Toronto - VFS visa outsourcing

pandora · Jul 16th, 2009, 04:35

Getting stressed. Should fly next Wednesday. Passport not returned and it's 12 days today with them, it having arrived by UPS a.m. 29 June. The 12 days' wait takes into account Canada Day as day off. Phones ring constantly occupied. Emailed VFS today asking for info. Anybody had quicker service?

Haylo · Jul 16th, 2009, 06:22

If you're not a Canadian National, did you provide proof of being resident in Canada for over 12 months?
What is your current nationality?
What is your family heritage?
What type of visa did you apply for? Employment? Tourist, Business? Student? Entry?
How did you describe your occupation? Could your job title be taken as being in some way connected with the media or film industry, eg "director" or "photographer"

CANADON · Jul 16th, 2009, 10:29

Taking Haylo's questions into account I've heard that it's taking about 5 or 6 office days to get a simple tourist visa for a Canadian citizen. My experience was longer because they said I didn't enclose a money order. I found they did answer e-mails. I don't think I've ever successfully phoned that consulate and found somebody to talk to. I know you can't apply in person but maybe showing up in person could get you at least an answer? Do you live in Toronto?

Hal · Jul 16th, 2009, 10:38

Does VFS handle Canadian visas? I sent mine straight to the Toronto Consulate by Express Post on a Tuesday and got it back on Friday. This was about a month ago. Guess I was lucky.

CANADON · Jul 16th, 2009, 19:35

Oops. I just assumed you were talking about the consulate(have to learn to read titles).I have no experience with VFS.Until about two or three years ago you had to go to the consulate but they changed the procedure and insisted you have to mail them all the pertinent papers.

Haylo · Jul 16th, 2009, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hal

This was about a month ago. Guess I was lucky.

The outsourcing only started on 22nd May 2009, and I'm sure that for the first few weeks at least they would have had a handover period.

pandora · Jul 16th, 2009, 20:32

Yes, gave all the documentation with payment, with references here and in UK. I am a Perm Resident of Canada (sent photocopy of PermRes card), UK passport, retired. Asked for an up to five year tourist visa having family in India. Sent UPS with a pre-paid UPS envelope for return to UPS office.

pandora · Jul 16th, 2009, 20:34

Yes, all visa requests outsourced now to VFS, operational from 22 May. You were lucky.

pandora · Jul 16th, 2009, 20:37

By the way Haylo thanks for your always efficient reply and thanks to all of you who took the time to post. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I absolutely do not want to change my flights.

CANADON · Jul 16th, 2009, 21:18

Thanks for the heads up about the changes Pandora. I had no idea things had changed once again rendering nearly everything I said on the subject erroneous.While there are a lot of posts on this site, of people worrying while waiting for their visa, there are very few of anyone actually having to cancel their flight so the odds are still in your favour.Good luck and keeps us notified.

ecoremo · Jul 16th, 2009, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandora

Yes, gave all the documentation with payment, with references here and in UK. I am a Perm Resident of Canada (sent photocopy of PermRes card), UK passport, retired. Asked for an up to five year tourist visa having family in India. Sent UPS with a pre-paid UPS envelope for return to UPS office.

I went last week to VFS in Toronto to get my VISA: they told me that for a 5 yrs VISA you need to be a frequent traveler to India (your passport must show that you have been to India a few times). They also told me that it takes 1 to 2 weeks before the VISA is ready. Apparently the Consulate only deals with emergency VISA.

pandora · Jul 16th, 2009, 23:02

Thanks for that - interesting. I have been to India a couple of times since my daughter took up residence there just over a year ago. If long-term visas were easier to obtain I would go more frequently and stay longer. To clarify things, I originally asked for a five year visa 'to visit relatives' and paid accordingly. This application was rejected and returned to me with the money order and a note 'an up to five year tourist visa is
$.......'. I then sent what was required for tourist visa i.e. around $220 with the VSF fee, they received it on 29 June and I have been waiting ever since. Their site says that visas for Canadian citizens and perm residents take normally up to 12 days. Somebody intelligently commented on here that it is unlikely one could get a five yr visa if passport did not have five years to run and my passport just has under three years to expiration.

pandora · Jul 16th, 2009, 23:04

Thanks Canadon for your reply. I hope I don't have to change my flights but things don't look good. If I had known in advance that VFS were now responsible for visas I would have sent off my passport much more in advance. Have had no problems in previous visa applications at the old address.

