22-05-2025
Visitor visa approvals to Canada pick up under new govt, tourists from Punjab heave a sigh of relief
Canada has recently taken steps to improve the issuance of tourist visas to Indian nationals, marking a stark contrast to the significant reductions observed just a few months ago. The sharp drop in visa approvals, which saw success rate plummet from around 80 per cent to as low as 10-20 per cent, particularly for applicants from Punjab, left many prospective visitors disheartened.
However, under the new government, or just prior to its election, a noticeable shift in immigration policy has provided some relief, signalling a more welcoming approach for travellers. Despite Canada phasing out the automatic 10-year multiple-entry tourist visas for eligible applicants last year, the recent developments offer hope for those seeking visitor visas. Although Canada has become more selective and tightened its immigration system, initially frustrating many potential tourists, the approach now appears to be loosening under the new leadership.
Visitor visa approval rates have improved in the past few months since the new government was expected to take charge. Visas are now being processed faster compared to previous timelines. 'From April 28 to May 15, I received four visitor visa approvals. In one case, there were three refusals in the past, but this time, visa approvals came within two weeks after application,' said Tirath Singh of Pinnacle Immigration in Jalandhar. He added that since the new government took office, visitor visa approval rates have increased by about 50 to 60 per cent, reversing the sharp declines seen last year.
From July to August of last year, there was a surge in refusals, even for well-qualified individuals—professionals, government officials, and those with substantial financial assets—without clear reasons for the rejections.
'The change, however, came with the arrival of the new government, which has worked to alleviate some of the frustrations caused under previous policies. Under the leadership of the current government, the visitor visa process has improved, reversing long delays and rejections without explanation,' said Tirath Singh.
Gurpreet Singh of iCan Immigration Consultancy noted that the success rate for visitor visas has improved in recent weeks, now hovering around 50 per cent. 'We hope this will continue to improve. The new government has focused on streamlining visa processing times, which has allowed for a smoother experience for applicants,' he added.
Experts point out that while it is still early to make definitive conclusions, they believe the new government's policies strike a better balance between controlling immigration and fostering global tourism, something that was increasingly difficult under the previous administration. As a result, the system is still selective but more predictable, with fewer unexpected rejections and clearer reasoning.
Cautionary note for visitors to Canada
Experts also suggest that Indian applicants who are granted visitor visas should avoid overstaying in Canada and ensure they leave before their visa expires. This will help maintain a good record for Indian tourists and further improve the approval rate for visitor visas. Experts also caution applicants against illegal employment and ask them to clearly state their intent to return after their visit. They also advise that visitors should not use Canada as a gateway to the United States.
The decision to discontinue the automatic 10-year tourist visas is still in effect, but experts believe that the new government may lead to an improved success rate for the six-month tourist visas.
