16 December 2014

Nigerian Prices Jump High

The consul of the Nigerian High Commission has informed us in person that effective immediately there are new, and much higher, processing prices in effect.

The Nigerian High Commission application processing service free jumped from $20 for regular three week service up to $50 -- a leap of 150%.  The fee increase for a fast processing goes from the old $85 to a new $115 -- a rise of only 35%. This applies to the business, visitor, tourist and TWP visas.

The fees for the STR visa have leaped from the old $20 all the way up to $100 for regular service -- an astonishing 400% jump. The new fee for fatser STR processing goes from the old $85 to the new $150 -- a jump of a mere 77%.

These fees are already in effect and are mandatory. The fees are paid on top of the fees the Nigerian government already receives through the electronic application system. The on-line fees remain unchanged. So we are all paying twice for the same visa.

Click here for a Nigerian visa form.

09 December 2014

Angolan Holidays

Every year around this time we get requests from the oil industry for the holiday closure dates of the Angolan Embassy in Ottawa.

The new holidays for this year have just be announced!

The Angolan Embassy will accept the last application of the year on Friday 12 December.

The embassy will issue the last visa of the year, then close for more than two weeks of holidays, on Friday 19 December 2014.

The Angolan Embassy will re-open on Monday 05 January 2015.

What this means is that there is almost zero chance of anything submitted now to be processed and have a visa issued this year. From now on any application will not see a visa until into January 2015.

Remember, the Angolan Embassy in Canada cannot make decisions on visa requests. All authorizations for visas are transmitted from Luanda, Angola, and simply administered at the embassy. This means that extra time is always required for communication with and decision by Luanda.

Click here for Angolan visa forms.

02 December 2014

Chile - Fee Free

Good news about Chilean travel for all Canadians.

The Chilean government has abolished the old and hated Reciprocity Fee of $132. which used to be applicable to all Canadian travellers.

Canadian tourists and visitors and business travellers are now invited to stay for up to six months visa-free and fee-free. There will no longer be a charge at the airport on arrival. Chile is now added to the list of easy travel destinations in Latin America.

The official change came about due to Canada de-listing Chile for visit visas, and Chile reciprocating by abolishing the fee as of 22 November 2014.

However, there is a caveat to this --- it is not yet in effect! Chile had to change their law and this will only come into effect once it is published in Santiago in the official gazette. This is expected in the third week of December 2014.

So for the moment expect to still have to pay the Reciprocity Fee at the airport upon arrival. But be of good cheer - the days of visa-free travel are nearly upon us.

01 December 2014

India ETA visas - Not for Canadians

On 27 November 2014 India launched their new ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (ETA) visa system on-line, but not for Canadians.

Nationals of the following countries can use the ETA service: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zeal and Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga,  Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam.

Processing takes 5 working days. Tourists will get their visas stamped into their passports upon arrival at one of nine major airports in India. This is not yet available to Canadians.

Until Canada is added to the list (perhaps in the new year) you must get a paper visa issued into your passport by the Indian High Commission in Canada prior to travel using the links below.

The fee to apply on-line is US$60, plus credit card charges by your bank and the Indian credit card clearing company. There is then a further charge at the airport in India of another 3700 rupees (US$60) to get the visa stamped into the passport. So the final fee is about US$120 for a visa which sells for $75 in Canada.

Indian travel industry executives have already complained the charge is unreasonable and will not encourage people to use the efficient system

Click here for India ETA Visa Application (non-Canadians only):

Click here for Indian visa forms for Canadians.

26 November 2014

HOLIDAY CLOSING AND HOURS

Visa Services Canada is here to serve your visa needs, but holidays are soon upon us and there are a few closed days and a couple of shorter hour days.

As there are no courier or postal services on 25 and 26 December, we at VSC are closed on Christmas and on Boxing day.

We are also closed on New Year's Day, 01 January 2015, but open for business on Friday 02 January.

