http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/No_more_travel_woes_for_PIOs/articleshow/451248.cms

New visa regime for PIOs in Canada

TORONTO: The Indian Consulate has announced a new visa regime for people of Indian origin where applications will be received through mail only.

According to the new procedure, the visa applications with requisite fee and documents will be received through mail only, thereby dismissing the need for travel agents.

The visa would be sent within five working days including the day of receipt and dispatch.

“The new visa system would help to maintain public order, and security at the premises and provide efficient services to the people,” Satish Mehta, Consul General of India, said.

The new system would come into effect from November 20.

In emergency cases, Mehta went on to say, the Consulate General would accept visa applications in person after a confirmed air ticket is produced and charge emergency service fee and may issue visa on the same day.

However, persons holding Pakistani passports and foreigners of Pakistani origin, Bangladeshi passport holders and Czech nationals have to apply for visa personally, he added.

Why would a PIO card holder need visa ?

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We will find a way or we will make one

It is for canadian citizens and excludes canadian citizen if these persons were holding Pakistani passports and Foreigners of Pakistani origin, Bangladeshi Passport holders and Czechoslovakian nationals

Here is the extract from website:

With effect from 20 November 2006, the Consulate General of India will accept applications for visa only by mail/courier. (Only persons holding Pakistani passports and Foreigners of Pakistani origin, Bangladeshi Passport holders and Czechoslovakian nationals need to apply personally.)

All applicants are required to send a separate pre-paid self addressed envelope along with each application to enable the Consulate General of India to mail the passport back to them at their respective addresses.

In the normal course, passports of Canadians born in Canada and persons of Indian origin would be despatched within 3 working days (excluding the day of receipt and despatch). Applicants are advised to apply well in time. The Consulate will not take any responsibility for delays for any reason.

Visas for employment/research/journalist/voluntary work/film shooting and religious workers may take a longer time.

In genuine emergency cases, the Consulate-General of India will accept passports in person and return them the same day. This would attract emergency service charges of C$ 55 per visa. Applicants seeking emergency service should produce confirmed air ticket to get this service.

Passports for visa from tour operators would be accepted only on production of tickets, tour programme and communication from the tour operator.

There is a separate time frame for foreign nationals other than Canadians. It may normally take 5 working days to issue visas to foreign (other than Canadian) passport holders (except some nationals for whom a longer time frame has been prescribed).

Applications should be sent by courier/mail to the Consulate office at 365, Bloor Street East, 7th Floor, Toronto, ON M4W 3L4.


2. Persons, who earlier held Indian passports, while applying for visa must submit their Canadian passport with last Indian visa endorsement or their previous Indian passport (cancelled or otherwise) and Landing paper.



3. Personal Interview
Any applicant may be required to appear for an interview at his/her own expense.



4. Bangladeshi nationals

Special visa application is needed for Bangladesh nationals. This can be downloaded from the section containing forms. The processing time is about one month.



5. Pakistani nationals & Persons of Pakistani origin

Special visa application is needed for Pakistani nationals. This can be downloaded from the section containing forms.

Foreigners of Pakistani origin who continue to hold dual nationality viz. Pakistani nationality as well as foreign nationality must apply for visa on their Pakistani passports with visa form meant for Pakistani nationals.

It can take several months before a decision can be conveyed on visa requests by Pakistani nationals. The Consulate will promptly convey this to the applicant as soon as it is received from New Delhi. You are requested to be patient and not make enquiries in this regard by phone, e-mail, personal visit, fax or letters, which, due to constraints, we will not be able to respond to. You may rest assured that we will, on our own, pursue your case until a decision is received.

Canadians of Pakistani origin who no longer have Pakistani nationality and Pakistani passport may apply for visa on their Canadian passport with visa application meant for foreigners, but would have to submit either a certified copy of the surrender certificate stating that they have renounced their Pakistani citizenship or an affidavit duly notarised stating therein that they no longer hold Pakistani citizenship and Pakistani passport. Format of the affidavit can be downloaded from the section containing forms on this website. Normally such passports would be mailed back in one month.

Non-Canadian foreigners of Pakistani origin who no longer hold Pakistani citizenship may also apply on their foreign passports by submitting a certified copy of surrender certificate or notarised affidavit as in the case of Canadians of Pakistani origin. They are also required to submit an additional reference form meant for foreigners which can be downloaded from the section containing forms. Normally such passports would be mailed back in one month.

6. For Sri Lankan nationals and Canadian nationals of Sri Lankan origin, passports would be mailed back within four weeks. Applicants should attach photocopy of their photo ID indicating their address.

An additional reference form is also required to be submitted. This can be downloaded from the section containing forms.


7. Acceptance of visa application along with fee does not mean that visa will be granted. The Consulate reserves the right to refuse visa without assigning any reason. The Consulate-General shall not be held liable to any claim arising out of delay/refusal of visa or loss of passport in transit or otherwise.



8. At the time of collection, the fee receipt (white), duly signed overleaf, in acknowledgement of the return of passport (with visa) will have to be surrendered in those cases wherever delivery is not given by mail.



9. Persons coming from or through yellow fever infected area are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. No other vaccinations are necessary. AIDS test is required for persons aged 18 years to 70 years who stay in India for one year or more.



10. In cases of visas for Research, Visit to Restricted and Protected Areas, Missionary Work, Journalism, Film Shooting, travel document holders and Chinese nationals, separate rules apply.


11. Restricted and Protected Areas: An applicant who desires to visit any Restricted/Protected areas in India should submit the prescribed application for issue of a Special Permit, in addition to the visa application.



12. All visas are valid from the date of issue. Visas are processed on receipt of the application and visas issued immediately irrespective of the date of travel. Kindly check carefully that the intended stay is not beyond the expiry date on the visa.

Please apply well in time for your visas. Do not wait until the last moment.

For more information visit: http://www.cgitoronto.ca" rel="nofollow">LINK