03 December 2010
Holiday Closing Dates
Visa Services Canada will be closed from Friday 24 December through Tuesday 28 December 2010 inclusive. There is no courier delivery in or out on 25-28 December.
Libya - Translations Over?
The unofficial word is that the Libyan Government, and the Embassy of Libya in Ottawa, will no longer require an official translation of Canadian passports in an official stamp from Passport Canada.
Imposed several years ago after an unfortunate incident at a customs post, the requirement from Libya was that all Canadian passports had to have a stamp from Passport Canada, and the passport had to be translated into Arabic. Only then would a visa be issued.
I have been informally notified by the embassy that they are no longer looking for the translation page.
Non-Canadians may still have to get translations.
Click here for Libyan visa form.
Imposed several years ago after an unfortunate incident at a customs post, the requirement from Libya was that all Canadian passports had to have a stamp from Passport Canada, and the passport had to be translated into Arabic. Only then would a visa be issued.
I have been informally notified by the embassy that they are no longer looking for the translation page.
Non-Canadians may still have to get translations.
Click here for Libyan visa form.
Brazil - Slow in Vancouver
Anyone living in BC, Alberta or Saskatchewan who wants to travel to Brazil for any purpose needs to be prepraed to live without their passport for at least a month.
The Brazilian consular office responsible for that region of Canada has a firm policy of using 15 working days (three working weeks) to process a tourist or business or conference visa. Business travelers used to get the work done in 12 days, but not any longer. This is all the more annoying for people in Western Canada as those in the rest of Canada can generally get visas in 4-10 working days.
Click here for Brazilian visas.
The Brazilian consular office responsible for that region of Canada has a firm policy of using 15 working days (three working weeks) to process a tourist or business or conference visa. Business travelers used to get the work done in 12 days, but not any longer. This is all the more annoying for people in Western Canada as those in the rest of Canada can generally get visas in 4-10 working days.
Click here for Brazilian visas.
Kenya - new prices for 2011
Kenya has announced that it will increase visa prices back up to the original prices. Right now a basic visa to Kenya has been costing $32. This was a sale price. Kenya lowered the prices in order to attract more tourists, and the visa sale lasted for more than a year. As of 01 January 2011 the price will be $64 for a regular single-entry tourist visa.
Click here for Kenya visa forms.
Click here for Kenya visa forms.
UAE Update
There is no news on the visas for the UAE. Today is the national day of the UAE, so everything is closed.
With only four weeks to go until the visa deadline, we were hoping for full details of the requirements and prices: but so far, nothing.
We are starting to think the UAE may impose a visa-on-arrival scheme for Canadians, as there is probably too little time to get a visa printer and hire and train staff and issue the hundreds of required visas in the next few weeks.
With only four weeks to go until the visa deadline, we were hoping for full details of the requirements and prices: but so far, nothing.
We are starting to think the UAE may impose a visa-on-arrival scheme for Canadians, as there is probably too little time to get a visa printer and hire and train staff and issue the hundreds of required visas in the next few weeks.
01 December 2010
No news on UAE visas
There is no only one month to go until the United Arab Emirates (UAE) begins requiring all Canadians to have visas to enter the UAE.
The bad news is that the home ghovernment in Abu Dhabi has still not decided what to do, and no instructions have been given to the UAE Embassy in Ottawa. The embassy is still not allowed to issue visas, and there are no set requirements yet.
So with on month to go, there is still no news. And with the UAE national holiday starting later this week, there will be nothing until at least early next week.
The bad news is that the home ghovernment in Abu Dhabi has still not decided what to do, and no instructions have been given to the UAE Embassy in Ottawa. The embassy is still not allowed to issue visas, and there are no set requirements yet.
So with on month to go, there is still no news. And with the UAE national holiday starting later this week, there will be nothing until at least early next week.
New Russian regulations
As of December 2010, the Russian Embassy regulations require persons to apply in person if possible, or at least to apply directly to the Russian consular office directly by courier. This means no third party such as a visa service is allowed to submit your application to Russia, or receive your passport and visa from the Russians.
Visa Services Canada will still assist you in getting vouchers for travel, and can help with your visa application package. However, it will be submitted to the Russians by courier, and will be returned to you the applicant directly from the Russian consular office. Due to Russian regulations we will not be able to conduct a post-visa quality control check.
Should you wish us to handle the visa process for you, we will of course continue to provide this service for as long as possible.
Click here for Russian visa application forms.