In order to let staff spend more time with their families we are closing early (12:00 noon) on 24 and 31 December for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Please be aware that many embassies, high commissions and consulates close for extensive holidays at this time of year, so apply well in advance of your travel dates and allow plenty of extra processing time.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and have a great holiday from everyone at Visa Services Canada.

24 November 2014

NEXUS Cards Instead of Passports

Canadains holding NEXUS cards often ask if they can use the card instead of their passport, especially when their passport is in the custody of an embassy being reviewed for a visa.

The answer appears to be a cautious yes, according to a somewhat vague statement by the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (Department of Homeland Security).

"The NEXUS alternative inspection program has been completely harmonized and integrated into a single program. NEXUS members now have crossing privileges at air, land, and marine ports of entry. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the NEXUS card has been approved as an alternative to the passport for air, land, and sea travel into the United States for US and Canadian citizens."

We still strongly recommend that you travel with a notarized colour copy of your Canadian passport as well as your original NEXUS card if you are trying to cross at an airport.

Click here for the NEXUS card use details.

South African Visas - Apply IN PERSON

Effective Immediately the High Commission of South Africa requires all applicants in Canada seeking a visa to appear IN PERSON at the high commission or consulate.

Canadians do not need a visa for tourist or business trips to South Africa, so these people will not be bothered by the new rules.

All persons seeking a South African visas muse make an appointment to visit the consular office for an interview and document review and for possible biometrics scanning. Call the visa office before driving or flying to the office. Many people have travelled great distances only to be turned away for not having an appointment, or finding the office closed.

Click here for South Africa visa details, forms and addresses.

Pakistani Visas - Apply Directly

Effective immediately, all applicants for Pakistani visas must apply directly to the High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa, or the consulate general of Pakistan in Toronto.

Third parties cannot assist with this visa., so all applicants will have to deal with the Pakistani consular offices on their own.

Click here for Pakistani visa details, forms and addresses.

19 November 2014

East Africa Tourist Visa Forms

Avid travelers know that a group of three countries is now offering an "East Africa Tourist Visa", but since none of the countries can agree totally on the new form, each embassy or high commission is demanding their own national form plus the EATV form. So the paperwork doubled, but you get three visas for the price of one. The countries are Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

New Great Price for Azerbaijan

The government of Azerbaijan has lowered the visa price for Canadians.

Effective immediately the new price for all visas is US$100.

This is far lower than most people paid for their visas, so Canadians are getting a price break.

Remember, you must still fill int eh e-visa forms on-line, and provide the letter requesting the visa. The paperwork has not changed - only the price.

Click here for Azerbaijan visas.

Iranian Visas Available to Canadians

Canadians can now get tourist and visit visas from the Iranian government without having to go to Europe or the Middle East to pick up the visa.

Canada severed all relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran as of Friday 07 September 2012. Canada also closed its embassy in Tehran. Ottawa announced it was expelling all Iranian diplomats from Canada within 5 days. As of Wednesday 12 September 2012 there is no longer any official Iranian diplomatic presence in Canada.

The good news is that the issuance of Iranian tourist and visit visas has moved to the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC USA.

Since Iran is not allowed to have an embassy in the USA, they opened an "interests section" under the wing of the Embassy of Pakistan. This de facto Iranian embassy is allowed to issue Iranian visas to Canadians.

So we are pleased to announce that we can once again help you get your tourist or visit visa to Iran.

Click here for visas to Iran.

Brazilian Document Uploads Required

As of 01 November 2014 the government of Brazil requires all Canadian visa applicants, and all persons applying in Canada for a Brazilian visa, to upload all of their documents to the visa application website at the time the application is filed on-line.

All documents must be uploaded here when you are completing your on-line visa application form:
https://scedv.serpro.gov.br

Applicants must upload their PHOTOGRAPH, SIGNATURE, and any other supporting documents.

If you are unable to do so, VSC can do this for you for a fee $10. per document..

* Photograph, in JPG or PNG format, must have minimum dimensions of 177 x 236 pixel and maximum of 354 x 472 pixel, and 3 x 4 aspect ratio. This is a different ration than the paper photo you must supply with your signed application. Be certain you upload a 3 x 4 photo instead of the 5 x 5 photo.

