The government of India is once again offering MULTIPLE-ENTRY business and tourist visas to Canadians.
The only requirement for multi-entry visas, in addition to all the usual business or tourist requirements, is paying more money.
Business multi-entry visas cost $317.40
Tourist multi-entry visas cost $211.40
The duration and number of entries of the visa is completely at the discretion of Indian High Commission. Be aware that you could pay for multi-entries and still only be issued a single-entry visa in some circumstances. The Indians will not give any refunds.
Click here for India multi-entry visas.
16 November 2015
12 November 2015
Brazil Olympics Visa-Free
The Brazilian parliament has approved a law waiving the visa requirement for Canadians travelling to Brazil during the Olympics.
According to the new law passed by the senate, there will be a ninety (90) day window of visa-free entry to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ending on 18 September 2016. This should be come active as of 19 June 2016, but is still to be determined.
It also seems that a ticket to an olympic games is NOT required in order to benefit from the new visa regime.
However, conflicting wording from Brazil means that it is still unclear as to whether this only applies to Rio and other olympic cities, or to the country as a whole. The tourism minister has said both at different times, so the reality is still unknown. Visitors arriving at other locations could face the possibility of being denied entry for lack of a visa to a non-olympic place.
Click here for Brazil visas.
According to the new law passed by the senate, there will be a ninety (90) day window of visa-free entry to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ending on 18 September 2016. This should be come active as of 19 June 2016, but is still to be determined.
It also seems that a ticket to an olympic games is NOT required in order to benefit from the new visa regime.
However, conflicting wording from Brazil means that it is still unclear as to whether this only applies to Rio and other olympic cities, or to the country as a whole. The tourism minister has said both at different times, so the reality is still unknown. Visitors arriving at other locations could face the possibility of being denied entry for lack of a visa to a non-olympic place.
Click here for Brazil visas.
05 November 2015
Brazil Processing Time Warning
The diplomats from Brazil have warned Canadians that visa processing is now expected to take longer as we head into the holiday months.
While Western Canadians have had great and speedy service for the past few months, be warned that this could slow to a month at any point.Those living in Ontario and Manitoba have been officially warned that processing is now a firm 15 working days.People in Quebec and the Maritimes are waiting a month for visas now. Do not expect anything faster.
APPLY EARLY. You can apply up to six months in advance of travel. That said, it is still the most popular visa in Canada.
Click here for Brazil visas.
While Western Canadians have had great and speedy service for the past few months, be warned that this could slow to a month at any point.Those living in Ontario and Manitoba have been officially warned that processing is now a firm 15 working days.People in Quebec and the Maritimes are waiting a month for visas now. Do not expect anything faster.
APPLY EARLY. You can apply up to six months in advance of travel. That said, it is still the most popular visa in Canada.
Click here for Brazil visas.
Lower Indian e-Visa Prices
Effective this past Monday the Government of Indian has lowered the fees charged for e-Visas.
Canadians and nearly a hundred other nationals pay a fee of US$49.20 for the Indian e-Visa at the time of electronic application.
There is a further charge at the airport in India of another 3700 rupees (US$60) to have the visa stamped into the passport.
Nationals of the UK, USA, Russia, Ukraine and Mozambique still pay the US$60 higher fee.
Click here for Indian e-Visas.
Canadians and nearly a hundred other nationals pay a fee of US$49.20 for the Indian e-Visa at the time of electronic application.
There is a further charge at the airport in India of another 3700 rupees (US$60) to have the visa stamped into the passport.
Nationals of the UK, USA, Russia, Ukraine and Mozambique still pay the US$60 higher fee.
Click here for Indian e-Visas.
Indian e-Visas Extended to More Countries
The Indian Government has announced that their wildly-popular e-Visa scheme has been extended to 113 nationalities.
Indian e-Visas are available for nationals of following countries/territories:
Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, China, SAR Hong Kong, SAR Macau, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turks & Caicos, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, UK, USA, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Click here for Indian e-Visas.
Indian e-Visas are available for nationals of following countries/territories:
Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island, Chile, China, SAR Hong Kong, SAR Macau, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Turks & Caicos, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, UK, USA, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Click here for Indian e-Visas.
Iran Visas Growing
We are pleased to announce that we can secure visas to Iran for tourists in as little as a week.
Although the previous Canadian government deported all Iranian diplomats and closed the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa, visas are still available through the Iranian office in the USA. Now that is ironic.
Want to see Persepolis? Want to buy rugs? Want to experience a place with almost no tourism? Go to Iran. Our forms even help you get the authorization you need in order to apply for the visa.
Click here for Iran visas.
Although the previous Canadian government deported all Iranian diplomats and closed the Iranian Embassy in Ottawa, visas are still available through the Iranian office in the USA. Now that is ironic.
