The Canadian government has revoked at least 239 temporary resident visas held by individuals tied to senior officials of the Islamic Republic and affiliated state institutions.
According to official statistics released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), approximately 17,800 visa applications have been evaluated to assess potential ties between applicants and the Iranian regime.
The Canadian government’s measures specifically target senior Islamic Republic officials and individuals affiliated with military and security bodies, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Individuals found to fall under these restrictions face potential visa rejections, revocations, status cancellations, and deportation from Canada.
In November 2022, Ottawa designated the Iranian regime as a government engaged in “terrorism and systemic, gross human rights violations,” barring senior officials from entering Canada. The policy initially targeted individuals who held senior government positions from November 2019 onward.
In September 2024, Canada broadened the scope of the ban to encompass senior officials who served in government capacities dating back to June 23, 2003, the date coinciding with the arrest of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in Tehran, who subsequently died under torture in custody.