* Signature, in JPG or PNG format, must have minimum dimensions of 177 x 236 pixel and maximum of 207 x 255 pixel. You must scan your own signature and upload it for the Brazilian government.

* Other supporting documents must be in PDF format.
- air tickets (if applicable)
- bank statements (if applicable)
- Notice of Assessment (if applicable)
- letter of invitation (if applicable)
- Brazilian ID card of invitor (if applicable)

Please note that the maximum upload size is 2 Mb total.

Click here to apply for a Brazil visa.

25 September 2014

Nigeria - RCMP Fingerprints Police Check

Canadians going to work in Nigeria - those seeking STR and TWP visas - must now have a criminal records check based on fingerprints.

The most common version of this is the RCMP fingerprint records check. This can be done by any RCMP detachment or regional office. You can also get such service from "Reliability Screening .com", and from the Commissionaires.

When you get the check done it should be the RCMP police check based on a scan of your fingerprints, done electronically. Remember to tell the RCMP that you want the original certificate shipped to VSC in Ottawa for your visa processing. The whole process take about ten days, despite the fact that the RCMP can check for a criminal record in minutes once they have your fingerprints.

Click here for a Nigerian work visa.

Nigerian Tourist Visas

Yes, I know what you are thinking - there is no such thing as tourism in Nigeria. Well, that is true, but there is a small trickle of tourists and there is a tourist visa.

The hard part is getting all the necessary documents in order to apply for the tourist visa.

The new requirements include a confirmed hotel booking and a copy of the hotel ID card of the manager or reservation agent in Nigeria. If the hotel manager will not supply a copy of their hotel ID card, then book a different hotel.

Also, the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa wants to see proof of purchase of sufficient funds for the entire journey. This means they want to see a receipt for the purchase of a lot of traveler's cheques. Do not send a photocopy of the actual cheques.

People going to Nigeria are best advised to be invited by a Nigerian person or a person legally living in Nigeria who can supply an official invitation and a copy of their Nigerian national ID card or passport.

Click here for Nigerian visas.

Cambodia Visa Fee Increases

The Royal Government of Cambodia has announced an across-the-board fee increase of US$5 per visa type effective next week

As of 01 October 2014 it will cost US$30 to acquire a tourist visa on arrival in Cambodia, and US$35 for business visas.

People getting a Cambodian E-Visa will now pay US$37 to not have to stand in line at the border or airport visa issuance booths.

Anyone flying into Cambodia is best advised to get a visa-on-arrival at either of the two main international airports. This also works well at the two main road crossing points from Poi Pet in Thailand and on highway #1 from Sai Gon in Viet Nam.

Persons on a river cruise up the Mekong into Cambodia must have a paper visa issued into their passport by the Cambodia embassy or consulate prior to boarding the boat. Persons on a river cruise down the Mekong into Viet Nam are advised to have a paper visa and not to try using a e-visa. E-visas are not recommended for any boat travel on the river systems.

Click here for Cambodia visas.

21 August 2014

UGANDA NOW ISSUING EAST AFRICA TOURIST VISA

As of right now Uganda is now issuing the "EAST AFRICA TOURIST VISA" valid for multiple entries for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.

This is a legitimate three-country tourist visa making it easier and more convenient to go on a wide-ranging safari!

The visas cost only $110., which is far cheaper than buying all three (or even two) individually. The visa is valid for up to 90 days and is good for multiple entries of the three countries during those three months.

You must get the EATV from the country of first arrival. If you are flying from Europe to Nairobi then you would apply for the EATV through Kenya. If you are flying into Kampala or Entebbe you must apply for the visa from Uganda. If you are flying into Kigali then you apply at Rwanda.

Be warned, Tanzania is not part of this group and requires a Tanzanian visa for any entry.

Also, if you have an EATV and go to Tanzania, your visa becomes invalid and you will need another Kenyan visa to re-entry Kenya for a flight home out of Nairobi airport. This may be sold and issued at the border as you drive from Tanzania to Kenya. The full details are not yet available.

