Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As of February 23, 2018, the Government of Canada is optimizing its services for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applicants worldwide through Visa Application Centres (VACs). These centers offer cost-effective solutions for applicants seeking to travel to Canada.<\/p>\n The Canadian government is thrilled to announce VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd. as the newly selected supplier for the VAC contract. This decision, made via a transparent process by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) on behalf of IRCC, involves a contract initially valued at $26 million.<\/p>\n VACs are pivotal in assisting applicants with visa processes, including biometrics, thus facilitating smoother application reviews. The network of VACs will expand significantly over the next two years, aiming for 149 locations across 99 countries by November 2019.<\/p>\n Operated by third-party service providers, VACs ensure comprehensive service in regions lacking Canadian visa offices. They help reduce incomplete applications, ensuring applicants submit all necessary documentation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very pleased to announce the winning supplier of the Visa Application Centre contract. More than ever, people around the world are interested in applying to come to visit, work, or study in Canada. Canada competes with other countries for students, workers and visitors, who inject billions of dollars into Canada\u2019s economy. VAC services, with competitive fees, help facilitate people\u2019s travel, and ensure Canada remains an attractive destination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cVisa Application Centres are critical to the hundreds of thousands of people from around the world who choose to visit, work or study in Canada each year. This contract for the provision of visa application services in visa application centres was issued through a fair and transparent process. It will ensure visa applicants can easily access the services they need to come to Canada and contribute to our society.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Contacts for media only:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hursh Jaswal<\/strong> Media Relations<\/strong> VACs are third-party service providers authorized to assist applicants in processing their Canadian visa applications. They offer support for biometrics and ensure applications are complete before submission.<\/p>\n VACs provide accessibility and convenience by offering more service points and extended hours, especially in areas without Canadian visa offices, reducing the number of incomplete applications.<\/p>\n The expanded network in Asia is expected to open by November 2, 2018, followed by Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on November 2, 2019.<\/p>\n Ready to apply?<\/strong> Read our immigration guide<\/a> and start your journey to Canada today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" February 23, 2018\u2014Ottawa, ON \u2013 Visa Application Centres (VAC) are a very cost-effective way for the Government of Canada to provide services to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applicants around the world. … <\/i>Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5874,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-immigration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5876"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5876\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}News Release<\/h2>\n
New Contract Awarded to Enhance VAC Services<\/h2>\n
Statements from Government Officials<\/h2>\n
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Key Facts<\/h2>\n
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Associated Links<\/h2>\n
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Media Contacts<\/h2>\n
\nMinister\u2019s Office
\nImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
\n613-954-1064<\/p>\n
\nCommunications Branch
\nImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
\n613-952-1650
\nIRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\nFAQs About Visa Application Centres<\/h2>\n
What is a Visa Application Centre?<\/h3>\n
How does the VAC network benefit applicants?<\/h3>\n
When will the expanded VAC network be operational?<\/h3>\n