Hanoi, 13th Oct 2017

An opening ceremony for the newly expanded and renovated Canadian Visa Application Centre (CVAC) in Hanoi was held by IOM on 13 October 2017.

Attending the ceremony was Ms. Ping Kitnikone - Canada's Ambassador to Vietnam and Ms. Marcie Lynne Brulotte from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada (IRCC) at the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City. Representing IOM Vietnam was Mr. Paul Priest - acting Chief of Mission, Mr. Alec Clouth - CVAC Project Officer, and Ms. Chu Thi Phuong - CVAC Hanoi Team Leader and IOM staff from Hanoi.

Following the cutting of the ribbon, Ambassador Kitnikone and Mr. Priest provided brief remarks on the

ongoing cooperation between IOM and the Government of Canada and the increasing popularity of Canada as a destination for tourists, business people and students.

The CVAC in Vietnam has seen significant growth in numbers of applications each year since its opening in 2013. The recently completed CVAC expansion in Hanoi will increase client comfort as well as improve processing efficiency and speed, which will be achieved through increased seating in the waiting area, addition of extra submissions desks, and expansion of the administrative services space.

The CVAC in Hanoi is operated by IOM, in partnership with VFS, on behalf of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada.