In the months since diplomatic tensions between the two countries began to escalate, the number of Indians travelling to Canada on visitor visas has recorded a marginal rise, not a decline, going by Canadian government data. From January to July this year, Canada issued 3,65,750 visitor visas (V-1) to Indians. Over the same period last year, the country issued 3,45,631 visitor visas to Indians, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows. Relations between the two countries have faced a setback since September last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised allegations about the Indian government’s “potential” involvement in the killing of Canada-based Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected these charges as being “absurd” and “motivated”. Since then, from September to December 2023, Canada issued 1,76,372 visitor visas to Indians. In contrast, data for the previous year shows that from September to December 2022, the country issued a lower number of 1,33,505 visitor visas to Indians. From October 1, 2022, Canada had withdrawn COVID-related testing, quarantine, and isolation restrictions on travellers. According to the IRCC, V-1 visas are for those travelling to Canada as tourists or visiting family or friends, and these figures do not include visas issued to students, workers, and diplomats. However, even as visitor visas remain unaffected, a significant drop was noticed in the number of student visas during the same period. IRCC data on study permit holders shows that Canadian study permits for 1,37,445 Indian students became effective in 2024, from January to August. In contrast, from January to August last year, a higher number of 1,86,970 Indian students were issued Canadian study permits. In January this year, Canada had announced that it would reduce international student intake, setting a cap on international student applications for two years. The government had said then that the cap would mean that study permits in 2024 would see a decrease of 35 per cent compared to 2023, and that the cap would not affect students pursuing masters and doctoral degrees, and existing study permit holders. The diplomatic row between the two countries has escalated this week with India ordering the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats on Monday, announcing its decision to withdraw the Indian High Commissioner to Canada and “other targeted diplomats”, citing security concerns after Ottawa identified them as “persons of interest” in its investigation into Nijjar’s killing.
