Canada announces 10-year multiple-entry visa for Indians

In a move that will give a fillip to Indo-Canada trade relations, Toronto has announced a new visa regime that would allow Indians 10-year multiple-entry to the country.

Canadian minister of international trade Edward Fast made the announcement at a meeting with delegates of the Indian government and business community at the two-day mini Parvasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Canada 2011 convention that began in Toronto today.

According to Fast, the new visa process would be available to Indians who made frequent trips to the country.

He said, after an initial visa screening, applicants could get a visa that allowed them to visit Canada often - up to ten years, if their passports were valid.

Minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur, who is the leader of the Indian delegation, said both countries had committed to strengthening their bilateral trade relations.
She said the Indo-Canadian community was a microcosm of the people of Indian origin living abroad.

She added that India and Canada would soon sign the Social Security Agreement, conclude a bilateral Investment Protection Agreement, negotiate a revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and complete an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. She added that both nations aimed at a bilateral trade target of $15 billion in next five years.