Canada tightened its immigration policies in 2024, rejecting 2.36 million temporary resident applications, including visitor visas, study permits, and work permits The government introduced these measures to reduce pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services while addressing concerns about visa overstays and fraud Stricter eligibility criteria and caps on study and work permits have significantly impacted international students and foreign workers seeking entry into the country Ottawa, Canada – The Canadian Government announced significant changes to its immigration policies aimed at reducing the number of temporary residents entering the country.

According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 2.36 million temporary resident applications were rejected in 2024. The measures, which include stricter eligibility criteria and caps on certain visa categories, are part of efforts to alleviate pressure on housing, infrastructure, and social services. Visa categories affected by rejections The rejection rates impacted three major visa categories:

Canada turned down 1.95 million applications in 2024, a sharp increase compared to previous years. Study Permits: 290,317 international student applications were rejected, with a refusal rate of 52%. Work Permits: 115,549 applications were denied, reflecting tighter controls on foreign labour entry. Reasons behind policy changes The IRCC stated that the surge in temporary residents following the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased pressure on housing, healthcare, and public services. The new policies aim to stabilise population growth and ensure resources are allocated effectively. Officials also cited concerns over visa overstays and fraud, particularly within the International Student Program, where nearly 50,000 students were found not actively enrolled in schools. Impact on International students and workers International students have been particularly affected by reforms, including caps on study permits and stricter financial requirements. Applicants must now provide proof of income and undergo rigorous verification processes to prevent fraud. Similarly, work permits are being limited to address labour shortages in key sectors like healthcare, construction, and tourism.

Economic and social implications Experts have noted both positive and negative impacts of the policy changes. On the one hand, reducing temporary residents is expected to ease the burden on housing and healthcare systems, improving service delivery. On the other hand, Canada’s ageing population and economic realities may pose challenges in the long term, particularly in sectors reliant on foreign workers.
Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area, located in North America and bordered by the United States to the south. Known for its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and lakes, the country also has vibrant multicultural cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Canada is recognised for its high quality of life, progressive policies, and a welcoming attitude towards immigrants, making it a popular destination for international students, workers, and travellers alike. UK government to increase passport fee, mentions new price

Canada announces new policy to help Nigerians, others to study without a permit Legit.ng earlier reported that the UK Government confirmed changes to passport application fees set to take effect on April 10th, 2025, pending parliamentary approval. According to the Home Office, these adjustments will impact both domestic and overseas applications, affecting adults and children alike. The fee increases are part of a broader initiative aimed at making the passport system financially self-reliant, thereby reducing its dependence on general tax funding. Read

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Canada tightened its immigration policies in 2024, rejecting 2.36 million temporary resident applications, including visitor visas, study permits, and work permits The government introduced these measures to reduce pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services while addressing concerns about visa overstays and fraud Stricter eligibility criteria and caps on study and work permits have significantly impacted international students and foreign workers seeking entry into the country Ottawa, Canada – The Canadian Government announced significant changes to its immigration policies aimed at reducing the number of temporary residents entering the country.

According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 2.36 million temporary resident applications were rejected in 2024. The measures, which include stricter eligibility criteria and caps on certain visa categories, are part of efforts to alleviate pressure on housing, infrastructure, and social services. Visa categories affected by rejections The rejection rates impacted three major visa categories:

Canada turned down 1.95 million applications in 2024, a sharp increase compared to previous years. Study Permits: 290,317 international student applications were rejected, with a refusal rate of 52%. Work Permits: 115,549 applications were denied, reflecting tighter controls on foreign labour entry. Reasons behind policy changes The IRCC stated that the surge in temporary residents following the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased pressure on housing, healthcare, and public services. The new policies aim to stabilise population growth and ensure resources are allocated effectively. Officials also cited concerns over visa overstays and fraud, particularly within the International Student Program, where nearly 50,000 students were found not actively enrolled in schools. Impact on International students and workers International students have been particularly affected by reforms, including caps on study permits and stricter financial requirements. Applicants must now provide proof of income and undergo rigorous verification processes to prevent fraud. Similarly, work permits are being limited to address labour shortages in key sectors like healthcare, construction, and tourism.

