High Commission of Canada in New Delhi

Embassy of Canada in New Delhi, India

Overview

The High Commission of Canada in New Delhi serves as Canada's principal diplomatic mission in India, located at Shantipath in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri. As both Canada and India are Commonwealth countries, the diplomatic mission is called a 'High Commission.' The High Commission provides comprehensive consular services to Canadian nationals throughout its extensive jurisdictional area covering most Indian states and union territories, processes visa and immigration applications for Indian residents seeking to visit, study, work, or immigrate to Canada, and facilitates bilateral relations between Canada and India across political cooperation, economic ties, trade and investment, education (with over 300,000 Indian students in Canada), research collaboration, climate action, clean energy, democratic values, and people-to-people connections through the 1.8-million-strong Indian diaspora in Canada. Canada and India maintain a Comprehensive Economic Partnership characterized by shared Commonwealth heritage, democratic values, growing trade and investment (bilateral merchandise trade over CAD 14 billion), strong educational ties (India is largest source of international students to Canada), energy cooperation, technology partnership, and vibrant diaspora connections. Indian students represent the largest group of international students in Canada (over 40% of all international students), making education a cornerstone of bilateral relationship. Canada maintains extensive diplomatic presence with Consulates in Bangalore (serving Karnataka), Chandigarh (serving northern states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand), and Mumbai (serving western India including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa), plus representative offices in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad supporting trade and immigration services. The High Commission's consular jurisdiction is one of the most extensive, covering Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Canadian community in India includes business professionals, educators, mining and energy sector representatives, development workers, researchers, and families.
Read more

Visa Services

Indian citizens require a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada for tourism, business, family visits, study, work, or immigration. Canada operates a comprehensive immigration system with various pathways for temporary residence and permanent residence (immigration). Applications are processed online through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with biometric collection at Visa Application Centres (VAC) operated by VFS Global in major Indian cities. Popular visa and immigration categories include Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) for tourism, business visits, family visits (valid for multiple entries, typically 10 years with stays up to 6 months per visit), eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for visa-exempt travelers transiting through Canada (Indians require full visitor visa, not eTA), Study Permit for students accepted at Designated Learning Institutions in Canada (over 300,000 Indian students in Canada; requires acceptance letter, proof of financial support, valid passport, and may require Study Plan explaining study choice and future plans; allows off-campus work up to 20 hours/week during studies, full-time during breaks; Post-Graduation Work Permit - PGWP - allows graduates to work in Canada for up to 3 years providing Canadian work experience pathway to permanent residence), Work Permit including Temporary Foreign Worker Program permits (requiring Labour Market Impact Assessment - LMIA - from employer) and International Mobility Program permits (LMIA-exempt including intra-company transfers, NAFTA professionals, international agreements), Express Entry system for skilled worker immigration (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class programs; points-based Comprehensive Ranking System - CRS - based on age, education, language proficiency in English/French, work experience; highest-scoring candidates invited to apply for permanent residence; Indian professionals particularly in IT, engineering, healthcare successfully immigrate), Provincial Nominee Programs allowing Canadian provinces and territories to nominate candidates for immigration based on provincial labor market needs, Family Sponsorship for spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, Business Immigration including Start-Up Visa for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas supported by designated Canadian venture capital, angel investors, or business incubators, and Self-Employed Persons Program, Caregiver programs for childcare and healthcare providers, and Atlantic Immigration Program for Canada's Atlantic provinces. Visa/permit requirements include valid passport, completed application forms, biometric data (fingerprints, photograph) collected at VFS Global VAC, medical examination from panel physician for certain categories, police clearance certificates, proof of financial support, educational credential assessment for immigration applications, language test results (IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French) for immigration and some work permits, and category-specific documents. Processing times vary from weeks for visitor visas to months for study/work permits to 6+ months for permanent residence applications. Application fees vary by category. VFS Global operates Visa Application Centres across India in major cities. For detailed information, requirements, and to apply, visit canada.ca or ircc.canada.ca. Email india.consular@international.gc.ca for consular inquiries.
Read more

