Visa Issue: Delay in visa for Indian students, Government urges Canadian authorities to expedite the process

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has asked the Canadian authorities to look into the problems faced by college students enrolled in Canadian universities. Due to this delay many students are not able to attend academic courses due to delay in processing of their visas and student permits.

In an advisory, the High Commission said that Indian officials in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are engaged with Canadian interlocutors, including academic institutions and universities, regarding the problems faced by Indian students.

In the advisory, highlighting these issues and the fact that Indian students have already deposited tuition fees with Canadian institutions, we urged the Canadian authorities to expedite the processing of visa applications for students from India. has requested.

It was noted that Canada has emerged as a preferred destination for Indian students after secondary education. But the High Commission said, 'Visa processing is a state authority of the Canadian government.'

Currently, over 230,000 students from India enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Canada are making a positive contribution to the Canadian economy, including tuition fees of an estimated USD 4 billion.

India and Canada's strategic partnership is based on a shared commitment to democratic values, pluralism and the rule of law.

The bilateral agenda is based on economic engagement, regular dialogue and expansion of long-standing people-to-people ties.

Although ministerial or official visits could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the interaction through video conferencing has maintained the continuity of the bilateral engagement.

Bilateral trade from April 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021 stood at US$ 2.968 billion. India's exports to Canada during this period were US$ 1.982 billion and imports from Canada were US$ 0.985 billion. There has been an increase in portfolio investments from Canada to India during this period.

The two countries continue to negotiate for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).

Let us tell you that both sides have helped each other during the Covid-19 epidemic. At the same time, during Corona, India also supplied Covishield vaccines, paracetamal and hydroxychloroquine drugs to Canada. During April-May 2021, Canada supplied critical drugs and oxygen-related equipment.