When LOML first suggested i come to visit him in Vancouver, i was a bit apprehensive because:
1. Its gonna take me nearly 2 days of travel and i really do not like not having to shower for 2 days
2. I have to make the journey alone not to mention the hassle of getting a tourist visa when you are traveling alone
3. To make it worthwhile (damn tickets were expensive) i had to stay at least min. 3 weeks...i only have 20days leave/year
First and foremost, VISA. No VISA NO GO and i aint talking about a credit card here. Do your research online at Canada Immigration Website, read read read, then go to your specific country's embassy's page, read all the instructions, download all the forms and follow exactly what the forms prescribed and requested and you'll be fine.
Despite the option of mailing in your application you still have to pick up your passport in person. Therefore i decided to fly to KL and do it in person. That's another leave day used....and i havent even started my actual trip.
Canadian Embassy in MSIA is located at Menara Tan and Tan, its near the Tabung Haji Building and easily accessible via LRT (plus minus a few minutes walk). In the hot sun, not such a hot idea. I went early in the morning as instructed on website as pick up would be in the afternoon) What they forgot to mention was submit application means just dropping it off and come back around 2pm for the verdict. I didnt plan to do anything else while in KL. :'(. Luckily KLCC was nearby so bfast/lunch/people watching at Dome it is with BFF joining me later. Owh, by the way, to enter the embassy's office you pretty much have to go through an ala airport security check, scanned, scanned bags...handphone confiscated, okay okay, put away in tiny lockers. They were amazed i had 3...but the securities were nice and friendly...so okaylah...
Back at 2pm, was told to sit and wait...luckily i bought the twilight saga, finished the 2nd book while at Dome and thus i have the 3rd to read. (yes, i devour books like chocolates). Finally around 3.30pm, the officer called me in for an interview. Eeeerrrr....how come those before me no interview one?? Is it because of my 3 phones? or because i am traveling alone...actually it's because i didn't attached a Letter of Invitation from my host. But i did bring it, i just didnt attached because it wasnt signed since he emailed it to me. But as the officer said, any supporting documents will help. VERY IMPORTANT: To prove you have a job here in MSIA and will come back. I love my HR for writing such a detailed letter for me. We had a nice chat, very nice fella, be prepared to answer personal Q's. He even said i can apply for PR based on my credentials and work experience. What a lovely chap who detained me for an hour when i have a flight to Miri to catch at 8:40pm and KL will be jam right about now. But in the end, he told me to wait outside and within 15minutes i got my VISA. yeaaaaa...so much trouble for a sticker in my passport. Barely made it to airport for the flight back.
Next, tickets. After much research, the most convenient flight to Vancouver from KUL was found through Orbitz ; itinerary to and fro read:
a. KUL - Taipei via EVA Airways
b. Taipei - YVR via Air Canada (serviced by EVA Airways) and likewise return
There were a few other choices but didnt fit my flight from Miri (MYY). which was via MAS Thank god Msian dont need a visa to Taipei or i would have given up right about now. I'm pretty sure my Basic Mandarin Classes i've attended would get me by while in transit.
Then, the leave......erm, BOSS, can i go on leave for 3 weeks???? SMACK!! SMACK!! Actually, year end holidays are best because of the many public holidays Msian enjoys. Plus all the weekends, i only had to apply for 13days leave for a trip from 18th December to 8th January. And he approved!! Yeaaaaaaaaaahhhh CANADA here i come....
1. Its gonna take me nearly 2 days of travel and i really do not like not having to shower for 2 days
2. I have to make the journey alone not to mention the hassle of getting a tourist visa when you are traveling alone
3. To make it worthwhile (damn tickets were expensive) i had to stay at least min. 3 weeks...i only have 20days leave/year
First and foremost, VISA. No VISA NO GO and i aint talking about a credit card here. Do your research online at Canada Immigration Website, read read read, then go to your specific country's embassy's page, read all the instructions, download all the forms and follow exactly what the forms prescribed and requested and you'll be fine.
Despite the option of mailing in your application you still have to pick up your passport in person. Therefore i decided to fly to KL and do it in person. That's another leave day used....and i havent even started my actual trip.
Canadian Embassy in MSIA is located at Menara Tan and Tan, its near the Tabung Haji Building and easily accessible via LRT (plus minus a few minutes walk). In the hot sun, not such a hot idea. I went early in the morning as instructed on website as pick up would be in the afternoon) What they forgot to mention was submit application means just dropping it off and come back around 2pm for the verdict. I didnt plan to do anything else while in KL. :'(. Luckily KLCC was nearby so bfast/lunch/people watching at Dome it is with BFF joining me later. Owh, by the way, to enter the embassy's office you pretty much have to go through an ala airport security check, scanned, scanned bags...handphone confiscated, okay okay, put away in tiny lockers. They were amazed i had 3...but the securities were nice and friendly...so okaylah...
Back at 2pm, was told to sit and wait...luckily i bought the twilight saga, finished the 2nd book while at Dome and thus i have the 3rd to read. (yes, i devour books like chocolates). Finally around 3.30pm, the officer called me in for an interview. Eeeerrrr....how come those before me no interview one?? Is it because of my 3 phones? or because i am traveling alone...actually it's because i didn't attached a Letter of Invitation from my host. But i did bring it, i just didnt attached because it wasnt signed since he emailed it to me. But as the officer said, any supporting documents will help. VERY IMPORTANT: To prove you have a job here in MSIA and will come back. I love my HR for writing such a detailed letter for me. We had a nice chat, very nice fella, be prepared to answer personal Q's. He even said i can apply for PR based on my credentials and work experience. What a lovely chap who detained me for an hour when i have a flight to Miri to catch at 8:40pm and KL will be jam right about now. But in the end, he told me to wait outside and within 15minutes i got my VISA. yeaaaaa...so much trouble for a sticker in my passport. Barely made it to airport for the flight back.
Next, tickets. After much research, the most convenient flight to Vancouver from KUL was found through Orbitz ; itinerary to and fro read:
a. KUL - Taipei via EVA Airways
b. Taipei - YVR via Air Canada (serviced by EVA Airways) and likewise return
There were a few other choices but didnt fit my flight from Miri (MYY). which was via MAS Thank god Msian dont need a visa to Taipei or i would have given up right about now. I'm pretty sure my Basic Mandarin Classes i've attended would get me by while in transit.
Then, the leave......erm, BOSS, can i go on leave for 3 weeks???? SMACK!! SMACK!! Actually, year end holidays are best because of the many public holidays Msian enjoys. Plus all the weekends, i only had to apply for 13days leave for a trip from 18th December to 8th January. And he approved!! Yeaaaaaaaaaahhhh CANADA here i come....
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