Canada reverses decision to cancel outstanding visas

The Canadian Government has halted a controversial policy which would see almost 300,000 Canada visa applications returned with the advice to reapply. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has reportedly issued a directive to its embassies around the world with the instruction to continue processing Canada visa applications as usual. The decision to cancel the applications was announced in March as part of the federal budget. In an effort to reduce a growing backlog of applications, the Canadian government were hoping to legislate away the backlog to, according to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, allow the Canadian immigration system to react to the changing needs of the country’s workforce. All applications made before 2008 were reportedly to be cancelled with fees, totalling CA$130 million (£85 million), returned to the client along with the advice to reapply. A group of disgruntled applicants had attempted to sue Mr Kenney over the decision but the case was quashed by a federal court which ruled that it could not force Mr Kenney to keep applications open. However, an Ontario based immigration consultant has revealed that the government’s policy has since been put on hold and outstanding applications are once again being processed.