The government of Canada’s department of Citizenship and Immigration has launched a new program aimed at making travel to Canada for businesspeople from Romania and Bulgaria simpler and faster.

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, announced the launch of a Business Express Program (BEP) between Canada and these countries. Well-established companies whose employees frequently travel to Canada for business purposes will be invited by the Canadian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, which covers both Romania and Bulgaria, to participate in the program. There are visa application centres in Bucharest and Sofia, and most visas processed under the BEP will be issued within three days. Canada has successfully established a BEP with India, Mexico and China with visas issued within days and an approval rate of close to 100 percent.

“Canada values its strong relationship with European Union members and wants to maximize the opportunities before us to increase prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. The Business Express Program will facilitate legitimate business, tourism and trade. It is an indication that ties between Canada and our European partners are strong and getting stronger,” said Mr. Alexander.

The announcement follows not long after the conclusion of Canada’s Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union (EU). Romania and Bulgaria both joined the EU in 2007.