Click here for East Africa Tourist Visas.

MONEY EXCHANGE TRAVEL TIP

When dealing with foreign currencies you are always left feeling that you did not know the real price and how it compares to prices you know. It is too easy to pay too much when you are confused by strange denominations.

We have a solution for you.

Make up a list of prices in both Canadian and the foreign currency. Print it out and keep it in your pocket so you can compare prices.

Example of Chinese Renminbi (Yuan) to Canadian dollars as of today's exchange rate:

CHINA   CANADA
CNY       CAN$
1              0.18
5              0.89
10            1.77
20            3.55
50            8.85
100          17.70
200          35.40
500          88.50
1000        177.00

So if it says Y30 on the price tag in Beijing, you can see that is (1.77+3.55) $5.32

Click here to use the XE.com/ucc currency converter.

EBOLA - NEPAL VISA RESTRICTIONS

The Government of Nepal announced that they would not issue visas to people who had been in Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea or Sierra Leone (currently the Ebola parts of Africa).

Canadians who have been to any of the countries listed above can still apply for a Nepal visa if they provide a recent signed original medical certificate confirming they are clear of Ebola.

The embassy informs us that they will confirm with persons that they have not been in infected parts of Africa.

Click here for Nepal visa forms.

12 August 2014

EAST AFRICA TOURIST VISA

Great news for safari tourists - there is a three-country visa!

KENYA, RWANDA and UGANDA have banded together and launched an "EAST AFRICA TOURIST VISA" valid for multiple entries for all three countries.

The visas cost only $110., which is far cheaper than buying all three (or even two) individually. The visa is valid for up to 90 days and is good for multiple entries of the three countries during those three months.

Right now only Kenya and Rwanda are issuing these visas. You must get the EATV from the country of first arrival. If you are flying from Europe to Nairobi then you would apply for the EATV through Kenya.

Be warned, Tanzania is not part of this group and requires a Tanzanian visa for any entry.

Also, if you have an EATV and go to Tanzania, your visa becomes invalid and you will need another Kenyan visa to re-entry Kenya for a flight home out of Nairobi airport. This may be sold and issued at the border as you drive from Tanzania to Kenya. The full details are not yet available.

Click here for East Africa Tourist Visas.

KENYA & TANZANIA NOT ONE VISA

Kenya and Tanzania no longer have a tourist agreement allowing Canadians (and other foreigners) to re-enter Kenya from Tanzania for their flights home with a used single-entry visa..

As of immediately, if you wish to fly back out of Kenya's Nairobi airport after being in Tanzania you will need a second entry visa.

Many people fly from Europe into Nairobi, Kenya to start their safaris, then venture south to Tanzania. They then go back to Nairobi for the flight home. Now you must have a visa for each country, and Kenya requires you to have a double-entry visa.

Click here for Kenya visas.

Click here for Tanzania visas.

Click here for East Africa Tourist visas.

08 August 2014

WE ROLL OUT PVSglobal FOR CANADA in LOS ANGELES

Visa Services Canada, Inc. proudly unveiled the Canadian arm of the giant world-wide visa consortium called PVSglobal at the giant GBTA industry travel trade show in Los Angeles last weekend.

 PVSglobal is the world's largest grouping of national visa companies.

Visa Services Canada is the sole Canadian company in the consortium, and is pleased to provide national visa services to all Canadians.

Our roll-out client was the industry leader in the USA, Travel & Transport. Interest at the trade show was high, with AMEX and CWT  asking about joining the programme and getting the benefits for their thousands of clients.

CHINA DOUBLES

The Chinese Embassy in Canada is growing reluctant to issue multiple-entry visas unless there is firm and clear proof of need.

This means that people seeking business visas MUST have a letter of support from the Chinese inviting company clearly stating the requirement for a multi-entry visa.

People seeking visit visas MUST have a letter of support from the person in China inviting them which  clearly states the requirement for a multi-entry visa.

