Recent events have impacted the procedures for issuing visas to Indians wishing to relocate to Canada as diplomatic tensions between the two countries reach unprecedented heights. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed its own worries, and Canada’s cutback in processing visas for Indian people has been connected to a reduction in diplomatic staffing as a result of recent political unrest.
Canada Announces Plans to Reduce Immigration Starting in 2025 Amid Rising Housing Concerns
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to gradually reduce immigration levels starting in 2025. This move aligns with recent policies to tighten rules around study permits for international students, suggesting a shift toward more restrictive immigration measures.
Trudeau indicated on social media that Canada would limit the number of temporary foreign workers allowed entry, emphasizing the need for companies to prioritize Canadian labour before hiring from abroad. According to a government source, Canada’s target for new permanent residents will decrease from 395,000 in 2025 to 380,000 in 2026, with a further reduction to 365,000 by 2027. These adjustments reflect a notable decline from the current cap of 485,000 immigrants for 2024, amounting to around 30,000 fewer entrants by 2025.
This shift comes amid growing domestic concerns over rising housing costs, which many Canadians attribute to high immigration levels. A combination of increasing interest rates and unprecedented population growth has exacerbated the housing shortage, driving up demand and prices. Public opinion polls indicate a significant number of Canadians now feel the country is accepting too many immigrants—a sentiment that could play a critical role in the national debate leading up to the federal elections in October 2025.
Diplomatic Tensions Lead to Visa Processing Delays
In September 2023, diplomatic tensions between India and Canada flared after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly suggested the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a pro-Khalistani activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in British Columbia. India responded strongly, denying the allegations and demanding that Canada downsize its diplomatic staff in India. Canada eventually complied, pulling 41 diplomats out of the country. This decision has directly impacted Canada’s ability to process visa applications in India.
With staffing reduced to only five officials in India, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has had to cut down on visa processing operations across the country, limiting services to a single office in New Delhi. Canadian officials indicated that only about half of the visa applications from Indians would be processed by the end of 2023, down from the previously anticipated 38,000 applications to around 20,000.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said in an interview “I have told my colleagues in Parliament that this could get worse before it gets better, and they need to brace for it,”
India’s Response: MEA Comments and Visa Services for Canadians
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India expressed disappointment over the reduction in visa services, suggesting that the burden has fallen disproportionately on Indian applicants due to a lack of diplomatic staff on Canada’s side. India initially suspended all visa services for Canadian nationals in response to these tensions. However, after a “considered review” of the security situation, India announced it would resume certain visa services, including business, medical, and conference visas, to alleviate the strain on individuals with urgent needs.
How Many Indian Applications Will Be Affected?
According to Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller, the staffing limitations mean that only around 20,000 Indian visa applications will likely be processed by December 2023. This adjustment leaves a projected backlog of 17,500 applications heading into 2024. Given Canada’s popularity as a destination for Indian students, workers, and immigrants, this backlog could mean months, if not years, of delays for Indian applicants.
The staffing reduction has also led Canada to suspend all in-person services at consulates in cities like Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai, further centralizing visa operations in Delhi. Additionally, Canadian authorities announced a focus on processing essential applications only, such as those for students and urgent cases.
Impact on Indian Nationals Seeking Canadian Visas
1. Indian Students
- Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students due to its high-quality education system and welcoming policies toward international students. However, with these new constraints, many students may experience delays in their applications, affecting admissions and start dates at Canadian universities. Students needing visas for January or September intake may face particular difficulties.
2. Indian Workers
- Indian workers seeking employment opportunities in Canada could also experience significant setbacks. This group includes those applying through work visas, particularly in high-demand fields like IT, healthcare, and engineering. The delays could also affect those with approved job offers awaiting visas to begin employment.
3. Permanent Residency Applicants
- For individuals and families applying for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR), processing delays may extend their waiting times. Many Indian families who have applied through Canada’s Express Entry program, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), or other immigration streams may find it challenging to receive timely approval.
4. Family Reunification Cases
- Delays in visa processing may impact families attempting to reunite in Canada. Indian nationals who are sponsoring family members may face longer waiting periods, which could disrupt family dynamics and create stress for applicants and their loved ones.
Canada’s Plan to Resolve the Backlog
Canadian officials have promised that attempts are underway to normalise the situation by early 2024, notwithstanding the decreased capacity. In order to preserve vital services, Canadian immigration authorities have stated that they are giving priority to urgent applications and are collaborating with regional partners in India, including visa application centres and clinics that provide immigration medical examinations.
Additionally, Canadian officials have stressed that these changes are only temporary and that their goal is to return to full staffing levels in India as soon as diplomatic relations improve. For Indian candidates, this involves a restoration to standard processing schedules.
What the Future Holds
The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have resulted in a temporary but significant disruption to visa processing for Indian applicants. While both countries are working to stabilise the situation, the immediate effects include processing delays, backlogs, and limited visa categories for Indian applicants.
For Indians seeking to study, work, or reunite with family in Canada, patience and preparation will be essential as they navigate this period of uncertainty. Although the diplomatic tensions have affected visa services, Canada’s broader immigration targets reflect a continued commitment to welcoming newcomers, including from India, once normalcy is restored.
