Question Period Note: IRCC PRESENCE IN INDIA

IRCC’s presence in India is reduced significantly.

• Following India's intent to unilaterally remove immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi by October 20, 2023, IRCC is reducing the number of Canada-based employees in India from 27 to 5. IRCC will continue to accept and process applications from India, but this will impact our services and clients.

• It is important to note that the large majority of applications from India are processed outside of the country, with 89% of India’s applications processed through the global network. The 5 Canada-based IRCC staff who remain in India will focus on work that requires in-country presence such as urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment and overseeing key partners.

• Despite our efforts to redistribute work, there may be potential delays in processing applications, response times and returning documents to applicants.

• Canada has a strong connection with Indian Citizens, and will continue to welcome them, whether they wish to come here to visit, work, study, be reunited with loved ones, or hopefully look to call Canada home.
If pressed

• Some functions and services cannot be moved outside the country. While visas for Indian applicants can be printed in other countries, Indian passports cannot be mailed in and out of India.

• Applicants can continue to use the services of Visa Application Centres in India that remain open, including submitting their biometrics.

• The Government of Canada’s top priority is to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Applications, regardless of country of nationality, are screened for eligibility and inadmissibility requirements as set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

The Government of Canada is committed to the integrity and fairness of its immigration system and procedures. Visas and immigration documents are only issued when the migration officer is fully satisfied that each applicant poses no threat to the health, safety, or security of Canadians. IRCC works closely with Public Safety Canada partners (CBSA, the RCMP and CSIS) to carry out the screening process.

• Indian nationals can continue to apply to study in Canada and Canadian designated learning institutions continue to welcome students from India. New applications will be processed, but at a slower rate. In particular, there will be a transition period as IRCC adapts to the reduced presence in India that may result in slower processing until new workflows have been established.

In India, Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi. Canada also has Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai, as well as trade offices in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a significant presence in India including three offices in Bangalore, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. The High Commission in New Delhi is in fact home to Canada’s largest visa office abroad.

These offices process applications, print visas, and conduct interviews when necessary by appointment. Visa applicants can get administrative support, transmit passports, and submit their biometrics at one of our 10 Visa Application Centres (VAC), which are third party contractors with the Government of Canada and continue to operate.

Fewer employees will have a significant impact on IRCC’s operations in India. As India remains Canada’s top source country for PR Economic and Family classes, there will likely be significant effects on IRCC ability to meet service standards currently available to Indian families, employees, investors and others, as well as to Canadians and Canadian companies.

It’s important to note that while applications are processed globally, applications processed outside of India will also be impacted. Some functions and services cannot be moved outside the country. While visas for Indian applicants can be printed in other countries, Indian passports cannot be mailed in and out of India.

Regardless of where applications are assessed in IRCC’s global network, certain services for residents of India, such as visa printing, take place in India.

Number of Indian nationals who became Canadian citizens in the past few years

Calendar Year New Citizens
2013 15,411
2014 26,551
2015 28,159
2016 16,613
2017 9,994
2018 19,485
2019 31,330
2020 15,421
2021 20,865
2022 59,579
2023 (Jan - Aug) 50,151

PR and TR Applications with India as Country of Citizenship or Residence Processed between January 1, 2018 and September 21, 2023, by Application Type, Final Decision and Final Decision Year (in Persons)

Temporary residents (visitors, students, workers) with India as Country of Citizenship or Residence as of September 21, 2023
Year Approved Refused Approval rate Withdrawn Total
2018 640,546 363,359 64% 4,869 1,008,774
2019 713,458 423,003 63% 4,468 1,140,929
2020 376,045 122,018 76% 5,053 503,116
2021 515,571 138,626 79% 17,399 671,596
2022 913,900 517,827 64% 48,523 1,480,250
2023 969,397 394,934 71% 21,953 1,386,284

Permanent residents with India as Country of Citizenship or Residence
Year Approved Refused Approval rate Withdrawn Total
2018 68,615 3,138 96% 826 72,579
2019 85,820 4,278 95% 668 90,766
2020 39,554 2,673 94% 407 42,634
2021 144,849 3,782 97% 4,041 152,672
2022 134,899 6,166 96% 9,122 150,187
2023 109,893 4,716 96% 3,764 118,373

None