Afghan Refugee Family in Pakistan
Safety and Documentation
As you may remember, the Afghan family we’re supporting must now renew their visitor visas monthly. Their most recent Pakistani visitor visas expired on April 16, 2025, and we learned on Thursday that their latest applications remain in pending status. As a result, they are currently without valid documentation—and the Pakistani government has been deporting Afghans daily and at an alarming rate.
Fearing for their safety, the family has been staying indoors and avoiding public places to minimize the risk of detention or deportation.
In response, the Committee took immediate action. Following the news on Thursday, we formally requested that the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad issue letters of protection for each family member. We are deeply grateful to report that by the next day—Friday—the family received individual letters of protection, which they now have in hand. These letters are not official travel documents, but they do provide a critical layer of advocacy and support should any issues arise.
An Encouraging Step Forward
We are delighted to share an encouraging development in our journey to bring the Afghan refugee family to safety in Canada. The family has received an official invitation to complete their biometrics (fingerprints and photo) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025—just 23 days after being issued their Canadian IRCC G number!
This is an astonishingly quick turnaround for this stage of the process. We were advised that this step could take anywhere from 2 to 20 months, so the current timeline is well ahead of expectations. This rapid progress gives us hope that the remaining steps might also proceed more quickly than anticipated.
What’s Next
Following the biometrics appointment, the next stages in the process are:
• An interview at the Canadian Consulate in Islamabad
• A medical examination
• A meeting with Government of Pakistan officials to move toward securing an exit visa
All of these are key steps in preparing for their eventual travel to Canada. At this point, we continue to wait with hope and readiness—believing that their arrival may be sooner than we had dared to imagine.
Readiness and Support
Our Sponsorship Committee has been working steadily to ensure we’re fully prepared to welcome the family whenever that day comes. From housing to community support, training, and integration planning, everything is in place to receive them.
We continue to walk alongside the family through this journey and remain deeply grateful for your ongoing support—through financial contributions, prayers, and advocacy.
With hope and thanks,
James Bay United Church Refugee Sponsorship Committee
Raymond Yee
Marj Brown
Elvira Sentes
Karen Dickey
Bev Tracey
D’Arcy McPherson
André Fontaine