Reopening of Visa Application Centres [VACs] in India

As per an official statement by the High Commission of Canada, “Visa Application Centres [VACs] will begin scheduling limited biometric appointments as of November 20 in – Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Family Class applicants and Study Permit principal applicants will have priority as we phase in services.”

Located worldwide, VACs are private companies with formal contracts with the Canadian government.

Speaking in the local language, VACs are a medium for securely sending in a visa application and passport to the visa office.

VACs are also official locations where visa applicants can submit their biometrics – that is, a photograph and fingerprints – after submitting their visa application.

Along with providing assistance for the completion of visa applications, VACs also provide access to computers for applying online.

There are certain things that VACs can and cannot do.

VACs can accept applications for Work permits Study permits Travel documents for permanent residents Temporary resident [visitor] visas

VACs cannot accept applications for Temporary residence permits Immigration Express Entry Rehabilitation Voluntary renunciation of permanent resident status

While many of the VACs have reopened across India, all appointments will have to be confirmed in advance. As of now, walk-ins are not permitted at the VACs.

As per the High Commission of Canada, those with a unique Biometric Instructions Letter [BIL] issued by IRCC will be sent further instructions via email as to the process for scheduling their biometric appointments.

More appointments are expected to be made available as the service is phased out gradually.

Location of VAC	Status	Details
Ahmedabad	Limited services, by appointment only.	Biometric collection services being offered for priority family sponsorship applications [spouse, partner and dependent child]. By appointment only.
Bangalore	Limited services, by appointment only.	Biometric collection services being offered for priority family sponsorship applications [spouse, partner and dependent child]. By appointment only.
Chandigarh	Limited services, by appointment only.	Biometric collection services being offered for priority family sponsorship applications [spouse, partner and dependent child]. By appointment only.
Chennai	Temporarily closed.	Temporarily closed until further notice. If required, the applicant will be contacted for rescheduling appointment.
Hyderabad	Temporarily closed.	Temporarily closed until further notice. If required, the applicant will be contacted for rescheduling appointment.
Jalandhar	Limited services, by appointment only.	Biometric collection services being offered for priority family sponsorship applications [spouse, partner and dependent child]. By appointment only.
Kolkata	Temporarily closed.	Temporarily closed until further notice. If required, the applicant will be contacted for rescheduling appointment.
Mumbai	Limited services, by appointment only.	Biometric collection services being offered for priority family sponsorship applications [spouse, partner and dependent child]. By appointment only.
New Delhi	Limited services, by appointment only. Accepts requested passports sent by courier only.	Biometric collection services being offered for priority family sponsorship applications [spouse, partner and dependent child]. By appointment only. Those sent a passport request letter will be required to email the helpline of the VFS for the coordination for submission of passport through courier. Passport request letter to be printed and included along with the passport submission.
Pune	Temporarily closed.	Temporarily closed until further notice. If required, the applicant will be contacted for rescheduling appointment.

With VACs in India resuming services, those exempt from the travel restrictions in Canada can now submit their biometrics required for the completion of their immigration application process.

India is Canada’s leading source of international students as well as migrants. Indians got the highest number of Canada PR in 2019.

In 2019, of the 341,180 permanent residents admitted by Canada, a quarter – that is, more than 85,000 – were from India.

Additionally, Indians accounted for more than one-third of the over 640,000 international students hosted by Canada in 2019.

If you are looking to Migrate, Study, Invest, Visit, or Work Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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