Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander will visit Bengaluru on January 13 and Chennai on January 14.
In Bengaluru, Alexander will officially inaugurate the visa office at the Consulate General of Canada. He will be accompanied by the High Commissioner for Canada to India, Mr. Nadir Patel.
Speaking of the upcoming inauguration, Minister Alexander said: "Canada has welcomed generations of newcomers from India who have helped to build a pluralistic and prosperous Canada. In 2013, we issued more than 130,000 visas to Indian citizens, an increase of 14 percent since 2008. Canada's network of visa offices is fundamental to these achievements, and in providing valuable services to Indians who wish to visit, study or do business with Canada. I'm delighted to be here to highlight the expansion of that network to South India."
Alexander will meet with government officials, business leaders and academicians in both Bengaluru and Chennai, while highlighting Citizenship and Immigration Canada's programs in India, such as the Start-up Visa, Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program the newly-launched Express Entry.
Express Entry will result in faster processing and will allow the Government of Canada to be more flexible and respond better to Canada's changing labour market needs.
Alexander's journey to South India follows his attendance at Vibrant Gujarat in Gandhinagar, where he led the official Canadian delegation. (ANI)
