Maple News reports that visa processing delays for Indian applicants are expected to ease by early 2024, following a diplomatic conflict that has disrupted Canadian immigration operations in India.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the anticipated timeline during a press briefing on October 19, 2023. Due to recent tensions between India and Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) significantly reduced its staff presence in India, creating a backlog and slowing visa application processing times.
IRCC insiders say the staffing reduction has led to a backlog of approximately 17,500 final immigration decisions in Canada’s global system. However, the agency is working to bounce back. The 22 Canadian immigration employees who were relocated are being reassigned to offices in Canada and the Philippines to help alleviate the workload.
The staffing shake-up stems from India’s decision to revoke diplomatic immunity for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and their dependents. This move, according to IRCC, violates international norms and directly impacted the agency’s ability to maintain operations in the region.
In the official statement, IRCC called India’s actions “unreasonable and escalatory,” stressing that the affected Canadian diplomats had been properly accredited and were fulfilling their duties professionally.
Due to the diplomatic fallout, IRCC temporarily suspended all in-person consular services in India. Despite this, the agency has confirmed that it will continue to accept and process visa applications from Indian nationals. Some documents or procedures may now require in-person completion at alternative secure locations.
Minister Miller reaffirmed that Indian immigrants remain vital contributors to Canada’s social and economic fabric, and that Canada remains committed to welcoming them despite the current obstacles.
For Indian applicants, this means continued access to immigration pathways, but with potential delays in processing over the next few months as operations gradually stabilize.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments closely and provide timely updates for applicants and stakeholders affected by the slowdown.