Polish couple say temporary visas revoked without warning, forced back to Europe

A couple from Poland say they're being forced to leave Newfoundland and Labrador — the only home their five-year-old daughter has ever known — all because of mismanaged forms and miscommunication. 

According to Anna Tyszkiwicz and Krzysztof Kubera, the federal government waited until their temporary resident visas expired before telling them about a crucial piece of missing paperwork. 

Losing that status meant the pair also lost work permits and medical coverage — a problem, considering their second child is due in June. 

"We've got friends already from Gander to here. [Our daughter's] life is here. She doesn't remember any other friends than from here," Kubera told CBC News. 

The couple immigrated to Gander two-and-a-half years ago. They later relocated to St. John's. 

Tyszkiwicz worked as a homecare worker, while Krys was employed as a cook. Their daughter, Amelia, was registered to start kindergarten at Macdonald Drive Elementary in September. 

Back in October, the couple filed paperwork to extend their work permits in the hopes of eventually applying for permanent residency.

In just one day everything is gone. It shouldn't be like that.- Anna Tyszkiwicz

But three months later, the family received an email from Citizenship and Immigration Canada saying that one additional form was required from each of their employers. 

"We also wish to advise you that your temporary resident status expired on January 18, 2016," reads the statement, dated that same day.

While Kubera's employer then filed the necessary paperwork, Tyszkiwicz's mistakenly did not.

The letter said the family could apply to have their status restored within 90 days if the proper paperwork was completed and the pair paid the necessary fees, which totalled upwards of $1,000. 

With a baby on the way and her work permit on hold, Tyszkiwicz had few options.

"In one day we became unemployed. That's why we have to go, we can't stay on without jobs," Kubera said. 

"It's a little thing that cancelled our dream and put us in big stress ... with no room to fix anything."

Without warning

Tyszkiwicz's doctor advised her that, starting next week, she should no longer travel by plane. That gave the family little time to make a plan. 

"The email cancelled our life the same day. Nobody emailed us, 'Okay, [this] is missing.' Give us a week or two to do something. No, in just one day everything is gone. It shouldn't be like that," Tyszkiwicz said. 

The couple said they can't live in St. John's without a household income or medical coverage for Tyszkiwicz.

Friday night, the family was scheduled to return to Europe where they said they will start the process to return to Newfoundland.