Canada changes visa rules over surge in Irish interest

CANADA has introduced a string of visa rule changes to cater for a massive increase in Irish applications.

The Irish Ambassador in Canada, Ray Bassett, has confirmed working visas for under-35s from Ireland will be extended from one year to two. The cap on the number of visas issued has also been increased.

Speaking to Toronto- based Irish emigrant website, www.irishalien.com, Mr Bassett said the number of applicants for under-35s one-year working visas has risen from 2,500 in 2009 to 4,229 last year. Up to 6,000 additional applications are expected at the Canadian embassy in Dublin over the next 12 months.

Mr Bassett said given the volumes applying and the numbers already in Canada, there were concerns more people would try to stay in Canada illegally.

In an attempt to resolve the issues the Canadian government has decided to increase the under-35s working visa length from one year to two years.

Officials are also increasing the number of emigrants allowed from Ireland by taking leftover places from other nations out of Canada’s total 250,000 annual immigrant quota.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, irishalien.com co-founder Brian Reynolds said the two-year visa would give Irish emigrants a better chance of securing work.

He said the prediction of a further rise in visa applicants was another damning verdict on this country’s economic prospects.

The move is supported by www.visafirst.com, an Irish firm which has suggested up to 30% of Irish emigrants this year will leave for either Canada or Australia.