Work Permit Processing In Light Of Visa Office Closures

The federal government's recent decision to close the visa and immigration sections of various Canadian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates including those in Tokyo, Berlin and Buffalo, may have a dramatic effect on processing times for Japanese, German, U.S. and other foreign nationals seeking a work permit in Canada.

Processing formerly done at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo will now take place at the Embassy in Manila. Processing which previously occurred in Berlin will now be handled out of the Embassy in Vienna. Work permit applications that were submitted in Buffalo are now to be submitted at the Consulates in New York or Los Angeles, depending on the applicant's residence. Some additional delay should be expected.