New Delhi, Jan. 2 -- Canada is expected to see a sharp rise in undocumented immigrants as millions of work permits expire, with nearly half of those affected coming from India. Immigration consultant Kanwar Seirah told Hindustan Times that data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows around 1,053,000 work permits expired by the end of 2025, with another 927,000 set to expire in 2026.

As work permits expire, holders lose legal status unless they secure another visa or transition to permanent residency, Seirah said, noting that recent government measures have made these options more restrictive, especially for temporary workers and international students.

Seirah warned that Canada has never faced such high numbers o...