(CANADA) — Reports on Wednesday projected Canada could have 1 million undocumented Indian immigrants by mid-2026, drawing on analysis of official data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as work and study permits expire faster than people can renew or shift into permanent status.
Basis of the projection
The projection, widely reported by outlets including the Hindustan Times, ties to two converging trends:
- A surge in expiring permits.
- A tightening of Canadian immigration pathways, which has narrowed routes to permanent residency.
IRCC data obtained by consultant Kanwar Seirah showed approximately 1,053,000 work permits expired by the end of 2025, with another 927,000 set to lapse in 2026.
Experts estimate Indian nationals comprise at least 50% of those affected, forming the basis for the headline figure of about 1 million undocumented Indian immigrants by mid-2026 as many fall out of legal status.
Permit expiry timeline and “The Bottleneck”
The scale of permit expiries is expected to peak early in 2026:
- First quarter of 2026: projected record 315,000 permit expiries.
- This surge has been described as “The Bottleneck”, reflecting how pathways to permanent residency have narrowed significantly and are unable to absorb the volume of expiring temporary residents.
Table — Key permit expiry numbers
| Period | Work permits expired or set to lapse |
|---|---|
| End of 2025 | 1,053,000 |
| 2026 | 927,000 |
| Q1 2026 (peak) | 315,000 projected |
Government policy context
Canada’s policy shift is part of a broader recalibration of temporary migration. In 2025, the Canadian government under Minister Marc Miller moved to reduce the temporary resident population from 6.2% to 5% by 2027.
Minister Miller signaled limits on sweeping solutions. In August 2024 he said there are “no plans for a broad regularization program” for undocumented workers, adding that “Canadians are not there” regarding public support.
Consequences for people who lose status
When permits expire and status is lost, consequences can be immediate and severe:
- Loss of access to healthcare, legal work, and social services.
- Many move into unregulated housing or “tent cities” in areas such as Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Increased vulnerability to labor exploitation and scams, including “marriages of convenience” orchestrated by unscrupulous operators.
Advocates warn that a growing undocumented population faces heightened risks as people scramble for ways to remain in the country.
Cross-border implications — U.S. enforcement and messaging
The projected rise in undocumented residents in Canada intersects with heightened U.S. border enforcement, especially along the northern border:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported nearly 44,000 encounters with Indian nationals at the Canadian border in FY2024, a sharp rise from previous years.
- The U.S. Embassy in India warned on December 30, 2025:
> “If you break U.S. law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties. This administration is committed to ending illegal immigration and protecting national borders.” - A separate embassy advisory on December 18, 2025 emphasized that lawful entry and the length of stay are discretionary at the port of entry:
> “U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers decide the authorized length of stay. Overstaying—even unintentionally—could result in visa cancellation and permanent travel bans.”
Broader U.S. policy shifts and enforcement measures include:
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (December 17, 2025 “Year in Review”):
> “DHS has delivered on the mandate to crack down on illegal immigration. We have incentivized historic self-deportations, with over 2.5 million illegal aliens leaving the U.S. population since the start of the administration.” - December 27, 2025: DHS activated the Biometric Entry-Exit Rule, requiring facial imaging and fingerprints for all non-U.S. citizens, including Canadians, at land and sea ports. The rule aims to “close long-standing data gaps and tighten identity management.”
These measures place travel screening and overstay enforcement at the center of border management and affect cross-border movement linked to Canada’s growing pool of out-of-status residents.
Canadian removals and international pressure
Canadian enforcement has also stepped up:
- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) targeted over 15,000 Indian nationals for removal in 2025, a record pace. Advocates say this is still insufficient to address the volume of expired statuses.
U.S. pressure has included expanded initiatives and diplomatic pressure:
- The U.S. has ramped up its “Worst of the Worst” (WOW) initiative, targeting criminal illegal aliens.
- The U.S. has also threatened Canada with tariffs if border security—particularly concerning third-country nationals crossing south—is not strengthened.
Stakes and systemic impacts
For individuals and systems alike, the situation creates high stakes and cascading effects:
- People who try to enter the U.S. without authorization or after overstaying can face immediate deportation and a permanent ban on re-entering the United States.
- Those who remain in Canada without status risk informal work, unstable housing, and increased exploitation.
The emerging projections, rooted in IRCC-linked permit expiry totals and estimates of the Indian share, are already affecting multiple systems:
- Housing markets in the GTA.
- Workplaces reliant on temporary labour.
- Removal operations by CBSA.
- U.S. enforcement at the northern border.
Minister Miller’s earlier remarks about limited public support for regularization remain a central reference point as Canada works to reduce its temporary resident population and policymakers confront the projected mid-2026 surge in undocumented Indian immigrants.
Canada is projected to host 1 million undocumented Indian immigrants by mid-2026 as work and study permits expire faster than they can be renewed. The government is narrowing residency pathways to reduce temporary populations, leading to a massive ‘bottleneck.’ This trend is causing increased labor exploitation, housing issues, and intensified U.S.-Canada border security measures to prevent illegal crossings.
