Canadian embassy now issuing tourist visas in Prague

Canada has started issuing tourist visas at its embassy in Prague, in an effort to alleviate tension over the reintroduction of visas for Czech nationals in mid-July. Ottawa reintroduced visas over the high number of mainly Romany asylum seekers, and since there is no Canadian consulate in the Czech capital Czechs were forced to travel to Vienna for a visa. Czech officials have welcomed the move but said they would continue to push for the re-introduction of visa-free travel between the two countries. The Czech Republic blames Canada’s benevolent asylum system for the flow of refugees and as an EU member state has put pressure on Brussels to effect a reciprocal measure.