India Restores Online Travel Visa Processing for Canadians

Canada Travel Restriction travel visa ns
  • November 27, 2023

In a positive development for Canadian travelers, India has reinstated its online travel visa processing for Canadians, effective Wednesday,  November 22, 2023. This decision marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy in visa procedures following a two-month suspension imposed by New Delhi in September 2023.

The suspension stemmed from comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding a “potential link” between India’s government and the killing of Canadian Sikh Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India vehemently denied any involvement in the incident, which occurred in June 2023.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed relief and satisfaction over the resumption of visa processing, acknowledging that the suspension should not have occurred in the first place. He termed the development as encouraging news for Canadians seeking to travel to India.

India’s decision to resume online travel visa processing is limited to tourism and business visas for Canadians at this time. It is important to note that while this move signals a partial thaw in India-Canada relations, it does not guarantee a complete resolution of the underlying tensions surrounding Sikh separatism.

Despite these persistent tensions, India and Canada have maintained cordial economic and strategic ties over the years. Both countries recognize the importance of fostering a strong bilateral relationship, and the resumption of visa processing is a positive step towards achieving that goal.

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