Canadian Ambassador Discusses Surge in Visa Requests and Cooperation with Central Asia for Migration to Canada
The Canadian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, Alan Hamson, recently sat down for an interview with Kun.uz to discuss the evolving relationship between Canada and Uzbekistan. In the interview, Ambassador Hamson addressed various topics such as the challenges faced by Uzbek citizens in obtaining Canadian visas, the current status of labor migration agreements, and areas of collaboration between the two countries.
One of the key issues discussed was the inconvenience faced by Uzbek citizens in traveling to Astana to submit their fingerprints for Canadian travel documentation. Ambassador Hamson acknowledged this issue and mentioned that there are ongoing discussions within the Canadian government about opening a visa application center in Uzbekistan to facilitate the process.
Regarding labor migration, Ambassador Hamson clarified that there is currently no agreement in place for labor migration to Canada from Uzbekistan. He emphasized the importance of being cautious of fraudulent visa consultants and advised applicants to apply directly through the official channels.
When asked about potential areas of collaboration between Canada and Uzbekistan, Ambassador Hamson highlighted trade, educational exchanges, and regional security initiatives as promising avenues for cooperation. He also mentioned ongoing programs in Uzbekistan related to security, nuclear safety, and local initiatives funded by Canada.
In terms of cultural and educational exchanges, Ambassador Hamson mentioned the growing interest from Uzbek students to study in Canada and the efforts to establish educational partnerships between Canadian universities and local institutions in Uzbekistan.
Overall, Ambassador Hamson expressed optimism about the future of the relationship between Canada and Uzbekistan, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation and the potential for further collaboration in various fields. He encouraged viewers to follow official channels for updates on visa procedures and reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting Uzbekistan in its development efforts.
