Croatian Citizens No Longer Require Temporary Resident Visas To Enter Canada

– Effective March 29, 2009

On March 29, 2009, Jason Kenney, Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced that effective immediately visitors from Croatia will no longer be required to obtain a  temporary resident visa before traveling.

Previously, all citizens of the former Yugoslavia (including Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia) have been required to undergo additional measures to obtain a temporary resident visa before traveling to Canada, including filling out an additional application form concerning military background and history – a form that is not typically required for citizens of other countries.

Now, as visa-exempt nationals, Croatians may travel to Canada without first applying for a visa from the Canadian Embassy. Upon arrival in Canada, immigration officials at the port of entry will determine eligibility to enter and determine how long the applicant may remain in Canada. Visitors who do not require a visa may stay for a maximum of six months in Canada, unless advised otherwise.

This comes as welcome news to companies seeking to hire or relocate Croatian citizen employees to Canada in a short timeframe. As temporary resident visas no longer need to be obtained, these
employees should be able to apply for their work permit directly at the border or airport upon arrival in Canada for stays of less than 6 months.

By law, all visitors to Canada require a temporary resident visa, except citizens of countries where an exemption has been granted. For a complete list of countries and territories whose citizens require a visa, please visit CIC’s website.

This document has been created for informational purposes only and does not contain a full analysis of the law, nor does it constitute a legal opinion of the Bomza Law Group.

For further information regarding this update or any other Canadian immigration matter, please contact the Bomza Law Group at 416-598-8849 or e-mail one of the following professionals:

Janet L. Bomza, Jennifer R. Nees or Melodie Hughes