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Exchange of Notes (November 18 and 19, 1949) between Canada and Belgium constituting an Agreement regarding Visa Requirements for Non-Immigrant Travellers of the Two Countries [1949] CATSer 10 (1 December 1949)

E102522 - CTS 1949 No. 23

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN CANADA AND BELGIUM CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT REGARDING VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-IMMIGRANT TRAVELLERS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES

I

The Secretary of State for External Affairs to the Belgian Ambassador to Canada

DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

OTTAWA, November 18, 1949

No. 124

Excellency,

I have the honour to refer to previous correspondence on the subject of the modification of visa requirements and to state that the Canadian Government is prepared to conclude with the Belgian Government an agreement in the following terms:

(1) Belgian nationals, who are bona fide non-immigrants coming to Canada from Belgium and who are in possession of valid national passports, will receive from competent Canadian diplomatic or consular authorities visas, free of charge, valid for an unlimited number of entries to Canada during a period of twelve months from the date of issue of such visas.

(2) Canadian citizens, who are bona fide non-immigrants and who are in possession of valid national passports, may, without previously obtaining a Belgian visa, visit Belgium for periods each not exceeding two consecutive months. This modification of entrance requirements does not apply to Canadian citizens who wish to enter the Belgian Congo or Ruanda-Urundi.

(3) It is understood that this modification of entrance requirements does not exempt Belgian nationals and Canadian citizens, coming respectively to Canada and Belgium, from the necessity of complying with the laws and regulations of the country concerned regarding the entry, residence (temporary or permanent) and employment or occupation of foreigners, and that persons, who are unable to satisfy the immigration authorities that they comply with these laws and regulations, are liable to be refused leave to enter or land.

If the Belgian Government is prepared to accept the foregoing provisions, the Canadian Government has the honour to suggest that the present Note and the reply thereto of the Belgian Government shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments which shall take effect on December 1, 1949.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

L. B. Pearson

Secretary of State for External Affairs

II

The Belgian Ambassador to Canada to the Secretary of State for External Affairs

(Translation)

EMBASSY OF BELGIUM

OTTAWA, November 19, 1949

No. 2413/C1: 6

Sir:

I have the honour to acknowledge your Note No. 124 of November 18, 1949, in which you informed me that the Canadian Government is prepared to conclude with the Belgian Government an agreement in the following terms:

(1) Belgian nationals, who are bona fide non-immigrants coming to Canada from Belgium and who are in possession of valid national passports, will receive from competent Canadian diplomatic or consular authorities visas, free of charge, valid for an unlimited number of entries to Canada during a period of twelve months from the date of issue of such visas.

(2) Canadian citizens, who are bona fide non-immigrants and who are in possession of valid national passports, may, without previously obtaining a Belgian visa, visit Belgium for periods each not exceeding two consecutive months. This modification of entrance requirements does not apply to Canadian citizens who wish to enter the Belgian Congo or Ruanda-Urundi.

(3) It is understood that this modification of entrance requirements does not exempt Belgian nationals and Canadian citizens, coming respectively to Canada and Belgium, from the necessity of complying with the laws and regulations of the country concerned regarding the entry, residence (temporary or permanent) and employment or occupation of foreigners, and that persons, who are unable to satisfy the immigration authorities that they comply with these laws and regulations, are liable to be refused leave to enter or land.

The foregoing provisions are acceptable to the Belgian Government and I am authorized to confirm that your Note and this reply shall constitute an agreement between the two governments which shall take effect on December 1, 1949.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Vicomte Du Parc