Tensions between Canada and India have escalated sharply, leaving visa applicants in a state of uncertainty amid the political fallout.
On Monday, both nations significantly reduced their diplomatic presence. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement asserting it “reserves the right to take further steps” in response to what it describes as Canada’s attempts to fabricate allegations against its diplomats.
Kuldeep Bansal, an immigration consultant with 20 years of experience, predicts that the diplomatic rift will cause immediate and substantial delays in visa processing. “If normal processing times were four to six weeks, expect them to double during these heightened tensions,” he warned. He advised anyone planning to travel in December or January to apply for their visas as soon as possible.
The delays are expected to impact not just tourist visas but also work permits, student visas, and spousal applications. This news is particularly concerning for couples planning weddings in India and for Indian students looking to study in Canada, especially after international student visa caps were imposed earlier this year.
Bansal emphasized that there are no guaranteed timeframes for processing delays during such situations. This uncertainty follows India’s nearly eight-week suspension of visa services for Canadian citizens last year, which was triggered by accusations from Ottawa regarding India’s involvement in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reassured applicants that it is “working hard to mitigate any impact on applicants from or in India” by redistributing workloads across its global processing network. Over 90% of applications from India are processed outside the country, primarily in Canada.
The IRCC noted that staff remaining in India will focus on urgent processing and other essential tasks requiring an in-country presence, such as visa printing and overseeing key partners like visa application centers and medical exam clinics.
Canada continues to be a leading destination for Indian immigrants, processing thousands of applications each year. Data from the National Foundation for American Policy shows that Indian immigration to Canada surged by approximately 326% from 2013 to 2023.
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