Immigration Experts Warn of Massive Application Cancellations Across Canada

Canada’s immigration system is under growing pressure in 2025 as delays, backlogs, and new legislation spark fears of mass cancellations. Immigration lawyer Steven Meurrens has warned that the federal government could be preparing to cancel large numbers of pending applications through Bill C-12, a proposed law that would expand the powers of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

“I think it is becoming increasingly likely,” Meurrens said, noting that the government’s silence may be deliberate. He believes Ottawa’s quiet approach is meant to avoid public panic while the legislation moves forward.

Mounting Delays Across the System
Processing times have worsened sharply since mid-2024. Applications that once took months now take years. Citizenship approvals that previously took eight months now require thirteen. Family sponsorships have nearly doubled in time. Even “fast-track” programs, like the Atlantic Immigration Program, now stretch from six months to more than three years.

Temporary residents face the same struggle. A work permit renewal now takes over seven months, and visitor visas from India take more than triple the previous waiting period. Ottawa blames these delays on capacity limits and reduced intake goals, but many experts say the explanation only deepens concern.

When the government lowers intake targets without speeding up processing, the backlog grows. Critics fear this could make mass cancellations seem like the easiest political solution.

History Could Repeat Itself
The fear is not unfounded. In 2012, the federal government cancelled about 280,000 pending skilled worker applications filed before 2008. Many people who had waited years for decisions suddenly saw their files erased. A similar move in 2014 scrapped investor and entrepreneur programs.

Bill C-12 could give IRCC similar authority. If passed, it would let the minister cancel or defer groups of applications for reasons such as “public interest” or “operational needs.” Those terms remain undefined, worrying many that such powers could be used broadly.

Human Impact of the Delays
Behind every number is a personal story. Families remain apart, students lose study seats, and caregivers face decade-long waits. Spouses waiting inside Canada often live in uncertainty for nearly two years. Parents and grandparents face waits of almost four years to reunite with family.

For international workers, delayed permits mean lost jobs and missed start dates. Employers in key sectors like tech, health care, and agriculture say they are losing global talent. Many applicants describe living with constant anxiety, depending on temporary documents while waiting endlessly for a decision.

Government Defends Transparency
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab says IRCC aims to “restore balance” in the system. Her office insists that publishing processing times shows transparency and accountability. Yet applicants say openness without improvement means little. “Restoring balance,” they argue, has so far meant fewer approvals, not faster results.

Experts suggest Ottawa must take firm action—hiring more staff, improving technology, and guaranteeing that accepted applications cannot be wiped out. Without that, they warn, trust in Canada’s immigration system will continue to erode.