June 27, 2013

Reason for Delayed Visa Processing: Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) Strike Action

Citizenship and Immigration Canada posted this notice last June 11, 2013. The notice is regarding Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) Strike Action.  If you visit the Application Processing Times page of CIC website, you will be greeted with this alert message:


Strike Action

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) union is currently taking strike action. PAFSO union members responsible for processing visa applications have been walking out of offices in Canada and overseas.

Posted processing times for both temporary and permanent resident visa applications do not take into account work stoppages.

Anyone applying for a visa should anticipate delays and submit their application as far in advance as possible. 

Contingency plans are already in place to ensure all offices remain open and are providing at least a minimum level of service. Priority will be placed on urgent humanitarian applications.
CIC continues to closely monitor the situation.
This explains the delay in visa processing.  We will keep you posted.