The Brazilian foreign ministry workers have ended their strike, and all work is now returning to the normal schedule.
Please be aware that processing times are still long, and to expect to wait up to a month for visa processing.
Click here for Brazilian visas.
07 October 2016
27 September 2016
All Brazil Consulates Processing Visas
The Consul of the Embassy of Brazil informed us this afternoon that all three Brazilian consulates in Canada are once again processing visas for all Canadian applicants.
However, we were told by the consul that processing times are still longer than normal and that there is no timeline yet for the resumption of normal service.
Canadians are cautioned to plan for substantial delays in visa processing, and are warned to apply ninety (90) days prior to travel in order to secure a visa.
Click here for Brazilian visas.
However, we were told by the consul that processing times are still longer than normal and that there is no timeline yet for the resumption of normal service.
Canadians are cautioned to plan for substantial delays in visa processing, and are warned to apply ninety (90) days prior to travel in order to secure a visa.
Click here for Brazilian visas.
19 September 2016
New Passport Requirement for Return to Canada (for Dual Nationals)
Starting 30 September 2016 Canadian citizens and Canadian citizens whoa re dual nationals MUST have a valid Canadian PASSPORT to travel to Canada before they can board their flight.
A valid Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel document that provides proof that you are a citizen and have the right to enter Canada without being subjected to immigration screening. Make sure that the expiry date of the passport is well beyond your planned return date.
If you are a Canadian citizen and a citizen of a visa-exempt country (dual Canadian citizen) who currently uses your non-Canadian passport to fly to Canada, you cannot apply for an eTA. This is because eTA was set up to screen foreigners for admissibility to enter Canada on a temporary basis.
Every Canadian citizen has the right to enter Canada and is not subject to immigration screening. Travelling with a valid Canadian passport proves that you are a citizen.
You must use your Canadian passport to enter Canada. It is no longer advisable or wise to try this with a foreign passport.
Canadians must enter on their Canadian passports.
A valid Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel document that provides proof that you are a citizen and have the right to enter Canada without being subjected to immigration screening. Make sure that the expiry date of the passport is well beyond your planned return date.
If you are a Canadian citizen and a citizen of a visa-exempt country (dual Canadian citizen) who currently uses your non-Canadian passport to fly to Canada, you cannot apply for an eTA. This is because eTA was set up to screen foreigners for admissibility to enter Canada on a temporary basis.
Every Canadian citizen has the right to enter Canada and is not subject to immigration screening. Travelling with a valid Canadian passport proves that you are a citizen.
You must use your Canadian passport to enter Canada. It is no longer advisable or wise to try this with a foreign passport.
Canadians must enter on their Canadian passports.
26 August 2016
Brazil on Strike - NO BRAZILIAN VISAS
Effective immediately, staff of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, and the Brazilian embassies and all consulates general of Brazil world wide are on strike for an indefinite period.
1) NO VISAS WILL BE ISSUED by the Brazilian authorities anywhere in the world.
2) Only emergency visas, as strictly and closely defined by Brazilian law, will be considered. Emergency visas do not include business or conference or student or researcher or cruise or tourist or family visit visas.
Canadians are warned to avoid all attempts to travel to Brazil until the strike has been settled and visas are once again being issued.
Once again, there are NO VISAS being issued by Brazil due to a strike by the foreign ministry staff.
There is NO WAIVER to allow Canadian to enter without a visa during the strike. Do NOT attempt to enter Brazil without a visa.
1) NO VISAS WILL BE ISSUED by the Brazilian authorities anywhere in the world.
2) Only emergency visas, as strictly and closely defined by Brazilian law, will be considered. Emergency visas do not include business or conference or student or researcher or cruise or tourist or family visit visas.
Canadians are warned to avoid all attempts to travel to Brazil until the strike has been settled and visas are once again being issued.
Once again, there are NO VISAS being issued by Brazil due to a strike by the foreign ministry staff.
There is NO WAIVER to allow Canadian to enter without a visa during the strike. Do NOT attempt to enter Brazil without a visa.
11 August 2016
China Requires Your Old Passport
Effective immediately, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China requires that all persons seeking a Chinese visa of any type provide their previous (old / cancelled) passport, in addition to their current valid signed passport.
