Thousands of Canadians and their families have been left in limbo since the pandemic hit in March with no word from the federal government about when their family members’ immigration applications will be processed, an immigration lawyer and families say.
Thousands of Canadians and their families have been left in limbo since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March with no word from the federal government about when their family members’ immigration applications will be processed, an immigration lawyer and families say.
Some applicants said the lack of communication from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has left them unable to work and caused months of stress.
Canadian Candice Vallantin applied to sponsor her husband, Israel Seoane, a Spanish citizen, on March 5 after the couple moved to Vancouver earlier this year.
“We haven’t heard anything since we mailed the application,” Vallantin said. “Four months of complete radio silence.”
In usual times, applicants for family sponsorship would receive an acknowledgement that their application was received and a work permit within two to three months.
Seoane, who works in the film industry, is currently in Canada on a visitor visa. He’s still waiting to receive a work permit so that he can look for a job now that filming is picking up again in British Columbia.
“What’s the point for me to start doing networking or going … to do a job interview when I’m not able to work,” he said.
The couple is also worried that when it is finally processed, the applicat