Canadian visa at the border?

[zaplaje]

Hi, after almost 7 month on the road I finally arrived in Seattle. From Santiago in Chile to Ushuaia to here. My plans are make it to Alaska but I aply for the visa in Chile and they refuse me. Now Im in Seattle, tomorrow I will go to the consulate to try to talk with somebody or aply again but I just find out that they don't receive any people!!! Just Mail!!!

It's all over for me or I have another option? (ferry isn't an option, too expensive). I was thinking in just go to the border and try... Maybe cry or something

Anybody had any experiences or ideas, advices? Thanks!

[MountainMan]

Sorry to hear about your problems.

Heading to the border is not really an option, they don't really hand out visas there as they would in many South American countries.

First choice would be to search out a Canadian consulate that will at least take your call so you can figure out your next step. It can take a few tries, but if you can actually get a live person it can be quite helpful.

Address:1501 4th Ave., Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98101-4328Tel:206-443-1777
Fax:206-443-9662
Email:seatl@international.gc.ca
Contact:Edith St-Hilaire
Title:Senior Trade Commissioner
Description:Official Consulate

Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada

Next, I would try some of the visa service agencies in Seattle. They may not be able to help you directly as you are not a resident of the US, but they are a good source for information on costs and how long it can take to process a visa.

Here's some general guidelines from one of the visa service companies, probably doesn't apply to you as it says that this one only caters to US residents but some useful background info.

Canada visa for Chile passport holder living in United States

Lastly, I would try to contact the Chilean embassy/consulate to see if the can offer any advice.

General Consulate of Chile in Seattle
Governor Lane,
Olympia, 98501.
(306) 754-8747

or try:

Consulate General of Chile in British Columbia, Canada
1610 West Georgia St
V6E 4E6
Vancouver
British Columbia
Canada
Phone:
+1-604-681-9162
+1-604-683-9181
Fax:
+1-604-682-2445
Email:
cgchile.vancouver@minrel.gov.cl
Website URL:
www.chilevan.ca

Other than that, ferry around or flying over are your other options even though they can be expensive as you point out. Hope it all works out for you.

[zaplaje]

thanks for your tips... I tried in the Canadian consulate in Seattle but they can't do anything. Im waiting a response from the chilean consulate in Vancouver and tomorrow we will go directly to the border any way, it´s so close... and who knows, maybe we have a little miracle there.

[cruiser guy]

What was the initial reason you were refused in Chile? Have you done/fixed whatever made them refuse you the first time?

Sometimes you just need to be persistent in a friendly way.