When she just doesn't get it

[Blues Fairy]

It's better if she brings them data of a specified hotel and flights, so they will officially book them.

I never bothered with agencies at all; I found the accommodations online, paid for them with cc or bank transfer, got booking/payment confirmation by fax, printed out the tentative itinerary, and got my Shengen visas without a problem.  In case the guy does the booking/paying, the lady has even less to worry about; all that's necessary is to send her the hotel confirmation showing the dates of stay and her name on it, et voilà!  Important to visit the web page of the embassy and double-check the requirements, especially the list of docs and the waiting times.  

[Blues Fairy]

I mentioned a couple of nice hotels to her.  Then I learn that the hotel is being booked in a city 50 km from the original city.

Thus my questions. It seemed to me that the travel agent was locked into using a certain hotel, based on a possible agreement between them.

Of course agents have agreements with particular hotels, that's why it's better not to use agents if you prefer flexibility.  Ask your GF if she can annul the contract with the agency and cancel the bookings - with a penalty, if sticking to your preferences is worth it.  If she has already paid, she should have the contract in hand and the termination clauses should be spelled out in it.  

[brave girl]

In case the guy does the booking/paying, the lady has even less to worry about; all that's necessary is to send her the hotel confirmation showing the dates of stay and her name on it, et voilà!

Sorry to disagree!!
Nice Russian girl can make confirmation and book holiday in two times the less amount than American man pays!!
It is truth!!   brave girl

[CanadaMan]

Of course agents have agreements with particular hotels, that's why it's better not to use agents if you prefer flexibility.  Ask your GF if she can annul the contract with the agency and cancel the bookings - with a penalty, if sticking to your preferences is worth it.  If she has already paid, she should have the contract in hand and the termination clauses should be spelled out in it.  

Thanks BF, will do.
I just have one big question for you.

By your last two posts, it sounds like there were no problems whatsoever for you to get Schengen visas on your own, in the past. I assume you were referring to before you were married when you were still living in the FSU.

I was under the assumption that it was very difficult for a FSU woman to obtain a Schengen visa, thus the necessity to use the services of a travel agent to go the "tour group' method.

Just as Canada and the U.S. would be flooded with FSU women if they could easily obtain tourist visas to our countries, I thought that the same would hold true for western Europe?

[Blues Fairy]

I was under the assumption that it was very difficult for a FSU woman to obtain a Schengen visa, thus the necessity to use the services of a travel agent to go the "tour group' method.

The consulates make no distinction between agency-submitted and independent applications.  The person and her circumstances will still be the same regardless of the way she applies.  The only advantage of the agency is that they take her money in cash and do all the booking and money transfers themselves; plus they may have discounts with certain hotels but they'll surcharge for their service and thus eat up the discount.  

But for the Shengen visa, she'll still have to present all the proof of employment etc., whether she goes through an agency or not.  Therefore, if you are not afraid to handle the booking and logistics yourself, it makes no sense to employ an agency.

[OlgaH]

I was under the assumption that it was very difficult for a FSU woman to obtain a Schengen visa, thus the necessity to use the services of a travel agent to go the "tour group' method.

The main reasons for the Schengen visa refusal  are:

- criminal record or being under judicial investigation
- lack of finances
- suspicion about desire to emigrate.

For example if a woman's boyfriend will pay for a hotel there can be some questions regarding that.

[Gator]

Schengen visas are easy.  A Mexiccan travel visa is much more difficult. 

Speaking of Mexico,

Gator, your viewing Mexico on your beliefs and not as of a Russian woman who may not speak English.

True, yet my wife absolutely loves Mexico, 20x more than Egypt and Turkey.

You also tend to like things an old man would like...Not being negative here but you like things my parents like to do.

   I'll take it as a measure of respect.  Yes, today I enjoy seeing the sun rise only when going fishing or making an early tee time.  My days of walkabout trips in Ethiopia and Afghanistan are done.  Night clubs become tedious after a couple of hours.  I am afraid that I would bore you.

Best resorts in Turkey charge more than 2,000 usd a day per person.  Did you really drop 25,000 usd a week???

Nope, nowhere close but after 3 prior trips to Antalya I wanted something better and booked the "best" available thru a FSU travel agent.   My negative opinion is tainted by the fact my companion made the trip the "vacation from hell."

If you really want to see culture, nature, and history why go to Mexico.  Go more south a better option.

What?  Peru?  Been there.  Che's motorcycle route? It helped to have a business partner from Mexico who took me off the beaten path, frequently to private land.  Perhaps if I had the same contact elsewhere...

[Blues Fairy]

For example if a woman's boyfriend will pay for a hotel there can be some questions regarding that.

How is that suspicious if the boyfriend is a citizen of a completely different country?

They watch out for the intent to immigrate, not emigrate, no?

[CanadaMan]

The consulates make no distinction between agency-submitted and independent applications.  The person and her circumstances will still be the same regardless of the way she applies.  The only advantage of the agency is that they take her money in cash and do all the booking and money transfers themselves; plus they may have discounts with certain hotels but they'll surcharge for their service and thus eat up the discount.  

But for the Shengen visa, she'll still have to present all the proof of employment etc., whether she goes through an agency or not.  Therefore, if you are not afraid to handle the booking and logistics yourself, it makes no sense to employ an agency.

Thanks BF. Now this is getting really interesting!