Want to see Persepolis? Want to buy rugs? Want to experience a place with almost no tourism? Go to Iran. Our forms even help you get the authorization you need in order to apply for the visa.
Click here for Iran visas.
Ivory Coast Visas Available by Courier
Good news from Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) -- the embassy is once again issuing visas without requiring applicants to appear in person in Ottawa for an interview. Also, they have done away with the online payment system which rarely worked.
So we can again assist with your Ivory Coast visa needs. Just ship everything by courier to us in Ottawa and we will deal with the embassy on your behalf. You do NOT have to travel to Ottawa. and you still pay in Canadian dollars.
Click here for Ivory Coast visas.
So we can again assist with your Ivory Coast visa needs. Just ship everything by courier to us in Ottawa and we will deal with the embassy on your behalf. You do NOT have to travel to Ottawa. and you still pay in Canadian dollars.
Click here for Ivory Coast visas.
Egyptian Business Visas
The Embassy of the Republic of Egypt now requires as a mandatory item a formal business letter of invitation for all business visa requests. Applicants seeking a business visa must provide a letter from their Egyptian business partner detailing the nature of the business and the person being invited. This must come from Egypt.
Strangely, many applicants do not understand that you cannot be invited to a country by someone in a third country. They get a letter from some other country, and expect it to be accepted by the embassy. If the letter is not from the country for which you are seeking the visa, then you have the wrong letter.
Everything else remains the same, and the price has not gone up. So get packed for that Egyptian business trip.
Click here for Egypt visas.
Strangely, many applicants do not understand that you cannot be invited to a country by someone in a third country. They get a letter from some other country, and expect it to be accepted by the embassy. If the letter is not from the country for which you are seeking the visa, then you have the wrong letter.
Everything else remains the same, and the price has not gone up. So get packed for that Egyptian business trip.
Click here for Egypt visas.
14 August 2015
India E-Visa Extended to More Airports and Countries
As of today the government of India has extended the new e-Tourist visa to 37 more countries and seven more airports.
The best part is that Canadians no longer have to submit their passports. Keep your passport at home.
You must arrive in India by airline flight at one of the following sixteen international airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tirchy, Trivandrum, or Varanasi.
The government of India offers e-Visas to nationals of the following countries: CANADA, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island,Chile, China, China- SAR Hong Kong, China- SAR Macau, (but not to mainland China PRC), Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand,Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands,Sri Lanka,Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Click here for Indian visa applications.
Click here for Indian E-Tourist (and Business) e-Visas.
The best part is that Canadians no longer have to submit their passports. Keep your passport at home.
You must arrive in India by airline flight at one of the following sixteen international airports: Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tirchy, Trivandrum, or Varanasi.
The government of India offers e-Visas to nationals of the following countries: CANADA, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island,Chile, China, China- SAR Hong Kong, China- SAR Macau, (but not to mainland China PRC), Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand,Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands,Sri Lanka,Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Click here for Indian visa applications.
Click here for Indian E-Tourist (and Business) e-Visas.
13 July 2015
Embassies Closing for Eid (Islamic holy days)
Eid Mubarak. (Happy Eid)
Many embassies and consulates will be closed starting on Thursday 16 July 2015 for the Islamic holy days known as Eid. This is the end of Ramadan, and signals the end of fasting and the start of feasting.
All Muslim / Islamic countries will have office closures and will not be processing any visas at all for the week following 16 July.
Please expect processing times to extend by another week due to the holidays.
Also, countries with extensive or sensitive Muslim populations also commonly close or cut back on work days during Eid. This includes countries such as Tanzania and usually Nigeria.
Remember that Indonesia is in fact a Muslim country and will be closed for the entire period.
Visa Services Canada will of course be fully open during the entire Eid period to assist with all visas.
Many embassies and consulates will be closed starting on Thursday 16 July 2015 for the Islamic holy days known as Eid. This is the end of Ramadan, and signals the end of fasting and the start of feasting.
All Muslim / Islamic countries will have office closures and will not be processing any visas at all for the week following 16 July.
Please expect processing times to extend by another week due to the holidays.
Also, countries with extensive or sensitive Muslim populations also commonly close or cut back on work days during Eid. This includes countries such as Tanzania and usually Nigeria.
Remember that Indonesia is in fact a Muslim country and will be closed for the entire period.
Visa Services Canada will of course be fully open during the entire Eid period to assist with all visas.
Indian e-Visas for Business travel
It is now full speed ahead for the Indian e-Visa system.
Since its Canadian roll-out a few months ago the e-Visa system has grown in popularity.
The biggest response is from the business community who now get visas without having to surrender their passports to a potentially slow-moving Indian consular offices.