Consular Services

The Consular Section provides comprehensive services for Canadian citizens including passport services (new applications, renewals, replacements for lost/stolen/damaged passports), consular certificates (citizenship certificates, birth abroad registrations for children born to Canadian parent(s) in India), notarial and commissioner services (witnessing documents, statutory declarations, affidavits), emergency assistance for Canadians in distress (arrest, hospitalization, death, victims of crime, natural disasters, lost/stolen passports), emergency travel documents, authentication of documents, and general consular assistance. Consular services by appointment; email india.consular@international.gc.ca. For emergencies 24/7, contact Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa: +1-613-996-8885 (call collect if necessary) or email sos@international.gc.ca. All Canadians in India encouraged to register with Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important updates and facilitate assistance in emergencies. The Canadian community in India includes professionals in business, education, mining and energy sectors (Canadian mining and energy companies have interests in India), development cooperation (Canadian development organizations), researchers and academics, and families. For consular emergencies affecting Canadian citizens, contact the High Commission during office hours or Emergency Watch and Response Centre 24/7. Travel advice for Canadians visiting or living in India available at travel.gc.ca/destinations/india covering safety, health, entry requirements, and local laws.
Read more

Trade & Export Support

Canada and India maintain growing bilateral trade with merchandise trade exceeding CAD 14 billion. Trade relations characterized by complementary strengths with Canada exporting natural resources, technology, education services and India exporting manufactured goods, IT services, pharmaceuticals. Canadian exports to India include pulses (lentils, chickpeas, dry peas - Canada is major supplier; India largest market for Canadian pulses), potash and fertilizers (supporting Indian agriculture), crude oil and petroleum products, machinery and mechanical equipment, wood pulp and paper products, copper and minerals, aerospace products, and educational services (tuition from 300,000+ Indian students represents multi-billion dollar services export). Indian exports to Canada include pharmaceuticals and medicines (Canada imports Indian generic medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients), precious stones and diamonds (cut and polished diamonds), textiles and garments, machinery and equipment, IT services and software (Indian IT companies provide services to Canadian businesses), organic chemicals, iron and steel products, automotive components, seafood, and rice. Education services are largest Canadian services export to India with over 300,000 Indian students in Canadian universities, colleges, and schools representing over 40% of all international students in Canada. Services trade also includes IT services (Indian companies serving Canadian businesses), professional services, and tourism. The High Commission's trade section supports bilateral commerce through market intelligence, business matchmaking, trade advocacy, and facilitation. Trade Commissioner Service of Canada assists Canadian exporters. Both countries seeking to expand trade through negotiations on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to enhance market access, reduce barriers, facilitate investment, and deepen economic cooperation.
Read more

Investment Opportunities

Canadian investment in India and Indian investment in Canada create bilateral economic integration. Canadian companies across sectors have interests in India including Brookfield Asset Management (infrastructure, real estate, renewable energy investments), SNC-Lavalin (engineering, infrastructure), Bombardier (aerospace, transportation), McCain Foods (food processing), Sun Life Financial (financial services, insurance), and numerous mining, energy, technology companies. Indian companies have substantial Canadian operations including IT services firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, HCL serve Canadian businesses, employ Canadians), pharmaceuticals (Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's, Cipla supply Canadian market), Tata Group companies, and others. India offers Canadian investors opportunities in infrastructure (urban infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy), clean technology and renewable energy (solar, wind, battery storage, green hydrogen - Canadian clean tech expertise and India's targets), mining and minerals (Canadian mining expertise and India's mineral sector modernization), agriculture and food processing (Canadian agri-food technology and India's agriculture sector), education and training (Canadian education institutions partnering with Indian institutions), financial services, healthcare, technology and digitalization, and aerospace. Canada offers Indian investors opportunities in natural resources (mining, oil and gas, forestry), real estate and infrastructure, clean energy, technology and innovation, financial services, and manufacturing. The High Commission and Trade Commissioner Service facilitate bilateral investment. Both countries negotiating CEPA with investment protections and facilitation provisions. Key cooperation areas include clean energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, technology, and innovation.
Read more

