- Students in Canada who were planning to study there now have to wait longer for their visas.
- there could be six-month delays in the processing of applications for student visas to Canada.
- India accounts for over 220,000 of the total number of international students enrolled in Canada.
Following Canada’s decision to scale back its diplomatic presence in India last week, students in that country who were planning to study there now have to wait longer for their visas, according to education consultants.
According to them, there could be significant delays in the processing of applications for student visas to Canada, possibly as long as six months.
Student Visa
By the deadline of October 20, Canada had already pulled out forty-one of its ambassadors from India, a country in South Asia. The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi will be the only location for visa and consular services going forward, as the consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have closed.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has connected Indian agents to the death of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, as a result of the recent events that have deteriorated ties between India and Canada. In response, India denied the claims.
The prolonged processing times for visa applications during the pandemic are predicted to return to more than six months for Canada’s visa application process.
Students wishing to begin their planned university sessions in January and May have contacted UpGrad Abroad with questions. Visa processing is expected to take six to eight months, according to educational consultant ReachIvy.
India accounts for over 220,000 of the total number of international students enrolled in Canada, or 41%. This diplomatic backlash notwithstanding, Indian students who might experience delays can rest easy knowing that Canada still follows protocol when it comes to visa processing.
There might be a redirection of services or alternative arrangements, so it’s important to stay informed and patient. With the threats made against Indians by a leader of the Khalistani movement, many Indian students are thinking about studying in the US or Europe.