Although the Indian e-Visa scheme is formally named the "Tourist e-Visa", it is valid for four types of travel: tourist, family visit, medical treatment, and BUSINESS.
Your visa form which we will send to you along with your authorization, will say it is a "Tourist e-Visa" form on the top. However, business travellers need not be worried as the type of travel is specified deep in the form.
At the bottom of section E, just before the start of section F, the form says "Purpose of Visit" and then says "BUSINESS". So although it looks like a tourist visa, you are authorized to conduct business meetings in India under this visa type.
Click here for the new Indian business e-Visa application package.
Since its Canadian roll-out a few months ago the e-Visa system has grown in popularity.
The biggest response is from the business community who now get visas without having to surrender their passports to a potentially slow-moving Indian consular offices.
Although the Indian e-Visa scheme is formally named the "Tourist e-Visa", it is valid for four types of travel: tourist, family visit, medical treatment, and BUSINESS.
Your visa form which we will send to you along with your authorization, will say it is a "Tourist e-Visa" form on the top. However, business travellers need not be worried as the type of travel is specified deep in the form.
At the bottom of section E, just before the start of section F, the form says "Purpose of Visit" and then says "BUSINESS". So although it looks like a tourist visa, you are authorized to conduct business meetings in India under this visa type.
Click here for the new Indian business e-Visa application package.
UNIVISA for Zambia & Zimbabwe
Recently the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia set up a pilot
project for issuing the new UNIVISA. The organization is formally called
KAZA Visa
Currently, tourists visiting Southern Africa must apply for separate visas for each country, each with its own visa regime. For some, this acts a deterrent for multi-country travel in the region. It is for this reason that the development of a common visa, deemed a UNIVISA, was endorsed by SADC Heads of State in 1998. While there have been some obstacles to implementation, significant momentum is now building towards the UNIVISA. Central to the UNIVISA strategy is taking a phased approach. The first step is the creation of a pilot initiative through which a common visa will be created for Zambia and Zimbabwe. One of the reasons they were selected as pilot countries relates to their role as cohosts of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly.
The name appears to be a mix of Kazungula Land and Zambezi River (Ka and Za)
Some day, the UNIVISA might (might!) include such countries as Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Far down the road they hope to add D.R. Congo, Malawi, Lesotho, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The chances of Angola being an early adopter seem slim at best.
The Zimbabwe High Commission says that there is some availability of this visa at certain border and airport entry points, but that it is only available to persons who can prove they are going to BOTH countries. It is only valid for up to 30 days, and costs at least US$50 per passport.
The UNIVISA is only available upon arrival at the following entry points:
ZAMBIA
Harry Mwaanga Airport (Livingstone)
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana)
Kenneth Kaunda Airport (Lusaka)
ZIMBABWE
Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border
Harare Airport
No high commission or embassy or consulate is allowed to issue this permit.
Click here for regular paper Zambian visas.
Click here for regular paper Zimbabwe visas.
Currently, tourists visiting Southern Africa must apply for separate visas for each country, each with its own visa regime. For some, this acts a deterrent for multi-country travel in the region. It is for this reason that the development of a common visa, deemed a UNIVISA, was endorsed by SADC Heads of State in 1998. While there have been some obstacles to implementation, significant momentum is now building towards the UNIVISA. Central to the UNIVISA strategy is taking a phased approach. The first step is the creation of a pilot initiative through which a common visa will be created for Zambia and Zimbabwe. One of the reasons they were selected as pilot countries relates to their role as cohosts of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly.
The name appears to be a mix of Kazungula Land and Zambezi River (Ka and Za)
Some day, the UNIVISA might (might!) include such countries as Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland. Far down the road they hope to add D.R. Congo, Malawi, Lesotho, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The chances of Angola being an early adopter seem slim at best.
The Zimbabwe High Commission says that there is some availability of this visa at certain border and airport entry points, but that it is only available to persons who can prove they are going to BOTH countries. It is only valid for up to 30 days, and costs at least US$50 per passport.
The UNIVISA is only available upon arrival at the following entry points:
ZAMBIA
Harry Mwaanga Airport (Livingstone)
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border (border with Botswana)
Kenneth Kaunda Airport (Lusaka)
ZIMBABWE
Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls Land Border
Kazungula Land Border
Harare Airport
No high commission or embassy or consulate is allowed to issue this permit.
Click here for regular paper Zambian visas.
Click here for regular paper Zimbabwe visas.
10 June 2015
South Africa - Children need Birth Certificates to Travel
Effective 01 June 2015, South Africa now requires parents or guardians who are travelling with children under the
age of 18 to, from or via South Africa, to produce an unabridged (long form) birth
certificate of the child regardless of nationality. This is in addition
to any other required travel documents such as passports and/or visas.Travellers are invited to visit the Department of Home Affairs, Republic of South Africa, or to contact the South African High Commission in Ottawa for more information.
