Canada Tightens Visa Approvals Amid Rising Rejection Rates

Canada is increasing rejections of foreign travelers and issuing fewer visas, especially temporary resident ones. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government faces electoral pressure and blames migrants for housing issues. Immigration and border officers are displaying a growing hesitation to admit newcomers, reflecting public sentiment.

Canada is closing its doors to more visitors and temporary residents by approving fewer visas and turning away more people who reach its borders with official documents, according to government data obtained by Reuters. The spike in rejections of foreign travelers comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government, trailing in polls ahead of an election expected next year, tries to lower the numbers of temporary residents - and possibly permanent immigrants. Migrants have been blamed for the shortage and high prices of housing.

Canadians have prided themselves on embracing newcomers, but polls show a growing number say Canada is admitting too many immigrants. That stance is filtering down to border and immigration officers, observers say. In July, Canada refused entry to 5,853 foreign travelers, who were 'allowed to leave,' as Canada puts it, and who include students, workers, and tourists. This is the most since at least January 2019, according to border agency data that has not been previously reported. Border officers turned away 3,727 foreign travelers per month on average through the first seven months of 2024, an increase of 633 people or 20% from a year earlier.

Separately, officers deemed 285 visa-holders inadmissible in July, also the most in any month since at least January 2019, the data showed. A Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson said changes in findings of inadmissibility can be caused by migration patterns or policy changes and are decided case by case. CBSA did not identify any specific policy changes. 'The CBSA's role, policy, and practice has always been to assess the admissibility of persons coming to Canada. This has not changed,' the spokesperson said.

(With inputs from agencies.)