On Thursday afternoon, confusion arose when the ticker on the BLS International Website of the Indian Mission in Canada was briefly removed, indicating the suspension of visa services until further notice for operational reasons. The Indian Mission has since reinstated the ticker on its Visa Application page, providing clarity to interested visa applicants.
According to BLS International, individuals seeking visas have been advised to regularly check the BLS website for further updates on the matter.
The BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider that manages various services for government and diplomatic missions globally, including visas, passports, consular services, attestation, and citizen services.
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a release advising Indian nationals and students in Canada to exercise caution, particularly in regions and venues where anti-India activities have been growing. This cautionary advisory came amid heightened tensions between India and Canada, which escalated following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The situation led to a diplomatic dispute and reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats.
In response to the growing tensions, New Delhi suspended visa services for Canadian nationals indefinitely, marking the first such suspension since the COVID-19 pandemic. India’s advisory also warned of “politically-condoned hate crimes” and urged Indian students to remain vigilant.
Canada, in response, sought additional security for its missions in India, including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. India likewise enhanced security at its missions in Canada after the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group released posters with provocative messages, including threats to “shut down Indian missions” and accusations against India regarding Nijjar’s killing. The SFJ, banned in India in 2019 due to its pro-Khalistan activities, had also threatened Hindus of Indian origin in Canada, urging them to leave the country.
