Canada suspends consulate services in Chandigarh; applicants caught unaware

A notice was affixed on the office door on the 4th floor of Elante Office Complex, phase-1, Industrial Area. It read, “We have temporarily suspended consular services from the Consulate General of Canada in Chandigarh. Please contact the Consulate Section, High Commission of Canada, 7/8 Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021″.

A security personnel at the consulate office said the office is open, but the services have been closed. “We have pasted a notice here. We are uncertain about how long the services will remain suspended,” he said.

However, applicants who had arrived to submit their documents and provide biometric fingerprints at a visa facilitation service centre, which subsequently forwards applications to the relevant embassies, were caught unawares. The facilitation centre is on the ground floor.

Gurwinder Singh from Fazilka, who had applied for a Canadian study visa, was surprised to find that the services have been suspended.

“I submitted my documents for a Canadian study visa last week. My appointment was scheduled for today. I had no information that the office of the Consulate General of Canada was closed here. No one informed me, and if such an event has occurred, the applicants concerned should be informed,” Singh said.

Another visa applicant Manjeet Singh from Sangrur was given an appointment for Friday to submit documents and give biometric fingerprints.

According to data, the number of Indian applicants seeking Canadian visas appears to be higher than those aspiring to migrate to other countries.