Same thing happened to me (Ottawa embassy). 3 weeks heard nothing, then get a message to send more docs. This was 4 days before my flight. I sent what they needed right away and they told me it would take another few weeks to process. So ended up going visa exempt and had a 1 day overstay, which was waived. I eventually received the visa and luckily can you it for my next trip in January. So in the end I actually saved money LOL

@Paulo ********

well I don't have any bills to pay, but prompt pay does interest me.

@Stuart ********

thanks Stuart, for me a bank account would be nice to have but not essential and so not worth any extra cost to get it.

Honestly you'd have to be nuts to notify a public hospital. This is 2022, not 2020. "Covid" is a mere shadow of its former self...for most it's just a mild cold. Very few need meds or any medical attention.

@Steve *******

it's not "on my record" because it was waived. If they put it on your record there is a form they have you sign acknowledging you broke the law. I wasn't asked to sign that form.

@Brandon ***********

fyi I didn't rely on luck, my visa didn't get processed in time so had to enter visa exempt. I relied on the anecdotal experience of others. Had it been more than 1 day I would have got the extension. I was only sharing as an FYI, not giving anyone advice, nor am I encouraging others to "break the law"

@Saran **************

oh cool, thanks!

@Saran **************

thanks, how does "mobile banking " work... Are you talking about paying via QR code, or can you actually withdraw cash without an ATM card?

@Alastair *******************

thanks Alastair, yes I know about fees Wise charges the sender, Ive used Wise many times. But supposedly in some countries the recipients bank charges a fairly big fee for incoming foreign transfers.

@Frank *********

western Union rates are terrible....just did a comparison sending 1000CAD, extra 410THB with Wise