The Embassy of the Union of the Republic of Myanmar has moved to a different location. They now have a full building as their official embassy in Ottawa.
Now that the move is over and the staff settled, visa processing has resumed.
Visa processing is still taking ten plus (10+) days, so apply early. There is no fast service for Myanmar, and the government no longer allows visa-on-arrival. You MUST get your visa in Canada prior to travel.
Click here for Myanamr visa forms.
05 December 2012
BRAZIL SPEEDING UP AGAIN
The Consulate General of Brazil responsible for Canadians living in BC,
Alberta and Saskatchewan has announced they have a supply of visas and are ramping up the processing speed.
Here is the official annoucement:
"We current have a backlog and our estimated processing time is 15 business days from the date of receipt of a complete application. The Consulate General of Brazil does not offer expedited / rush services. Applications are processed in order of receipt. Please do not insist. Due to the large number of applications that we receive daily, the Consulate neither confirms the receipt of documents nor checks the status of any process by phone or email.."
So it appears that visas can be acquired in less than a month at this point. Apply very early if you need a visa.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
Here is the official annoucement:
"We current have a backlog and our estimated processing time is 15 business days from the date of receipt of a complete application. The Consulate General of Brazil does not offer expedited / rush services. Applications are processed in order of receipt. Please do not insist. Due to the large number of applications that we receive daily, the Consulate neither confirms the receipt of documents nor checks the status of any process by phone or email.."
So it appears that visas can be acquired in less than a month at this point. Apply very early if you need a visa.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
08 November 2012
BRAZIL EVEN SLOWER
The Consulate General of Brazil responsible for Canadians living in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan has announced a further reduction in services.
Here is the official annoucement:
"Temporary reduction in the rate of visa issuance.
The Consulate General of Brazil informs that due to a technical problem in issuing documents, the rhythm of issuance of visas will be temporarily reduced. If your trip is not urgent and you do not wish to surrender your passport to the Consulate for the time that is required for its processing, we suggest submitting your request later on. We hope to resume normal rhythm as soon as possible.
The Consulate General of Brazil appreciates your understanding."
We are now back to where we were a year ago with visa processing taking over one month. Apply very early if you need a visa.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
Here is the official annoucement:
"Temporary reduction in the rate of visa issuance.
The Consulate General of Brazil informs that due to a technical problem in issuing documents, the rhythm of issuance of visas will be temporarily reduced. If your trip is not urgent and you do not wish to surrender your passport to the Consulate for the time that is required for its processing, we suggest submitting your request later on. We hope to resume normal rhythm as soon as possible.
The Consulate General of Brazil appreciates your understanding."
We are now back to where we were a year ago with visa processing taking over one month. Apply very early if you need a visa.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
01 November 2012
NEW CHINESE RULES
The Chinese Embassy in Canada has just made getting a visa even tougher.
Our staff was briefed this morning by the consular staff regarding new requirements for both tourists and business travelers. These new items are in addition to all existing requirements.
BUSINESS visa applicants must also provide one of the following three documents:
1. ❒ - An Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit (referring to the form of visa notification issued by the Chinese governmental departments, companies and social organizations authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs); or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency); or
2. ❒ - Invitation cards of various kinds of trade fairs; or
3. ❒ - An invitation Letter issued by a state-owned enterprise, collectively-owned enterprise, joint venture, solely-owned or private enterprise and educational, cultural and scientific institutions, and conference sponsors or hosts (original or copies). The invitation letter shall include:
A. Personal information of the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
B. Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the invitor, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
C. Information of the invitor: name of the unit or individual, phone number, address, and if applicable, the legal representative or the invitor's seal and signature.
TOURIST visa applicants must provide one of the following two documents:
1. ❒ - An Invitation Letter for Tourist or for Tourist Group by a Duly Authorized Tourism Unit; or
2. ❒ - An Invitation Letter issued by companies, corporations, institutions or individuals in China. If the invitation letter is issued by an individual in China, the photocopy of the ID of the individual is required. The invitation letter shall include the following items listed above (A,B,C) for business letters.
Click here for updated Chinese requirements and forms.
Our staff was briefed this morning by the consular staff regarding new requirements for both tourists and business travelers. These new items are in addition to all existing requirements.
