India to resume visa services for certain categories of Canadian citizens from tomorrow

In a massive development amid diplomatic row with Canada, India on Wednesday (October 25) will resume visa services in Canada for four categories - Entry visa, Business visa, Medical visa and Conference visa from Thursday (October 26). The government of India had suspended the visa services for Canadian nationals in September, according to the High Commission of India in Ottawa.

"The High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada and its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver were constrained to suspend visa services temporarily because of safety and security considerations. After a considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard, it has been decided to resume visa services for the following categories



with effect from October 26, 2023," the press release said.

"Further decisions, as appropiate, would be intimated based on continuing evaluation of the situation," it added.

The move came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India is looking at resuming visa services for Canadians "very soon" if it sees progress in the safety of its diplomats in Canada.

Jaishankar had said that the primary reason behind India temporarily stopping the visa services a few weeks ago was the concern over the safety and security of its diplomats in Canada and that Ottawa's inability to provide a secure environment to the Indian officials challenges the most fundamental aspect of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.