Canadian authorities are seeking new powers to tighten visa application checks, and internal documents have singled out India for “country-specific challenges,” according to a CBC News report.
The proposal has triggered debate, especially as India was prominently mentioned.
Why India was highlighted
Asylum claims from Indian nationals reportedly rose from fewer than 500 a month in May 2023 to around 2,000 by July 2024.
This spike slowed processing, increasing average wait times from 30 days in July 2023 to 54 days a year later.
Approval numbers also dipped, dropping from over 63,000 in January 2024 to around 48,000 by June.
Increase in verification checks
Authorities noted higher “no board” cases in India and issued more procedural fairness letters, with 1,873 applicants flagged for additional questioning by July 2024.
Official stance
Canada’s immigration minister Lena Diab maintains the powers would be used mainly in “pandemic or war situations,” but internal notes suggest broader country-specific use.
