines clearer ground rules for when an existing immigration document that was once valid can be revoked.

Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) Cancellations Rules

Under IRPR 180.1 and 180.2, visa officers can now cancel TRVs based on seven discretionary grounds and four automatic grounds.

This provides the IRCC explicit and transparent authority to revoke a visa when eligibility, admissibility, or compliance issues arise after issuance.

Full list of updated Discretionary Grounds

1. Administrative Error: If the visa was issued due to an administrative error by an IRCC officer.
2. Inadmissibility: If the person becomes criminally or medically inadmissible after the visa is issued.
3. Eligibility Failure: If the individual did not meet one or more requirements of section 179 when the TRV was issued or no longer meets them (for instance, loss of employment that initially supported the visit).
4. Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) Issued Later: If a TRP is issued after the visa, the TRV can be cancelled to prevent dual conflicting statuses.
5. Failure to Depart: If the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the visitor will not leave Canada by the end of the authorized stay.
6. Subsequent Refusal: If the person is later refused an eTA, work permit, study permit, or another TRV, that refusal can justify cancellation of the earlier visa.
7. Security or Misrepresentation Declaration: If a declaration is made under section 22.1(1) of the Act for security or fraud concerns.

Automatic Cancellations (By Operation of Law)

A TRV is automatically cancelled if the holder:

• Becomes a permanent resident.
• Loses, destroys, or abandons the passport used for issuance.
• Passes away.

Real-World Example

A business visitor approved for a six-month TRV loses their job abroad, then applies for a work permit extension in Canada but is refused.

Under 180.1(e), the initial TRV may now be cancelled because a new refusal occurred, and the officer believes the individual may not leave Canada.

Another scenario: if the visa officer discovers that the applicant’s financial documentation was misrepresented, the TRV can be revoked on inadmissibility grounds even before entry.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Cancellation Rules

Sections 12.07 and 12.08 grant officers explicit cancellation authority over electronic travel authorizations—digital pre-screening approvals required for visa-exempt travellers to Canada.

Full list of updated Discretionary Grounds

1. Inadmissibility: If the traveller becomes inadmissible due to a new criminal record or medical condition.
2. Ineligibility: If the person becomes ineligible under section 12.06 (for example, no longer holds a valid passport from a visa-exempt country).
3. Administrative Error: If the eTA was issued in error, perhaps because of a technical glitch or incorrect passport number.

Automatic Cancellations

An eTA is automatically cancelled if the holder:

• Becomes a permanent resident of Canada.
• Loses, destroys, or abandons the passport associated with the eTA.
• Dies.

Real-World Example

A frequent traveller from France who previously obtained an eTA is later convicted of a serious criminal offence abroad.

Under 12.07(a), the eTA can now be cancelled due to criminal inadmissibility.

If the traveller renews their passport but fails to obtain a new eTA linked to that passport, the old one is automatically void under 12.08(b).

Study Permit (SP) Cancellation Rules

The authority to cancel study permits now appears explicitly under IRPR 222.7 and 222.8, which cover administrative error and operation-of-law grounds.

Discretionary Grounds

• Administrative Error: If IRCC determines that a study permit was issued mistakenly—perhaps due to an officer overlooking missing acceptance documents or eligibility criteria—it may be cancelled under section 222.7.

Automatic Cancellations

A study permit is automatically cancelled if the holder:

• Becomes a permanent resident (222.8(a)).
• Dies (222.8(b)).

Real-World Example

A college student’s permit was approved even though the designated learning institution (DLI) had been placed on a compliance hold and was no longer eligible to host international students.

Once the oversight is detected, IRCC may cancel the study permit under 222.7 for administrative error.

Another example is if IRCC later on finds that the language proficiency test or any other document was forged, then an officer can revoke the study permit.

The inclusion of explicit cancellation authority highlights IRCC’s increased scrutiny on compliance by both students and educational institutions.

Any changes in enrollment status, DLI validity, or study program authenticity could prompt review or cancellation.

Students should maintain active status, not engage in unauthorized work, and ensure that their institution remains eligible under IRCC’s DLI list.

Work Permit (WP) Cancellation Rules

Work permits are covered under IRPR 209.01 and 209.02. The former allows discretionary cancellation for administrative error similar to study permits.

Discretionary Grounds

• Administrative Error: If the permit was granted by mistake of an IRCC officer, for example, due to not verifying the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) number or not verifying if an employer was eligible, the work permit can be cancelled.

Automatic Cancellations

A work permit is automatically cancelled if the holder:

• Becomes a permanent resident (209.02(a)).
• Dies (209.02(b)).

Real-World Example

A temporary foreign worker was issued an employer-specific work permit referencing a company that the immigration department later found was not authorized under the Employer Compliance Regime.

If IRCC determines the permit was issued in error because an officer did not verify the details, the officer may cancel it under 209.01.

Another example is a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) holder who becomes a permanent resident via Express Entry; the PGWP is automatically voided upon landing, which is good news.