Visa processing in Canada is experiencing significant slowdowns just months before the nation is set to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the agency charged with processing visas and permits, is struggling to keep up with a surge in application volumes while simultaneously operating with a reduced workforce, having cut about 20 percent of its staff. This staffing reduction has exacerbated the already challenging situation, leading to extended wait times for applicants.