1)
The new rules state that if your current valid signed passport was issued on or later than 1 January 2014, you must provide the original of your previous passport.
or,
2)
If you no longer possess the old passport, you must provide a typed and signed original letter explaining why you do not have the previous old passport,
and,
3)
You must also provide a typed and signed original letter with a full and complete list of all countries visited in the last two (2) years in the following format:
“FRANCE - Paris, June 2015, 10 days”
"KENYA - Nairobi, January 2016, 5 days"
All three requirements are mandatory. Any application without the second passport, or the letters, will be automatically rejected by the Chinese visa officers.
Click here for China visa forms.
1)
The new rules state that if your current valid signed passport was issued on or later than 1 January 2014, you must provide the original of your previous passport.
or,
2)
If you no longer possess the old passport, you must provide a typed and signed original letter explaining why you do not have the previous old passport,
and,
3)
You must also provide a typed and signed original letter with a full and complete list of all countries visited in the last two (2) years in the following format:
“FRANCE - Paris, June 2015, 10 days”
"KENYA - Nairobi, January 2016, 5 days"
All three requirements are mandatory. Any application without the second passport, or the letters, will be automatically rejected by the Chinese visa officers.
Click here for China visa forms.
14 July 2016
Kenya Increasing Visa Fees
Effective 01 August 2016 the government of Kenya is increasing the visa fees charged at the Kenyan High Commission in Canada.
Tourist and business visa prices are rising to $65 per visa. This is a thirteen dollar increase.
East Africa Tourist Visas (EATV) prices are rising to $130 per visa.
Transit visas will be $35 for a single-entry and $75 for a double-entry visa.
Click here for Kenya visa forms.
Tourist and business visa prices are rising to $65 per visa. This is a thirteen dollar increase.
East Africa Tourist Visas (EATV) prices are rising to $130 per visa.
Transit visas will be $35 for a single-entry and $75 for a double-entry visa.
Click here for Kenya visa forms.
11 July 2016
Canada Post Lock-Out by Management
Dear Clients
PLEASE use FedEx or Purolator couriers to ship your passports and applications to our office for the foreseeable future.
CanadaPost has said it retains the right to lock-out the workers.
This will result in any packages being stuck in storage for the duration of the lockout- or strike. There will be no getting the package out until it is all over.
PLEASE use FedEx or Purolator couriers to ship your passports and applications to our office for the foreseeable future.
CanadaPost has said it retains the right to lock-out the workers.
This will result in any packages being stuck in storage for the duration of the lockout- or strike. There will be no getting the package out until it is all over.
Azerbaijan Price Changes
Until recently all Azeri visas cost US$100. A recent embassy price change dropped the fee for a single-entry visa down to US$20, but raised the multi-entry fee to US$350.
So now you either save $80, or pay an incredible extra $250 on top of the previous price.
No other requirements have changed.
Click here for Azerbaijan visa forms.
So now you either save $80, or pay an incredible extra $250 on top of the previous price.
No other requirements have changed.
Click here for Azerbaijan visa forms.
Madagascar Visa Prices Change
The Embassy of Madagascar has altered their visa prices again, but it is not bad and Canadians can still get a basic single-entry visa for $45. Prices for other classes and entries have changed a bit.
Click here for Madagascar visa forms.
Click here for Madagascar visa forms.
China Requires More Details from Dual Nationals
Effective immediately the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese consulates require a lot more information and documentation from Canadians who are either dual-nationals, or who were born in another country, or who later became citizens of a foreign country.
Dual nationals MUST provide the original of their second passport, or a signed letter attesting that they do not hold a second country’s passport..
Dual nationals MUST provide a signed letter detailing the circumstances of the original and also the most recent arrival in Canada, and which passport they used for each of those entries. The letter must detail when you became a Canadian citizen.
These requirements are being very broadly interpreted to apply to anyone who was not born in Canada or who claims to have a second passport. If you have the slightest doubt about your status in this regard, send EVERYTHING requested above, as the Chinese embassy is stopping all such applications pending furtehr documentation.
Click here for China visa forms.
Dual nationals MUST provide the original of their second passport, or a signed letter attesting that they do not hold a second country’s passport..
Dual nationals MUST provide a signed letter detailing the circumstances of the original and also the most recent arrival in Canada, and which passport they used for each of those entries. The letter must detail when you became a Canadian citizen.
