04 December 2018

Massive Chinese Changes Immediately

The Chinese visa offices across Canada changed all their procedures yesterday (Monday 03 December 2018) without notice to even their closest partners.

Beginning yesterday all Canadians are required to appear IN PERSON for their visa application processing.

Ensure you speak with the Chinese visa application centre before making your appointment and undertaking travel to the visa office. You should confirm all details and requirements by telephone first, as Chinese rules and procedures are changing rapidly and without warning.

All Canadians are now being photographed at the China visa application centre.

When you arrive at one of the five (5) Chinese visa offices across Canada you will have your passport scanned and your photograph taken. You will then get a number and wait for a visa agent. When your application is finally accepted you will be directed to pay immediately. Prices remain $145.20 for slow service; $203.93 for express service; and $247.18 for urgent second day service.

Fingerprinting will not begin until 02 January 2019, and is a reciprocal action by the Chinese against Canada which will start collecting fingerprints of the Chinese as of 31 December 2018.

You will have to attend one of these via offices to apply in person. Your office may not be the one closest to you.

OTTAWA

Ottawa region (613 and 343 area codes), Gatineau Quebec (819 area code region), Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and Nunavut

TORONTO
Ontario and Manitoba (but not the Ottawa or 613 area code region)

VANCOUVER
British Columbia and Yukon

CALGARY
Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories

MONTREAL
Quebec and New Brunswick (but not Gatineau or 819 area code region)


China Visa Application Centre - Ottawa
http://www.visaforchina.org/YOW_EN/
Suite 1450
220 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON   K1P 5Z9
613-563-8472

China Visa Application Centre - Toronto
http://visaforchina.org/YTO_EN/
Suite 1501
393 University Avenue
Toronto ON  M5G 1E6
416-345-8472

China Visa Application Centre - Vancouver
http://www.visaforchina.org/YVR_EN/
Suite 250
999 West Broadway
Vancouver BC V5Z 1K5
604-336-8866

China Visa Application Centre - Calgary
http://www.visaforchina.org/YYC_EN/
Suite 200
855  8th Avenue SW
Calgary AB  T2P 3P1
403-930-2288

China Visa Application Centre - Montreal
http://www.visaforchina.org/MTL_EN/
Suite 700
2000 Mansfield Street
Montreal Quebec  H3A 2Z6
514-680-8472


Click here to make your appointment and to fill in your China visa application forms.  http://visaforchina.org

28 November 2018

China Requires Fingerprints in 2019

It is now official.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ottawa yesterday officially announced that as of the new year (2019) all Canadian applicants for Chinese visas will be fingerprinted in-person at one of five Chinese visa offices across Canada.

Here is the official statement from the embassy:

"In accordance with China’s related laws and based on the principle of reciprocity, the Embassy as well as the Consulates- General in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal will entrust the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers to collect the ten fingerprints of all visa applicants including Canadian citizens from January 1st, 2019."

All fingerprinting is done at the time of visa application in person at the Chinese visa application centre in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, or Montreal.

All applicants must appear IN PERSON to apply and be fingerprinted. Applicant's fingerprints will be collected in person at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres across Canada. All applicants must attend in order to apply and be fingerprinted.

Ensure you speak with the Chinese visa application centre before making your appointment and undertaking travel to the visa office. You should confirm all details and requirements by telephone first, as Chinese rules and procedures are changing rapidly and without warning.

There are a small number of limited exemptions.
1) minors under 14 years of age at the time of application.
2) seniors over 70 years of age at the time of application.
3) diplomatic or service passport holders.
4) persons with missing or mutilated fingers whose prints cannot be collected.
5) "Those who have applied a Chinese visa with the same passport in the past 5 years in the same Chinese Embassy/Consulate General or Chinese Visa Application Service Center, which has collected his or her fingerprints.

The embassy warns that applicants who forge fingerprints or use other people’s fingerprints will be denied entry to China and will bear all the consequences of fraud. Applicants are required to make an appointment and fill in the application forms online at the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres in advance.   (www.visaforchina.org)

Chinese Visa Fingerprint Collection Locations

As announced by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China yesterday, all Canadians are required to have their fingerprints collected at the time of visa application.

There are five offices across Canada which will collect fingerprints for Chinese visas. These offices are within a 2 hour drive of over 85% of the population of Canada. 


Persons in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Maritimes and up north are out of luck. Those persons will have to fly to the appropriate fingerprint location after making an appointment. Please note that your fingerprint collection office is not necessarily the office closest to you. For example, persons in Nova Scotia are supposed to apply in Ottawa instead of the closer office in Montreal. 


Ensure you speak with the Chinese visa application centre before making your appointment and undertaking travel to the visa office. You should confirm all details and requirements by telephone first, as Chinese rules and procedures are changing rapidly and without warning.

