CIMM – Reduction of IRCC’s India Network Footprint – October 24, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

Canada is reducing its government staff in India. This will have an impact on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) services, including our ability to process applications originating from India.
As a major source of newcomers to Canada and the fastest growing economic region in the world, India and the Indo-Pacific continue to play a vital role in Canada’s immigration strategy. India remains Canada’s top source country for permanent residents (PR), economic and family classes, and there will likely be an impact on IRCC’s ability to meet service standards. This will affect thousands of family class sponsors in Canada.
In 2022, India was the top source country for PRs (accounting for 27% of admissions combined), temporary foreign workers (22%) and international students (45%). According to the 2021 Census, 1.35 million people of Indian origin live in Canada.

Following the request by the Government of India, IRCC is reducing the number of employees in India. This reduction is expected to affect those seeking to travel, study, work and come to Canada to start a new life, and will have an impact on processing.
IRCC will continue to accept and process applications with the assistance of employees across the organization through our global integrated network of migration officers. However, some requirements must be completed locally or done on site in a secure environment.
IRCC will reduce the number of Canadian employees in India. The impact on locally engaged staff is yet to be determined.
IRCC recognizes the impact the current situation may have on clients, families, educational institutions, businesses and Canada more broadly. Canada will continue to welcome Indian citizens, whether they wish to come temporarily to visit, work or study, or to live permanently in the country, noting that family reunification continues to be a priority for the government.

In India, Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi. Canada also has Consulates General in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai, as well as trade offices in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
IRCC has a significant presence in India including three offices in Bangalore, Chandigarh, and New Delhi. The High Commission in New Delhi is Canada’s largest visa office abroad.
These offices process applications, print visas, and conduct interviews when necessary by appointment. Visa applicants can get administrative support, transmit passports, and submit their biometrics at one of our 10 Visa Application Centres, which are third party contractors with the Government of Canada and continue to operate.
The IRCC network in India issues approximatively up to 15,000 visas (students, businesses, visitors, etc.) from Indian citizens every week, many of which require interviews and other vetting by Canadian officers to guard against fraud and inadmissibility.