This will result in approximately 20,000 visas being processed, leaving an estimated backlog of 17,500 Indian visa applications at the start of 2024
Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, recently made an announcement regarding the processing of visa applications from Indian nationals. Due to resource limitations in India, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be able to process only around half of the expected 38,000 visa applications by the end of 2023. This will result in approximately 20,000 visas being processed, leaving an estimated backlog of 17,500 Indian visa applications at the start of 2024.
The resource constraints stem from Canada’s withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India. Currently, there are only five IRCC staff members in India who are focusing on essential tasks, including urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment, and overseeing key partners such as visa application centers, panel physicians, and clinics responsible for immigration medical exams.
Despite these challenges, senior IRCC officials have expressed their commitment to returning to normal processing for Indian applications by early 2024. During this period, in-person services at Canadian consulates in India have been temporarily suspended until further notice, but applications from India will continue to be accepted and processed.
Canada has temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai, making these services available only at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. These adjustments reflect the evolving dynamics in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries
These developments have arisen in the context of heightened tensions between India and Canada, which flared in September. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made explosive allegations regarding the possible involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil on June 18, 2023, in British Columbia. It is worth noting that India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
In response to the strained relations, New Delhi initially suspended visa services in Canada and for Canadian citizens worldwide. However, a recent statement from India’s High Commission in Ottawa announced the resumption of entry, business, medical, and conference visa services, following a “considered review of the security situation” that considered recent Canadian measures.
Furthermore, Canada has temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai, making these services available only at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. These adjustments reflect the evolving dynamics in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
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