A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

Today was my last work day this week. So, on the way home from BCIT, I stopped in uptown New Westminster to have passport photos taken.

Again it's time for that ritual! Canadian passports are only valid for five years. At this time, rather than just a renewal, the whole process must be completed over again. If I had the chance to wait another month, I would be eligible for the slightly relaxed procedures that are due to come into effect. But as there have been long delays, and as I want the new one by mid-September, I chose to initiate the process now. This means I still need to go through the process of having a guarantor from the professions sign the form, verify the photos, and vouch for me.

After getting the photos, I drove home, parked outside, and ran up to get my completed application form. In the morning, I had used Passport Canada's online method to fill in the data and print the forms myself. I had to run back uptown to my doctor's office to drop off the paper work, so he can act as guarantor.

Tomorrow, I hope to get it back from the doc and drop off the application at the Surrey passport office. It will mean turning in my current one. It seems a little silly to have to be without one in order to get a new one. I'm not quite sure how the country is safer because of the required procedures.

Labels: government, passport, Surrey

This fall, it'll already be time to renew my passport. Happily, I don't have to start the process at the moment. Beginning from Tuesday, the rules for air travel into the United States will require a passport, and this means the Canadian offices are hopping. In a year it will be required even for travel by road. This sort of puts an end to the long-held belief about having the longest undefended border in the world, eh?

I remember being able to do a large part of the application process online in 2002. So, I looked around government sites and rediscovered epass Canada. If one takes the time to fill out everything on your computer, the completed application form can be printed on a local printer. Then, one just drops off or sends in the form and supporting documents at the nearest passport office.

I also found out that the epass can be used for services on the Canada Revenue Agency. There is further security as they needed to send me an additional code for their site. It allows residents to check on previous tax returns as well make changes to some personal data.

Labels: Canada, government, passport, YouTube

Visitors to Sri Lanka can get an automatic, 30-day visa upon arrival at the Colombo airport. We're planning to tour there in September and October, so we applied for two-month visas in Canada. We figured that would be easier as it would prevent us from having to renew in Colombo during the middle of our trip.

I sent off our applications, passports, photos, and ticket copies last Friday. It was regular Express Post and arrived in Ottawa on Monday morning! The Sri Lankan High Commission issued them very quickly and the postman knocked and delivered them at the door yesterday morning. Now that's service!


I first visited Sri Lanka in 1986 when we rented a car for two weeks and
I quickly learned to drive on 'wrong' side of the road. After finishing
a job in Saudi, I stayed there during August and September of 1987.
Then in 1988, we travelled in Lanka and the Maldives. Finally in 1991,
I spent a few days there on the way to Thailand. It's been a long time
since my last visit. Surely, things have changed a lot; I have.

Labels: passport, Sri Lanka 2004, travel planning, world

Businesses and organizations need to practice a little email etiquette. (I even have a few friends who could learn a thing or two.) Upon arrival, an immediate message should be returned acknowledging receipt. It should state either the expected response or reference when a subsequent response will be forthcoming. Here's one for which I've been waiting for nearly a week ...

From: Dennis Sylvester Hurd
To: Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 15:45:24 -0700
Subject: Re: from Sri Lanka High Commission/ Ottawa

To: Consular Services, SL High Commission, Ottawa

Thank you for your help and previous email. I am aware that 30-day
visitor visas can be obtained at the airport. However, as stated in
my previous messages, we wish to spend about 60 days there. We've
purchased tickets which show we will arrive on September 2nd and will
depart on October 26th. This is more than the 30 days. As we expect
to travel extensively, it may not be convenient to return to Colombo
in the middle of our journey for visa renewal. It would certainly be
excellent if we were to have the necessary visas in our passport
before our departure.

The following paragraph is taken from your web site
http://www.srilankahcottawa.org:

========================================
Visa for Tourists
Canadian Tourists visiting Sri Lanka will be given visas free of
charge valid up to 30 days at the port of entry. They should have
valid Passports, return air tickets and funds for the stay at the rate
of C$30.00 per day, per person. Those wishing to stay longer should
either obtain a prior visa from this High Commission or, having
entered Sri Lanka with free 30 day visa at the airport, get it
extended on payment of the fee of C$75.00 at the Department of
Immigration and Emigration, Colombo.
========================================

As we wish to stay longer, I would like to know if it is possible to
'obtain a prior visa from this High Commission". I certainly hope
that you can provide additional details which will make our vacation
successful and enjoyable.

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this matter.

Labels: government, passport