Experiences getting Russian visa
May 13, 2003, 9:29 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SFO/SJC -> UME/ARN -> IAD/DCA
Programs: AAPLT, SK/G, A3/G
Posts: 721
As a Canadian, we probably enjoy more visa-free entries than most other countries
As off April 2001, the government of Czech Republic placed a visa requirement for Canadians who want to enter the Czech Republic for pleasure.
At first I was confused as to why this requirement was placed, but after doing some research, I found out that Czech Republic became an origin point for European Gypsies who seeks to enter Canada and stay illegally. In order to stop the flow of these 'visitors' who are likely to become illegan residents, Canada started requiring Czechs to apply for a visa
And in response, Czech Republic starts to require visa for Canadian visitors. The requirement by the Czech government is nothing more than to maintain equal status, so to speak. From my internation relation studies, this seems to be a very typical thing for governments to do
Now, someone used the US-Mexico example. For obvious reasons, US requires visa for Mexican nationals. It would stand to reason that would do the same to the US. However, the economic benefit of having American tourists travel to mexico and spend hard currency as a tourists far outweigh whatever benifit Mexico will have by putting up a visa requirement to maintain the status quo.
I'm sure the amount of money American college kids contribute to the Mexican alcohol industry during spring break is quite noticable
As off April 2001, the government of Czech Republic placed a visa requirement for Canadians who want to enter the Czech Republic for pleasure.
At first I was confused as to why this requirement was placed, but after doing some research, I found out that Czech Republic became an origin point for European Gypsies who seeks to enter Canada and stay illegally. In order to stop the flow of these 'visitors' who are likely to become illegan residents, Canada started requiring Czechs to apply for a visa
And in response, Czech Republic starts to require visa for Canadian visitors. The requirement by the Czech government is nothing more than to maintain equal status, so to speak. From my internation relation studies, this seems to be a very typical thing for governments to do
Now, someone used the US-Mexico example. For obvious reasons, US requires visa for Mexican nationals. It would stand to reason that would do the same to the US. However, the economic benefit of having American tourists travel to mexico and spend hard currency as a tourists far outweigh whatever benifit Mexico will have by putting up a visa requirement to maintain the status quo.
I'm sure the amount of money American college kids contribute to the Mexican alcohol industry during spring break is quite noticable
Sep 13, 2003, 7:38 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,081
I just wanted to relate my experience on this. After reading the posts here on the subject, I decided to try and apply for Russian visas without using a professional service. Our hotel (Radisson in St. Petersburg) provided the necessary invitation and voucher and I followed all the directions on the Consulate site. There were a lot of them, but they were very thorough. Our passports came back 2 weeks later with all the visas and the entry documents.
Yes, it's a pain and it's unfortunate that the regulations and the expense discourage people from visiting a country that badly needs tourist dollars- but at least the process worked. Compare that to my rant on Brazil (see the thread on Brazilian visas) where the Consulate was no help at all.
Yes, it's a pain and it's unfortunate that the regulations and the expense discourage people from visiting a country that badly needs tourist dollars- but at least the process worked. Compare that to my rant on Brazil (see the thread on Brazilian visas) where the Consulate was no help at all.