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India’s Ministry of External Affairs says it’ll overview the state of affairs frequently’

Posted: 2 Hours Ago
Last Updated: 1 Hour Ago

India’s visa processing centre in Canada suspended providers Thursday as a rift widened between the international locations after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned India could have been concerned within the killing of a pro-Khalistan activist and president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in British Columbia, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 

So what does that imply for Canadians planning journeys to India? Here’s what we all know thus far:

Who does this have an effect on? 

Canadian residents who don’t have a visa for India or had been within the strategy of making use of for one. 

What kind of Indian visa can I apply for?

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the choice to cease all classes of visas, together with e-visas, for Canadian Citizens. If you are a Canadian nationwide questioning whether or not you possibly can apply for an Indian visa from a 3rd nation, just like the U.S., you’ll be subjected to the identical suspension providers.  

I’ve already obtained a aircraft ticket and I’m heading to the airport. Will my journey be affected?

If you might have a legitimate visa or an Indian passport, you possibly can journey. There isn’t any journey restriction. The announcement is about suspension of visa providers in Canada, which suggests Canadian nationals cannot apply for visas or get them processed till the Government of India resumes visa providers. 

NOTE: A visa doesn’t assure you admission to a rustic. It permits one to current themselves at a port of entry to hunt admission. 

Should I be frightened for my Canadian member of the family in India proper now? Can they return to Canada? 

If a Canadian nationwide in India wants an extension of visa, they will not have the ability to obtain one. But if they’ve a visa, they’re allowed to remain in India or journey forwards and backwards.

WATCH |  India suspends visa providers in Canada: 

Is touring to India proper now a security threat for me?

Canada has

regional travel advisories for Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujrat, and Rajasthan.

India has a journey advisory for Indian nationals and worldwide college students in Canada. 

I’m planning to return in November or December for a marriage. What does this imply for that journey?

Lots of people journey to India throughout these months, be it for holidays or for weddings. If you might have a visa or an Indian passport you possibly can journey.

The Ministry of External Affairs in India says it’ll “review the situation on a regular basis.” You can discover updates on India’s visa processing platform, BLS International. CBC can be intently monitoring the state of affairs. You can discover updates on our web site or CBC News app. 

Does this imply folks in India will not have the ability to ebook journeys to Canada?

Indian nationals with a legitimate visa to Canada are nonetheless allowed to journey to Canada. Canada is making staffing modifications to its excessive fee and consulate in India, citing on-line threats to diplomats. It is just too early to say what the state of affairs will seem like within the coming months, weeks and even days. 

Will this have an effect on Indians making use of for Canadian visas? What about incoming worldwide college students? 

So far, Canada has not suspended its visa providers in India. 

The Indian authorities says it is requested for “parity” in staffing, stating that Canada has extra diplomatic presence in India than India does in Canada. India has requested Canada’s presence be diminished. 

The High Commission of Canada has mentioned it’s briefly adjusting its employees presence at its fee and consulate places in India, because of “some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms.”

In the approaching days and weeks, this might imply delays in visa processing, or suspension of visa providers. 

Can individuals who already possess visas nonetheless enter the nation? 

Those in Canada who possess legitimate visas to India, or those that have abroad citizenship of India are free to journey to India. 

WATCH | The private affect of India’s suspension of visa processing: 

I’m an Indian citizen. Can I journey to India? 

Yes. If you might be an Indian nationwide (passport holder), you do not require any visa to enter India. 

What if I utilized for a visa earlier than this announcement? 

Your visa software won’t be processed till additional discover from the Indian authorities. 

Do Canadians want a transit visa? 

If you needn’t go away the airport, you do not want a transit visa in India. However, in case your journey requires a keep in India, you require a transit visa. Canadian nationals are unable to acquire a transit visa till the suspension of visa providers is lifted. 

How lengthy will this final? 

That’s the million-dollar query. This is an evolving state of affairs. The Indian authorities has mentioned they’re reviewing the state of affairs frequently. 

What if I’ve tickets booked and do not have a visa? 

In a press release to CBC News, Air Canada mentioned, “We continue to operate our normal service to India of 19 flights a week. For customers who may be affected by new visa requirements we have put in place a flexible rebooking policy so they can change their flights with no change fee if they need more time to prepare.”

Have extra questions on India’s visa service suspension? Write to us at: 

ask@cbc.ca