Canada lifts visa requirements for Eastern Europe Travellers
04/03/2008
EU newest members benefit from Canada's visa lifts allowing them to travel freely without temporary resident visas.
Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that the visa-free-status for citizens of Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary will be effective immediately.
The Minister said "Canada enjoys strong ties with these countries, lifting the tourist visa or temporary visa requirement will help build those relationships to the benefit of Canadians and the citizens of Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary."
Global mobility is seeing radical immigration changes from countries around the world, with the latest changes coming from the United Kingdom whose economy relies heavily on foreign skilled workers. Countries like Canada and Australia have a shortage of highly skilled workers and therefore have opted to opening up their borders and selling their countries to the rest of the world to lure skilled workers in.
The new visa-free- lift encourages Eastern Europeans to travel without hassle in Northern America. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has an ongoing review of the visa requirements for New Member States (NMS) of the European Union (EU). These reviews are done on a country-by-country basis.
"We are committed to the free and secure movement of people between the EU and Canada," said Minister Finley. "We are also committed to the objective of visa-exempt status for all EU member states."
In 2006, there were 33,363 temporary resident visas issued for citizens of Poland, 3,780 for citizens of Slovakia, 989 for citizens of Lithuania and 6,385 for citizens of Hungary.
Twelve countries joined the EU in 2004 and 2007. Initially, visas were required for traveller s from seven of the NMS. The requirement was lifted on travellers from Estonia in 2006 and the Czech Republic and Latvia in 2007. Now only two of the EU's 27 countries await the visa lift which is Bulgaria and Romania.
Canadian officials will are set to conduct technical visits to these countries as part of CIC's ongoing review to determine when visa requirements can be removed.
By January 2009, travellers from Poland and Lithuania will be required to carry a more secure e-passport for visa-free travel.
"By law, all visitors to Canada require a temporary resident visa, except citizens of countries where an exemption has been granted. Visa requirements for travellers to Canada are the country's first line of defence in maintaining the safety and health of Canadians".
Most Eastern Europeans come to the UK in search of a brighter life and with the new immigration laws in place, coming to the UK for anyone may prove difficult for most. It is countries like Canada that might see a benefit to lifting visa requirements, making Canada a very attractive place to visit and work in.
If you want to travel or work in Canada, take a our online assessment test and one of our consultants will be in touch with you to review your eligibility.
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