Canada drop demand of visas for Poles

[Jaga]

Canada will do it soon, I wonder when the US will change its mind. Maybe a death of the Pole treated by taser at the airport will help some other Poles.

www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080222.VISAS22/TPStory/NationalOttawa to drop demand of visas for Polish visitors
OMAR EL AKKAD

February 22, 2008

OTTAWA -- Polish citizens will soon no longer need visas to visit Canada, a source in Ottawa said.

According to the source, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley will announce next week that Canada is lifting the visa requirement for Polish citizens - something that Polish Canadian groups have spent years advocating.

"They're saying, 'We're a Western liberal democracy, we're with you in Afghanistan ... why are we not being treated like other countries?' " the source said.

A spokesperson with Citizenship and Immigration Canada did not confirm that an announcement is imminent.

The lifting of visa requirements for Polish citizens would be the latest in a series of such changes in Canadian visa policies for Eastern European countries. In late October of last year, Ms. Finley announced that citizens of the Czech Republic and the Republic of Latvia no longer require a temporary resident visa to visit Canada. (On the other hand, citizens of such countries as Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria do require visas.)

In all, about 50 countries are exempt from Canadian visa requirements.

The relationship between Canada and Poland came into the public spotlight late last year, after the death of Polish national Robert Dziekanski in Vancouver. Mr. Dziekanski died within minutes of being tasered at Vancouver International Airport last October. His death sparked myriad inquiries in Canada, and prompted Canada's ambassador to Poland, David Preston, to express his "deep sympathy" to Polish officials.

Poland is Canada's largest economic partner in Central and Eastern Europe, with more than $1.2-billion in annual trade.

As a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the country has also dispatched more than 1,000 troops to Afghanistan.

[jimpres]

I would think the Poles (Tusk) would have leverage now since the US wants the anti missile system in Poland.

[Jaga]

jimpres said:

I would think the Poles (Tusk) would have leverage now since the US wants the anti missile system in Poland.

Jim,

good point. I will think the same, the US should really change its policy towards so called Eastern Europe if they want cooperation.
Besides, young Poles go rather to GB or Potrugal to look for jobs, the US is a bit far.

[rdywenur]

This will be some good news for my cousin as his job wished to send him to Canada on buisness and he was waiting for Visa clearance. Now he can come and go as he wishes. Hopefully we will see this soon.

[freetobe]

It will also be good news for many to walk across the Can/US border. But this has been going on forever. Please don't misunderstand, I believe the U.S. visa restrictions for Poland should be changed. I also believe W should be impeached and removed from office and the "Twins are a disgrace to their nation" Let's hope the incoming administration has a more enlightened view of globalization and cooperation then what Americans have had to deal with for the past eight years.

[rdywenur]

FTB...I think you will still need a passport to cross the border. Right now we don't need a Visa just a passport. Which I need to update this year.

[freetobe]

Chris,
My reference to walking across the border had to do with any and all who wish to cross from Can. to U.S. or v.v. without documents. The Can./U.S. border is so great and not adequately patrolled by either nation. We never had to prior to 9/11. Different story now. All these visa requirements for the U.S. are political as they are in many nations. It's what it it is. I want to visit my family's villages in the eastern borderlands. These places are now in Belarus. As a U.S citizen I may obtain a visa(with some hassle) to enter Belarus, but my Polish friends cannot, in spite of what the Belurussian government says. There was no way, at my age that I would attempt travel in Belarus alone. BYW, my passport renewal last year(Sept. 2007) cost me $200. I was short of time and had to pay for expedited service. Never made the trip. Apply for your renewal with time to spare.
Joan

[Jaga]

Canada finally did this. I do not understand why the US cannot do the same. The US will not be flooded by Polish immigrants. Young Poles can find a job in BG and Ireland, they do not need to travel to the US to get illegal job, especially since US dollar is so low.

here is more about Canada:

Canada drops visa requirement for Poland, others in EEurope
17 hours ago

OTTAWA (AFP) — Canada on Saturday announced it would no longer require citizens of Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary to obtain temporary resident visas for a visit to Canada.

"Canada enjoys strong ties with these countries," said Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley. "Lifting the visa requirement will help build those relationships to the benefit of Canadians and the citizens of Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Hungary."

The Canadian visa requirement remains in effect for now for citizens of two recent EU members: Bulgaria and Romania.
afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hNZNPBrrSZ9c7-yD0MIzJXYHlm2w

[jimpres]

Good for Canada, now the US gets to get its act together.

[rdywenur]

Jaga, Just got off Skype and my cousin told me it is official. (though I did not read anything yet here). Tusk is supposed to be here today/tomorrow so maybe that will come up in conversation and they will okay for it here too. After all if US wants to go on Pole territory then I think they should allow them here with out a Visa.