In light of diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has assured Indian students of ongoing efforts to mitigate any potential impact on their visa applications. Concerns have grown among prospective students and their families following a series of diplomatic actions, including the expulsion of top envoys from both countries, over accusations involving India’s alleged involvement in the killing of Canadian-Sikh activist Harjinder Singh Nijjar. This issue has also brought attention to broader security concerns and alleged criminal activities within Canada related to certain groups from India.
IRCC spokesperson Isabelle Dubois, in an exclusive statement to The PIE News, emphasized that despite the diplomatic strain, Indian nationals and residents can continue to apply to study in Canada without disruption. “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is working hard to continue mitigating any impact on applicants from or in India by continuing to share the workload across our global processing network,” Dubois stated. She also reassured applicants that Canada’s designated learning institutions are committed to welcoming students from India, with applications assessed individually by immigration officers under consistent criteria applied globally.
This assurance from IRCC comes as Canada, a popular destination for international students, finds itself in a situation that threatens to impact its status among Indian students. Canada has one of the world’s largest Indian-origin populations, including over 400,000 Indian students, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Indian students make up the largest international student cohort in Canada, contributing significantly to the economy, which in 2022 saw nearly $31 billion generated from international education. The recent tensions, however, have led to growing apprehensions among students and Canadian institutions alike. Many worry that visa and study permit processing times may face delays as diplomatic staff are reduced in Canada’s High Commission in India.
Dubois addressed these concerns, emphasizing that IRCC’s processing workflow is designed to minimize the impact of such challenges. She highlighted that a large majority of applications from Indian students are processed outside of India, with over 90% handled within Canada itself. This strategy, Dubois noted, has been in place to ensure that students are minimally affected by disruptions in diplomatic operations. Yet, despite these efforts, IRCC’s Open Data Portal revealed a 50% decline in study permit approvals from India in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, hinting at the possible effects of the diplomatic row on student applications.
Canada’s security concerns, especially around its immigration policy, have also come under scrutiny as reports surfaced that certain individuals involved in criminal activities had entered Canada on study permits. Canadian authorities are also dealing with allegations of gangs and extremist elements reportedly linked to India. The case of Nijjar’s killing further intensified these concerns, as at least two of the four individuals arrested in the case reportedly entered Canada on study permits. In response, the Indian government has stated that it has submitted 26 extradition requests and provided Canada with intelligence regarding criminal activities related to gangs but noted a lack of action in response.
In light of these tensions, there has been speculation that Canada might start requiring police clearance certificates from temporary residents, including international students. However, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller has denied any such requirement, emphasizing that existing security and criminality checks are conducted rigorously through collaboration among IRCC, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
“IRCC continues to work closely with the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, as well as our closest international partners to carry out comprehensive security screening to help mitigate potential security and criminality risks with those seeking to enter Canada,” Dubois added. She noted that this includes robust information sharing to identify potential risks associated with immigration applications.
Despite diplomatic challenges, the IRCC’s reassurances provide some relief to the Indian student community, highlighting Canada’s commitment to fostering its educational ties with India.