Haylo · Jul 17th, 2009, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by pandora

Somebody intelligently commented on here that it is unlikely one could get a five yr visa if passport did not have five years to run and my passport just has under three years to expiration.

You'd think so, but judging by the number of threads on here on the subject of transferring current visas out of expired passports into new ones, length of passport validity (over the minimum six months or 190 days) does not appear to be an issue.

capt_mahajan · Jul 17th, 2009, 00:07

The US often gives ten year visas on passports that have much less life in them. Dunno about India.

Jul 16th, 2009, 04:35	#1
pandora Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 34	Toronto - VFS visa outsourcing Getting stressed. Should fly next Wednesday. Passport not returned and it's 12 days today with them, it having arrived by UPS a.m. 29 June. The 12 days' wait takes into account Canada Day as day off. Phones ring constantly occupied. Emailed VFS today asking for info. Anybody had quicker service?

Jul 16th, 2009, 06:22	#2
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	If you're not a Canadian National, did you provide proof of being resident in Canada for over 12 months? What is your current nationality? What is your family heritage? What type of visa did you apply for? Employment? Tourist, Business? Student? Entry? How did you describe your occupation? Could your job title be taken as being in some way connected with the media or film industry, eg "director" or "photographer" __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

Jul 17th, 2009, 00:07	#15
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,607	The US often gives ten year visas on passports that have much less life in them. Dunno about India. __________________ . Outside the machine

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Jul 16th, 2009, 10:29	#3
CANADON Canadon Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto,canada Posts: 122	Taking Haylo's questions into account I've heard that it's taking about 5 or 6 office days to get a simple tourist visa for a Canadian citizen. My experience was longer because they said I didn't enclose a money order. I found they did answer e-mails. I don't think I've ever successfully phoned that consulate and found somebody to talk to. I know you can't apply in person but maybe showing up in person could get you at least an answer? Do you live in Toronto?

Jul 16th, 2009, 10:38	#4
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,303	Does VFS handle Canadian visas? I sent mine straight to the Toronto Consulate by Express Post on a Tuesday and got it back on Friday. This was about a month ago. Guess I was lucky.

Jul 16th, 2009, 19:35	#5
CANADON Canadon Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto,canada Posts: 122	Oops. I just assumed you were talking about the consulate(have to learn to read titles).I have no experience with VFS.Until about two or three years ago you had to go to the consulate but they changed the procedure and insisted you have to mail them all the pertinent papers.

Jul 16th, 2009, 20:32	#7
pandora Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 34	Yes, gave all the documentation with payment, with references here and in UK. I am a Perm Resident of Canada (sent photocopy of PermRes card), UK passport, retired. Asked for an up to five year tourist visa having family in India. Sent UPS with a pre-paid UPS envelope for return to UPS office.

Jul 16th, 2009, 20:34	#8
pandora Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 34	Yes, all visa requests outsourced now to VFS, operational from 22 May. You were lucky.

Jul 16th, 2009, 20:37	#9
pandora Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 34	By the way Haylo thanks for your always efficient reply and thanks to all of you who took the time to post. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I absolutely do not want to change my flights.

Jul 16th, 2009, 21:18	#10
CANADON Canadon Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto,canada Posts: 122	Thanks for the heads up about the changes Pandora. I had no idea things had changed once again rendering nearly everything I said on the subject erroneous.While there are a lot of posts on this site, of people worrying while waiting for their visa, there are very few of anyone actually having to cancel their flight so the odds are still in your favour.Good luck and keeps us notified.

Jul 16th, 2009, 23:02	#12
pandora Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 34	Thanks for that - interesting. I have been to India a couple of times since my daughter took up residence there just over a year ago. If long-term visas were easier to obtain I would go more frequently and stay longer. To clarify things, I originally asked for a five year visa 'to visit relatives' and paid accordingly. This application was rejected and returned to me with the money order and a note 'an up to five year tourist visa is $.......'. I then sent what was required for tourist visa i.e. around $220 with the VSF fee, they received it on 29 June and I have been waiting ever since. Their site says that visas for Canadian citizens and perm residents take normally up to 12 days. Somebody intelligently commented on here that it is unlikely one could get a five yr visa if passport did not have five years to run and my passport just has under three years to expiration.

Jul 16th, 2009, 23:04	#13
pandora Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 34	Thanks Canadon for your reply. I hope I don't have to change my flights but things don't look good. If I had known in advance that VFS were now responsible for visas I would have sent off my passport much more in advance. Have had no problems in previous visa applications at the old address.