These requirements are being very broadly interpreted to apply to anyone who was not born in Canada or who claims to have a second passport. If you have the slightest doubt about your status in this regard, send EVERYTHING requested above, as the Chinese embassy is stopping all such applications pending furtehr documentation.
Russian Voucher Numbers Change
Effective immediately the registration number on Russian vouchers issued by our partner (OOO Atlanta) has changed.
When you are filling out the new Russian visa application you must include the new registration number (017328).
Click here for Russian tourist visa forms.
When you are filling out the new Russian visa application you must include the new registration number (017328).
Click here for Russian tourist visa forms.
09 April 2016
VSC at Ottawa Travel Show, 09 April 2016
Here is a selection of photographs of VSC company president Pamela meeting embassy and high commission staff of our various international partners at the Ottawa travel show this weekend.
 |
| Richard of the Tanzanian High Commission |
 |
| Sheila of the Kenyan High Commission |
 |
| Mrs. Chui - an old friend of the company and expert on Chinese visas. |
 |
| Pam with Viet Nam Embassy staff. |
 |
| Canada is on the list of 169 countries whose citizens do not need tourist visas for Indonesia. |
 |
| Japan Airlines service to Canada. |
 |
| At the Chinese Embassy and travel agency booth. |
 |
| At the Egyptian embassy and travel agency booth. |
 |
| Indonesian coffee at the travel show. |
 | ||||||
| Liquid surface painting at the Turkish Embassy and travel agency booth. |
 | |||||
| Official grand opening of the Mexican Embassy and travel agency booth. |
 |
| Music and dancing at the Mexican booth. |
31 March 2016
Russian Demanding Voucher Confirmation Numbers
Effective immediately the Russian Embassy in Ottawa and all Russian consulates are demanding that all tourist visa applications have the real unique tourist voucher CONFIRAMTION NUMBER in the application form.
This is a unique number which appears on your tourist voucher from the Russian hotel or from the Russian tourist agency.
We encourage all applicants to acquire this from their Russian travel provider or their Russian hotel. If you cannot get one from Russia we can get one for you.
Click here for Russian tourist visas.
This is a unique number which appears on your tourist voucher from the Russian hotel or from the Russian tourist agency.
We encourage all applicants to acquire this from their Russian travel provider or their Russian hotel. If you cannot get one from Russia we can get one for you.
Click here for Russian tourist visas.
China Demands 2nd Passport from Dual Nationals
Effective immediately the Embassy of China in Ottawa, and all Chinese consulates, are demanding the original of any second passport a Canadian visa applicant may hold.
Any applicant who is a dual national, or who was born outside of Canada, must provide the real original passport from that other country along with their real Canadian passport.
Copies are NOT accepted.
If you are a dual national or were born outside Canada, but do not hold a second passport, you must provide an attestation letter confirming that you do not now hold any second (non-Canadian) passport.
This letter is a legal document and must of course be signed and dated.
Click here for Chinese visas.
Any applicant who is a dual national, or who was born outside of Canada, must provide the real original passport from that other country along with their real Canadian passport.
Copies are NOT accepted.
If you are a dual national or were born outside Canada, but do not hold a second passport, you must provide an attestation letter confirming that you do not now hold any second (non-Canadian) passport.
This letter is a legal document and must of course be signed and dated.
Click here for Chinese visas.
16 March 2016
Brazil Raises Visa Fees 30%
We are sad to announce that the government of Brazil has raised their visa prices by about 30% this week, effective immediately.
Tourist visas now cost $120. This is up from the old $97.50 fee.
Business visas now cost $120. This is up from the old fee of $90.
We had been expecting this for several months as the Canadian dollar dropped, but with the dollar stable and even rising it seems like an odd time to now raise the fees.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
Tourist visas now cost $120. This is up from the old $97.50 fee.
Business visas now cost $120. This is up from the old fee of $90.
We had been expecting this for several months as the Canadian dollar dropped, but with the dollar stable and even rising it seems like an odd time to now raise the fees.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
09 March 2016
Madagascar Raises Visa Fees
Madagascar is full of natural wonders, such as lemurs and unusual trees, but it is very far away and not usually on the Canadian tourist destination list.
For the past several years the government of Madagascar has been trying to encourage tourism by offering free visas. Those days are over.