In some cases the embassy has asked for tickets showing more than one entry. This is often difficult, so the letters from the invitor and the letters from the Canadian company must state the requirement and show the need. If your letters do not say a multi-entry visa is required, you will not get that visa.

Click here for a Chinese visa.

NIGERIAN FINGERPRINTS

The Nigerian High Commission is now demanding police clearance letters based on fingerprints as mandatory for all work visas.

Canadian and non-Canadian applicants seeking work or residency visas from the Nigerians in Canada must now supply the standard RCMP criminal records search based on fingerprints. A simple police letetr based on an ID check is no longer enough.

Click here to apply for a Nigerian visa.

INDIAN E-VISAS COMING JANUARY 2015

The newly-elected government of India under prime minister Modi has announced it intends to speed up implementation of the new electronic visa system. The first budget, introduced in July, gave civil servants a maximum of six months to have the first working phase of the new ETA system working at none major airports for up to forty selected nationalities.

Canadian tourists will be able to use this system, and it will save everyone a lot of time and money. The best news is that we will no longer have to surrender the passport in order to apply.

The basic idea is that a foreigner seeking a visa to India can apply for the visa on-line. The government of India will review the application and inform the applicant within five (5) days of the decision to issue (or refuse) the visa. The traveler then prints out their authorization and gets on the flight to India. Upon arrival in India tourists will undergo a biometric scan such as fingerprints or iris scans. Then they will receive the 30-day visa. The visa will be issued into the passport by immigration officials in the arrivals hall at the airport in India.

In the first stage of implementation, tourists can get the visas at the following airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Goa and Trivandrum.

However, while we wait for this great day to come, Canadians and everyone else will still have to apply for a visa the hard way. Click here for India visa information.

24 June 2014

CHINA FEES INCREASE

Chinese visa fees increase as of Wednesday 02 July 2014.

Fees for regular service Chinese visas increase by $11.30 per visa.

This means that the old fee of $83.90 is replaced by the new fee of $95.20 next week.

Fees for express and fastest service visas remain the same. Only regular pricing is increasing.

Click here for Chinese visa forms.

21 May 2014

BRAZIL LOWERS VISA FEES

Brazil visa fees have dropped as of today.

We are pleased to announce that the government of Brazil, after having held prices stable for several years, has dropped all visa fees by $25 effectively immediately.

So your tourist visa is now only $81.25  and your business visa is a mere $75.

Click here for new Brazil visa forms.

09 May 2014

BRAZIL SUSPENDING VISA PROCESSING EXCEPT FIFA

************NEWS FLASH**********

The Consulate General of Brazil responsible for Canadians who live in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Yukon and NWT will suspend all visa processing for a month while the consulate works exclusively on FIFA World Cup 2014 visas.

From 15 May until 15 June 2014 inclusive the consular office will give the highest priority to FIFA visas "to ensure that all FIFA World Cup visas are issued on time".

The consul has stated that all FIFA visa applications be submitted prior to 26 May to help ensure timely visa issuance.

During the special period other types of visas (tourist, business, etc) will be issued only if urgency is duly proven" in advance and authorized by the consul prior to an application being submitted. This means any other applicants must submit a signed letter stating their reasons for needing a visa during this period. Applicants can be assured that their letter will be given full and real consideration by the consul.

This only applied to people who live in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and NWT .

Click here for Brazil visas and Brazil FIFA visas.

ZIMBABWE E-VISAS

The Government of Zimbabwe has streamlined their visa processing.

All travelers to Zimbabwe are now requried to have a special E-VISA aythorized prior to travel.

Canadians and other must now apply on-line through the new Zimbabwe immigration computer system for an e-visa authorization.

Click here for new Zimbabwe E-Visas.

SCHENGEN ZONE COMPUTERIZED IN CANADA

As of 15 May 2014 the full Schengen Zone "VISA INFORMATION SYSTEM" (VIS) computer is running in Canada, and it connects all Schengen counties and their visa and immigration offices to each other.

