Hello

litost says on Sep 23, 2004, 16:30:

If you wanna have any hope of passing the holidays in Europe, you'd better get moving fast and apply for a Schengen Visa ASAP. Up until a couple of years ago, it was still possible to get into certain EU countries without a visa with colombian passport (Spain, Germany, Italy). Your residency won't matter to immigration officials over there, it's your passport that counts and that's why you have no choice but to get the visa. On the bright side, you still have some time and you are much more likely to get it approved thanks to your canadian residency than if you were in Colombia. You don't have to get a visa for each of those countries you'll be visiting, just choose the one where you're arriving and it'll be good for most of your itinerary...

Because you might have another problem with going into Switzerland, because that country's not part of the Schengen agreement, you would probably need to get another visa. Check on that too, with the local swiss embassy or consulate.

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AmyEnMontreal says on Sep 23, 2004, 16:34:

Thank you so much, I couldn't find information anywhere, and all my friends were telling me different things...

some said that Colombia was part of the visa waiver agreement, some said that having canadian residency will give me the same benefits as a canadian citizen.

As for switzerland, we're still wondering whether to use the train or fly on a low fare carrier based out of dusseldorf. If I'll need another visa, then we'll go for the low fare carrier.

Thank you very much, once more.

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johan says on Sep 27, 2004, 11:19:

Info Hi Amy,

I could tell you that you definetly need to get a visa to go to Europe. You could go to the Italian embassy and get a visa for your stay. This visa will allow you to travel through every country belonging to the European Community except England. If you wish to go to England you will have to to go the British Embassy and get a visa from them also.

What you will probably will have to show is a bank statement showing that you can afford your stay in Europe for the amount of time you want to stay and if you have a job get a letter from them as well stating that you are currently employed in Montreal.

I had to do this when I traveled to Europe two years ago. I was in a similar status as you, that is i was born in Colombia but was a permanent resident in the US.


You will need a visa since you are traveling with a Colombian passport regardless of your permanent resident status in Canada.

By the way I was in Montreal last month. I liked it at lot. Had a chance to eat Putin.

Johan torroled@yahoo.com

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AmyEnMontreal says on Sep 29, 2004, 01:36:

Thank you Johan for your reply. I will be calling up the Embassy in Ottawa tomorrow to get an appointment. I will not be going to England, so I don't have to worry about a British Visa. My three girlfriends (all Canadian born Québecoises!) and we will only be going to Italy and Germany. We were planning on touring Italy, then taking the train to Dusseldorf to visit my cousin and her husband/children who live there. Unfortunately, it seems like it'll be too much of a hassle trying to get a swiss visa just to transit by train! Instead, my cousin is trying to find booking on a low fare carrier that flies Rome - Dusseldorf non-stop. Hopefully I'll have enough time to get the visa for December. I'll be sure to gather up that information you told me about, thank you for that advice. It's going to be such a hassle if I have to pay the fees to change my flight, and ask for a new vacation schedule.

Too bad we didn't know each other a month ago, Johan. I could've shown you around. ;D

Thank you both actually, this is exactly the information I was looking for. :D

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johan says on Sep 29, 2004, 10:54:

low fare carrier Try easyjet.com They have awesome deals all over Europe. I used it once from England to Spain and I only paid about 10GBP ($15US). Good luck.

I am sure I will go back to Montreal again so if you like to keep in touch drope me a line to torroled at yahoo.com.

Johan torroled@yahoo.com

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litost says on Sep 29, 2004, 11:03:

try ryanair.com or easyjet.com

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AmyEnMontreal says on Oct 1, 2004, 02:48:

Bonjour, comment çava? :D!

My cousin has found a good price with Germanwings!

They're based in Dusseldorf, and they fly non-stop to Rome. It's perfect, but thank you anyway ;D. XXX OOO

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