China introduces new long-term visa for canadians

China has introduced a new long-term, multiple-entry entry visa for Canadians.

Canada`s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, welcomed the visa, which will ease travel, reduce costs and cut down on delays and time spent preparing for trips to China.

The visa is expected to directly benefit Canadian business people, who regularly travel between the two countries to boost exports, as well as tourists and Canadians visiting family.

Indeed, China is a priority market under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan, the government’s blueprint for creating jobs and prosperity through exports, as well as Canada’s second-largest trading partner, with two-way merchandise trade reaching almost $78 billion in 2014.

"Canada welcomes China’s decision, which will further promote tourism and trade between our two great countries. This mirrors steps taken by our government to make it easier and faster for genuine travellers to come to Canada. Greater travel facilitation ensures increased opportunities to strengthen our vital people-to-people, tourism and business ties," says Alexander.