Afghan Refugee Family in Pakistan
We’re pleased to share an exciting update regarding the Afghan refugee family currently living in Pakistan.
The refugee sponsorship applications were officially received in Ottawa on Friday, March 28, 2025, and entered into the system on Thursday, April 3, 2025. We are thrilled to report that, as of Monday, all the applications were approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and have been sent to the Canadian Consulate in Islamabad!
This is an extraordinary development, especially considering how quickly the process moved—a timeline that typically takes months or even years was completed in just two business days! We are incredibly grateful to the Inter-Cultural Association for making this possible. Without their support, and without their help in submitting the application during the official one-year pause period that began on November 29, 2024, this progress would not have been possible.
We have heard that IRCC issued a directive to prioritize the cases of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, and we are glad to see that directive being carried out.
Next Steps
The family will now undergo the next phase of the process, which includes:
An interview at the Canadian consulate in Islamabad
A medical examination
Providing fingerprints and a digital photo
A meeting with Government of Pakistan officials to move toward securing an exit visa
Safety and Support
To help ensure the family’s ongoing safety, the Sponsorship Committee reached out to two non-profit organizations based in Pakistan—SHARP Pakistan and Aman Lara—to assist with creating a safety plan.
We have also contacted a Canadian Senator who is well-connected in Pakistan and has worked hard for women’s rights in Afghanistan and elsewhere. We hope to hear from her soon.
In the meantime, with a valid Pakistan visa and a Canadian G#, the family’s situation has become somewhat more stable. The Committee remains committed to supporting the family financially, covering their monthly visa fees and basic needs. Although consular protections normally wouldn’t be provided until after the interview stage, we have a commitment that if anything untoward happens, the family would receive Canadian consular support.
Gratitude and Prayers
We continue to keep the family in our prayers—and ask for your prayers as well—that they remain safe and that this process continues to move forward swiftly and smoothly. Thank you for your continued support and care.
Yours gratefully,
Raymond Yee,
Marj Brown,
Elvira Sentes,
Karen Dickey,
Bev Tracey,
D’Arcy McPherson, and
André Fontaine