BUSINESS visa applicants must also provide one of the following three documents:
1. ❒ - An Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit (referring to the form of visa notification issued by the Chinese governmental departments, companies and social organizations authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs); or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized Chinese agency); or
2. ❒ - Invitation cards of various kinds of trade fairs; or
3. ❒ - An invitation Letter issued by a state-owned enterprise, collectively-owned enterprise, joint venture, solely-owned or private enterprise and educational, cultural and scientific institutions, and conference sponsors or hosts (original or copies). The invitation letter shall include:
A. Personal information of the applicant: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
B. Information concerning the applicant's visit to China: purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, places to visit, relationship between the applicant and the invitor, and who will bear the cost of the applicant's accommodations in China.
C. Information of the invitor: name of the unit or individual, phone number, address, and if applicable, the legal representative or the invitor's seal and signature.
TOURIST visa applicants must provide one of the following two documents:
1. ❒ - An Invitation Letter for Tourist or for Tourist Group by a Duly Authorized Tourism Unit; or
2. ❒ - An Invitation Letter issued by companies, corporations, institutions or individuals in China. If the invitation letter is issued by an individual in China, the photocopy of the ID of the individual is required. The invitation letter shall include the following items listed above (A,B,C) for business letters.
Click here for updated Chinese requirements and forms.
NICKELBACK loves VSC
Visa Services Canada today received a signed photograph from the famous Canadian band NICKELBACK which is currently touring in Eastern Europe and Russia.
We provided ultra-fast service for their Belarus and Russian visas, and they were kind enough to courier this photo from St Petersburg, Russia, a mere two days ago.
Click here for your fast service Russian visa forms.
21 September 2012
ANGOLA RE-OPENED
The election is long over, and the Angolan Embassy in Canada has re-opened. Visa issuance has begun again and everything is operating as normal for Angola.
Click here for Angola visa forms.
Click here for Angola visa forms.
CHINA CLOSED
The Embassy of the People's Republic of CHINA will be closed the following days:
1, 2, 3, 4 October 2012 for the national holidays.
China will not process any rush service visas between Friday 28 September and Friday 05 October 2012.
People needing rush service must apply early next week or after 08 October.
Click here for Chinese visa forms.
1, 2, 3, 4 October 2012 for the national holidays.
China will not process any rush service visas between Friday 28 September and Friday 05 October 2012.
People needing rush service must apply early next week or after 08 October.
Click here for Chinese visa forms.
07 September 2012
IRAN-CANADA RELATIONS HIT BOTTOM
Canadian-Iranian relations hit a new low today when Ottawa announced it was in effect withdrawing recognition of the Tehran government, closing the Canadian Embassy in Iran, and withdrawing the remaining diplomats. Canada further isolated Tehran by expelling all Iranian diplomats from the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa. The Iranians must leave Canada within 5 days.
This move follows the earlier action on 29 April 2012 when Ottawa closed the Canadian visa office in Tehran and shifted all visa processing for Iranian nationals to the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Ottawa said it was a cost-saving measure, while Tehran said it was a hostile act. Both are correct.
Here is the full statement from the Canadian government:
“Canada has closed its embassy in Iran, effective immediately, and declared personae non gratae all remaining Iranian diplomats in Canada.
Canada’s position on the regime in Iran is well known. Canada views the Government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today.
The Iranian regime is providing increasing military assistance to the Assad regime; it refuses to comply with UN resolutions pertaining to its nuclear program; it routinely threatens the existence of Israel and engages in racist anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement to genocide; it is among the world’s worst violators of human rights; and it shelters and materially supports terrorist groups, requiring the Government of Canada to formally list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.
Moreover, the Iranian regime has shown blatant disregard for the Vienna Convention and its guarantee of protection for diplomatic personnel. Under the circumstances, Canada can no longer maintain a diplomatic presence in Iran. Our diplomats serve Canada as civilians, and their safety is our number one priority.
Diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran have been suspended. All Canadian diplomatic staff have left Iran, and Iranian diplomats in Ottawa have been instructed to leave within five days.
