Canada’s efforts to rein in temporary immigration levels translated into a sharp uptick in enforced departures this year. Data released by the Canada Border Services Agency and analysed by *Business Standard* show 18,969 removals in 2025, including 8,982 formal deportations—the highest number since records began in 1993.
The spike coincides with new “maintained-status” limits that require many foreign workers and students to leave Canada if their extensions are not approved within 90 days. CBSA officials said streamlined digital matching of exit data with immigration files helped flag overstays more quickly. Ontario and British Columbia accounted for over half of all removals, reflecting the concentration of temporary residents in those provinces.
For individuals and employers navigating this shifting landscape, services like VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork side of status maintenance. The online platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers up-to-date visa guidance, renewal reminders, and document-submission tools for work-permit or study-permit holders, reducing the risk of inadvertent overstays.
![CBSA Records Nearly 19,000 Removals in 2025 as Canada Tightens Visa Rules]()
For employers, the trend underscores the importance of timely work-permit renewals and compliance audits. HR departments running global mobility programmes should expect more proactive site visits and should keep redundancy plans for key foreign staff whose status may lapse. Companies found employing individuals without valid authorisation face fines up to C$50,000 per infraction under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Demographers noted that the removals contributed to Canada’s first population decline since 1946; Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 42,000 residents in Q3 alone. The government maintains that tougher enforcement is necessary to make room for higher-skilled permanent immigrants under the 2026-28 Levels Plan.
Advocacy groups, however, warn that accelerated deportations may discourage international students and harm Canada’s reputation as a welcoming destination. They are calling for expanded bridging open work permits to prevent status gaps while PR applications are processed.
The spike coincides with new “maintained-status” limits that require many foreign workers and students to leave Canada if their extensions are not approved within 90 days. CBSA officials said streamlined digital matching of exit data with immigration files helped flag overstays more quickly. Ontario and British Columbia accounted for over half of all removals, reflecting the concentration of temporary residents in those provinces.
For individuals and employers navigating this shifting landscape, services like VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork side of status maintenance. The online platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers up-to-date visa guidance, renewal reminders, and document-submission tools for work-permit or study-permit holders, reducing the risk of inadvertent overstays.
For employers, the trend underscores the importance of timely work-permit renewals and compliance audits. HR departments running global mobility programmes should expect more proactive site visits and should keep redundancy plans for key foreign staff whose status may lapse. Companies found employing individuals without valid authorisation face fines up to C$50,000 per infraction under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Demographers noted that the removals contributed to Canada’s first population decline since 1946; Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 42,000 residents in Q3 alone. The government maintains that tougher enforcement is necessary to make room for higher-skilled permanent immigrants under the 2026-28 Levels Plan.
Advocacy groups, however, warn that accelerated deportations may discourage international students and harm Canada’s reputation as a welcoming destination. They are calling for expanded bridging open work permits to prevent status gaps while PR applications are processed.
