Visa processing for Indian nationals applying to come to Canada has slowed due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, Maple News reports.
Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller confirmed during a press conference in Ottawa on October 19 that the slowdown is directly tied to India’s request that Ottawa reduce its diplomatic presence within the country. In response, 41 Canadian diplomats have departed India, leaving only 21 remaining to manage operations, down from the previous 62.
The staffing reduction has significantly impacted Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) operations on the ground. The number of IRCC employees in India has been slashed from 27 to just 5, according to an official IRCC statement. These cuts are expected to cause delays in the processing of all types of applications — including temporary and permanent resident visas for Indian nationals.
The diplomatic spat stems from a public accusation made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on September 18, alleging India’s involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader. The claim triggered a swift and sharp reaction from India, including the demand to cut Canada’s diplomatic representation.
Despite the staffing challenges, Minister Miller reassured Indian applicants and their families in Canada that Canada remains committed to processing all applications. To manage the strain, IRCC is reorganizing its workflows and redistributing duties to other global Visa Application Centres (VACs), which already handle most application processing. However, some services will now rely more heavily on email communications, further contributing to slower response times.
“People should expect delays. Applications might take longer to process, and applicants may notice increased wait times for responses and passport visa stamping,” Miller acknowledged.
The Minister added that IRCC expects visa processing to return to normal levels by early 2024, though this may depend on how quickly diplomatic relations stabilize between the two countries.
For now, applicants from India are advised to prepare for extended timelines during this period of reduced staffing and operational disruption.