Immigration Alert: Canada Reduces Diplomatic Presence in India, Affects Visa Processing
23 October 2023
Background:
In a recent development, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant changes in its operations concerning Canadian visa applications in India. These actions stem from Canada's decision to remove 41 of its diplomats from India as India announced the revocation of diplomatic immunities for all, but 21 Canadian diplomats and their dependents stationed in Delhi effective 20 October, 2023 which is equal to the number of Indian diplomats allowed in Canada
Change/Development:
IRCC has made several operational adjustments in response to these developments. They have temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. These services will now be exclusively available at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi, while visa processing in Canada has also been halted. The workforce in India has been drastically reduced from 27 employees to only 5, with a focus on applications requiring urgent processing and visa stamping at the High Commission in New Delhi. All other in-person consular services will be available on a limited basis at the High Commission in New Delhi.
IRCC has assured that they will continue to accept and process all temporary and permanent residence applications from India. However, applications that would typically be processed in India will now be distributed among IRCC's global network outside the country. As a result, foreign nationals from India and their employers should expect delays in immigration application processing time, response to inquiries, and issuance of their visas or passports over the next few months.
BDO Comment:
While IRCC will continue to accept and process applications from India, the reduced staffing levels are expected to affect processing times. Indian citizens may encounter delays in overall processing, responses to inquiries, and visa and passport issuance due to the decrease in Canadian diplomatic staff.
IRCC has assured that the remaining staff in India will manage essential tasks such as urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment, and collaboration with key partners.
Canadians and permanent residents of Canada in need of consular assistance in India can contact the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi.
BDO in India will continue monitoring these developments and provide updates as they occur.
[1] https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/india-inde/index.aspx?lang=eng