|
- What is an FAQ?
- Why should I use a visa service to handle my visa?
- How do I get a Canadian Passport?
- What is a visa and why do I need one?
- I have been told I need support documentation, what is that?
- How long do visas take to process?
- Do I need to send you my actual physical passport?
- Can I get my visa upon arrival?
- If I am applying for more than one visa with you why aren't they done simultaneously?
- Do you guarantee visas to be done on time?
- How long does my passport need to be valid?
- I am traveling with my child out of the country. What do I need to do?
- I have a friend who wants to visit Canada, what should I do?
- What if I fill out a form incorrectly or incompletely?
- How can I get current information on the places I will be visiting to see if there are any safety concerns or not?
- I have a pardon for a criminal offence, is it OK for me to go to the USA?
- How much do visas cost?
- How can I protect myself against a lost or stolen passport and/or visa while I am traveling?
- Can you do working visas?
- What happens if I delay my trip, is my visa still valid?
|
| |
|
1. What is an FAQ?
|
FAQ is an abbreviation for "Frequently Asked Questions".
|
| ^ top ^ |
2. Why should I use a visa service to handle my visa?
|
Visa fees and regulations change frequently. An outdated form
or fee will usually invite a refusal or delay of the visa. It is
not economically possible for any company other than a reputable
professional visa service to keep well over 150,000 current
forms and fees readily available. In addition many countries are
very strict about who is and is not eligible for a visa. This
may require a change in the proposed itinerary or stated purpose
of the trip, something that a visa professional is normally
familiar with. Hours of operation for visas at Consulates and
Embassies are usually very limited, meaning you could spend many
hours in line-ups or phone calls just to get an answer to
question that we consider routine. If getting a visa to travel
to a particular country is important to you then you should
always consider using a reputable professional visa service.
|
| ^ top ^ |
3. How do I get a Canadian Passport?
|
If you are a citizen of Canada call the Passport Office at
1-800-567-6868 or visit the web site at: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/
Passport applications
may also be picked up at any postal outlet and many travel
agencies as well as at our office.
|
| ^ top ^ |
4. What is a visa and why do I need one?
|
Visas are temporary permission from a foreign country to enter
their territory. As an example; if Canada requires certain
nationalities to have a visa to visit Canada then Canadians
would likely need a visa to visit that country. This varies,
professional visa service is your best option.
|
| ^ top ^ |
5. I have been told I need support
documentation, what is that?
|
Some countries, such as Russia require official support
documentation. It must be prepared by the tour company or
business you are visiting. This is a very strict process and
failure to do so will not only result in visa refusal but loss
of very expensive fees. We can provide official documentation
for all countries as needed.
|
| ^ top ^ |
6. How long do visas take to process?
|
There is no simple answer to this as every country has their
own particular way in which visas are done. Generally though you
should plan for 2 weeks for each visa needed. In many cases
visas can be issued much faster. Please use the "Do I need a
Visa" button to search for the appropriate Visa, the processing
times and fees are stated at the bottom of the details page.
|
| ^ top ^ |
7. Do I need to send you my actual physical passport?
|
YES!
|
| ^ top ^ |
8. Can I get my visa upon arrival?
|
A very risky idea. It's possible in some limited instances,
but you run the risk of being refused boarding by the airline or
cruise line. In the case of land border crossings it is
generally not available as the officials there are not set up
and trained to handle such situations. In all cases you could be
forced to turn around and find transportation at your own
expense. Always consult a visa professional.
|
| ^ top ^ |
9. If I am applying for more than one visa
with you why aren't they done simultaneously?
|
Each visa is done one at a time because your passport can only
be in one place at a time.
|
| ^ top ^ |
10. Do you guarantee visas to be done on time?
|
We make every effort to secure prompt completion of every visa.
The granting of a visa is entirely up to the discretion of the
appropriate Embassy or Consulate AT ALL TIMES.
|
| ^ top ^ |
11. How long does my passport need to be valid?
|
Passports are valid immediately upon being issued but for most
countries that you are applying for a visa to visit they want to see at
least 6 months extra validity on your passport after you leave their
country.
|
| ^ top ^ |
12. I am traveling with my child out of the
country. What do I need to do?
|
In almost all cases you will be required to obtain a notarized
letter from the other biological parent or legal guardian. Of
course you will need your passport(s) and depending on where you
go, visas. To have your child's name put in your passport or to
get the child their own passport contact the Canadian Passport
Office. If you are a citizen of Canada call the Passport Office
at 1-800-567-6868 or visit the web site at: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/.
Passport applications may also be picked up at any postal outlet
and many travel agencies, as well as our office.
|
| ^ top ^ |
13. I have a friend who wants to visit
Canada, what should I do?
|
We assist those wanting to depart from North America.
To obtain a Canadian visa they must contact
the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate closest to where they
live. A list is available at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/
|
| ^ top ^ |
14. What if I fill out a form incorrectly or
incompletely?
|
Countries can be very strict about the integrity of the
information you provide. Even an unintentional error or omission
could permanently bar you from entry. Lengthy delays or even
permanent refusal of the visa application is possible. It is
always best to consult a visa professional, such as ourselves,
who can assist you in this process.
|
| ^ top ^ |
15. How can I get current information on the
places I will be visiting to see if there are any safety concerns or
not?
|
Most countries maintain a web site to provide information on
travel to dangerous countries for their citizens. While this can
be a valuable service it would be prudent to note that at times
the opinions expressed are politically motivated. You can visit
the Government of Canada's, "Travel Information and Advisory
Reports" at : http://www.cic.gc.ca/
|
| ^ top ^ |
16. I have a pardon for a criminal offence,
is it OK for me to go to the USA?
|
A waiver should be obtained from the USA Consulate in your
area. Otherwise you could be denied. As for other countries, it
is decided on a case by case basis and generally is not decided
until the application has been sent to the Embassy for
processing.
|
| ^ top ^ |
17. How much do visas cost?
|
Generally you should plan for somewhere between $50 to $150
per visa, per person. Of course this is only a guideline. For
specific information please use the "Do I need a Visa?" button.
|
| ^ top ^ |
18. How can I protect myself against a lost
or stolen passport and/or visa while I am traveling?
|
Send yourself an e-mail to an account that you can access from
anywhere in the world (Hotmail, Yahoo etc) before you go with
all the contact information you will need to replace these
documents. For stolen credit cards or travel tickets you can do
the same thing.
|
| ^ top ^ |
19. Can you arrange working visas?
|
For some countries, yes. Please check with us via e-mail or
check it out on our web site (Do I need a Visa?).
|
| ^ top ^ |
20. What happens if I delay my trip, is my
visa still valid?
|
This depends on the individual country. In many cases a visa
is valid for 90, 180 or 365 days from the date of issue and so
this gives you a flexible window of opportunity to enter that
country. Some countries however have a specific assigned date
for the visa, so it is important to give yourself enough time to
change the visa if you have to. Expired visas can not be updated
or changed, new ones will have to be applied for starting from
the very beginning of the process.
|
| ^ top ^ |
