Canada's Immigration Challenge: What Happens When 5 Million Visas Expire?

Canada is facing a significant challenge as nearly 5 million people with temporary resident visas are set to have their permits or visas expire by December 2025. The big question is: will these individuals have to leave Canada soon? If they don’t leave, will they be deported? This issue is making headlines, and there are a lot of questions about what will happen next.

What is the Government's Plan?

Recently, Immigration Minister Marc Miller spoke before an Immigration Committee to address these concerns. The government has started focusing not only on permanent residency but also on temporary residents, like students and workers. The committee asked many important questions about the future of these individuals whose permits have expired.

However, deporting 5 million people all at once is not a simple task. The Canadian government must follow its laws and procedures, which makes it a complex issue. Here's a breakdown of the key points discussed:

1. Most Will Leave Voluntarily

One of the main points is that many people whose permits have expired will likely leave Canada on their own. After their permits expire, their purpose for staying in the country is over, so many will return to their home countries voluntarily.

2. What If They Don’t Leave Voluntarily?

If people don’t leave on their own, the government could take action. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would be responsible for tracking down those who have overstayed their permits. But with 5 million people to manage, this would be a huge task. Is it even practical to deport so many people? The answer is unclear, and the government is still figuring out how to handle this challenge.

3. The Asylum Route

For those who don't want to leave, some may file for asylum. This allows individuals to claim they are in danger in their home country and need protection in Canada. While this process is meant for those facing serious threats, some people misuse it to stay in the country longer.

Between January and September 2024, over 32,000 asylum claims were filed, a big jump from previous years. This increase is due to the fact that asylum seekers can stay in Canada and even work while waiting for a decision. The process takes years—around four years on average—so many people choose to file asylum claims to extend their stay.

Risks of Misusing Asylum

It’s important to note that asylum should not be misused. People who make false claims risk being rejected and may be forced to leave Canada. If their claim is denied, they might not be allowed to return in the future, which could be a serious consequence.

What’s Next?

There is no clear solution yet. While some news outlets suggest that 5 million people could be forced to leave, deporting such a large number isn’t practical. We will have to wait and see what steps the Canadian government takes in the coming months.

Conclusion

With study and work permits expiring and the pressure of an upcoming election, Canada is facing a tough challenge. The government needs to find a way to ensure that no one stays in the country illegally while addressing the needs of those who have overstayed their visas. It’s a complicated issue, and we’ll have to watch closely to see how it unfolds.