In 2025, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-12 — “The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act.”
Its purpose is to tighten control over immigration documents, protect genuine students, and combat widespread visa fraud that surfaced across Canadian institutions.

This bill empowers Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Public Safety Canada to:

• Suspend or cancel immigration documents (including study permits) if necessary in the public interest.
• Pause or limit new applications temporarily.
• Strengthen inter-agency data-sharing for fraud detection.
• Modernize border enforcement and align asylum-claim procedures. 

Why Was Bill C-12 Introduced?

In 2023–2024, over 14,000 fraudulent letters of acceptance were detected by IRCC. Dozens of students unknowingly entered Canada on fake offers from illegitimate consultants or institutions.
The fallout damaged Canada’s international education reputation and triggered parliamentary scrutiny.

According to University Affairs, the Minister defended Bill C-12 as essential to “restore trust in Canada’s student visa system and prevent exploitation.”

Key Provisions of Bill C-12 

The Numbers Behind the Reform

Bill C-12 And Study Permits In Canada

Parliament of Canada introduced Bill C-12 in October 2025 as the “Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act.” The Government’s explainer frames it as a border-security + immigration-integrity package. Based on the official bill tracker, Bill C-12 has passed the House of Commons and is at Second Reading in the Senate (as of Dec 11, 2025)—meaning it’s not yet in force unless/until it completes the Senate process and receives Royal Assent. 

What Bill C-12 Could Change For Study Visa Applicants 

Bill C-12 is not “a new study permit checklist.” Its impact is more structural: it expands government powers that could affect whole categories of immigration documents and applications—including study permits—through orders made in the public interest. 

The Most Study-Visa-Relevant Powers Mentioned By Government Sources

The Department of Justice summary of the bill’s proposed IRPA amendments describes authority for the Governor in Council to cancel, suspend, or vary immigration documents and impose/adjust conditions on temporary residents, if considered in the public interest. 
A Government of Canada notice also emphasizes that if such an order were made, it would not instantly remove someone’s status—existing legal processes around loss of status still apply. 

Canada Is Already Managing Study Permit Volumes

Separately from Bill C-12, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada published 2026 study-permit issuance expectations under the international student cap framework.

What People Fear vs What You Can Control

Bill C-12 headlines often create panic, but students should separate policy power from day-to-day approval factors.

How Bill C-12 Impacts Your Study Visa Application

Let’s break it down through real-world implications rather than legal jargon:

Before You Apply

• Every acceptance letter will undergo AI-assisted validation through IRCC’s digital verification network.
• IRCC may cap or delay intakes in programs facing systemic fraud or over-enrolment.
• Your statement of purpose and financial proof will face deeper authenticity checks — consistency between your home-country documents and Canadian banking data now matters.

During Application Processing

• Expect enhanced background and identity cross-checks between IRCC, CBSA, and provincial registries.
• A single mismatch could trigger review delays or refusal under the new risk flagging model.
• Institutions flagged for compliance issues may experience collective processing holds, affecting all students tied to that institution.

After Arrival in Canada

• Your school’s compliance is under continuous monitoring. If a DLI is found non-compliant, your permit can be revoked or transferred to another institution.
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment and report any program changes to IRCC.
• The system will automatically cross-check enrollment status with provincial education databases.

Bill C-12 Updates on Current Study Permit Holders

Bill C-12 does not target legitimate students — but it gives IRCC broad powers to protect program integrity.

• If your institution is under investigation, you’ll receive notice and possibly be allowed to transfer to a compliant DLI.
• IRCC may temporarily pause extensions while reviewing documentation integrity.
• If you’re compliant, your record could actually benefit from faster future applications like PGWP or PR.

Protecting Canada’s Education Reputation

Canada welcomes international students from 180+ countries, contributing $22 billion annually to the economy. But the uncontrolled growth of “visa mills” and fraudulent intermediaries created imbalance and reputational risk.

• Keep international education sustainable.
• Reassure legitimate students that Canada remains open — but only through verified pathways.
• Build confidence among employers, provinces, and citizens that the system is fair.

This is not about restriction; it’s about responsible growth and protection for genuine applicants.

Practical Checklist to Follow Updated Bill Guidelines

Final Thoughts

Bill C-12 isn’t meant to make study visas harder; it’s designed to make them safer and more credible.  If your documents are real, your program is valid, and your intent is genuine, this law strengthens your standing — not weakens it. Bill C-12 is best understood as a government “power and process” bill, not a new study permit application guide.

As of Feb 2, 2026, it’s not yet in force (Senate stage), but it signals stronger integrity enforcement and more flexibility for government action. For students, the winning strategy stays practical: meet IRCC financial rules, follow work limits, maintain DLI compliance, and submit a fully verifiable application.