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, the number of Canada-based IRCC employees at our High Commission there was reduced from 27 to 5.

• IRCC will continue to accept and process applications from India, but this reduction of staff will impact our capacity to deliver services to our clients.

• Despite our best efforts to redistribute work, the reduced staffing means there will be delays in processing some applications, delays in response times and delays with 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
The 5 Canada-based IRCC staff who remain in India will focus on critical work that requires in-country presence such as urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment and overseeing key partners.
• It is important to note that the vast majority of applications from India are processed outside of the country by IRCC’s network of offices worldwide.
• 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 satisfied that an 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.

Until recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had 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. Offices in Bangalore and Chandigarh have now ceased operation indefinitely.

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.

Having fewer employees working in India has had a significant impact on IRCC’s operations in that country. As India remains Canada’s top source country for permanent resident (PR) Economic and Family classes, there will likely be significant effects on IRCC’s ability to meet service standards currently available to Indian families, employees, investors and others, as well as to Canadians and Canadian companies.

It is 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 network of offices worldwide, 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 15,412
2014 26,552
2015 28,158
2016 16,611
2017 9,994
2018 19,483
2019 31,328
2020 15,418
2021 20,861
2022 59,581
2023 78,697
New citizens includes grants, adoptions and resumptions

PR and TR Applications with India as Country of Citizenship or Residence Processed between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 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 December 31, 2023
Year Approved Refused Approval rate Withdrawn Total
2018 640,529 363,357 64% 4,867 1,008,753
2019 713,442 422,995 63% 4,466 1,140,903
2020 376,002 122,013 76% 5,052 503,067
2021 515,487 138,623 79% 17,399 671,509
2022 913,153 517,777 64% 48,522 1,479,452
2023 1,313,963 503,272 72% 28,017 1,845,252

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 85,815 4,274 95% 668 90,757
2020 39,546 2,673 94% 407 42,626
2021 144,830 3,774 97% 4,041 152,645
2022 134,728 6,116 96% 9,118 149,962
2023 146,764 6,429 96% 4,372 157,565

Source: IRCC (EDW) as of January 16, 2024

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