Alireza Azizi, a permanent resident of Canada living in London, Ontario, has been counting the days — now over 500 — since he applied for visitor visas for his Iranian parents. The number on the sign outside his home increases daily, marking the slow progress through Canada’s backlogged immigration system.
Azizi, a Western University graduate who recently bought a home, longs for his parents to visit and see his life in Canada. Despite repeated follow-ups with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and his Member of Parliament, the visa applications remain in limbo, primarily due to prolonged security screening related to his father’s military background in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Since submitting the application in January 2024, Azizi has faced ongoing delays compounded by Canada’s extensive immigration backlog, now exceeding 760,000 cases. IRCC cites that security checks, handled by external agencies, can extend processing times beyond standard estimates, which currently average around 162 days for visitor visas.
Azizi’s situation highlights broader challenges for Iranian applicants, where mandatory military service in Iran and security concerns contribute to lengthy delays. He has not seen his parents since October 2024 and struggles emotionally as the uncertainty affects his work and wellbeing.
Legal experts note that such delays, while unusual for visitor visas, reflect the complex background checks applicants undergo, often without clear communication or resolution timelines. Meanwhile, IRCC is grappling with resource reductions amid increasing case backlogs, intensifying pressure on applicants like Azizi.
Swifteradio.com