12 May 2015
China Requires Both Parental Signatures
The Chinese embassy has new rules for minors in place as of today.
1)
Both parents must sign in both signature boxes on the Chinese form.
Box 4 must be signed by both parents.
Box 5 must be fully filled in and signed by both parents
2)
Both parents must provide copies of their passports or other government
ID cards. We strongly recommend PASSPORT copies for this.
This is effective immediately, so make sure all applications for minors (up to and including age 17) get four (4) signatures - two from each parent.
This is effective immediately, so make sure all applications for minors (up to and including age 17) get four (4) signatures - two from each parent.
In the case of single parents or other situations, the parent must provide a copy of a legal document proving they are the sole authority over the minor. This can be a court order or a death certificate.
Click here for China visa forms.
04 May 2015
Canadians Now Get e-Visas for India
Great news for Canadian tourist and business visitors going to India - Electronic visas!
As of right now the Indian government is allowing Canadian tourists and casual business travellers to apply for and use electronic visas.
The government of India offers e-visas on-line, and this service is now available to Canadians. The on-line fee is about US$60, plus service fees. There is a further charge at the airport in India of another 3700 rupees (US$60) to get the visa stamped into the passport. Nationals of the following countries can use the ETA service: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, CANADA, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, France, 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.
You must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for an Indian e-Visa:
1) You must have an "ordinary" tourist passport (as opposed to a diplomatic/official/military passport) which is valid for at least six months past date of proposed exit of India.
2) Your sole objective is tourism (sightseeing, recreation, etc), meeting friends/relatives, short duration medical procedures, or “casual business visit” for meetings only.
3) You will be travelling on a round trip ticket with a stay of less than 30 days in India.
4) You wish to obtain a short term, single entry visa (not a long term multiple entry visa).
5) You are a Canadian citizen who has lived in Canada for the past two years consecutively.
6) You must arrive in India by scheduled airline flight at one of the following airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Trivandrum.
7) You or your parents or your grandparents were/are not Pakistani citizens (meaning the applicant is not of Pakistani heritage going back two generations). This form and the e-Visa system cannot be used by persons of Pakistani origin. Pakistani-Canadians seeking Indian visas must apply through the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.
The best part is that you no longer have to submit your passport. Keep your passport at home.
Click here for Indian visa applications.
Click here for Indian E-Tourist (and Business) e-Visas
The government of India offers e-visas on-line, and this service is now available to Canadians. The on-line fee is about US$60, plus service fees. There is a further charge at the airport in India of another 3700 rupees (US$60) to get the visa stamped into the passport. Nationals of the following countries can use the ETA service: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, CANADA, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, France, 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.
You must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for an Indian e-Visa:
1) You must have an "ordinary" tourist passport (as opposed to a diplomatic/official/military passport) which is valid for at least six months past date of proposed exit of India.
2) Your sole objective is tourism (sightseeing, recreation, etc), meeting friends/relatives, short duration medical procedures, or “casual business visit” for meetings only.
3) You will be travelling on a round trip ticket with a stay of less than 30 days in India.
4) You wish to obtain a short term, single entry visa (not a long term multiple entry visa).
5) You are a Canadian citizen who has lived in Canada for the past two years consecutively.
6) You must arrive in India by scheduled airline flight at one of the following airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Trivandrum.
7) You or your parents or your grandparents were/are not Pakistani citizens (meaning the applicant is not of Pakistani heritage going back two generations). This form and the e-Visa system cannot be used by persons of Pakistani origin. Pakistani-Canadians seeking Indian visas must apply through the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.
The best part is that you no longer have to submit your passport. Keep your passport at home.
Click here for Indian visa applications.
Click here for Indian E-Tourist (and Business) e-Visas
01 May 2015
Canadian Tourists Now Get e-Visas for India
Great news for Canadian tourist going to India - Electronic and ten-year visa !
As of right now the Indian government is allowing Canadian tourists to apply for and use electronic visas.
More to come...
Click here for Indian visa applications.
As of right now the Indian government is allowing Canadian tourists to apply for and use electronic visas.
More to come...
Click here for Indian visa applications.
Egypt Again Allows Visa-on-Arrival
The Government of Egypt has rescinded the ending of visa-on-arrival. This blog entry alters the statements we reproduced from the Egyptian government in our blog entry on 19 March 2015.
Previously the government had announced that all persons must have a valid Egyptian visa glued into their passport prior to travel to Egypt.
However, an uproar by travel, tour and hotel operators brought the authorities in Cairo back to allowing visa-on-arrival. This is a major economic issue in a country with a massive tourist industry which has seen numbers drop by over 75% since the Arab Spring began a few years back. Every tourist is important to the economy, and anything which makes it easier to attract tourists is seen as benefiting the country.
