Canada will open a visa center in Lisbon, offering Portuguese citizens “greater flexibility, accessibility to visit, study and work in the country,” the Canadian government said.
“The opening of the visa center in Lisbon will provide greater flexibility and accessibility for Portuguese people to visit, study or work in Canada,” the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said in a statement sent to Lusa.
The new center, located in Campo Grande in Lisbon, will begin operations on February 26 this year.
The center will also open the door to “new opportunities for social, economic and cultural exchange” that will benefit both countries.
The Portuguese already enjoy “visa exemption for travel to Canada for up to six months.”
“The people-to-people ties between Canada and Portugal have become stronger over time. Today, these ties are supported by a vibrant Portuguese Canadian community,” said Minister Responsible for Immigration Mark Miller.
The new center will further simplify applications “over a longer period of time” while helping to grow the Canadian economy and “deepen ties” between the two countries, Miller adds.
Visa Application Centers are operated by private companies contracted by the Government of Canada.
Its first goal is to obtain the documents needed to apply for a visa, securely transmit this information to Immigration Canada offices, and provide biometric information collection services.
Center services are available by phone, email or in person to answer questions in local languages and help ensure processes are completed.
There are currently 163 centers located in 110 countries.
In 2022, Canada and Portugal celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, there were approximately 448,000 people of Portuguese descent living in Canada.