Canada’s immigration system faces unprecedented challenges as millions of temporary visas approach expiration dates, raising concerns about border control effectiveness. Despite implementing exit controls in 2019 similar to those in Australia, the US, and the EU, the government struggles to track and manage the movement of temporary residents. The situation has intensified with a dramatic surge in visa holders seeking refugee status – 130,000 cases in 2024 compared to 10,000 a decade ago – creating a backlog that could take years to process.