You can once again buy a visa at the main international airports in Egypt.
That said, you are still strongly advised to have a real paper visa glued into your passport by the Egyptian Embassy in Canada. Remember - airlines do not have to board undocumented passengers!
Click here for Egypt visas.
Previously the government had announced that all persons must have a valid Egyptian visa glued into their passport prior to travel to Egypt.
However, an uproar by travel, tour and hotel operators brought the authorities in Cairo back to allowing visa-on-arrival. This is a major economic issue in a country with a massive tourist industry which has seen numbers drop by over 75% since the Arab Spring began a few years back. Every tourist is important to the economy, and anything which makes it easier to attract tourists is seen as benefiting the country.
You can once again buy a visa at the main international airports in Egypt.
That said, you are still strongly advised to have a real paper visa glued into your passport by the Egyptian Embassy in Canada. Remember - airlines do not have to board undocumented passengers!
Click here for Egypt visas.
16 April 2015
Canada to be added to Indian e-Visa list
Great news for Canadian tourist going to India - Electronic and ten-year visa !
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced yesterday a new liberalized visa policy for Canadian nationals visiting the country, days after extending a similar scheme to French citizens. Modi said the new visa policy would support greater engagement and people-to-people contacts between India and Canada. India will issue Electronic Visa Authorization for tourist visas for Canadian nationals. They will also now be eligible for 10-year visas, said Modi. (from an article in indiatvnews.com)
Prime Minister Modi stated that to support greater engagement and people-to-people contacts, "we have liberalised our visa policy for Canada. We will issue Electronic Visa Authorization for tourist visa for Canadian nationals. They will also be eligible for ten-year visas now." (from an article in The Hindu newspaper of India)
Now before you all get too excited, let me remind you that none of this has actually been implemented. So for now all Canadians still have to go through the hideous and labourious process of getting a paper visa in their passports at least a month prior to travel.
Remember, you will NOT be boarded on a flight to india without a real visa glued in your passport in Canada.
Click here for Indian visa applications.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced yesterday a new liberalized visa policy for Canadian nationals visiting the country, days after extending a similar scheme to French citizens. Modi said the new visa policy would support greater engagement and people-to-people contacts between India and Canada. India will issue Electronic Visa Authorization for tourist visas for Canadian nationals. They will also now be eligible for 10-year visas, said Modi. (from an article in indiatvnews.com)
Prime Minister Modi stated that to support greater engagement and people-to-people contacts, "we have liberalised our visa policy for Canada. We will issue Electronic Visa Authorization for tourist visa for Canadian nationals. They will also be eligible for ten-year visas now." (from an article in The Hindu newspaper of India)
Now before you all get too excited, let me remind you that none of this has actually been implemented. So for now all Canadians still have to go through the hideous and labourious process of getting a paper visa in their passports at least a month prior to travel.
Remember, you will NOT be boarded on a flight to india without a real visa glued in your passport in Canada.
Click here for Indian visa applications.
India Abandons Visa-on-Arrival name
Due to massive confusion and hundreds of tourists being sent home immediately upon arrival in India, the government of India announced last week that they were abandoning the badly-named Visa-On-Arrival scheme. Since there never was an actual visa-on-arrival available to anyone, any passenger who turned up in India was turned around and sent straight back to their home country to apply for an electronic visa authorization. So the Indian government now says what they actually have is an electronic visa authorization scheme, and call it the "e-Tourist Visa (eTV)", and also the "e-Tourist Visa (ETA)".
01 April 2015
New Viet Visa Prices
The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has finally settled on their new prices, and it involves increases of about 10-15%.
As of now they are charging for all visas in US DOLLARS only.
We as your service provider will pay the Viet embassy on your behalf in US$. You still pay only in Canadian $ for the visa and the service.
This change will not have any effect on you as a client or visa seeker.
You now pay US$80 for a single-entry 30-day visa, and US$100 to have it done urgently.
Multi-entry 90-day visas cost US$170, or US$190 to have it done urgently.
There are a lot of other visa categories and times and prices, so please check our website and Viet web form for all details.
Click here for Viet visa forms.
As of now they are charging for all visas in US DOLLARS only.
We as your service provider will pay the Viet embassy on your behalf in US$. You still pay only in Canadian $ for the visa and the service.
This change will not have any effect on you as a client or visa seeker.
You now pay US$80 for a single-entry 30-day visa, and US$100 to have it done urgently.
Multi-entry 90-day visas cost US$170, or US$190 to have it done urgently.
There are a lot of other visa categories and times and prices, so please check our website and Viet web form for all details.
Click here for Viet visa forms.
