This Visa turned out much harder and painful experience than I had predicted… Reports online stated a problem-free process, visa in one day, no problem. My experience was much different, to make it one of the worst Visas I requested in Africa!
I Arrived at the Embassy of South Sudan first thing 8 am on a Tuesday, hoping to be able to get it same day. Arriving there in their shiny new embassy, which at first sight looked pretty organized, the reception guy actually took all my documents, which consisted in Copy of Passport, 2 Photos, and the form. Pretty long 4-page form, but filled it up quickly, and the guy was like “thanks, come back Thursday”… Having traveled in over 40 countries in Africa, I was suspicious and asked him, “are you sure everything is fine,” and also asked if I could get the visa same day or next day… The Clear answer was, “you’ll get it on thursday”. Alright…
Coming back on a Thursday, and the embassy is closed! WTF… I tell security guards that I need my passport anyway, Visa or no because I’m flying out during the weekend! There was even staff that were there just hanging out with their kids from the school next door, They are like “nope… it’s closed…” One guy even goes back in the embassy to check and I see him with my form with my picture on it in his hands, and he runs back inside to put it back saying, “I cant do anything”… And leaves! So the embassy decides to close doors without telling beforehand… that had a massive impact on my schedule, had to cancel travel plan and wait 3 days later, since the embassy is also closed on Fridays and Saturdays, keeping my passport as hostage. Overall, a bunch of people there and just not wanting to help… One guy says to come back Monday and promised I would get my visa.
Monday comes and I get to the embassy early, the same reception guy comes with this arrogant attitude telling me some documents are missing and I need a letter from embassy! WHHHAT!! Its now 5 days later and only now does he come up with this?? I calmly explain this issue has come up for years and they know that the Canadian embassy don’t issue it.. he didn’t care… He told me to go anyway and get anything from them. The guy was clearly playing around making me waist even more time…
Went to the Canadian embassy, and got them to send an email that I printed, saying “WE DONT ISSUE LETTERS…”.
Next day back at the embassy, they still didn’t accept that, saying they needed a letter from the embassy… WTF!
I told the guy that because of this I lost one flight, and all my travel plans had to change because of his stupid mistake. He finally got me to meet with the assistant ambassador, in a fancy room which told me they had no proof I was the guy on the passport… that the passport was real… that’s why they needed the letter! The guy really looked dumb… and clearly didn’t know how to deal with visas… If they give this trouble all the time to each person wanting to come to South Sudan, they won’t go anywhere…
Anyway, I kept my calm, pushed a joke or two, won their confidence, and the guy just stamped my passport… I was just sick of there careless attitude and plainly acted innocent and joked around just to get the hell out of there with my Visa…
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