Entry Visa Application on Emergency Grounds for Indian Origin Passport Holders in Canada
Key Points:
- The Indian Consulate in Canada has introduced special procedures for Indian-origin passport holders facing emergencies, aiming to expedite Entry Visa applications for critical situations.
- Special counters have been established at BLS Centres in Toronto and Brampton for faster processing of Entry Visa applications on emergency grounds.
- For cases involving the recent death of immediate family members (parents, grandparents, and siblings), specific application submission hours and document requirements have been outlined.
- Applicants can choose between same-day visa issuance or next working day issuance, depending on their travel plans and whether they leave the application at the BLS Centre.
- Serious medical emergency cases involving hospitalization of immediate family members require a specific application process, including approval through the SAMPARK portal.
- Emergency Visas are granted for a maximum of 90 days with a single entry and are solely for genuine emergencies, such as the recent death of a close relative in India.
Introduction:
In a bid to expedite the processing of Entry Visa applications for emergency situations, the Indian Consulate has introduced special procedures for Indian-origin passport holders in Canada. This initiative aims to provide a swift and efficient process for individuals facing critical situations that require immediate travel to India.
Special Counters for Faster Processing:
To facilitate the quicker processing of Entry Visa applications on emergency grounds, special counters have been established at BLS Centres in Toronto and Brampton. This service commenced on Monday, 17 October 2022. These special counters will exclusively handle applications related to emergencies, and applicants are strongly advised not to approach the Consulate directly for such submissions.
Handling Emergency Situations:
For cases involving the unfortunate demise of immediate family members, including parents, grandparents, and siblings, the following procedures are in place:
- Application Submission Hours:Applications can be submitted on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at BLS Centres located at 1448 Lawrence Avenue E, Unit 6 A, Toronto ON M4A 2V6, and 60 Gillingham Drive, Unit 403, Brampton, ON, L6X 4X7.
- Required Documents:Applicants must present a copy of the death certificate or a medical document confirming the demise within the last 72 hours, a copy of the photo ID of the deceased, and proof of the applicant's relation to the deceased.
Visa Issuance Process:
Once an application is accepted and the requisite fee is paid at BLS, the applicant has two options:
- Same-Day Issuance:If the applicant intends to travel on the same day, they should bring the application with proof of payment (along with their air ticket) to the Consulate by 2:00 PM on weekdays and by 12:00 PM (Noon) on Saturdays for immediate visa issuance.
- Next Working Day Issuance:Alternatively, applicants can choose to leave the application at the BLS Centre, in which case the visa will be issued on the next working day.
Serious Medical Emergencies:
For cases of serious medical emergencies resulting in the hospitalization of immediate family members, a specific procedure is in place:
- Applicants must submit a request for an emergency appointment to the Consulate through the SAMPARK portal on the Consulate's website.
- After receiving approval for the request from the Consulate, the applicant can submit the application, along with a copy of the SAMPARK approval, at the special counters of BLS as per the provided details.
Visa Validity:
In all cases under this emergency visa category, the Entry Visa will be granted for a maximum period of 90 days with a single entry allowance.
Emergency Visa Category Explained:
It's crucial to note that the Emergency Visa is not a standalone visa category. Instead, it is an Entry Visa granted to Canadian or foreign passport holders of Indian origin specifically for travel to India in emergency situations. These emergencies are typically related to attending to genuine situations such as the recent death of a close relative in India. The approval for an Emergency Visa is subject to verification and is solely at the discretion of the Consulate. In some cases, applicants may be required to attend an interview. The Entry Visa, valid for three months with single entry, is granted exclusively for handling these emergency situations. It's important to understand that tourist, business, employment, research, or conference visas cannot be applied for using the emergency procedure. In certain cases, the service may not be available.
Application Timings:
- Working Days (0930-1200 hrs):In exceptional cases involving the recent death of a close relative, Emergency Visa applications (with online registrations only) will be accepted at the Consulate between 0930-1200 hours, along with a copy of the air-ticket (for travel within 48 hours) for death cases. This service is exclusively for Canadian passport holders.
- Saturdays (1000-1200 hours with prior appointment on Emergency Number/by email):Similar to weekdays, Emergency Visa applications (with online registrations only) are accepted at the Consulate between 1000-1200 hours on Saturdays, provided the applicant has a copy of the air-ticket for travel within 48 hours. Again, this service is only available to Canadian passport holders. Please note that there will be no emergency visa service on Sundays and holidays.
Documentary Requirements:
Applicants must ensure they have all the required documents for their applications to be accepted:
- Duly completed, printed, and signed online visa application form (for online registration, visitIndian Visa Online).
- One passport-sized photograph (2” x 2” or 51 x 51 MM) in color, showing a full frontal face against a white background, to be pasted on the application form.
- A current valid passport with a minimum of 190 days of validity and a minimum of 2 blank pages, along with a copy of its first page.
- A self-declaration from the applicant explaining the reason for emergency travel, supported by documentary evidence.
- A copy of the confirmed air ticket for travel within the next 48 hours.
- A copy of the death certificate of the deceased person for whom the travel is necessary.
- Proof of the applicant's relationship to the deceased, such as a copy of their passport, birth certificate, etc.
- Proof of address within the jurisdiction of this Consulate.
- A copy of the cancelled Indian passport or Surrender Certificate.
- Bank draft/postal money order payable to the Consulate General of India, Vancouver, as specified:
- On working days - C$ 100.00 + C$ 4.00 (Consular surcharge) - Total C$ 104.00
- On working days - C$ 100.00 + C$ 4.00 (Consular surcharge) - Total C$ 104.00
- On Saturdays & beyond normal hours on working days – C$ 100 + C$ 4 (Consular surcharge) + C$ 55 (Emergency service charge) - Total C$ 159
- In the case of minor applicants, include (1) a copy of the birth certificate or proof of parentage and (2) a consent form signed by both parents.
Conclusion:
The introduction of special counters at BLS Centres in Toronto and Brampton, along with the streamlined application process for Emergency Visas, represents a significant step in aiding Indian-origin passport holders in Canada during critical situations. These measures aim to provide a swift response to emergencies, ensuring that applicants can attend to their urgent family matters in India with ease and efficiency.