India Restores Visas For Canadians
New rules require mandatory pre-approval and in-person biometrics after 6-month suspension
India has resumed accepting Employment Visa applications from Canadian nationals through its consular posts in Canada. The move comes after a suspension in September 2023, when India stopped accepting all Indian visa applications, including e-visas, from Canadian citizens and foreign nationals applying from Canada.
The revised procedure for Employment Visas includes mandatory pre-approval, which applicants must clear before submitting their original passports and finalizing the remaining administrative steps. In addition, in-person biometric enrolment is now mandatory for all Employment Visa applicants.
Mail-in and postal applications for Employment Visas have been entirely phased out under the updated system. The revised procedure applies strictly to Employment Visas for Canadian citizens and does not apply to other visa categories.
## What changed The new requirements mark a significant change from the previous process, which allowed applicants to submit their documentation directly. Now, applicants must first secure official clearance from the relevant Indian consular post before submitting their original passports.
## Why it matters The resumption of Employment Visas for Canadians is a step towards normalizing cross-border travel between the two nations. The tighter screening process aims to ensure that only eligible applicants are granted visas. The move is expected to impact Canadian job seekers who wish to work in India, as well as Indian businesses that employ Canadian nationals.
The suspension of visa applications in September 2023 was a result of diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. The resumption of Employment Visas is a positive development, but the new requirements may add friction to the application process. Applicants must now plan for the additional step of pre-approval and in-person biometric enrolment, which may take longer than the previous process.
## What happens next Canadian nationals pursuing an Indian Employment Visa must now follow the revised procedure, which includes mandatory pre-approval and in-person biometric enrolment. Applicants must first secure official clearance from the relevant Indian consular post before submitting their original passports and finalizing the remaining administrative steps. The updated protocol is expected to streamline the application process and ensure that only eligible applicants are granted visas.
