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Canada sees a surge in work, study and tourist visas
People from India are set to continue to make major contributions to life in Canada with the number of visas issued since 2008 up 73%, according to immigration officials.
Canada is also a popular place for Indian students with the number of study permits up 321% since 2008.
Some 84,672 visitor visas and 13,613 study permits were issued from Canada’s Chandigarh and New Delhi offices in 2013 said the expatreport.
‘For over a century, Canadiansof Indian heritage have made vital contributions to Canada, in every area of Canadian life. Today, well over a million people of Indian origin live in Canada. And with India perennially being among Canada’s top source countries for immigrants, Indo-Canadians will continue to help shape our national story,’ said Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism.
Canada is a destination of choice for visitors, students and business travellers from India. In 2013, some 84,672 visitor visas and 13,613 study permits were issued from Canada’s Chandigarh and New Delhi offices.
According to Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multiculturalism, the Business Express Program (BEP), in place in India since June 2008, is an example of Canada’s commitment to facilitating linkages between the two countries.
The BEP was created to provide qualified businesses and their employees with a number of service advantages, including less paperwork, priority processing of visa applications, and a dedicated service to respond to the needs of those within the programme.
Several new tools have been put in place to attract visitors to Canada and facilitate their travel. For example, in July 2011, the duration of multiple entry visas was extended from five to 10 years, allowing visitors to enter and exit Canada for up to six months at a time over a 10 year period.
In addition, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are now eligible to apply for the new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which is also valid for up to ten years and allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time.
‘Canada and India share close people to people ties, which are demonstrated by the large numbers of Indians coming to Canada to work, study and visit,’ said Uppal.
‘Canada continues to be a destination of choice for visitors, students and business travellers from India, as shown by the substantial increase since 2008 of visitor visas and study permits,’ he added.
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