Maple News reports that Canada’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India will officially resume operations starting November 20, 2020, bringing relief to thousands of Indian applicants waiting to complete a crucial step in their Canadian immigration and travel journeys.
According to the Canadian government, these centres will begin accepting limited appointments for biometric data collection in six major Indian cities — Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. This announcement marks a significant development, especially for international students and family class immigration applicants, who have been prioritized for biometric scheduling.
Biometric submissions are a key requirement in the Canadian immigration process and have been one of the last major barriers for Indian applicants, even for those already exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 travel restrictions.
While Canada reopened its borders to eligible international students on October 20, 2020, many Indian students and family-sponsored immigrants remained unable to travel, simply because they had not yet completed their biometric requirements. This blockade will now be lifted with the reopening of VACs.
With biometrics collection back in place, students who received admission to Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) with approved COVID-19 readiness plans can now expect smoother processing of their study permits. Similarly, family class immigrants — including spouses, partners, and dependents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents — will now be able to complete pending application steps.
This development is also encouraging for economic immigrants, such as skilled workers who are exempt from travel restrictions under specific programs but were stuck in limbo due to VAC closures.
Canadian officials emphasize that only a limited number of appointments will be scheduled initially, following strict public health guidelines. Applicants are advised not to visit the VACs without a confirmed appointment.
This move signals Canada’s ongoing commitment to reuniting families, maintaining its reputation as a top destination for international education, and upholding its immigration goals — even amid a global pandemic. Maple News will continue to monitor and report on further reopening plans and processing updates as they emerge.