Retired Indian army and Punjab police personnel, especially those with service in Jammu and Kashmir, are experiencing notable delays in obtaining Canadian visas.
A retired official has endured more than a year of uncertainty, with no communication from Canadian authorities. Former Indian diplomat Vivek Katju has drawn attention to Canada’s consistent rejection of visa applications from Indian security force members with Jammu and Kashmir service records. Katju also alleges that Canada has similarly denied visas to members of the Indian armed forces, a matter that often goes underreported. The exact reasons for these delays remain unclear but may be linked to security considerations, as Canada maintains a stringent immigration policy focused on security and thorough applicant screening. The delays may also be aggravated by the high volume of visa applications currently in process by Canadian authorities.
These prolonged delays are causing significant frustration and anxiety among the affected officials and their families, who remain uncertain about when they will receive their visas and be able to travel to Canada. As of now, the Canadian government has not issued any official statements in response to Vivek Katju’s allegations.