Canada acknowledges the vital role of immigration in its long-term prosperity, recognizing newcomers and visitors as contributors to economic growth and community vitality. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is dedicated to enhancing processing efficiency and client service amidst the high volume of visa applications worldwide. Minister Marc Miller announced the opening of a new Canada visa application centre (VAC) in Lisbon, Portugal, on February 26, 2024, expanding the VAC network to 163 locations in 110 countries. VACs, managed by private companies, facilitate the visa application process by accepting and securely transmitting documents to IRCC offices, as well as providing biometric collection services and multilingual assistance to ensure completeness of applications. Strengthening the people-to-people ties between Canada and Portugal, the new VAC in Lisbon will enhance accessibility for Portuguese citizens to travel, study, or work in Canada, fostering social, economic, and cultural exchange for mutual benefit.
For more information, visit: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.