OTTAWA

Ottawa region (613 and 343 area codes), Gatineau Quebec (819 area code region), Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and Nunavut

TORONTO
Ontario and Manitoba (but not the Ottawa or 613 area code region)

VANCOUVER
British Columbia and Yukon

CALGARY
Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories

MONTREAL
Quebec and New Brunswick (but not Gatineau or 819 area code region)


China Visa Application Centre - Ottawa
http://www.visaforchina.org/YOW_EN/
Suite 1450
220 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON   K1P 5Z9
613-563-8472

China Visa Application Centre - Toronto
http://visaforchina.org/YTO_EN/
Suite 1501
393 University Avenue
Toronto ON  M5G 1E6
416-345-8472

China Visa Application Centre - Vancouver
http://www.visaforchina.org/YVR_EN/
Suite 250
999 West Broadway
Vancouver BC V5Z 1K5
604-336-8866

China Visa Application Centre - Calgary
http://www.visaforchina.org/YYC_EN/
Suite 200
855  8th Avenue SW
Calgary AB  T2P 3P1
403-930-2288

China Visa Application Centre - Montreal
http://www.visaforchina.org/MTL_EN/
Suite 700
2000 Mansfield Street
Montreal Quebec  H3A 2Z6
514-680-8472


Applicants are required to attend IN PERSON and to make an appointment for their fingerprinting in advance. Ensure you speak with the Chinese visa application centre before making your appointment and undertaking travel to the visa office. You should confirm all details and requirements by telephone first, as Chinese rules and procedures are changing rapidly and without warning.

Contact the China Visa Application Centre here for forms and appointments:
http://www.visaforchina.org

22 November 2018

Chine Requiring Fingerprints

BREAKING NEWS

NOT YET CONFIRMED

The Government of China has apparently instructed their embassies, specifically the Chinese Embassy in Canada and all consulates across Canada, to begin collecting fingerprints of visa-seekers.

This will mean all Canadian visa-seekers will be required to travel to a Chinese visa application centre to apply IN-PERSON and be FINGERPRINTED.

This is supposed to become effective as of Wednesday 02 January 2019.

These five Chinese visa centres are currently operational in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. Unless more offices are opened this will mean some Canadians will have to drive or fly to their nearest fingerprinting office. This will be especially difficult for people in Manitoba and the maritime provinces, and those up north.

China is already collecting all fingerprints at the point of arrival in China (the airport) prior to going through passport control.

NOT YET CONFIRMED

MORE DETAILS TO COME AS NEWS ARRIVES

31 August 2018

China Photo Requirements

China is a top visa destination for Canadians, and the requirements for a visa are very strict. For many people the toughest part is getting the photo just right.

The official Chinese government requirements for the photo are strict, and the image must be 33 mm x 48 mm in size. Make it a colour photograph.

Both ears must show in the image. Yes, your ears have to show. So if you have long hair please pin it back.

Jewelry is forbidden. No ear-rings, necklaces, studs, piercings, rings, etc. The photo cannot show even a hint of adornment.

Click here for the China photo requirements.

Saudi Sanction Hit Visas

You have all heard about the bizarre Saudi fit over the Canadian Government criticizing the KSA's horrid human rights record. For anyone in Canada still wanting to go to the KSA you should know that it is still technically possible but increasingly difficult.

All visa-seekers should immediately call 1-613-233-8472 for updates and visa processing.

Click here for KSA visa advice.

Reminder about Schengen Visas

This is just a gentle reminder from all of us at VSC that we do not process or aid in the processing of Schengen visas.

Non-Canadians seeking Schengen zone visas must apply IN PERSON only directly to the embassy of the country which is their primary destination in Europe.

Canadian citizens with Canadians passports do NOT need a Schengen visa, as we are allowed a stay of up to 90 days in the Schengen zone without a visa. This is a total of 90 days within each 180 period.

So our reminder to immigrants to Canada who hold foreign passports and Canadian Permanent Resident cards is that you must apply directly to the embassy in Ottawa. No third party can apply for you as you must go for your interview and your fingerprinting.

Click here for Schengen zone information.

Egypt Launches e-Visas

To the delight of our clients traveling to the Middle East, the Government of Egypt has launched their own e-Visa system. This means Canadians seeking to travel to Egypt and beyond can get the new e-Visa right from their home computer without having to ship their passport to Ottawa.

The price is about the same as the paper visa, but you save money on shipping and it is overall quicker.

Click here for the new Egypt e-Visa form.

China Promotes 144 hour Visa Waiver

Canadian citizens can acquire a 144-hour visa free transit in Shanghai airports and seaports, and Beijing Capital Airport. This visa-free travel is only offered to passengers who are transiting China by air or ship on their way to another/third country (from Canada through China to another country; or from another country through China to Canada). You must fly/sail in and out of Shanghai or Beijing or Tianjin Port. You cannot go to any other city. You cannot leave Shanghai or Beijing for another point in China. You cannot use this to go from Canada to China and back to Canada. The transit must be to a third country for air travel or sea ship travel purposes. It is also valid for entry of Shanghai by fast train from Hong Kong.

