India’s suspension of visa services in Canada stirs panic in Punjab

Anxiety grips Punjab over India-Canada visa stand-off; families, students worry. India suspends visa services in Canada, causing panic among students, families in Punjab

As India on Thursday suspended visa services in Canada, anxiety has gripped people in Punjab, especially students who aspire to go to Canada. Political parties have also aired their concerns. 

With diplomatic tension between India and Canada continuing to escalate, those waiting for visas to Canada from Punjab are a worried lot. The state sends a large number of people to the North American country

Sarbpriya Atri, a Sangrur-based immigration consultant told The Hindu that students, their families and other travellers to Canada are visibly edgy. “Parents who are planning to send their children to Canada in the upcoming session are worried, which is natural. Today, over a dozen parents visited me to know about the impact of the tension between the two nations. They are worried that visas will be rejected. As of now, there’s nothing much to worry about for students. However, if Canada retaliates and issues restrictions on visas then there would be a huge impact, especially on students in Punjab,” said Mr. Atri.

“The bigger concern for parents, whose children are already in Canada, is their safety and return to the homeland. Reports of gang violence in Canada has parents worried,” he added.

India has issued an advisory to Indian nationals in Canada, including students, to exercise utmost caution while travelling in the country.

India and Canada have issued advisories, cautioning citizens against travel. creating panic among parents whose children currently hold study visas in Canada and those with pending visa applications.

Jagtar Chand of Mianwal Araian village in Jalandhar, whose daughter is already in Canada’s Brampton City for a three-year course in Computer Science, expressed concern about the ongoing tension between both countries. “I was planning to visit my daughter in Canada, but if visa restrictions are put in place it’s going to be tough. I am worried about my daughter as I don’t know how things will unfold in the days to come,” he said.