Tourists now have to pay $45 for the single-entry tourist visa.
Click here for Madagascar visa forms.
For the past several years the government of Madagascar has been trying to encourage tourism by offering free visas. Those days are over.
Tourists now have to pay $45 for the single-entry tourist visa.
Click here for Madagascar visa forms.
07 March 2016
BRAZIL OLYMPICS VISA-FREE
A bill has been
approved that will exempt visa requirements to some foreigners coming to
Brazil during the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The unilateral visa waiver applies to visitors (tourists) entering Brazil between 01 June 2016 and 18 September 2016. It benefits nationals of Canada, Australia, the United States and Japan who travel to Brazil exclusively for tourism purposes for a period of up to 90 days from the date of first entry (non-extendable).
The visa exemption is solely for TOURISM. A valid travel document (Canadian passport) will be the only document required during that period. There will be no need to present proof of ticket purchase confirmation for the Rio 2016 Games.
The exemption does not apply to nationals of the aforementioned countries wishing to perform other activities such as paid activities, research activities, internships, studies, volunteer work, technical assistance or activities of missionary, religious or artistic nature.
From 19 September 2016 on, the previous regime of visa requirement will be reestablished
The unilateral visa waiver applies to visitors (tourists) entering Brazil between 01 June 2016 and 18 September 2016. It benefits nationals of Canada, Australia, the United States and Japan who travel to Brazil exclusively for tourism purposes for a period of up to 90 days from the date of first entry (non-extendable).
The visa exemption is solely for TOURISM. A valid travel document (Canadian passport) will be the only document required during that period. There will be no need to present proof of ticket purchase confirmation for the Rio 2016 Games.
The exemption does not apply to nationals of the aforementioned countries wishing to perform other activities such as paid activities, research activities, internships, studies, volunteer work, technical assistance or activities of missionary, religious or artistic nature.
From 19 September 2016 on, the previous regime of visa requirement will be reestablished
India e-Visa - Depart from Anywhere in India
Canadians and some 149 other foreign passport holders are now able to take advantage of the well-functioning Indian e-Visa system.
In a welcome change there is a new feature which will benefit Canadians going on a cruise starting from India.
While e-Visa holders must enter India through one of only 16 designated airports (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum & Varanasi), it is now permissable to leave from anywhere.
Officially the Indian government states that e-Visa holders can depart India from non-airport locations. Their official statement is that "the foreigner can take exit from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) in India".
So it seems that once you have the e-Visa stamped into your passport by the Indian authorities at the designated airport, you are free to leave from any authorized border control post by any means.
Click here for Indian e-Visa forms.
In a welcome change there is a new feature which will benefit Canadians going on a cruise starting from India.
While e-Visa holders must enter India through one of only 16 designated airports (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Delhi, Gaya, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum & Varanasi), it is now permissable to leave from anywhere.
Officially the Indian government states that e-Visa holders can depart India from non-airport locations. Their official statement is that "the foreigner can take exit from any of the authorized Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) in India".
So it seems that once you have the e-Visa stamped into your passport by the Indian authorities at the designated airport, you are free to leave from any authorized border control post by any means.
Click here for Indian e-Visa forms.
Common Brazil Visa Application Problems
People ask us constantly 'What are the most common Brazil problems I could avoid?'
When you are filling out the Brazil online visa application form on the government website, there are a couple of simple rules to make everything work smoothly:
1) Be truthful.
2) Your passport is the final word about your identity. All data must match your passport exactly. If your passport does not show a middle name, do not use one on the form. If your passport says you were born in North York, then do not put Toronto.
3) All addresses must be full complete legal addresses - not just a street.
4) When you think you are finished, go back and read your answers and compare them to your passport and other personal details.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
When you are filling out the Brazil online visa application form on the government website, there are a couple of simple rules to make everything work smoothly:
1) Be truthful.
2) Your passport is the final word about your identity. All data must match your passport exactly. If your passport does not show a middle name, do not use one on the form. If your passport says you were born in North York, then do not put Toronto.
3) All addresses must be full complete legal addresses - not just a street.
4) When you think you are finished, go back and read your answers and compare them to your passport and other personal details.
Click here for Brazil visa forms.