There are 3 requirements:
1) You must be a Canadian citizens or from one of the approved countries in the 144-hour Transit Visa Exemption Program;
2) You must be a Canadian national / foreign national with a valid Canadian passport / international traveling document, and air ticket for a connecting flight with confirmed date of flight and seat for a third country or region traveling within 144 hours; or the same for a ship (cruise); or the same for a non-stop Hong Kong-Shanghai rail journey; and;
3) You must be flying into and out of the Pudong or Hongqiao Airports of Shanghai, Nanjing Lukou International Airport, or Hangzhou Xiaoshan International airport; or sailing/cruising into and out of one of the seaports of Shanghai; or Bijing Capital Airport; to a third country. Or entering Shanghai by high-speed non-stop rail from Hong Kong. This includes the following entry points: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG); Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA); Shanghai Port of International Cruise Terminal; Shanghai Wusongkou Port of International Cruise; Port of Shanghai Railway; Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG); Hangzhou International Airport (HGH); Beijing Capital Airport (PEK); and the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port.

This applies to Canadians and the following nationalities: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland; Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine; United States, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile; Australia, and New Zealand; Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Click here for China visas.

Turkey e-Visas Very Popular

Turkey requires all Canadians to have an e-visa issued to their passport in order to board an aircraft landing in Turkey.

The Turkish e-visas are great and are issued within a day.

Click here for the Turkey e-visa.

Iran Offers E-Visas !

Yes, amazingly, the government of Iran is now offering e-visas to Canadian passport holders.

After Canada severed all relations with Iran in 2012 and expelled the Iranian embassy staff, the only way to get visas for Iran was through the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC USA.

The new e-visas for Iran are all done by computer and you do not have to send your passport to the Pakistani Embassy!

Click here for the new Iran e-Visa details and links.

VSC Supports the Life and Hope Association in Cambodia

For ever a decade Visa Services Canada has supported the Cambodian NGO called LIFE AND HOPE ASSOCIATION.

LHA provides support to amputees, children and girls attempting to finish high school.

Click here to learn more and to donate to LHA

Pakistan Requires Interviews for a Visa

The High Commission of Pakistan, and the associated consulates, now require a formal IN-PERSON application and interview. Due to the security situation in Pakistan, and the number of fraudulent visa applications by persons with ulterior motives, the government now requires all applicants to appear before the consular officer.

Click here for Pakistan visa requirements.

Lesotho Launches e-Visa

The government of Lesotho has launched a new e-Visa system, so Canadians can now get Lesotho visas without giving up their passports. This is a very good thing.

Click here for the new Lesotho e-visa forms.

Brazil e-Visa Working Well

The new Brazilian e-visa system is working nearly flawlessly.

The embassy and consulates have largely stopped issuing paper visas as most Canadians now acquire the new e-visa without giving up their passports.

Click here for the new Brazil e-visa applications for both tourists and business travel.

26 January 2018

Nigeria Does Not Require Traveller's Cheques

The High Commission of Nigeria no longer requires receipts for the purchase of US$ traveller's cheques in order to apply for a visa.

The new rule states you must provide a bank receipt for the purchase of US$ cash to the value of US$100 per day you are in Nigeria. This means if you are in Nigeria for one week then you must have a bank receipt in your name for US$700.

Click here for Nigeria visa applications.

Passports and Air Tickets Must Match

This is a gentle reminder about your name.

The name in your current valid passport is your ONLY name. This means if you have a first, middle, and surname in your passport, that is the full legal name which must appear on your air ticket for international travel.

Far too often people buy air tickets to places like China with only part of their legal name on it. This is a big problem in acquiring visas, as many embassies and high commissions require the air ticket to match the passport identically.

So the next time you are buying an air ticket make certain it matches your passport name to the letter.

Air Canada states clearly on their corporate website:

"One key thing to remember is that your name on your travel documents must perfectly match your name on your ticket. (That's a legal requirement, not an airline rule.) Out of concern for security and because of heavy government fines, we will refuse boarding to passengers who are deemed to have improper documentation."

Oh, and one last thing; if your name is William, do not buy a ticket under the name Bill !

Tanzania Offer New Fast Services

Effective today the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania is offering several new service processing services.

There is now regular, medium, and fast (one day) service, all with commensurate prices.

The basic tourist visa fee remains $80. If you want the one day service be prepared to pay and extra $130 to the Tanzanians. If you want the express four day service then it is an extra $26.

The same is true of the $250 business visa.

Click here for the Tanzania visa page.

Click here for Tanzania TOURIST visas.

Click here for Tanzania BUSINESS visas.

Brazil e-Visa is Live

The Brazilians have gone live with the new computerized e-Visa system for Canadians, Australians, and Japanese.

Right now Canadian tourists and visitors and business travellers can apply on-line for Brazilian multi-entry visas valid for up to two years.

All of the old requirements for bank statements and air tickets and letters from employers are gone - replaced with a simple set of personal questions and an upload of your passport and photograph.

The cost is US$44.24 per visa, and processing takes about 5 working days.

Click here for Brazil TOURIST visas.

Click here for Brazilian BUSINESS visas.

Uganda Only Offers e-Visas in Canada

Effective immediately the Ugandan High Commission in Canada not longer issues visas.

EVERYTHING must be done as the new e-Visa for Uganda. This means tourists and business travellers must apply on-line for the visa to enter Uganda.

Click here for the Uganda e-Visa.