Canada Post Strike Leaves Foreign Nationals in Limbo as Passport Delays Mount

Chinese nationals stranded in Vancouver are growing increasingly frustrated as a Canada Post strike delays the return of their passports and critical documents, leaving them unable to return to their lives and jobs in the United States.

Stella Xing, a Seattle-based employee of a financial technology company, traveled to Vancouver on Nov. 13 to renew her U.S. work visa at the consulate. After her visa was approved, she expected her passport to be returned within days. Instead, she has been stuck in Vancouver for nearly two weeks.

“My visa got approved on Thursday, but Friday, Nov. 15, was the day the Canada Post strike began,” Xing told CBC News.

With more than 55,000 postal workers on strike over issues like wages and job security, Xing is among many foreign nationals now unable to access their critical documents. The delays have upended their plans and imposed mounting financial burdens.

“I’m paying over $100 US every day for Airbnb and food, plus my Seattle rent,” said Xing, adding that she feels anxious about the uncertain timeline.

Mounting Costs and Job Risks

Others, like Haoyuan Cao, fear the delays could jeopardize their careers. Cao works for a global tech company in Seattle and says his employer’s strict in-person attendance policy puts him at risk of losing his job.

“I worked really hard to get this job,” Cao said. “If I don’t return to the office next week, HR might issue me a warning.”

Cao and Xing have joined a WeChat group with dozens of others in similar situations, sharing updates and frustrations.

Service Canada revealed earlier this week that it has been withholding the mailing of 85,000 passports to avoid further disruptions, leaving many Canadians and foreign nationals alike stranded without their documentation.

Limited Options for Foreign Nationals

While Canadians awaiting urgent passports can request in-person pickups at Service Canada centers, foreign nationals like Cao and Xing do not have access to this option.

“My passport is stuck at Canada Post’s Richmond processing facility,” Xing said. “I’ve tried multiple times to retrieve it, but I’ve had no success.”

The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver acknowledged the issue, expressing sympathy and advising applicants to use alternate delivery services in the future. However, it reiterated that visas cannot be picked up directly from the consulate.

Canada Post stated that mail in its network remains secure and will be delivered on a “first-in, first-out” basis once the strike ends. The Crown corporation also warned of significant service delays due to the backlog created by the disruption.

“This is a difficult situation, and we sympathize,” said Canada Post spokesperson Valérie Chartrand. “Unfortunately, the union’s decision to launch a national strike has trapped mail and parcels in the system without warning to customers.”