IRCC to Process 20,000 Indian Visas in 2023, Down from 38,000

In a recent development, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is encountering significant challenges in processing visas for Indian applicants. This revelation came during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) held yesterday.

Reduced Processing Capacity

IRCC had initially set its sights on processing 38,000 visas for Indian applicants by December. However, the department now anticipates that they will only be able to process 20,000 of these applications.

The root of this issue lies in the stark reduction in the number of IRCC staff available to carry out on-the-ground work in India, a crucial component in the application processing procedure.

Implications for Applicants

The ramifications of this staff reduction are substantial. Applicants can expect delays in several key areas, including:

• Overall processing times
• Responsiveness to inquiries
• Return of visas or passports

As a result, IRCC estimates that there will be approximately 17,500 Indian applications left in backlog at the beginning of 2024.

Service Standards and Backlogs

IRCC has established specific service standards for different types of applications. These standards encompass a 60-day processing period for international student visas from outside of Canada, a 12-month timeline for family-class sponsorship applications, and a six-month processing target for Express Entry applications.

Any application that remains unprocessed within these service standards is categorized as “in backlog.”

Also Read: India Resumes Visa Services in Canada for Specific Categories

Temporary Suspension of In-Person Services

IRCC has temporarily suspended all in-person services at consulates in India due to the reduction in staff. However, they will continue to accept and process applications from India. Certain application requirements must be fulfilled locally or on-site in a secure environment.

This suspension is attributed to the expulsion of 41 Canadian diplomats by India, resulting in a considerable reduction in the IRCC’s on-site workforce.

Future Expectations

Senior officials at IRCC have expressed their commitment to restoring normal processing for Indian applications by early 2024. This includes the return of the 22 immigration staff who have been relocated from India to Canada and the Philippines.

IRCC underscores that the majority of Indian applications are already processed outside the country, with 89% of applications from India being handled through the global network.

Ongoing Diplomatic Challenges

It is important to note that Canada and India are currently navigating diplomatic challenges associated with the assassination of a prominent Sikh leader in Surrey, British Columbia.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in the assassination, a claim firmly denied by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These diplomatic tensions have resulted in the temporary closure of India’s visa processing centres in Canada and the expulsion of Canadian diplomats from India.

IRCC’s efforts to address these staffing challenges coincide with these broader diplomatic issues, and the department remains committed to providing efficient and timely services to Indian visa applicants.