A significant number of Iranian nationals and their families have applied for permanent residency, aiming to contribute positively to Canadian society. However, many of these individuals have been enduring prolonged processing times for their applications. These delays are causing significant mental and financial pressure, leading to increased stress and uncertainty. This, in turn, hinders their ability to fully integrate and participate in Canadian society.

Canada is renowned for its welcoming immigration policies and respect for human rights. Iranians, like individuals from all other nationalities, deserve to be treated equally and fairly. The immigration process should be consistent and equitable for everyone. However, the current prolonged processing times that some Iranians are experiencing reflect a disparity that contradicts Canada's commitment to fairness. Such disparity prevents Iranian applicants from having the same opportunities to integrate and establish their lives in Canada as other nationalities, as delays in processing permanent residency applications limit their rights and access to essential services, affecting their decisions about their future or making other long-term plans.

In 2018, many Iranian nationals faced similar issues with prolonged processing times. They created a petition that garnered several signatures and was presented to the House of Commons, resulting in some improvements. However, six years later, these issues persist.

We call upon the Government of Canada to:

• Expedite the Processing of Applications: Expedite the processing of permanent residency applications for Iranian nationals, who have been waiting for much longer than the average time, ensuring that these applications are processed within standard timelines to prevent undue hardship and uncertainty.
• Set Clear Deadlines for Security Checks: We hold great respect for the IRCC security checks and firmly believe they are essential for Canada’s safety; however, we respectfully request that the IRCC set a clear deadline for cases undergoing enhanced security checks. The current lack of a deadline places significant strain on applicants, impacting their stability and well-being. Introducing a fixed deadline would reduce this pressure and facilitate the integration of new residents.
• Provide Transparent Communication: Offer clear and regular updates to applicants about their application status, including any security check delays, to help them plan their future in Canada. Reassure applicants that their cases are actively being processed by improving transparency in the security screening process. Enhancing transparency will assure applicants that their applications are being handled efficiently and promptly, countering the impression of idle periods.
• Ensure Fairness in the Immigration Process: Ensure the immigration process avoids unfairly penalizing ordinary Iranians who have complied with compulsory regulations such as mandatory military service. 

In a recent legal decision concerning one of the Iranian applicants, Judge Michael Battista provided a significant perspective on the issue of delayed processing times for permanent residency due to the enhanced security checks. The judge stated, "The granting of permanent residence to the Applicant would not necessarily have to abort or abbreviate the investigation, and if the investigation results in a finding of inadmissibility on the basis of s. 34(1)(f), the Respondent could still take steps to enforce the inadmissibility by removing the Applicant’s permanent resident status. The security investigation, therefore, is not a satisfactory justification for the delay."
This ruling indicates that security investigations do not justify prolonged processing delays, emphasizing the IRCC can grant permanent residency while continuing to process the background check.

By addressing these issues, Canada can uphold its values of fairness and equality and ensure that Iranian nationals have the same opportunities to integrate and establish their lives in Canada as other nationalities. We respectfully ask the Government of Canada to take swift action to address these concerns and improve the immigration process.

Thank you for your attention and support.