31 March 2015
Dual-Citizens --- Canada-USA
Many Canadians, formerly from the USA, worry about the legality of dual-nationality.
Never fear! It is perfectly legal to be a citizen of both Canada and the USA at the same time.
The US Embassy in Canada confirms this to be true.
The US laws against dual-citizenship were repealed during the Eisenhower and Johnson regimes.
US law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another nationality does not risk losing U.S. nationality.
Based on the U.S. Department of State regulation on dual citizenship (7 FAM 1162), the Supreme Court of the United States has stated that dual citizenship is a "status long recognized in the law" and that "a person
may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other", (Kawakita v. U.S., 343 U.S. 717) (1952). In Schneider v. Rusk 377 U.S. 163 (1964), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a naturalized U.S. citizen has the right to return to his native country and to resume his former citizenship, and also to remain a U.S. citizen even if he never returns to the United States.
So get BOTH PASSPORTS. It never hurts to have a back-up passport.
Never fear! It is perfectly legal to be a citizen of both Canada and the USA at the same time.
The US Embassy in Canada confirms this to be true.
The US laws against dual-citizenship were repealed during the Eisenhower and Johnson regimes.
US law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another nationality does not risk losing U.S. nationality.
Based on the U.S. Department of State regulation on dual citizenship (7 FAM 1162), the Supreme Court of the United States has stated that dual citizenship is a "status long recognized in the law" and that "a person
may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other", (Kawakita v. U.S., 343 U.S. 717) (1952). In Schneider v. Rusk 377 U.S. 163 (1964), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a naturalized U.S. citizen has the right to return to his native country and to resume his former citizenship, and also to remain a U.S. citizen even if he never returns to the United States.
So get BOTH PASSPORTS. It never hurts to have a back-up passport.
Parental Authorizations
Lots of people travel with Children, and it is getting tougher to do so. Many families have parents with different names, and often only one parent is traveling with a child. Often one parent has a different name than the child. So there is no obvious connection between the two persons. For these and other reasons, it is strongly recommended that you have a notarized authorization letter.
Foreign Affairs Canada suggests the following model letter which may be amended to meet the specific situation and requirements of the applicant.
Simply take this text and personalize it to meet your family needs. Ensure you provide copies of the passports of both parents, and a long-form birth certificate of the child showing the names of both parents.
To Whom It May Concern
I (We), (full name(s) of custodial and/or non-custodial parent(s)/legal guardian(s)), am (are) the (lawful custodial parent and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s)) of Child’s full name: Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY):
Place of birth:
Canadian passport number:
Date of issuance of Canadian passport (DD/MM/YYYY):
Place of issuance of Canadian passport:
(child’s full name), has my (our) consent to travel with
Full name of accompanying person:
Canadian or foreign passport number:
Date of issuance of passport (DD/MM/YYYY):
Place of issuance of passport:
to visit (name of foreign country) during the period of (dates of travel: departure and return).
During that period, (child’s full name) will be residing with (name of person where child will be residing in foreign country) at the following address:
Number/street address and apartment number:
City, province/state, country:
Telephone and fax numbers (work and residence):
Any questions regarding this consent letter can be directed to the undersigned at:
Number/street address and apartment number:
City, province/state, country:
Telephone and fax numbers (work and residence):
Signature(s): Date:
(Full name(s) and signature(s) of custodial parent, and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s))
Signed before me, (name of witness),
this (date) at (name of location).
Signature: (name of witness)
NOTARY SEAL by a lawyer in Canada.
Foreign Affairs Canada suggests the following model letter which may be amended to meet the specific situation and requirements of the applicant.
Simply take this text and personalize it to meet your family needs. Ensure you provide copies of the passports of both parents, and a long-form birth certificate of the child showing the names of both parents.
To Whom It May Concern
I (We), (full name(s) of custodial and/or non-custodial parent(s)/legal guardian(s)), am (are) the (lawful custodial parent and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s)) of Child’s full name: Date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY):
Place of birth:
Canadian passport number:
Date of issuance of Canadian passport (DD/MM/YYYY):
Place of issuance of Canadian passport:
(child’s full name), has my (our) consent to travel with
Full name of accompanying person:
Canadian or foreign passport number:
Date of issuance of passport (DD/MM/YYYY):
Place of issuance of passport:
to visit (name of foreign country) during the period of (dates of travel: departure and return).
During that period, (child’s full name) will be residing with (name of person where child will be residing in foreign country) at the following address:
Number/street address and apartment number:
City, province/state, country:
Telephone and fax numbers (work and residence):
Any questions regarding this consent letter can be directed to the undersigned at:
Number/street address and apartment number:
City, province/state, country:
Telephone and fax numbers (work and residence):
Signature(s): Date:
(Full name(s) and signature(s) of custodial parent, and/or non-custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s))
Signed before me, (name of witness),
this (date) at (name of location).
