Canada is a highly coveted destination for Latin Americans seeking a better life. This North American country offers attractive opportunities in education, healthcare and employment.
Again, The need to obtain a visa to work, study or visit the country often becomes an obstacle For Colombians. Even the mandatory nature of this document deters them from considering Canada as a viable option.
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Removing visa requirements is a desire shared by many. Although it may seem like a distant goal, there is a spark of hope.
The reason for this is A few weeks ago, the Canadian Government announced visa exemptions for citizens of four Latin American countries.
Since last June, people Argentina, PanamaUruguay and Costa Rica Can enter Canadian territory without needing a visa.
According to the information received cnn, Travelers who want to visit Canada by air now have a new alternative that will simplify their entry process into the country. Alright Canada launches Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Program, a measure that will benefit citizens of many countries.
This innovation will allow travelers from these countries to avoid the complex process of obtaining a Canadian visaAs long as they meet certain criteria.
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To be eligible for eTA, Travelers must have held a Canadian visa within the last 10 years or have a valid and current non-immigrant US tourist visa.
This measure aims to simplify and streamline entry procedures into Canada, thus facilitating tourism and business trips from countries included in this initiative.
eTA also operates in Antigua and Barbuda, Morocco, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. It also applies to citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand and Trinidad and Tobago.
eTA will allow you to stay in Canada for up to six months for business reasons or pleasure.
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This document represents a significant advance in Canada’s immigration policy, as it aims to strengthen relations with neighboring countries and promote air connectivity.
In this sense, it is important to note that people who do not qualify for eTA or who travel to Canada by means other than aircraft (including, for example, car, bus, train and cruise) will still need a visitor. visa..
This measure will allow travelers to have a smoother and more convenient experience when entering Canada, eliminating the need for lengthy visa application processes.
Canada’s goal with this measure was to increase the growth of the Canadian economy by facilitating greater international travel, tourism and trade, as well as strengthening Canada’s relations with these countries. It is worth noting that the only Latin American countries that are exempt from visas when entering Canada are Chile and Mexico.
In early November last year, the Canadian federal government announced a plan to accept 500,000 immigrants from 2022 to 2025; This will add a total of 1.5 million new immigrants.
With this plan, Each year, this country will be granted eight times more permanent residents in terms of population than the United Kingdom and four times more than its southern neighbor, the United States..
Canada is betting on immigration to fill the gap left in its economy by the aging of the so-called “baby boom” generation, people born between 1946 and 1964.
But this is not entirely new. Canada has struggled for many years to attract permanent residents (immigrants who have the right to remain in the country indefinitely without becoming citizens) to maintain population and economic growth.
For example, in 2021, The country welcomed 405,000 permanent residents, the highest number in its history.
What’s behind this? Like many Western countries, Canada has an aging population and a low birth rate. This means that if the country wants to grow, it will have to bring in immigrants.
Migration contributes to an increase in the active population and It is expected to contribute to the increase in the country’s population by 2032.according to that country’s government.
The numbers say it all. Today, one in four Canadians came to the country as an immigrant; This is the highest figure among G7 countries. In the United States, known as the “melting pot of the world,” only 14 percent are immigrants.
Political scientist Geoffrey Cameron of McMaster University said: BBC World Although many countries, such as Canada, face low birth rates and aging populations, the success of any immigration system depends on public support. “This is the limiting factor for most countries: public opinion,” says the expert.
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
TIME
Source: Exame
