08 November 2011

Brazil increasing wait times

Yes, Brazil has given official notification that as of 15 Nomber 2011 they intend to increase the processing times for visas for people in Ontario and Manitoba.

Up until this week, resdients of Ontario and Manitoba have had the fastest Brazilian visa processing in the country. But as of next week that time will increase to 15 working days according to the Brazilian consul general in Toronto.

This will have no effect, for bettr or for worse, on the already abysmal processing times of up to a month experienced by Western Canadians.

So apply early!

Click here for Brazil visa forms.

07 November 2011

Sri Lanka introduces E-visas

Sri Lanka will require all foreigners to acquire visas prior to travel starting in the new year (01 January 2012).

The Government of Sri Lanka is rolling out a new on-line visa system. All foreigners will be required to apply on-line to get approval for a tourist or business or visit visa.

The new prices are:
US$50. for a visas valid for a stay of up to 30 days.
US$75 for a visa valid for a stay of 31-90 days.

Applicants will apply and pay all fees on-line directly to the Sri Lankan government computer system. Th3 exact computer address has not yet been announced, but we will get it for you as soon as we can do so.

Once you have applied and paid, you will receive an electronic reference number which you print and take to Sri Lanka. At the airport upon arrival you will hand over the reference number and your passport. The immigration officials will then confirm you are registered and place the paper visa in your apssport.

Eid closures - 7 November

It is the Islamic holiday of Eid, and the following embassies are closed:
Iran, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, and most other Arab or muslim countries.

Russia is closed for a national holiday, and India is closed for a religeous holiday.

UK closes visa office in Canada

Although Canadians do not need visas to visit the UK on business or tourists trips, stuents and various other categories of travellers do need UK visas. Until last month these visas were issued in Ottawa by the UK High Commission to Canada.

Due to severe budget cuts in the UK, the High Commission in Ottawa was forced to close their visa processing office in October 2011. All visas for people in Canada are now processed in the United States. After biometrics processing in Canada, you must ship the sealed package to the UK visa office in the USA. There is no longer an office in Canada. Please allow a couple of months for processing due to the massive backlog and reduced staff numbers.