Ottawa (Commonwealth Union)_Arminder Bajwa is one of hundreds of Indian visa applicants who claim that backlogs in the system have left them in limbo as visa applications have increased despite a decline in global travel restrictions. He arrived at 5:30 a.m., when temps were near zero. Indian visa applicants are demanding for the reinstatement of an electronic visa scheme that permitted online applications prior to the outbreak, as well as increased manpower to solve alleged processing delays across the country.
“I’ve spent over $8,000 on tickets,” Bajwa says from the line, flanked by hundreds of others attempting to stay warm. “It’s my sister’s wedding, and I have to be there because it’s like a tradition.” “That condition, inflation, everything… $8,000,” he added.
However, Bajwa’s passport has been held by authorities inside the BLS office for more than 17 days, and he is becoming frantic. Another person in line reported they had been waiting for nearly two months, despite the Indian consulate’s stated 30-day visa processing schedule.
Prior to the epidemic, candidates like Bajwa had access to a totally virtual electronic visa application, a scheme that was halted because to travel disruptions. And, while the programme has been reinstated in over 156 countries, it has yet to be reinstated in Canada, despite India being the leading source of new Asian immigrants to Canada since 2016.
Sanjay Kumar Verma, the Indian high commissioner-designate, stated that visa applications have increased dramatically but denied substantial delays. However, according to a voicemail from BLS International, to whom the Indian High Commission has outsourced visa applications, “processing times have been raised.”
A request for comment was not returned by the corporation. However, acknowledging delays is of little comfort to Bajwa and others in his circumstances. “Surrey, in Metro Vancouver, is rapidly growing in population. It seems to be getting worse by the day “He stated. “They require more office space. They require extra personnel.”