Canadians in Iran seeking routine consular and passport services should contact the Embassy of Canada in Ankara, Turkey, or any other Canadian mission. Those who require urgent assistance should contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, by calling collect at 613-996-8885 or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Canada has updated its Travel Reports and Warnings to advise Canadians to avoid all travel to Iran. Canadians who have Iranian nationality are warned in particular that the Iranian regime does not recognize the principle of dual nationality. By doing so, Iran makes it virtually impossible for Government of Canada officials to provide consular assistance to Iranian-Canadians in difficulty.”
This means it has now become virtually impossible for Canadians to acquire visas for travel to Iran.
Many will rightly wonder if this is a step along the path to Canadian support for an Israeli attack against Iran. The extereme pro-Israel stance by Harper has alienated several close allies and has even gone further than even the normally blind USA in support for a regime which routinely commits crimes against humanity in the occupied territories. But to say that Iran is the biggest threat to peace on the planet is bizarre even for the current government in Ottawa.
This move follows the earlier action on 29 April 2012 when Ottawa closed the Canadian visa office in Tehran and shifted all visa processing for Iranian nationals to the Canadian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Ottawa said it was a cost-saving measure, while Tehran said it was a hostile act. Both are correct.
Here is the full statement from the Canadian government:
“Canada has closed its embassy in Iran, effective immediately, and declared personae non gratae all remaining Iranian diplomats in Canada.
Canada’s position on the regime in Iran is well known. Canada views the Government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today.
The Iranian regime is providing increasing military assistance to the Assad regime; it refuses to comply with UN resolutions pertaining to its nuclear program; it routinely threatens the existence of Israel and engages in racist anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement to genocide; it is among the world’s worst violators of human rights; and it shelters and materially supports terrorist groups, requiring the Government of Canada to formally list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.
Moreover, the Iranian regime has shown blatant disregard for the Vienna Convention and its guarantee of protection for diplomatic personnel. Under the circumstances, Canada can no longer maintain a diplomatic presence in Iran. Our diplomats serve Canada as civilians, and their safety is our number one priority.
Diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran have been suspended. All Canadian diplomatic staff have left Iran, and Iranian diplomats in Ottawa have been instructed to leave within five days.
Canadians in Iran seeking routine consular and passport services should contact the Embassy of Canada in Ankara, Turkey, or any other Canadian mission. Those who require urgent assistance should contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, by calling collect at 613-996-8885 or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Canada has updated its Travel Reports and Warnings to advise Canadians to avoid all travel to Iran. Canadians who have Iranian nationality are warned in particular that the Iranian regime does not recognize the principle of dual nationality. By doing so, Iran makes it virtually impossible for Government of Canada officials to provide consular assistance to Iranian-Canadians in difficulty.”
This means it has now become virtually impossible for Canadians to acquire visas for travel to Iran.
Many will rightly wonder if this is a step along the path to Canadian support for an Israeli attack against Iran. The extereme pro-Israel stance by Harper has alienated several close allies and has even gone further than even the normally blind USA in support for a regime which routinely commits crimes against humanity in the occupied territories. But to say that Iran is the biggest threat to peace on the planet is bizarre even for the current government in Ottawa.
06 September 2012
ANGOLA STILL CLOSED
Despite the election being over, the Angolan Embassy in Canada remains largely closed. This is odd as many other Angolan embassies have re-opened and are issuing visas.
The remaining staff member at the Angolan Embassy in Canada told me this morning that they will have full staff and start processing visas on/after 17 September 2012.
No visas will be issued until at least 05 October at the earliest at this point.
Click here for Angola visa forms.
The remaining staff member at the Angolan Embassy in Canada told me this morning that they will have full staff and start processing visas on/after 17 September 2012.
No visas will be issued until at least 05 October at the earliest at this point.
Click here for Angola visa forms.
CHINA REQUIRES HOTEL BOOKING
As of today the Chinese Embassy in Canada is requiring all tourists to provide proof of hotel bookings directly from the Chinese hotel or hostel or cruise ship. This means the booking form or letter must come from the hotel in China. You can no longer use a print-out from a western travel agent or a western hotel booking website. The document must come from China.
Click here for Chinese visa forms.
Click here for Chinese visa forms.
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