Visa Center

This is by far the worst company I’ve ever dealt with. Believe me it’s a very cliché saying but it took a lot of my patience and money to say something like that.
It seems the employees at VisaCenter Toronto have never learnt what customer service and product knowledge is all about, starting with the receptionist whose head doesn’t know what her tail is doing. She is always dumbfounded and speaks with a lot of uhhhsss n ummmmms.
Towards end of February I had applied for a Schengen visa for travel during second week of April and upon acceptance of my application I received an email saying that it’s too early and it’ll be put on hold till the required date.
Couple of weeks later I get the package with required forms n checklist of VFS for my visa appointment and wait for it, my visa interview was in OTTAWA. I called them stating that while applying I had chosen Toronto as I live there so why on earth was I assigned Ottawa? The agent replied that it’s the jurisdiction that chooses the centre and that was something which didn’t sound convincing. By now it was too late to withdraw my application as my travel dates were getting closer.
So as stupid as I may look, I drove to VFS Ottawa with all my required documents and upon meeting the officer working there I was charged their visa fee with taxes which mind you’ll I had paid VISACENTER when I’d applied for Schengen visa on day 1 and I had the receipt to prove it as well.
It seems VFS — the official Visa application center for most countries do not recognize VISACENTER as their affiliates which means VISACENTER is running some sort of a scam and someone needs to put a stop to their horrible practices.
Also the officer at VFS told me that it takes 15 days for the consulate to approve my application and dispatch my passport and I had barely a week left before I could travel.
Luckily my application was accepted in no time and I could travel hassle free.
I had a wonderful vacation but not at the cost of what I went through and I urge every individual to please read this review before giving VISACENTER your business.

this review is only for the receptionist at the Finch Ave W location. I went in to apply for a business visa to China.
Upon entering the office, the receptionist did not greet or acknowledge me. I told her I was here to apply for a visa, and she stared at me blankly until I asked her what she needs from me. Throughout the entire interaction she was indifferent and didn’t seem to care about helping the customer at all.
Needless to say my first impression of Visa Center is very poor thanks to this receptionist who doesn’t seem to want to do her job.
I called in later to make a correction to my document and I waited on the phone for more than half an hour. I would not be surprised if the phone is on mute so she doesn’t have to do her job.

— very quick and easy process for getting visas for many countries without having to wait at an embassy or consulate.
— go online and download the application form (they’re good at answering any questions about the process and any classifiers on the content of the application)
— drop off at their office (they take photos if the application needs a photo as well)
— got my visa for china in 4 days
— they also have an email service that emails you as your application goes through the various stages (i.e. rec’d, submitted to embassy, processed and ready for pickup)
— they also charge if you dont want to pick up and prefer to have it couriered to you.
— 100% recommend.
— show up at 8am to get in and out quick!

That was quick. My 6 day turn around ended up being more like 5 days. Leave an email address and Visa Center sends you regular updates about your visa status. Pick up is simple. Drop by before 6 pm. Ring the bell again. Your passport with its neat China tourist visa is all ready to go.
I’m not sure if they have Saturday pickup. The email announcing my visa was ready indicated:
«Mon-​Fri (except holidays) from 11 am to 5 pm.»
5 pm is the closure time for many of their branch offices but their main HQ (this location) indicates they’re open until 6 pm and Saturdays. I’ll ding them a star for a bit of inconsistency in information. Don’t sweat the star ding. Hey, there are only two things perfect in this world: Windsor pizza and Elaine K’s grimace!