Signature: (name of witness)
NOTARY SEAL by a lawyer in Canada.
30 March 2015
Indonesia Price Rise
The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa announced a small price increase for both tourist and business visas: from the old $55. to the new $65 per single-entry visa.
Canadian tourists can still get a visa-on-arrival at most Indonesian international airports.
Click here for Indonesian visa forms.
Canadian tourists can still get a visa-on-arrival at most Indonesian international airports.
Click here for Indonesian visa forms.
24 March 2015
Viet Visa Price Change
As of Wednesday 01 April 2015 the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam will begin charging for all visa services in US DOLLARS only.
We as your service provider will pay the Viet embassy on your behalf in US$. You still pay only in Canadian $ for the visa and the service.
This change will not have any effect on you as a client or visa seeker.
We will inform you on our company website and on this blog as soon as the new prices are available. We are hoping the price may drop slightly.
Click here for Viet visa forms.
We as your service provider will pay the Viet embassy on your behalf in US$. You still pay only in Canadian $ for the visa and the service.
This change will not have any effect on you as a client or visa seeker.
We will inform you on our company website and on this blog as soon as the new prices are available. We are hoping the price may drop slightly.
Click here for Viet visa forms.
20 March 2015
New Russian Vouchers
This week was tough in Moscow.
The Russian government wiped out four hundred visa voucher companies by ending their official registrations three months early and not giving them a chance to re-register in the normal fashion.
This does not hurt Canadians but it does mean that we have to change the number of our Russian voucher supplier.
As already reflected on our forms and manual, all Russian tourist vouchers will be issued by "OOO ATLANTA" of 3/4 Pyatnitskaya Street, Moscow, 115035. Telephone +7-495-225-5012.
The new ministry reference number, always necessary for any document, is #014449.
Click here for Russian visa forms, prices, and a helpful manual.
The Russian government wiped out four hundred visa voucher companies by ending their official registrations three months early and not giving them a chance to re-register in the normal fashion.
This does not hurt Canadians but it does mean that we have to change the number of our Russian voucher supplier.
As already reflected on our forms and manual, all Russian tourist vouchers will be issued by "OOO ATLANTA" of 3/4 Pyatnitskaya Street, Moscow, 115035. Telephone +7-495-225-5012.
The new ministry reference number, always necessary for any document, is #014449.
Click here for Russian visa forms, prices, and a helpful manual.
19 March 2015
Brazil - Possible Slow Down in Computer
The Brazilian government informs Canadians that between 21 - 30 March 2015, due to adjustments on computer services in the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil headquarters in Brasilia (which manages the Brazilian Consular Network abroad) some consular services may be totally or partially affected. Therefore, the issuance of passports, vital certificates, visas, emails and other services could be impaired. Under those circumstances, whenever it is possible, the government recommends that applicants apply BEFORE these dates
Please expect disruptions to the computer system for those nine days.
Click here for Brazil visa forms and manual.
Please expect disruptions to the computer system for those nine days.
Click here for Brazil visa forms and manual.
Russian Fees Increased
The Russian visa office has increased their fees by ten dollars for every type of visa and for every speed of service. Nothing else changed. It is business as usual.
Despite the tensions over the Russian war in Ukraine and western sanctions against Russia, there is no problem for Canadians seeking Russian tourist or business visas.
Click here for the Russian forms and manual.
Despite the tensions over the Russian war in Ukraine and western sanctions against Russia, there is no problem for Canadians seeking Russian tourist or business visas.
Click here for the Russian forms and manual.
New Forms for Gabon
The Embassy of Gabon in Canada has introduced new forms, and new photo requirements. At least the prices remain the same.
Applicants still have to fill in and sign three (3) forms, and provide three (3) identical photos.
The new photo size is exactly 35mm by 45mm. No deviation is allowed. Ensure the photographer prints the photos the right size. Do not cut the photos.
Click here for the new Gabon forms.
Applicants still have to fill in and sign three (3) forms, and provide three (3) identical photos.
The new photo size is exactly 35mm by 45mm. No deviation is allowed. Ensure the photographer prints the photos the right size. Do not cut the photos.
Click here for the new Gabon forms.
Egypt Makes Visas Mandatory
The Government of Egypt has ended visa-on-arrival as of 15 May 2015.
All persons MUST have a valid Egyptian visa glued into their passport PRIOR to travel to Egypt.
You can no longer just buy the visa at the airport in Egypt.
If you attempt to board a flight without a visa in hand the airline is legally allowed to deny you boarding until you are properly documented (ie. have a visa in your passport).
Click here for Egypt visas.
