May 27 – Saudi citizens may be issued multiple-entry temporary resident visas for Canada soon with a validity of five years, it was learnt on Wednesday. The new ruling will also include people going to Canada to work or study. “The new visa regulations will greatly facilitate movement between our countries, promote better understanding and bolster our strong relationship. It will be easier for Saudis studying in Canada to travel back and forth and for Saudi business people to work with their Canadian partners,” said David Chatterson, Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom.
Until now, visas to Canada have an 18-month validity period. There are currently about 8,200 Saudi students in Canada, of which approximately 750 are medical doctors. Around 2,000 additional students are expected to go to Canada this year.
Meanwhile, KSA is Canada’s second-largest trading partner from the region with two-way trade amounting to more than $2.6 billion in 2009.
