Welcoming a record number of visitors from the Philippines in 2013

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Ottawa, ON — Today, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced that Canada issued more than 47,000 visitor visas to Filipino visitors in 2013. This figure represents a record high for the Philippines and a 57 percent increase since 2006.

In 2013, nearly 30,000 Filipino citizens became permanent residents of Canada ranking the Philippines as third in the top source countries for immigration to Canada.

The government’s improvements to Canada’s immigration system are helping to facilitate legitimate tourism as well as immigration of those from the Philippines to Canada, strengthening economic prosperity and growth across our country. Visitors to Canada benefit from the Multiple Entry Visa (MEV), which allows qualified visitors to come and go from Canada for six months at a time for up to 10 years. MEVs are a fast, flexible and convenient option for frequent visitors to Canada.

Quick facts
More than 650,000 Canadian residents can trace their ancestry to the Philippines, and now a growing number of Filipino citizens are able to visit family and friends in Canada, study at Canadian colleges and universities, or immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.
Since 2006, Canada has enjoyed the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history¾an average of more than a quarter of a million newcomers each year.

The number of visitors visas issued to Filipino visitors has grown by six percent since 2012.
Since its introduction in July 2011, more than one million 10-year MEVs have been issued to visitors around the world.

Quote
“In 2013, Canada saw a record number of visitor visas issued to individuals from the Philippines. Our government remains committed to attracting visitors, students as well as workers who can help contribute to the Canadian economy and labour market.”
– Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

Official press release courtesy of Citizenship and Immigration Canada