The full system was running in Europe as of 11 October 2011, but it took another 2.5 years to roll it out in Canada. The system allows Schengen States to exchange visa data and to see who is applying for what, when and where in order to catch fraudulent or repeated applicants.

Nowe that the system is running in Canada applicants to any Schengen country MUST go for the mandatory interview and for full biometric scanning (fingerprints and digital photos and sometimes iris scans).

Applicants must make appointments to apply for the visa and be scanned. Applicants MUST appear IN PERSON.

GERMANY - NO AIRPORT TRANSIT VISAS

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has announced that there has been a relaxation of the rules for transit visas.

Citizens of several countries are subject to very strict transit visa policies if they intend to travel through a German airport.

HOWEVER, all travelers no longer require an airport transit visa (even if they are citizens of a suspect country) if they meet one or more of the following requirements:
- holders of a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card
- holders of a valid Canadian visa
- travelers who leave Canada after having used a Canadian visa and still have legal status in Canada (Your status in Canada is legal until the date stamped in your passport when you entered Canada. If you have a work/study permit your status is legal until the permit expires.)

It is the responsibility of the individual traveler to ensure that their documents are valid for their journey into Germany and the Schengen Zone.

GERMANY ALLOWS REFUGEES TO TRAVEL WITHOUT VISAS

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has announced that "holders of a blue Canadian Travel Document (Convention of 28 July, 1951) do not need a visa for transit and/or short-term stay (tourism, business)."

This means that refugees in Canada holding an official (issued by the government of Canada) TRAVEL DOCUMENT do not need to have a visa to transit German airports, and that they could be allowed to stay in Germany for a short business or tourist trip.

It is the responsibility of the individual traveler to ensure that their documents are valid for their journey into Germany and the Schengen Zone.

BENIN INCREASES VISA FEES

The Government of Benin has increased the price of all visas by 100% effective immediately.

The good news is that Benin now offers fast service for payment of an extra $25 per applicant.

Click here for Benin visas.

EGYPT INCREASES VISA FEES

The Government of Egypt, after keeping visa fees exceptionally low for a decade, has increased the price of all visas by up to 100% effective immediately.

However, even with the fee increase the price of an Egyptian tourist or business visa is still very cheap. Tourists are still only paying $40.

Click here for Egypt visas.

24 March 2014

BRAZIL - NEW ENTRY FORM

The Federal Police service of Brazil, which controls border points, has introduced a new entry and exit form for all foreign visitors. We suspect it is due to the expected influx of visitors for FIFA 2014. This is very similar to the entry card you fill in when returning to Canada, or the entry card you fill in to go to the USA.

ALL Canadians are required to have this form TYPED up before boarding the aircraft to Brazil.

We have already loaded the form on our website as part of the Brazilian visa forms package.

Here are their new rules:

- Fill out both pages of the entrance/departure form.

- Boxes 4 and 5 of the first page must be completed with arrival information (flight number/ ship name / Land transportation and country of origin).

- Boxes 4 and 5 of the second page must be completed with departure travel data (flight number/ ship name / Land transportation and country of destination).

- Foreigners, living in Brazil, that have limitation on length of stay outside the country, should fill out the first page with departure travel information.

- Although the form can be printed and filled in by hand, it is recommended to print the completed form only (this means TYPE ON SCREEN). If you make a mistake start again.

- At arrival, present the completed Entry/Exit Card (both pages), together with your passport or equivalent travel document to the Immigration Officer.

- Immigration officials will keep the first page and you will be given the second page, which will have been stamped, to retain while in Brazil.

- Keep it carefully.  If you lose it, arrive very early at the airport to have enough time to sort things out with immigration.  You may also receive a fine.

- When you leave Brazil, the second half of the entry/exit card will be taken by immigration official.

Click here for the new entry-exit regulations from the Brazilian authorities.

Click here for the new MANDATORY entry-exit form for Brazil.

Click here for our Brazil visa application forms which are still necessary.

23 March 2014

INDIA VISA-ON-ARRIVAL OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Here is the official announcement of the government of India regarding the highly-anticipated and warmly-welcomed visa-on-arrival scheme to be launched this year. The actual decision was taken by cabinet on 05 February 2014.

