Conservatives Boasting High Numbers Of Visas Issued From Chandigarh And New Delhi In 2013

ANANDPUR SAHIB — Conservativesare boasting that Canada is a destinationof choice for visitors, students and businesstravellers from India and a highnumber of visitor visas (84,672) andstudy permits (13,613) were issued fromCanada’s Chandigarh and New Delhioffices between January and December2013.Tim Uppal, Minister of State forMulticulturalism, made the announcementat the Pravasi Punjabi DivasSammelan conference in AnandpurSahib.“Canada and India share close people-topeopleties, which are demonstrated bythe large numbers of Indians coming toCanada to work, study and visit,” saidUppal. “I am pleased to announce thatCanada continues to be a destination ofchoice for visitors, students and businesstravellers from India, as shown by thesubstantial increase since 2008 of visitorvisas and study permits from the Punjabregion.”The Business Express Program (BEP), inplace in India since June 2008, is anotherexample of Canada’s commitment tofacilitating linkages between our twocountries.The BEP was created to provide qualifiedbusinesses and their employees witha number of service advantages, includingless paperwork, priority processing ofvisa applications, and a dedicated serviceto respond to the needs of those withinthe program.Several new tools have been put in placeto attract visitors to Canada and facilitatetheir travel.For example, in July 2011, the duration ofmultiple-entry visas was extended fromfive to ten years, allowing visitors to enterand exit Canada for up to six months at atime over a ten-year period.In addition, parents and grandparents ofCanadian citizens and permanent residentsare now eligible to apply for thenew Parent and Grandparent Super Visa,which is also valid for up to ten years andallows parents and grandparents toremain in Canada for up to 24 months ata time.