Economic and social implications Experts have noted both positive and negative impacts of the policy changes. On the one hand, reducing temporary residents is expected to ease the burden on housing and healthcare systems, improving service delivery. On the other hand, Canada’s ageing population and economic realities may pose challenges in the long term, particularly in sectors reliant on foreign workers.
Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area, located in North America and bordered by the United States to the south. Known for its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, and lakes, the country also has vibrant multicultural cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Canada is recognised for its high quality of life, progressive policies, and a welcoming attitude towards immigrants, making it a popular destination for international students, workers, and travellers alike. UK government to increase passport fee, mentions new price

Canada announces new policy to help Nigerians, others to study without a permit Legit.ng earlier reported that the UK Government confirmed changes to passport application fees set to take effect on April 10th, 2025, pending parliamentary approval. According to the Home Office, these adjustments will impact both domestic and overseas applications, affecting adults and children alike. The fee increases are part of a broader initiative aimed at making the passport system financially self-reliant, thereby reducing its dependence on general tax funding. Read

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SIU head Andy Mothibi made the announcement at the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum a short while ago.
JOHANNESBURG - The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says over 100 irregularly awarded study visas have been flagged to be revoked.
SIU head Andy Mothibi made the announcement at the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum on Tuesday.
The forum, which is a partnership between Home Affairs and the SIU, comes as South Africa's borders are known for their porosity.
Mothibi said they are currently investigating specific visas.
“We know that we have to follow legal process to really have those ultimately revoked, but this really shows the importance of going and diving deep into investigations and finding areas where the process will be set by fraud and corruption.”

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Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has announced a crackdown targeting corruption within the immigration sector and his department.
• Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has announced a crackdown targeting corruption within the immigration sector and his department.
• Since November, the crackdown has led to 27 dismissals at Home Affairs.
• A legal breakthrough in disciplinary hearings now allows external chairpersons to enhance impartiality and accountability across the government.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is taking on corrupt officials who abuse the department's systems.

Speaking at the launch of the Border and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum in Pretoria on Tuesday, Schreiber said additional processes were under way following the invocation of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.

The act recently led to the revocation of South African citizenship that was irregularly granted to a Gupta family member.

"The sum total of this work represents the biggest and most decisive crackdown on corruption to date in the immigration sector.

"By working together every day, we are painstakingly washing the stain of corruption and state capture off Home Affairs so that we can transform the department and the BMA [Border Management Authority] into the proud institutions they deserve to be," he added.

The minister also highlighted the department's commitment to reform systems to reduce discretionary powers enabling fraud and corruption.

"In this quest, our greatest ally is technology," he added.

This initiative is part of a major anti-corruption drive within the department and BMA, which has already resulted in the dismissal or prosecution of several officials.

Recently, nine Home Affairs officials were dismissed, bringing the total to 27 since November, when the department announced 18 had been removed.
Schreiber said a similar crackdown was under way at the BMA after 10 officials were dismissed for corruption and one for aiding and abetting.
"Another 45 BMA cases are at various stages of the disciplinary process and could also result in further dismissals," Schreiber said.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, he added a multi-disciplinary task team had achieved a major legal breakthrough in the Labour Court, which saw a new precedent set that allows the appointment of external chairpersons for disciplinary hearings.
Schreiber said this would change the interpretation of collective agreements in place since 2001 and enable more impartial disciplinary processes across the government.

"This is a major victory, and it is the model the government must now follow in all that we do - precisely because it offers a powerful new avenue to prevent members of corrupt syndicates from protecting each other."

He added:
This is an example of how we are charting a new course in the fight against corruption. The message to crooked officials is clear: we are cleaning house, and when we catch you, you will be out of the door within a matter of weeks.

"Importantly, our message also makes it clear that we apply the rule of law without fear or favour."
He added the department, Special Investigating Unit, BMA, Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority "were enforcing accountability in the border and immigration environment".

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The Border Management Act, 2020 (Act No. 2 of 2020) established the Border Management Authority (BMA) to consolidate and manage all functions related to border security, immigration, customs, and law enforcement at South Africa’s borders. This Act transferred and redefined immigration-related functions that were previously under the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) and administered by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
The integration of South Africa's Immigration Act 13 of 2002 into the Border Management Authority Act 2 of 2020 (BMA Act) involves a reconfiguration of border management functions and immigration enforcement. Here’s a structured analysis of how the Immigration Act was implemented into the BMA Act and how immigration officers’ powers under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act are addressed:

1. Background: Purpose of the BMA Act
The BMA Act established the Border Management Authority (BMA) to centralize border security, replacing the fragmented system where multiple agencies (SARS, SAPS, Home Affairs) managed different aspects. The BMA now oversees:
• Border law enforcement (including immigration control),
• Ports of entry management,
• Coordination of cross-border functions.

