Everything was so hard with Vietnamese
Besides quitting a job, preparing for visa is even much more harder. I really envy with someones who are able to travel any where in the world with just a passport. You know, as all poverty and developing countries, Vietnam is considered as βthird worldβ which causes every goverment deeply concern about illegal immigration.
Since Iβm Vietnamese, so I need visa for most of countries Iβm going to visit, even some countries I just transit and stay in airport. There were over 3 times I bursted into tears because of hopelessness, of wanting to give up, of thinking that I am not able to go anywhere since I am vietnamese. That was the first time I felt bad about my nationality. I even thought about I might get a fake marriage with American or Korean,... to be easier with visa stuff. What a crazy idea but in that time, actually I did thought about it.
The last problem
I was still able to handle most of visa stuffs. I carried out little by little, step by step. Everything was gradually going to be fine then the biggest problem popped out. I will transit in Canada but firstly I didnt think I need transit visa because I will just stay in airport. After that I realized I must have it, but I didnt check duration of visa procedure. I thought I had enough time to carry out because it was just transit visa, it is not a big deal, it must be simple and easy to get. But It turned out not to be like that. It takes 51 days to Consulate General of Canada grant visa for me. Omg. How come? I just needed 3 days to get Peru Visa, 8 days to get Korean Visa,... and now it takes 51 days just for Canadian transit visa. Seriously? I felt like breaking down and extremely panic since I had just 30 days left - a half of that duration.
The last effort to see the bigger world
Changing flight ticket also means that I will lose ton of money and break all schedule. I had no choice, I was cornered. Then I decided to send a letter to Consulate General of Canada to ask for a favor. I set all my hopes on it and cherish a ray of hope that they will give me an exceptional approval.
Dear Sir,
I am planing to travel South America during this coming March. My flight will take off from Hanoi, Vietnam on March 27 (2018), transit in Shanghai, China, and transit in Toronto, Canada before arriving at my destination in Lima, Peru.
I received an approval for every other visa required for my trip; however, I did not think I needed a transit visa to transit in through Toronto Airport. I have just recognized that a few days ago and applied my documents this morning on January 22 (2018), Toronto, Canada time.
I have done my research and realize that it will take 51 days to finish my Canadian transit visa procedure. But my flight will take off on March 27 (2018), leaving me with just 35 days. I realize that this was due to my lack of research on the Canadian visa policy and my excitement for the overall trip.
The transit time at the Toronto airport will be about 22 hours. I will not be leaving the airport and will wait patiently for my next flight. I also realize that I'm pushing my luck here by sending you this request; however, I have already prepared everything for my trip: visas, hotel bookings, transportation bookings, etc. If I am unable to receive my Canadian transit visa, I have to cancel everything and the costs will be too much for me to fathom.
With the little luck I may or may not have, I write this letter to you. It is a favor that could potentially change my life and propel me forward to my future goals. So, I humbly ask of you, would you approve my documents for a Canadian transit visa sooner than the regulation requires? I will need to have your approval and Canadian transit visa by March 25 (2018), at the latest.
Most Vietnamese people don't have the leisure to travel outside of their country, I wish to be able to experience it first hand and with the experience I learn, I wish to create a bridge for other Vietnamese people to enjoy the beauty that our Earth has to offer. This trip will be an amazing and meaningful experience I may not get a second chance at. I now leave everything in your humble hands and cross my fingers in hope for an approval.
Thank you!
Best Regards,
It is going to be fine, isnβt it?
After sending that letter, I got a reply from Consulate General of Canada that they would create a favor condition for me and complete it as soon as possible. But there is no guarantee about I will be able to get visa sooner the regulation requires. There is one week left and Iβm on the last step of Canadian visa procedure. Iβm still waiting for a miracle.
The last effort for a dream of my lifetime.
It must be fine.
P.s: Thanks #jin and #jongchan for helping me fix that letter. Thanks a lot.
Where there is hope there is always a way. I do so hope that you will fulfil your dream dear @Hanggggbeeee. I have been to Canada many times and it is as you say for an English person quite easy. I was working then as a singer/songwriter, but I used to get my work permits and visas done in a single day at the consulate in Manchester. I look forward so much to reading your blogs from your travels. Resteemed, and upvoted as always.
Thank you for your encouragement. I hope I can go ππ
Hey, HB.
As a Canadian, I was pleased to see that the consulate general read your letter and responded to it.
Now, let's hope that the consul and staff do the right thing and expedite your visa! I can hardly believe that it takes 55 days!!!
Granted, they get many applications and have much work to do, but no application for a simple transit visa or anything similar should take that long. If I were running the consulate general, you'd have your visa yesterday. :-)
Best of luck!
I didnt know u are Canadian. Haha. My korean friend asked visa to stay in Canada 2 months. And he took it within 3 days. I can understand that. My nationality πππ
If I cant get visa in time. I still have the last choice. Change flight ticket and accept to lose $1500. π
That sucks. But I trust that the Canadians will respond to your polite and humble letter by providing your visa on time.
The only countries in SE Asia that we Canadians need an advance visa are Myanmar and Vietnam. Kinda irritating, cuz to other countries, we can travel freely.
Actually, I find the whole visa nonsense bothersome and annoying. Every country should simply adopt a visa-on-arrival policy. And the visas should be good for a year each time. I do not understand why they don't just make it simple like that, charge a reasonable fee, and everyone will be happy.
Haha. You also need visa to go Vietnam? I think both countries should create favour condition for each other. lol.
Youβre right. But problem is they dont want to take money. :)) this transit visa is free. π
Thank you so much @hanggggbeeee for a great article share with us.
maybe I can not help anything, but I hope you do not get discouraged and hopefully your problem is done quickly @hanggggbeeee
Thank you ππ
I really hope you'll get the visa in time. It's so crazy that a transit visa is even required, but for it to take 51 days is just stupid. Good luck!
Thank you. They must have some reason to last it 51 days. lol.
Good Luck!! I hope it gets approved fast. :)
So do i. π Thank you ^^
Some countries offer priority visa processing time which u need to pay extra fee... you should check.. And i hope everything is gonna be alright with u
Ah. Thank you for reminding me about it. πππ
I have a french passport so it is was for me, my wife still has a vietnamese passport and before we got married it was difficult for her to follow me on travels so I understand your pain.
I wish you good luck.
Oh. So after marriage, your wife changed nationality??
No, but as a spouse of a Europeans citizen it makes things a bit easier for some countries. Still a pain for others I guess
How cool is that, you got a response from the Consulate General. Good luck and hope you get your transit visa just in time ;)
Thank you. Haha. Just a response tho. There is no guarantee
Visa steps are really important and they're mostly for refugees or it's for preventing illegal things. You should have searched it while planning trip, but unfortunately sometimes we don't see it good while trying to go to trip. And some countries are so lazy to give just a visa paper. I can understand your condition and I hope they will solve it soon.
Don't forget about the yellow fever vaccine though lol.
For example Embassy of Turkey in Hanoi told us that we need to prepare all papers 3 months before trip. Because they're sending it to municipality and checking your records etc. So it can take some time. But better get prepared next time.
Wish you good luck about it. Hope you can get it quick.