In response to increasing pressures on its border systems and immigration pathways, Canada has rolled out an extensive set of reforms aimed at securing its borders, deterring misuse of its visa systems, and restoring public confidence in its immigration policies.
The federal government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has implemented or proposed multiple high-impact measures in 2024 and 2025. These changes reflect a shift toward tighter screening, data sharing, enforcement, and fraud prevention—developments that have wide-reaching implications for foreign nationals, including Filipino temporary workers, students, and visa applicants.
Reducing Irregular Border Crossings and Misuse of the System
IRCC has focused on minimizing illegal entry and visa system abuse through three major strategies:
- Expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA):
In partnership with the United States, Canada extended the STCA to cover the entire land border and internal waterways. As a result, irregular asylum claims dropped from an average of 165 per day in March 2023 to just 12 per day thereafter. - Visa Requirements for Mexican Nationals:
A partial visa requirement was introduced to address the surge in asylum claims from Mexican citizens—most of which were either refused, withdrawn, or abandoned. This policy led to a 97% reduction in asylum claims from Mexican nationals at Canadian airports. It also reduced illegal southbound crossings from Canada into the U.S. by 72% compared to 2023. - Ending Flagpoling at Ports of Entry:
The long-standing practice of “flagpoling”—when temporary residents exit and re-enter Canada to process permit renewals at the border—was formally ended on December 24, 2024. Since then, flagpoling cases dropped by 86%, saving between 4,000 to 8,000 workdays for U.S. border enforcement agencies. - Enhancing Information Sharing and Screening
In 2025, IRCC is expanding its data-sharing capabilities with the U.S. and enhancing the screening of foreign nationals:
- Automated information sharing on eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) applicants now incorporates U.S. data.
- Immigration records for permanent residents of both countries will now be accessible to enforcement and screening agencies, improving detection of fraud and misrepresentation.
Crackdown on Fraud and Misuse of Visa Programs
Canada has intensified efforts to protect the integrity of its immigration streams through several impactful actions:
- Targeted scrutiny of visitor visa applications from countries with high abuse rates resulted in:
- An 89% decrease in illegal U.S. crossings by foreign nationals.
- A 61% rise in visitor visa refusals for high-risk countries.
- An 18% decline in asylum claims by Canadian visa holders (from 7,174 in October 2024 to 5,832 in November 2024).
- Abolition of automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas: Visa officers now assess the purpose, finances, and immigration history before issuing a single- or multiple-entry visa.
- Cancellation of the Visitor-to-Worker Public Policy: This program, frequently exploited by bad actors, has been discontinued to prevent misinformation and exploitation of vulnerable migrants.
- Reform of the Express Entry system: IRCC removed bonus points previously awarded to candidates with a Canadian job offer. This change aims to eliminate the black market for purchased Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) and enhance fairness.
Tighter Control Over Temporary Resident Admissions
To curb misuse and reduce backlogs, Canada introduced measures to manage temporary admissions:
- International Student Program reforms: IRCC now verifies letters of acceptance (LOAs) directly with Canadian institutions. This has led to a 91% drop in illegal U.S. crossings by Canadian study permit holders from June to December 2024.
- New anti-fraud measures targeting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, as well as tighter eligibility for:
- Temporary foreign workers
- Post-graduation work permits
- Work permits for spouses of international students and workers
Fighting Misinformation and Regulating Consultants
IRCC also launched two global awareness campaigns in 10 languages:
- One targeting study permit applicants
- Another addressing asylum system misinformation
These campaigns aim to prevent exploitation and ensure the public accesses truthful immigration guidance.
To further protect migrants, IRCC has proposed new regulatory powers for the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Drafted regulations published in the Canada Gazette include:
- Fines of up to $1.5 million for consultants, lawyers, or advisors who advise misrepresentation
- Expanded authority for the CICC to discipline unethical practitioners
- A compensation fund for victims of immigration fraud
Conclusion
These changes represent a significant shift in how Canada manages both its borders and its immigration programs. While many reforms are justified as necessary to protect national security and restore public trust, immigration professionals urge the public to remain informed—especially those with precarious status or
vulnerable circumstances.
As Canada tightens its policies, Filipino migrants and their families must stay updated, cautious of
misinformation, and seek advice from licensed professionals when pursuing immigration pathways.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com
A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not a legal advice. To ensure your interests are protected, retain, or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of CICC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCIC’s.