2. Implementation of the Immigration Act into the BMA Act
The BMA Act does not repeal the Immigration Act but amends its operational framework to align with the BMA’s mandate. Key integrations include:
a. Transfer of Immigration Functions to the BMA
• Section 8(1) of the BMA Act empowers the BMA to enforce immigration laws at ports of entry and borderlines.
• Section 5(1)(a) of the BMA Act designates the BMA as the authority responsible for implementing the Immigration Act at borders. This means:
o Immigration officers (previously under Home Affairs) now operate under the BMA’s structure.
o The BMA assumes responsibility for visa/admission compliance, deportations, and anti-smuggling efforts.

b. Immigration Officers’ Powers under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act
• Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act grants immigration officers powers to:
o Inspect documents,
o Arrest individuals violating immigration laws,
o Enter and search premises.
• Under the BMA Act:
o Section 14(2)(c) designates BMA officers as immigration officers under the Immigration Act, thereby inheriting these powers.
o Section 26(1) of the BMA Act explicitly states that BMA officers exercise powers conferred by the Immigration Act.

c. Amendments to the Immigration Act
• The BMA Act amended Section 1 of the Immigration Act to redefine "immigration officer" to include BMA officials.
• Section 8(4) of the BMA Act clarifies that BMA officers may exercise immigration powers without a warrant in urgent scenarios (e.g., human trafficking).

3. Legal Position of Immigration Officers Under the BMA Act
• Dual Authority: BMA officers act as immigration officers under the Immigration Act, retaining Section 8(1) powers while also exercising new BMA-specific powers (e.g., border patrols under Section 17).
• Coordination with Home Affairs:
o The BMA handles border-level enforcement, while Home Affairs retains control over inland immigration processes (e.g., visa applications, appeals).
o Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): The BMA and Home Affairs share data and coordinate on deportations and visa violations

How the Immigration Act Was Integrated into the Border Management Act
a. Immigration Officers' Powers Shifted to Border Guards
o Under the Immigration Act, immigration officers were responsible for enforcing immigration laws at entry points.
o The BMA Act now centralizes these functions under the Border Management Authority (BMA), which employs Border Guards.
o The powers immigration officers had under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act have been transferred to border guards under the BMA Act.

b. Border Management Authority as the New Implementing Body
o The BMA Act establishes a single authority to manage borders, replacing fragmented roles held by DHA, SAPS, SARS, and SANDF.
o Immigration functions at land, sea, and air border posts are now the responsibility of the Border Guards, while the DHA continues to regulate immigration policy and visa issuance.

c. Immigration Enforcement Under the BMA
o The BMA Act adopts provisions from the Immigration Act concerning entry, stay, and deportation of foreign nationals.
o Sections dealing with inadmissible persons, illegal immigrants, and deportation procedures remain in force but are now enforced by Border Guards instead of DHA immigration officers.

Powers of Immigration Officers Under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act in the BMA Act
Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act (Before BMA)
• Allowed immigration officers to investigate, detain, and deport illegal foreigners.
• Empowered officers to inspect documents, enforce border security, and conduct compliance checks.

How These Powers Were Incorporated into the BMA Act
1. Border Guards Now Enforce Immigration Laws
o Under the BMA Act, Section 5, Border Guards have been given police-like powers to enforce immigration laws.
o They check passports and visas, detain illegal entrants, and carry out deportations—a role previously under immigration officers in Home Affairs.

2. Arrest and Deportation Powers Are Retained
o The BMA Act (Section 16) gives Border Guards the power to arrest and detain illegal immigrants found at or near borders.
o The deportation process still follows the Immigration Act, but Border Guards now initiate and oversee removals.

3. Border Guards Can Conduct Search and Seizure
o Under BMA Act, Section 19, Border Guards can search individuals, vehicles, and cargo for illegal immigration activities.
o This function replaces the previous powers of immigration officers under the Immigration Act.

Conclusion
• The Border Management Authority (BMA) has absorbed and centralized immigration enforcement duties that were previously handled by immigration officers under Home Affairs.
• Border Guards now exercise the powers previously granted to immigration officers under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act.
• The Immigration Act still applies, but its enforcement has shifted from DHA’s immigration officers to BMA’s Border Guards.

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