Brazil Changes Government Visa Website
Effective immediately the Government of Brazil has closed down their old stable visa application platform and launched a new visa application website.
The new website is at https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br
It still suffers from the basic security problem in that it does not have a security certificate recognized by any system outside Brazil. So put up with it or travel to a different country.
The site works very well and is more effective in gathering data. Hopefully that will mean a faster processing of visas in the coming months!
Click here for Brazil visa forms and prices and requirements and a manual.
The new website is at https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br
It still suffers from the basic security problem in that it does not have a security certificate recognized by any system outside Brazil. So put up with it or travel to a different country.
The site works very well and is more effective in gathering data. Hopefully that will mean a faster processing of visas in the coming months!
Click here for Brazil visa forms and prices and requirements and a manual.
China Embassy Very Strict About Rules
China is an extremely popular tourist and business destination, and the now have a policy of issuing multi-entry visas. The processing is smooth and dependable.
But do not get complacent.
Over the past several months the Chinese Embassy has toughened their enforcement of the rules.
The Chinese consuls have been demanded more and more supporting documentary proof of family and/or busiuness relationships.
Be prepared with birth and marriage certificates; or with detailed business letters from the company in China.
Click here for China visa forms and prices and requirements.
But do not get complacent.
Over the past several months the Chinese Embassy has toughened their enforcement of the rules.
The Chinese consuls have been demanded more and more supporting documentary proof of family and/or busiuness relationships.
Be prepared with birth and marriage certificates; or with detailed business letters from the company in China.
Click here for China visa forms and prices and requirements.
Angola Embassy Increases Fees
For the first time in perhaps a decade the Embassy of Angola has increased the visa fees payable by Canadians.
The price jumped up to $185 per visa, even if the visa is only valid for three days (STV).
Since only oil exploration workers go to Angola, the fee incrase is swallowed by oil companies, so it does not matter much to applicants.
Click here for Angola visa forms and prices.
The price jumped up to $185 per visa, even if the visa is only valid for three days (STV).
Since only oil exploration workers go to Angola, the fee incrase is swallowed by oil companies, so it does not matter much to applicants.
Click here for Angola visa forms and prices.
Russian Price Increases
The Russian visa office has announced a general price increase across Canada effective immediately.
Fees for all types of visas and all speeds of service went up anywhere from $5 to $8. This is not a major price hike, but it will bite the Russians as their visitor numbers have dropped in recent years and show little sign of improving.
Click here for Russian visa forms and prices.
Fees for all types of visas and all speeds of service went up anywhere from $5 to $8. This is not a major price hike, but it will bite the Russians as their visitor numbers have dropped in recent years and show little sign of improving.
Click here for Russian visa forms and prices.
11 January 2016
BRAZIL OLYMPICS VISA-FREE
A bill has been
approved that will exempt visa requirements to some foreigners coming to
Brazil during the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The unilateral visa waiver applies to visitors (tourists) entering Brazil between 01 June 2016 and 18 September 2016. It benefits nationals of Canada, Australia, the United States and Japan who travel to Brazil exclusively for tourism purposes for a period of up to 90 days from the date of first entry (non-extendable).
The visa exemption is solely for TOURISM. A valid travel document (Canadian passport) will be the only document required during that period. There will be no need to present proof of ticket purchase confirmation for the Rio 2016 Games.
The exemption does not apply to nationals of the aforementioned countries wishing to perform other activities such as paid activities, research activities, internships, studies, volunteer work, technical assistance or activities of missionary, religious or artistic nature.
From 19 September 2016 on, the previous regime of visa requirement will be reestablished
The unilateral visa waiver applies to visitors (tourists) entering Brazil between 01 June 2016 and 18 September 2016. It benefits nationals of Canada, Australia, the United States and Japan who travel to Brazil exclusively for tourism purposes for a period of up to 90 days from the date of first entry (non-extendable).
The visa exemption is solely for TOURISM. A valid travel document (Canadian passport) will be the only document required during that period. There will be no need to present proof of ticket purchase confirmation for the Rio 2016 Games.
The exemption does not apply to nationals of the aforementioned countries wishing to perform other activities such as paid activities, research activities, internships, studies, volunteer work, technical assistance or activities of missionary, religious or artistic nature.
From 19 September 2016 on, the previous regime of visa requirement will be reestablished
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