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A Russian diplomat in Canada has voiced his concerns about Canada's strict visa regime for Russian citizens.
"We believe that it should be the procedure of all countries to make the movement of people easier but to our surprise, Canada has made it tougher," said Andrey Varlamov, consul for the Russian Embassy in Ottawa.
He gave as an example Canada's visit visa application form which asks for information on an applicant's children, brothers and sisters, and present addresses and occupations, dates of employment, employers name, telephone and address, and the applicant's monthly salary.
"It seems like a form you'd use if you'd want to emigrate, but instead, it's the form you fill out to come to Canada for a few days, on business, or for a vacation," Varlamov said.
"Not all people who would like to visit Canada are illegal immigrants," he added.
Canada requires nationals of many Countries around the World to apply for a visit visa. Canada recently removed the visit visa requirements for citizens of some Eastern European states that joined the EU in 2004, but continues to require visas from citizens of other former Communist Countries and for nationals of a number of developing Countries around the World.
Canada's strict visa regime is similar to the United States and a number of other Countries, and requires applicants for business or pleasure visas to prove that they will leave within the validity of their visa by showing that they have a reason to return, such as a job to go back to, a property in their home Country, or investments in their home Country.