Business Support

The High Commission's trade section and Trade Commissioner Service provide comprehensive support for Canadian businesses in India including market intelligence, business matchmaking, regulatory guidance, trade mission support, advocacy, and connections to Indian partners. Trade Commissioner Service offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad support Canadian exporters and investors. For Canadian businesses, contact Trade Commissioner Service or High Commission trade section. Key sectors for Canada-India cooperation include agriculture and agri-food (pulses, oilseeds, food processing technology), clean technology and renewable energy (solar, wind, green hydrogen, battery storage, energy efficiency), mining and minerals (Canadian mining expertise, technology, equipment for Indian mining sector), infrastructure and smart cities (Canadian urban planning, transportation, water management expertise), aerospace and defense (Canadian aerospace companies, defense cooperation), information technology and digital economy, education and training, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, and innovation and research. Both countries committed to expanding bilateral trade and investment through CEPA negotiations, business facilitation, and sectoral cooperation.
Read more

Cultural & Educational Programs

Canada and India maintain exceptionally strong educational and cultural exchange characterized by over 300,000 Indian students in Canada (largest source country, over 40% of all international students), research collaboration, cultural diplomacy, and vibrant diaspora connections. Indian students enrolled across Canadian universities, colleges, and schools study diverse fields including business, engineering, computer science, health sciences, and arts. Canada offers quality education, post-graduation work permits (up to 3 years), pathway to permanent residence, safe environment, multicultural society, and affordable tuition compared to some other English-speaking countries. Education represents Canada's largest services export to India worth billions annually. Academic collaboration includes partnerships between Canadian and Indian universities, research cooperation, faculty exchanges, and joint programs. Research collaboration spans science, technology, engineering, agriculture, health, climate, and social sciences. Canadian government scholarships and institutional scholarships support Indian students. Cultural cooperation includes Canadian cultural events in India, exchange programs, and promotion of Canadian arts, film, music, literature. The 1.8-million Indian diaspora in Canada forms one of largest and most successful diaspora communities including highly educated professionals in IT, healthcare, engineering, business, politics (significant representation in Canadian government and parliament), and community leadership. People-to-people ties reinforced by family connections, student exchanges, tourism, and shared Commonwealth heritage. Both governments support educational and cultural exchange strengthening bilateral relationship.
Read more

Service Area

The High Commission of Canada in New Delhi has extensive consular jurisdiction covering Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Canada also maintains Consulates in Bangalore, Chandigarh, and Mumbai, and representative offices in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Contact appropriate office based on location and service needed.
Read more

Appointment Information

Consular services require appointments. Email india.consular@international.gc.ca to schedule. For visa/immigration applications, apply online at canada.ca or ircc.canada.ca and attend biometric appointment at VFS Global Visa Application Centre. For emergencies affecting Canadian citizens, contact Emergency Watch and Response Centre: +1-613-996-8885 (24/7) or email sos@international.gc.ca. Office hours: Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00. High Commission address: 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021.
Read more

Special Notes

The High Commission is located at 7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, in diplomatic enclave. Note that both Canada and India are Commonwealth countries, hence 'High Commission.' Accessible by Delhi Metro, taxis, ride services. Public access by appointment only. Valid photo ID required; security screening mandatory. Observes Canadian and Indian holidays. Canada Day celebrated July 1st. For Indian travelers to Canada, information on visas, health, travel available at canada.ca and travel.gc.ca. Canada attractions include vibrant cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary), Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, national parks, multicultural society, outdoor activities year-round. For comprehensive information, consult High Commission website and canada.ca.
Read more