All persons MUST have a valid Egyptian visa glued into their passport PRIOR to travel to Egypt.
You can no longer just buy the visa at the airport in Egypt.
If you attempt to board a flight without a visa in hand the airline is legally allowed to deny you boarding until you are properly documented (ie. have a visa in your passport).
Click here for Egypt visas.
10 March 2015
New Chinese Visa Prices
Effective immediately the government of China is issuing TEN-YEAR
MULTIPLE-ENTRY visas to most Canadians, and new fees apply to this new visa.
China visas will be valid for the remaining life of the Canadian passport. This means that a person using a new ten-year passport could get a ten-year visa.
There are new prices for this new feature.
Effective today there are only three prices instead of the previous twelve.
Fast service $247.18
Express service $203.93
Regular service $145.20
Click here for Chinese visa forms and prices and instructions.
China visas will be valid for the remaining life of the Canadian passport. This means that a person using a new ten-year passport could get a ten-year visa.
There are new prices for this new feature.
Effective today there are only three prices instead of the previous twelve.
Fast service $247.18
Express service $203.93
Regular service $145.20
Click here for Chinese visa forms and prices and instructions.
09 March 2015
China TEN YEAR Visas
Effective immediately the government of China is issuing TEN-YEAR MULTIPLE-ENTRY visas to qualified Canadian business and tourist visa seekers.
Canadians who qualify for a multi-entry visa will no longer be limited to the old one-year visa. The new plan is that the visa will be valid for the remaining life of the passport. This means that a person using a new ten-year passport could get a ten-year visa.
Please note that you still need either official permission for a multi-entry visa, or must prove that you have held a Chinese visa previously by supplying your previous Chinese visa and old passport.
Click here for Chinese visa forms and prices and instructions.
Canadians who qualify for a multi-entry visa will no longer be limited to the old one-year visa. The new plan is that the visa will be valid for the remaining life of the passport. This means that a person using a new ten-year passport could get a ten-year visa.
Please note that you still need either official permission for a multi-entry visa, or must prove that you have held a Chinese visa previously by supplying your previous Chinese visa and old passport.
Click here for Chinese visa forms and prices and instructions.
04 February 2015
Ethiopia Price Rise and VOA
The government of Ethiopia raised their visa prices this year.
Since most Canadians get a visa-on-arrival, or do not even need a visa if they are transiting through Ethiopia, this does not have too much impact on Canadian flyers.
The government of Ethiopia sells VISA-ON-ARRIVAL services to tourists and to those in transit for less than 12 hours. Tourist visa can be issued a three month visa upon arrival at Bole International Airport. They must be nationals and residents of the following countries: CANADA, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, North Korea, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA.
Click here for Ethiopian Visa details and forms.
Since most Canadians get a visa-on-arrival, or do not even need a visa if they are transiting through Ethiopia, this does not have too much impact on Canadian flyers.
The government of Ethiopia sells VISA-ON-ARRIVAL services to tourists and to those in transit for less than 12 hours. Tourist visa can be issued a three month visa upon arrival at Bole International Airport. They must be nationals and residents of the following countries: CANADA, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, North Korea, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA.
Click here for Ethiopian Visa details and forms.
We Fill In Indian Forms for You
If you cannot fill in the Indian visa forms on-line on the Indian government website, we at Visa Services Canada can do it for you.
The Indian forms are very difficult for many people, tourists especially, to fill in at the on-line Indian government website.
We offer an Indian form filling service to those who cannot do this themselves. You email us the answers - we fill in the form - we email the final form to you - you print it, sign it, and ship it to us with your passport.
Click here for Indian visa details.
Click here to have us fill in your Indian visa forms for you.
The Indian forms are very difficult for many people, tourists especially, to fill in at the on-line Indian government website.
We offer an Indian form filling service to those who cannot do this themselves. You email us the answers - we fill in the form - we email the final form to you - you print it, sign it, and ship it to us with your passport.
Click here for Indian visa details.
Click here to have us fill in your Indian visa forms for you.
Brazil Price Rise
Due to the falling Canadian dollar, the government of Brazil announced that all prices for Brazilian visas sold in Canada would rise dramatically. This is a big change as prices had been stable for several years.
Tourists visas went from $82.25 up to the new higher price of $97.50
Business visas went up from the old $75 to the new higher price of $90.
Work visas went up all the way to $150.
These prices are mandatory and effective immediately. All of our forms already reflect the new Brazilian visa fees.
Click here to apply for a visa to Brazil.
Tourists visas went from $82.25 up to the new higher price of $97.50
Business visas went up from the old $75 to the new higher price of $90.
Work visas went up all the way to $150.
These prices are mandatory and effective immediately. All of our forms already reflect the new Brazilian visa fees.
Click here to apply for a visa to Brazil.
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