Canada Visa Prospects After Diplomatic Row (image-pixabay)
The recent diplomatic row between India and Canada has led to relationship strain between both the countries. It has been tense weeks for both the countries ever since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was a “credible evidence” India may have been involved in the killing of Khalistani Sikh separationist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The allegation was dismissed by Indian government calling its “absurd”. But this diplomatic row has affected visa prospects in both the countries. Many Indians choose Canada as their first option for their higher education.
This ongoing row has led to disruption in visa procedures. On September 21, India’s visa processing centers in Canada, suspended services citing operational reasons in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. And when asked about it, Trudeau replied that Canada would continue to do the work it took to keep Canadians safe. So far, there has been no indication that Canada would stop processing visas for Indian Nationals, and still accepting new applications as it normally does, reports CIC News.
Similarly, Times of India has reported on Friday that the passengers who have booked international flight tickets between India and Canada in advance are now facing issues due to the non-issuance of visas by both countries.
India suspended Visa issuing to citizens of Canada from 21 September. A notice by BLS International – a private agency hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadian nationals – said “Due to operational reasons… Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice”.
In addition to closing its visa processing centers in Canada, India has also issued a travel advisory for Indians travelling to Canada, citing safety concerns.
As per the PIE report, it seems the tense standoff between India and Canada appears to be settling down, with agents input that Indian students’ numbers are already recovering. They have reported that there is a rise in the number of students to 75% to what they were.
Though India has not begun issuing visas to Canadian’s, Sonya Singh founder and managing director at the agency SIEC Pty Ltd, said students are still applying to study in Canada and visas are being issued the other way.
It should be also taken into consideration that; India is the largest source for immigration in Canada. As per the data of Cic News, in 2022, there were 118,095 Indians who gained permanent residence in Canada. Of these, 59,503 Indians transitioned from permanent residents to Canadian citizens.
With the ambitious Canada’s immigration target ahead, it is expected that both the countries will consider an alternative solution to the temporary suspension of visa services.
A major step has been taken by both the countries, as talks are continuing in between Canada and India about the 41 Canadian diplomats who were given a deadline of October 10 to leave India. The officials remain in the country, and have reportedly not been told to leave by the Canadian government yet, says financial times.