"Union Tourism Minister Dr. K.Chiranjeevi has welcomed the decision to relax the visa regime of India to promote tourism.

Dr. Chiranjeevi has thanked the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress Vice President Mr.Rahul Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Mr. Salman Khurshid, Union Home Minister Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Rajeev Shukla and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Mr.Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

In the meeting held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission on 5th February, 2014, the following decisions were taken to relax the visa stipulations to promote tourism:-

(i) The Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) facilities shall be extended to all the countries except 8 countries - Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. Ministry of Home Affairs will work out manpower, infrastructure and other requirements for expanding the TVOA and initiating the ETA facility. The new system of TVOA and ETA could be put into place by October, 2014.

(ii) All categories that can be accommodated within the category “short stay”, i.e., stays of 30 days or less, should be put under the category of short term visas. Short term visas will not be extended to categories under a negative list which could include purposes such as those seeking paid employment, education etc. Short term visas would not be extendable beyond 30 days.

(iii) The procedure for ETA would be as below:-
(a) Prospective visitors will apply online;
(b) They will send their two-page visa application to the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) online. It will be examined and within three days the applicant will be informed whether or not he/she can travel to India. BOI agreed to extend ETA to all countries except the above 8 countries."  07/02/2014.

INDIA ABOLISHES 2 MONTH EXIT RULE

During his recent visit to the German travel show in Berlin, Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi said that the recent decision of the Government of India to lift the restriction of the two month gap on re-entry of foreign nationals coming to India on a tourist visa will encourage more tourists to visit India.

India had made it very difficult for tourists who were visiting the entire region to use India as a hub for travel to other neighbouring countries. The Indian government ruled that once a tourist exited India they were not allowed to return until two months had elapsed.

With this change foreign tourists will be encouraged to once again make India their primary destination and their travel hub.

20 March 2014

INDIA TO INTRODUCE E-VISAS IN OCTOBER 2014


The government of India has said it is going to replace it’s antiquated and cumbersome and inefficient tourist visa system, which can take weeks and sometimes more than a month, with a brand new electronic visa.

Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla and Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi announced the plan to include 180 countries in a new e-visa / visa-on-arrival scheme, and to have it running in time for India's peak tourist season in October 2014.

Canadians will be able to use this system, and it will save everyone a lot of time and money. The best news is that we will no longer have to surrender the passport in order to apply.

The basic idea is that a foreigner seeking a visa to India will apply for the visa on-line from the comfort of their home or office. The passenger will type in personal and passport details and details of the planned journey. They will also pay for the visa on-line using a credit card. The government of India will review the application and inform the applicant within five (5) days of the decision to issue (or refuse) the visa. The traveler then prints out their authorization and gets on the flight to India. Upon arrival in India tourists will undergo a biometric scan such as fingerprints or iris scans. Then they will receive the 30-day visa. The visa will be issued into the passport by immigration officials in the arrivals hall at the airport in India.

The e-visa-on-arrival will eventually be available at 26 major airports in India and would be valid for a stay of up to 30 days from the date of the tourist's arrival in India. In the first stage of implementation, tourists can get the visas at the following airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Goa and Trivandrum. The remaining of the 26 airports will be added as investment permits.

The Tourism Ministry expects the whole project to be in place and functional by the end of 2014. Planning Minister Shukla said he expected the rollout to be completed sooner: "It will take five to six months for the respective departments to put the required infrastructure in place. We hope to implement this from the next tourist session beginning October."

Some Indian officials said the system would be modeled on the Australian electronic travel authority (ETA), but would take three-to-five days in India rather than the immediate ETA issuance by Australia's immigration department.

This would overnight catapult India into the ranks of the top five countries with e-visas and visa-friendly policies. Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said the move would encourage visitors to India, which currently suffers from very low tourism rates despite being a desirable destination in terms of culture, food, geography, history and facilities. India receives less than a quarter the number of tourists seen by Thailand or by Malaysia in any given year. Those two countries have visa-free entries.

