Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is maintaining its visa operations in Islamabad. However, effective immediately, CIC has implemented some new operational measures that reflect the Department's commitment to the safety of its staff and appropriate security precautions controlling entry into Canadian High Commission. CIC continues to provide full client service -- but will do so with measures that permit continuing visa operations with the safest operational parameters possible. The measures focus on the management of access to the High Commission and include:

1) Entry to premises -- The only persons admitted INSIDE the premises will be those with an INTERVIEW LETTER, which they must PRESENT to the guards and to the receptionist. There will be no exception. For instance, applicants who come stating that they have an appointment but forget their letter at home will not be admitted inside the premises.

2) All applications -- all applications (immigration, visitor, student, temporary worker, etc.) and all case inquiries must be submitted by fax or regular mail.

3) Visitor visa applicant interviews -- Applicants for visitor visas who need to be interviewed will be convoked for Monday and Wednesday mornings only, as per the current procedure, but their letter will specify day and time span (Monday or Wednesday, between 8.30 and 10.00). Interview letters to applicants for immigration to Canada will specify date and time.

4) Interview letters -- no visa applicants will be permitted into the High Commission without an Interview Letter that must be presented to security and reception before entry. The letter will indicate a specific day, date and time of interview. Letters to applicants for immigration to Canada already indicate this and will continue to do so.

5) File status updates -- drop-box services and/or inquiries in person regarding an updated status on a file are no longer available. Inquiries have to be sent by fax or letter

6) Passport collection -- all passport collections must be via courier service.

7) Corrections/changes to immigrant visas -- immigrant visas returned for correction will have to be sent via courier service. We will no longer admit persons who request changes to immigrant visas due to a mistake in their surnames, date of birth, etc. These too will have to be done via courier service.