QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Visitor Visas
April 27, 2023
Senator Gold, I have been approached by community members at gatherings and events and have received countless emails and text messages regarding the wait times for visitor visas for Pakistan. According to the government’s website, for other countries in the region, it can be as little as 18 days. However, for Pakistan, it is 638 days for a visitor visa. I’ve been sent copies of applications, and my community is waiting for answers. People’s lives are on hold, and these wait times are totally unacceptable.
When will the Canadian visa office be shifted back to Pakistan to help expedite the processing time for visitor visas?
Thank you, senator, for raising that issue. Frankly, the numbers you cited are very disturbing. I will have to look into this matter. I don’t have an answer now, but I undertake to do so as quickly as I can.
Senator Gold, I have asked three former Liberal immigration ministers and the current minister, Minister Fraser, when the visa office would be shifted back to Islamabad. Pakistan, at one time, was not considered a safe country. However, most of our allies have their embassies open. It has become a family station again. Canada continues to have an office in Abu Dhabi, which adds to the wait times.
I have brought up the issue to the current immigration minister, Minister Fraser. The response I always get is, “We are aware of the issue. It has been brought to our attention.”
If the Liberal government is aware of the issue, why is it not acting on it? Why is it not attempting to fix the problem?
I can’t comment on the assumption behind your question, but as I said, I will undertake to raise this with the minister and with the government and try to get an answer as quickly as I can.