The only countries specifically excluded from the scheme are Pakistan, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Somalia, which have been categorized as sensitive for security reasons. However, Pakistan may be removed from the list, as Indian officials said only the reluctance of Pakistan to grant most-favoured trading nation status to India stood in the way. Interestingly, the Indian External Affairs Ministry, and the National Security Advisor as well as related agencies have supported the new e-visa plan.

Of course in the near term the real problem is investment, infrastructure, computers, manpower and training. Officials in India conceded that the new scheme hinged on more money and on significantly more staff at airports. So the world remains to be convinced that this will happen on schedule.

However, while we wait for this great day to come, Canadians and everyone else will still have to apply for a visa the hard way. Click here for India visa information.

26 February 2014

SOCHI VISAS A GREAT SUCCESS

We are really pleased to tell you that Visa Services Canada helped a lot of people attend Sochi 2014.

A full 100% of Canadian spectators and specialists who used our service got visas in time for their trips.

Congratulations to everyone on Team Canada!!

Click here for Russia visa forms

VISA FREE TRAVEL FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS

No visas are required for Canadian permanent resident card holders planning a trip to Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands or Turks & Caicos so long as the visit is under 30 days.

Foreigners holding a Canadian permanent resident card can travel to any of the countries listed above with just their passport and PR card.

Click here for the forms to any of the above-mentioned countries.

COMPUTER AUTHORIZATION FOR LIBYA

After experiencing a few months of technical difficulties, Libya's system is up and running again.

The faxed copy of the authorization is no longer needed to prove the visa has been authorized.

Canadians once again just need to provide the 6 digit authorization number with their application package.

Click here for Libya visa forms.

VFS GLOBAL FOR UK VISAS IN CANADA

Canadian still do not need a visa to go Britain for business or tourism, but do need visas for university and work. Also, most foreigners holding a Canadian permanent resident card do need a visa to go to Britain.

All of your UK visa needs will now be handled by VFS Global

WorldBridge will no longer provide UK visa application services in Canada.

click here for UK visa information.

CHANGES FOR OBTAINING CHINA VISAS

It is a mandatory requirement for tourists to provide flight and hotel confirmations.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain double-entry visas to China. Simply selecting the double-entry option on the application form is no longer sufficient. The Chinese are now requesting proof of the need for a double-entry. They want to see actual tickets, proving that there is a second entry to China.

Good news for Canadians seeking a work visa to China. The physical examination is no longer required to obtain the work visa.

Click here for China visa forms

25 February 2014

NO MORE VISA-ON-ARRIVAL TO TURKEY


It is no longer possible for Canadians to obtain a visa-on-arrival in Turkey. Canadians arriving in Turkey must have an e-visa prior to travel.

Please be aware that you will NOT be boarded on the plane without having an e-visa for Turkey.

Canadians now enjoy dramatically lower fees and pay only US$20 per person. The e-visa is multiple-entry with a validity of 180 days from date of issue.

The rules for cruise ship passengers are as follows:
-Visitors don’t need an e-visa if they don't leave the ship.
-Visitors don’t need an e-visa if they only tour in the respective port city of Turkey. (Permission will be given by local border police authorities to enter Turkey).
-Visitors WILL need a visa if they want to tour beyond the respective port city of Turkey.

Click here for an e-visa to Turkey.

BRAZIL FIFA 2014 - BEFORE YOU APPLY

This is the best news out of Brazil for Canadians in a long time --- FREE VISAS!!!

Special Temporary Visas for FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 issued to Canadians Spectators,

It is absolutely mandatory that you present your FIFA ticket in order to qualify for the free visa. The Brazilians had to make the Spectator visa free, but will still impose a $25 embassy charge. So free means $25 plus processing.

Tickets for FIFA will be delivered starting on 1 April, 2014. Do not apply until you have your ticket or ticket confirmation/ticket certificate. Applying before ticket delivery will change your application to TOURIST visa and the regular fees will apply.

Click here for Brazil visa forms.