March 8, 2015 — Toronto — Canada`s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today welcomed China’s new long-term, multiple-entry visas for Canadians.
The new multiple-entry visa, valid for up to 10 years, will ease travel, reduce costs and cut down on delays and time spent preparing for trips to China. This will directly benefit Canadian business people, who regularly travel between the two countries to boost exports, as well as tourists and Canadians visiting family, enhancing people-to-people ties.
Effective today, Canadians may submit their requests for the new multiple-entry visa to Chinese consulates and authorities.
China is a priority market under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan, the government’s blueprint for creating jobs and prosperity through exports, as well as Canada’s second-largest trading partner, with two-way merchandise trade reaching almost $78 billion in 2014.
Quick facts
- In 2014, China was Canada’s second-largest export market, with exports valued at nearly $19.3 billion, up 45.7 percent over the past five years.
- Canada recently opened new trade offices in China to provide more on-the-ground support to Canadian businesses, bringing the total to 15 offices and 100 trade commissioners.
- The recently updated Canada-China Air Transport Agreement has helped support an increase in air traffic between Canada and China of approximately 14 percent between 2013 and 2014, to reach close to 1.5 million total one-way passenger trips.
Quote
“Canada welcomes China’s decision, which will further promote tourism and trade between our two great countries. This mirrors steps taken by our government to make it easier and faster for genuine travellers to come to Canada. Greater travel facilitation ensures increased opportunities to strengthen our vital people-to-people, tourism and business ties.”
Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister
Associated links
- Welcoming More Visitors from Abroad, Supporting Canadian Jobs and Growth
- Welcoming Record Numbers from China in 2013
- Global Markets Action Plan
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Contacts
Kevin Menard
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