Those wishing to apply to the Russians directly must to so through the consular offices of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada. Please check with the Russian office for the correct address for your application.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada
52 Range Road
Ottawa, ON, K1N 8J5
Tel: (613) 236-7220
Fax: (613) 238-6158
Website: http://www.rusembassy.ca/
E-mail: ruscons@rogers.com
We hope to have regular Russian visa service back up in no time.
Visa Services Canada will still assist you in getting vouchers for travel, and can help with your visa application package. However, it will be submitted to the Russians by courier, and will be returned to you the applicant directly from the Russian consular office. Due to Russian regulations we will not be able to conduct a post-visa quality control check.
Should you wish us to handle the visa process for you, we will of course continue to provide this service for as long as possible.
Click here for Russian visa application forms.
Those wishing to apply to the Russians directly must to so through the consular offices of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada. Please check with the Russian office for the correct address for your application.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada
52 Range Road
Ottawa, ON, K1N 8J5
Tel: (613) 236-7220
Fax: (613) 238-6158
Website: http://www.rusembassy.ca/
E-mail: ruscons@rogers.com
We hope to have regular Russian visa service back up in no time.
09 November 2010
Myanmar visa problems
Myanmar stopped issuing visas-on-arrival a few months back and reverted to issuing visas at the emabssy in Ottawa. A few weeks ago the emabssy was instructed to stop issuing visas pending the installation of a new computerized visa production machine. So no visas were being issued, and the date for the machine being operational kept being pushed back. Now visas are again being issued, but there is a tremendous backlog, and only people about the get on the aircraft in the very near future are being issued with visas.
Click here for Myanmar visa forms.
Click here for Myanmar visa forms.
Remembrance Day
Visa Services Canada will be open on Remembrance Day 2010 in Ottawa, as Ontario has not declared this a holiday. We will have regular courier and postal service, and be open to assist visa seekers. Be warned however that many fo the embassies will be closed some or all of the day out of respect and due to most High Commissioners and Ambassadors being at the national ceremonies in Ottawa.
Visas for the U.A.E.
As of 02 January 2011 Canadians will need a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UAE Embassy in Ottawa just made the announcement, and people are scrambling to get details. However, the emabssy says it still has no firm details.
Here are the four types of visas a Canadian will be able to acquire:
Tourist Visa
This special category of visit visa is available for individual tourists from Eastern and Western Europe who are not entitled to be issued with a visa on arrival, as well as visitors from Thailand, South Africa and China. The Tourist Visa, which must be sponsored by hotels and tour operators, entitles its holder to a 30-day stay and is non-renewable.
Entry Service Permit
An Entry Service Permit (14-day stay permit) is available to businessmen and tourists. The permit must be sponsored by a company or a hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. The visa is non-renewable and is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and the duration of stay is 14 days from date of entry, exclusive of arrival and departure days.
Transit Visa
Those flying to or from Europe or the United States, Asia or Africa and passing through UAE airports can obtain a special 96-hour Transit Visa. The visa must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE and the traveller must have a valid ticket for onward flight. There is no charge for this visa.
Multiple Entry Visa
This is an excellent option for business visitors who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable local company. The Multiple Entry Visa is valid for six months from date of issue; each visit should not exceed 30 days in total. The visitor must enter the UAE on a single entry Visit Visa and obtain the Multiple Entry Visa while in the country. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months per visit.
More Information regarding visas will be added soon.
Click here for U.A.E. visa forms.
The UAE Embassy in Ottawa just made the announcement, and people are scrambling to get details. However, the emabssy says it still has no firm details.
Here are the four types of visas a Canadian will be able to acquire:
Tourist Visa
This special category of visit visa is available for individual tourists from Eastern and Western Europe who are not entitled to be issued with a visa on arrival, as well as visitors from Thailand, South Africa and China. The Tourist Visa, which must be sponsored by hotels and tour operators, entitles its holder to a 30-day stay and is non-renewable.
Entry Service Permit
An Entry Service Permit (14-day stay permit) is available to businessmen and tourists. The permit must be sponsored by a company or a hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. The visa is non-renewable and is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and the duration of stay is 14 days from date of entry, exclusive of arrival and departure days.
Transit Visa
Those flying to or from Europe or the United States, Asia or Africa and passing through UAE airports can obtain a special 96-hour Transit Visa. The visa must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE and the traveller must have a valid ticket for onward flight. There is no charge for this visa.
Multiple Entry Visa
This is an excellent option for business visitors who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable local company. The Multiple Entry Visa is valid for six months from date of issue; each visit should not exceed 30 days in total. The visitor must enter the UAE on a single entry Visit Visa and obtain the Multiple Entry Visa while in the country. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months per visit.
More Information regarding visas will be added soon.
Click here for U.A.E. visa forms.
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