Remember those less fortunate

We at Visa Services Canada get a lot of emails from people in the third world who are truly desperate to escape grinding poverty, war and oppression.

As you know, we do not acquire Canadian visas for foreigners to come to Canada. VSC helps Canadians and others go abroad. Many companies dealing in Canadian visas are very unscrupulous, and we will have nothing to do with this type of operator.

Here is a sample email which we received this morning from Kashmir:

"we are living in earthquake place Azad Jam mu Kashmir Bagh. Kashmir is not Independence country. one park by capture Pakistan and second part capture, India government, and my family wanted there which iz peaceful country. Canadian people's and government are very good manners. Canadian living standards are best. there education and living standard are best. this time i and my family live in difficult crises, problems. u know earthquake came in two hundred five but our government and Pakistan government have not supported to the people. this time more people are living in tent at village. we want two government of Canadian sport to us for visa. i and my family wanted to went Canada and also wanted to do work in Canada. i am very thank 2 Canada government and people's of Canada."

Whether or not the email is legitimate, there is no doubt that millions of people around the world are barely surviving, and doing so in terrible circumstances.

So when you travel, remember there are about three billion people who could never do so, and they need your help.

Happy new year 2011.

U.A.E. visas in Canada

The Embassy of the UAE in Ottawa announced on 21 December 2010 that they will issue visas to Canadian regular passport holders. Canadian citizens on tourist and business journeys should have their visas arranged by the airline or hotel or travel company inside the UAE. The visa can then be received at the airport upon arrival in the UAE. It must be arranged beforehand by an office in the UAE.

But some of you will want to apply for a visa at the embassy, so here it is.

The UAE Embassy also announced the jaw-dropping prices: a short-stay visa, valid for only 30 days, costs $250. and a long-tern stay valid for up to 90 days costs $500. The big multi-entry visa valid for six months costs a whopping $1000. !

Applications to the embassy are accepted only by Canada Post mail (Priority Courier or Xpresspost or registered).

The embassy stresses that Canadians should pre-arrange visas through either of the two national airlines, or through a hotel or agent in the UAE. They are still not saying anything about cruise ships, and cruise companies are confused about the changing rules.

Click here for the form and instructions.