Canadian visa pause: 17,500 visa applications at risk as Canada halts consular services at three centres

Only 21 Canadian diplomats remain in India. Notably, 27 Immigration Department staff members are among the withdrawn diplomats. The Globe and Mail reported that the reduced staff could lead to a backlog of 17,500 decisions on applications from India.

Written by Manraj Grewal Sharma

Chandigarh | Updated: October 20, 2023 12:28 PM IST

3 min read

India has dismissed as absurd Trudeau's suspicions that its agents were linked to the murder of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen whom New Delhi had labeled a "terrorist." (AP)

Listen to this article

Your browser does not support the audio element.

The Canadian government’s decision to withdraw 41 diplomats from India and pause the operation of visa and consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru is expected to lead to immigration and visa application processing delays, as highlighted by Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters Thursday that 41 Canadian diplomats, a majority of Ottawa’s mission in India, along with 42 dependents, have left India. As a result, only 21 Canadian diplomats remain in India. Notably, 27 Immigration Department staff members are among the withdrawn diplomats. The Globe and Mail reported that the reduced staff could lead to a backlog of 17,500 decisions on applications from India.

Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland, however, told Vancouver Sun that Canada has an alternative solution, as it operates an online system that allows Canadian officials in other countries to take over the processing tasks.

Kurland told Postmedia, “Canada has a workaround for India’s lack of cooperation. Canada can transmit files or passports to alternative locations for processing.”

Canada has significantly reduced its diplomatic presence in India following the Indian government’s decision to remove the diplomatic immunity of Canadian representatives. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly revealed this development on Thursday, emphasising that Canada will not reciprocate by demanding a reduction in India’s diplomatic staff in Canada.

India had officially communicated its intention to unilaterally withdraw diplomatic immunities from all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by October 20, Joly told reporters at Ottawa. She emphasised that Canada had no choice but to comply with this demand to ensure the safety of Canadian diplomats, adding that diplomatic immunity is essential for them to effectively perform their duties in foreign countries.

Despite the reduction in diplomatic personnel, Canada is not requesting a reciprocal downsizing of Indian diplomats in Canada, aiming to prevent further escalation of the dispute. However, this reduction in Canadian diplomats has already resulted in service interruptions at Canada’s consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

Story continues below this ad

It’s worth noting that recent tensions between Canada and India stem from Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement that Canadian intelligence had evidence suggesting the involvement of “agents of the Indian government” in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. This announcement led to the expulsion of an Indian diplomat who was also a senior intelligence officer, and a reciprocal response from India. Additionally, India suspended visa services for Canadians and paused free-trade talks and a business mission with Canada.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:

Canada