Reapplying for Canadian visa best option to skip delays
Dear Mr Brown,
I understand the backlog of visa applications during the pandemic. However, it seems unfair to have to reapply for a visa when my initial application from April 2020 is still pending. What do you think is the best approach?
— PB
Dear PB:
I understand your frustration. There was a case that was cited in the Canadian media recently describing a situation in which it took more than two years and the payment of two application fees to process a visa application. The applicant was a 79-year-old woman from Gambia who wished to visit Canada to see her children and grandchildren. Fortunately, she was finally able to arrive in Canada this month after reapplying for the visa in September 2022. Her original visa application was submitted in 2020.
Non-urgent processing of visa applications
The position of the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been that applicants can reapply for their visas, especially if they had not received a response yet and applied before September 7, 2021. An IRCC spokesperson explained that between March 2020 and September 6, 2021, the department prioritised applications from those who were exempt from COVID-19 travel restrictions, such as study permits.
Visa applications submitted before September 7, 2021 were placed in a queue for non-urgent processing, which created an exceptionally large backlog over a two-year period. Moreover, potentially outdated documents and information, along with changing circumstances caused further undue delay.
The situation would be different if there is a delay for a particular application with normal IRCC operations. In that case, a query could be sent to ascertain the status. When almost all visa applications are delayed, sending a query is not as helpful. Accordingly, in response to your question, although it may seem unfair to have to reapply for the visa, I believe that is the best solution for a faster response, based on my experience.
Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programmes, including Express Entry, the Study & Work programme, Visas or Appeals, etc.
Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM—a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com