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Canada's Opposition to the Visa Extension of an Iranian Researcher; Two-Month Ordeal of a University Professor at Istanbul Airport

Feb 4, 2026 February 4, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Dr. Shiva Kavyani, an Iranian researcher, has been stranded at Istanbul Airport for two months after her Canadian visa was denied for extension. She is unable to return to Canada or Iran and is relying on airport staff for assistance. This situation highlights ongoing challenges faced by Iranian citizens in obtaining visas and the complexities of international migration.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Dr. Kavyani's plight illustrates the broader challenges faced by Iranian citizens in navigating international borders.

👥 Key Players

Dr. Shiva Kavyani MENTIONED
Iranian researcher
"Her situation highlights the challenges faced by Iranian academics abroad and the complexities of visa processes."
Canadian Government MENTIONED
Visa authority
"Their visa policies directly impact the mobility of Iranian citizens and reflect broader diplomatic relations."
Turkish Authorities MENTIONED
Airport and immigration officials
"They are responsible for managing the situation of stranded individuals in their country."

📰 What Happened

Dr. Shiva Kavyani has been stranded at Istanbul Airport for two months after her Canadian visa extension was denied. She is unable to return to Canada or Iran and relies on airport staff for basic needs.

  • Kavyani's visa expired while she was in Canada, leading her to seek an extension.
  • Her situation has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by Iranian citizens in obtaining visas.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The situation underscores the difficulties faced by Iranian citizens abroad, potentially impacting public sentiment towards the government.
🌍 Regional: It highlights the role of Turkey as a transit point for migrants and the challenges they face.
🌐 International: This case could influence perceptions of Canada's immigration policies and its treatment of Iranian nationals.

📚 Background

Iranian citizens often face significant hurdles in obtaining visas due to strained international relations and domestic policies. This situation is exacerbated by the complexities of international migration.

Iran-Canada relations International migration policies
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article relies on Turkish media reports, which may have varying degrees of reliability but generally reflect the situation on the ground.

Turkish media reports that an Iranian researcher named "Dr. Shiva Kavyani" has been stranded at Istanbul Airport for the past two months after her Canadian visa expired. According to these reports, Shiva Kavyani, who had lived in Toronto, Canada, returned to Iran after her visa expired and applied for an extension to return to Canada, but her request was denied. In January, she entered Turkey through the Gurbulak border to apply for her visa extension in Ankara, but the Canadian government rejected her request again. Turkish media reports that Shiva Kavyani currently has no way to return to Canada nor does she wish to return to Iran, and despite her poor physical health, she relies on airport staff for food and other necessities. It is reported that the Turkish airport police, after learning about the situation of this Iranian citizen, transferred her to a temporary detention center with the help of the Istanbul Foreigners' Directorate to clarify her status and resolve her issues. Previously, another Iranian named Mehran Karimi Nasseri lived for about two decades in Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and ultimately died there in 2022.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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