By: Tito Chapman
Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis may submit applications for visas at the Canadian High Commission in Barbados, in addition to Trinidad and Tobago.
This announcement was made by the Canadian government on November 2nd, when they issued a release which named countries that have new Visa Application Centres to facilitate an increase in the number of non-nationals applying for Canadian visas.
The expansion of the biometrics collection program is necessary as Canada prepares for December 31, 2018, when nationals from countries in Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas will need to give their biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) when applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit, or for permanent residence.
The move to set up a collection centre in Barbados provides a welcomed alternative to Trinidad and Tobago which is further south. Antiguans, Kittitians and Nevisians welcome such a move.
“This is a welcome development for Antiguans and Barbudans who can now travel to Barbados, incurring less costs than going to Trinidad,” said Sir Ronald, who is also the country’s Ambassador to the United States.
Sir Ronald SandersAccording Immigration Canada, collecting biometrics provides many benefits: It stops those who pose a risk to the safety and security of Canadians, while also helping officials better manage applicants’ identities, facilitating application processing, and simplifying entry for travellers with legitimate identities.
As most applicants need to give their biometrics before they come to Canada, the Government of Canada is expanding its worldwide network of Visa Application Centres (VACs) to make services more accessible to a wider audience. Today, new VACs have opened in the following locations:
NewsWire – Press Release:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada- In Asia Pacific: Bali, Indonesia; Melbourne, Australia;
- In the Americas: Mendoza, Argentina; Porto Alegre and Recife, Brazil; Cali, Colombia; Santiago, Chile; and Bridgetown, Barbados;
- In Europe: Lyon, France; and Vienna, Austria.
By December 31, 2018, there will be 152 VACs in 103 countries, including a new VAC in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and Cape Town, South Africa. More VAC openings will be announced at a later date.
NewsWire – Press Release:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
