Canada-India Visa and Immigration Update Amid Diplomatic
Dispute
Publish Date: 23/09/2023
Canada is processing visas for Indian nationals despite a recent diplomatic
dispute with India.
The dispute centers on the killing of a Canadian-Sikh leader in British
Columbia, with Trudeau alleging Indian government involvement, which Modi denies.
BLS, India's visa processing center in Canada, temporarily suspended
services, but processing times for Indian visa applicants remain unchanged.
India issued a travel advisory for Indians traveling to Canada due to safety
concerns, but Canada is generally considered one of the safest countries globally.
Canada is a top choice for international students due to its safety and
tolerance, with 40% of international students in Canada being Indian in 2022.
Approximately 320,000 Indian students studied in Canada in the last academic
year.
India is the largest source country for immigration in Canada, with 118,095
Indians gaining permanent residence in 2022.
Canada has ambitious immigration targets for 2023-2025, aiming to admit over
500,000 permanent residents annually. These targets are not expected to be lowered.