The Canadian High Commission in India has decided to use the services of VFS (India) Private Limited (VFS) to operate visa application centres in India (VFS Canada Visa 14 Feb. 2005). The VFS Web site indicates that one of the requirements for submitting a visa application is that the appropriate application form must be "fully completed" and submitted along with three passport-sized photographs (ibid. n.d.a). However, the Web site also indicates that "[a]pplicants can now get their Application form filled at all Canada Visa Application Centers" (ibid. n.d.b).

In 17 October 2006 correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a representative of VFS Canada's Helpdesk indicated that, if the applicant was unable to complete the form himself/herself, an employee at the VFS centre's "form filling facility" could provide assistance in doing so. Once the forms are completed, however, the VFS centres do not verify the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant; rather, VFS employees only check to ensure that the forms are completely filled out (ibid. 17 Oct. 2006).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

VFS Canada Visa. 17 October 2006. Correspondence from a Canada Helpdesk representative.

_____. 14 February 2005. "News: Canada Offers Visa Application Service in Nine Cities Across India." http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/news.html [Accessed 18 Oct. 2006]

_____. N.d.a. "Important Notices: Required for All Submissions." http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/importantnotices.html [Accessed 17 Oct. 2006]

_____. N.d.b. "Download Forms Checklist." http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/visaapplication.html [Accessed 17 Oct. 2006]