*** BEWARE ***

[MarkGuy]

An unfortunate experience occurred today that I feel I should relate to others here.

A friend is applying for a TRV to Canada.

Their sister and husband recently visited Canada on a TRV and went to a location to submit their visa application documents.

When it came time for my friend to submit theirs, they went to the same location that their sister had gone to.

They assumed that it was a Govt. of Canada Embassy office.

It turns out it is a separate business. They charged the $90 U.S. visa fee + $50 extra for their 'services'.

Had I known about the additional 'service fee', or any of the other red flags that later became obvious, I never would have had my friend submit their application there.

 

[PMM]

Hi

An unfortunate experience occurred today that I feel I should relate to others here.

A friend is applying for a TRV to Canada.

Their sister and husband recently visited Canada on a TRV and went to a location to submit their visa application documents.

When it came time for my friend to submit theirs, they went to the same location that their sister had gone to.

They assumed that it was a Govt. of Canada Embassy office.

It turns out it is a separate business. They charged the $90 U.S. visa fee + $50 extra for their 'services'.

Had I known about the additional 'service fee', or any of the other red flags that later became obvious, I never would have had my friend submit their application there.

1. In some areas you don't have a choice. You have to submit your application through a VAC if you need biometrics (Visa Application Centre) which are private companies and you pay their services. Otherwise the could have applied on line.

 

[MarkGuy]

Hi


1. In some areas you don't have a choice. You have to submit your application through a VAC if you need biometrics (Visa Application Centre) which are private companies and you pay their services. Otherwise the could have applied on line.

Thanks PPM. Maybe you could expand upon this a bit more?

I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the experience today.
There were many things I didn't like, including the way the company disguises itself and tries to appear as a Govt. of Canada office.
Had I been the one going to the company's office, I would have immediately known it wasn't a Govt. of Canada Embassy office.

They call themselves a Canada Visa Application Centre.

It seems to me, after today's exercise, that the application could have been submitted directly to the Canadian Embassy for $50 less, no biometrics were needed.

Also, they gave a 15 day turn around time.
When you visit the Govt. of Canada website the average wait time is 11 days.
When you factor in a delay in giving the application to and picking up the passport/visa from the Embassy, the extra four days begins to make sense.

Among other things I'd like to know, is whether the app. could have been submitted in person directly to the Canadian Embassy?

 

[PTJ]

In some countries, you can not submit a Visa application to Canadian Embassy but through VAC. If you specify your country one can check

 

[steaky]

Also, VAC in some countries accepts local currency in cash while Canadian embassies/consulates only accepts Canadian dollars in bank draft. VAC have more flexible business hours than embassies/consulates.

 

[MarkGuy]

In some countries, you can not submit a Visa application to Canadian Embassy but through VAC. If you specify your country one can check

Thanks PTJ.
I'll check whether the app can be submitted directly to the Embassy on Monday when it re-opens (just out of curiosity now).
The country is Dominican Republic.

 

[MarkGuy]

Also, VAC in some countries accepts local currency in cash while Canadian embassies/consulates only accepts Canadian dollars in bank draft. VAC have more flexible business hours than embassies/consulates.

The VAC doesn't accept local currency in cash. They direct you to an associated bank which takes your local currency and converts it into U.S. dollars.

Yes this VAC does have slightly more flexible hours.

I just did some more probing at the Govt. of Canada Dominican Republic website and discovered some interesting info there.

They state:

"As of June 16, 2014, the Embassy of Canada in Santo Domingo will accept visa applications submitted online or through the visa application centre only."

So my friend could have submitted their app online, but couldn't have dropped it off in person at the Embassy.

We were going the 'in person' route because we thought it would be faster than doing it online (plus we didn't have a scanner).

In one sense, I am a little comforted to see links to the VAC at the Govt. of Canada website.

But I still am quite upset about the way the VAC does their business.
Charging $50 to drop off and pick up your visa app at the Embassy is just a bit excessive in my mind.
That's just for starters...

 

[Gurpi]

Important

I got temporary visitor visa for multiple entry for 10 months...my wife did not need a visa to enter in Canada as she is European citizen...but at the airport they give me an entry of just 2 weeks...I want to remain here 1 month so can I remain here or I have to leave??

 

[steaky]

The VAC doesn't accept local currency in cash. They direct you to an associated bank which takes your local currency and converts it into U.S. dollars.

No, I did say that VAC in some countries accepts local currency in cash. For example, the VAC in China accepts local currency in cash for payment:

http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/China/english/service_charge_schedule.html