As diplomatic tensions between Canada and India enhance, India has suspended issuing visas to Canadians as of September 21, 2023, till additional discover.
This improvement might have far-reaching results, as Canadians make up the fourth-largest group of vacationers to India.
India Suspends Issuing Visas to Canadians
As of September 21, 2023, India has suspended the issuance of visas to Canadians till additional discover. This transfer comes as the results of a diplomatic dispute between the 2 international locations, which arose earlier this week when the Canadian authorities accused the Indian authorities of involvement within the homicide of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.
All Canadians who want to journey to India are required to have a visa, and with out the power to acquire a visa, this transfer might disrupt journey plans for many individuals.
The BLS Indian Visa Utility Centre, which processes visa purposes for Canadians at places in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, has a banner operating on the high of its web site, which states:
Essential discover from Indian Mission: On account of operational causes, with impact from 21 September 2023, Indian visa providers have been suspended until additional discover. Please preserve checking BLS web site for additional updates.
It’s unclear if this transfer additionally impacts the issuance of e-Visas right now, that are processed by way of a special platform.
Based on India’s Bureau of Immigration, 80,000 Canadians visited the nation in 2021, which is the fourth-largest group of holiday makers amongst all international locations.
Whereas it’s unknown how lengthy the suspension of visa issuance will final, it’s prone to have an effect on many Canadians’ journey plans within the close to future.
Search for Versatile Rebooking Insurance policies
When you’ve got journey to or by means of India deliberate, and also you’re affected by the suspension of visa issuance, be sure you familiarize your self along with your airline’s rebooking coverage.
Air Canada, which operates flights to New Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM), has issued a temporary Goodwill Policy for passengers affected by this example.
Passengers who’re booked on a flight that originates in Canada with India as a closing vacation spot, on a ticket issued by Air Canada on or earlier than September 21, 2023, with authentic journey dates from September 21–October 15, 2023, are permitted a one-time change charge waiver.
In the event you meet the above standards, you possibly can change your flight to a different Air Canada-operated or Air Canada-marketed codeshare flight with out a change charge; nonetheless, there could also be a further assortment of fare, as per your ticket’s fare guidelines.
You can too change your ticket to journey to or from an alternate Air Canada vacation spot with a waived change charge; nonetheless, you’ll should pay the distinction, if any, in fare.
For eligible tickets booked with Aeroplan factors, passengers are being requested to get in contact with the Aeroplan Contact Centre by cellphone.
When you’ve got journey booked with some other airways, check with their web sites and name centres for up-to-date info on versatile rebooking insurance policies, if any.
Conclusion
India has suspended the issuance of visas to Canadians, on account of a rising diplomatic dispute between the 2 international locations. Since Canadians require a go to to journey to or by means of India, this transfer impacts anybody with plans to journey to India within the close to future.
The suspension of visa issuance is ready to proceed till additional discover.
Air Canada is providing a one-time change charge waiver for eligible passengers – for journey with different airways, be sure you get in contact with them immediately for info on choices accessible to you.
