The row could also lead to subdued overseas tourist arrivals from Canada over time.
Rahul Singh, managing partner at relocation and immigration firm Kraft Mobility said the visa situation for Indian nationals looking to travel to Canada has been influenced by the broader diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Recently, tensions over various issues, including political disagreements and concerns about security, have led to changes in visa processing. There could be increased scrutiny and security checks may result in longer processing times for visa applications, he said.
“The process for Indian professionals seeking work permits can become more complex or stringent and may lead to more complex requirements for skilled workers. We as a service provider have already seen approximately 20% less enquiries as compared to previous months for Canada as people are concerned about the political relations,” he added.
The travel advisories have not been updated yet, but if visa processing timelines slow down, it will impact travellers looking at meeting friends and family, said Rajiv Mehra, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators. The diplomatic row comes at a time when India is also approaching the peak inbound tourist season. “It will impact the inbound tourist flow. Unlike outbound or domestic numbers, inbound tourism is yet to reach pre-Covid levels and we were hoping that this year would see some significant recovery. Tourism aids soft diplomacy, but in times of conflict and discord, it is the first sector that gets impacted,” said Ajay Prakash, board member of Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH). Sohail Hanafi, director, Azura Holidays Pvt Ltd said Indian travelers have long been drawn to Canada for tourism and study. “However, recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have begun to impact these experiences. Stricter visa processing, heightened scrutiny, and uncertainty surrounding bilateral relations have caused concerns among prospective students and tourists,” he said. “While the number of Indian travelers has historically been robust, current diplomatic strain is likely to create hesitancy, particularly for students, who may reconsider their plans due to visa delays and geopolitical concerns. Tourism may also witness a slowdown, as travelers look for alternative destinations amid the diplomatic uncertainty,” he added.
Vaibhav Gupta, co-founder and CMO , iSchoolConnect said the strained relationship between Canada and India will impact the seamless travel of citizens between the two countries.
“According to estimates, more than 750,000 Indians travelled from India to Canada in 2022, while more than 280,000 Canadians travelled to India as per MEA.The most affected will be students and their parents, and the challenge of getting a visa might be heightened,” he added.
Many families who invested in Canadian education as a path to permanent residency (PR) will need to explore alternatives as obtaining PR will become more challenging, according to Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder, Collegify.