What you have just told me about the distinction between applying for a Schengen using an agent or doing it yourself is exactly the same if one were to apply for a tourist visa to travel to Canada.

That is, an agent would do basically the same work that an individual would.

BUT... there has to be more to it than that!

As I stated, the vast majority of single FSU who would apply for a tourist visa to Canada, on their own, would be rejected, plain and simple.
Using the services of an agent would end with the same result UNLESS....

Unless, the agent has some 'inside pull' only privy to special people.
Or if the agent goes the 'organized tour' route. That is, organizes a 'group' of people to travel together, thus appeasing Canadian officials that the complete 'group' would leave the country when it stated it would.

And so I thought the same would apply for western Europe with their Schengen visa system.

My Russian GF, has a steady job. That's it!
Are you saying that on the basis of that, and that alone, she would easily get a Schengen visa to travel to Europe if she applied for one on her own???

[OlgaH]

They watch out for the intent to immigrate, not emigrate, no?

Thank you, I corrected.

Oxford dictionary:
immigrate

  • verb come to live permanently in a foreign country.

  — DERIVATIVES immigration noun.

emigrate

  • verb leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another.

  — DERIVATIVES emigration noun.

  — ORIGIN Latin emigrare, from migrare ‘migrate’.

  — ORIGIN Latin immigrare.

[Blues Fairy]

As I stated, the vast majority of single FSU who would apply for a tourist visa to Canada, on their own, would be rejected, plain and simple.  Using the services of an agent would end with the same result UNLESS....
Unless, the agent has some 'inside pull' only privy to special people.

I think it's a myth.  Though I have no experience with the Canadian consulate.  
The agency may have a pull on the waiting times (in case there's an N-week waiting line to submit a visa app), but hardly on the decision making regarding a particular application.

My Russian GF, has a steady job. That's it!  Are you saying that on the basis of that, and that alone, she would easily get a Schengen visa to travel to Europe if she applied for one on her own???

I used to.  A passport with a few prior properly used Shengens or visas of other countries in her passport might help as well.  

[Blues Fairy]

Thank you, I corrected.

I still don't see why a girl who has a Canadian boyfriend could pose any danger to any European country.  It's obvious that even if she should emigrate, she would more likely end up in Canada than in Europe.

[Gator]

I want to say the tee box looks a lot like Jack Nicklaus' Cabo Del Sol's Ocean Course's (I love that course) 17th tee but hard for me to see the greenside left bunker to be certain.

Good eye. It is the Nicklaus couse.  It is a par 4, and I thought it was the 18th.  4 years ago so can't recall.  Some more photos of the course.

Even with my open hips I tended to hit a high draw, hence I am aligned to the right.  Interesting, after seeing this photo I made some corrections such as lowering my hands, not opening my hips, and standing slightly more erect with weight more on the balls of the feet.  Result - a slight cut that finds the fairway fairly regularly, yet sacrificing about 15 yds of length.

[RussianWind]

Agencies have agreements with certain hotels for their groups and own tours. If a client insist, they can book any avialible hotel the same way as we do - throught the internet or whatever. A client brings them money afterall.

I always get my visas myself. The reason why Canadaman's girfriend is better to use a travel agency is that she lives in Perm and needs to travel long way personally to a consulate, I guess to Moscow. I think it's not what they both want.

[RussianWind]

What you have just told me about the distinction between applying for a Schengen using an agent or doing it yourself is exactly the same if one were to apply for a tourist visa to travel to Canada.

That is, an agent would do basically the same work that an individual would.

BUT... there has to be more to it than that!

As I stated, the vast majority of single FSU who would apply for a tourist visa to Canada, on their own, would be rejected, plain and simple.
Using the services of an agent would end with the same result UNLESS....

Visas to Canada are not so hard as it used to be. BUT... a visa officer must be sure that an applicant can afford this trip without limitating his/her needs. That means your girfriend must show really significant income, which I guess she doesn't have.

Unless, the agent has some 'inside pull' only privy to special people.

They are cheaters. They get money from a client and apply documents. If a client gets the visa, they say they did it. If not - the officer was not in a mood or whatever. This system works for years concerning a Canadian visa.

[CanadaMan]

... If a client insist, they can book any avialible hotel the same way as we do - throught the internet or whatever. A client brings them money afterall.

OK thanks RW that's good to know.

...The reason why Canadaman's girfriend is better to use a travel agency is that she lives in Perm and needs to travel long way personally to a consulate, I guess to Moscow. I think it's not what they both want.

Thanks, I didn't know that she would need to travel to Moscow otherwise.
Yes a travel agent in our case would definitely be better then.

[CanadaMan]

Visas to Canada are not so hard as it used to be. BUT... a visa officer must be sure that an applicant can afford this trip without limitating his/her needs. That means your girfriend must show really significant income, which I guess she doesn't have.

They are cheaters. They get money from a client and apply documents. If a client gets the visa, they say they did it. If not - the officer was not in a mood or whatever. This system works for years concerning a Canadian visa.

Talk about hijacking a thread! Sorry about that Xman. 

You are correct again RW, my GF does not have significant income at all.
In fact her paychecks are spent almost all at once with little or nothing left to deposit in her bank account.

A little more info on the impetus for this trip.

Our first thought was to try for a Canadian visit, using the services of a travel agent.
The same agent looked into it and said they could probably do it in 5 weeks.

I asked what were the alternatives. Thus a Schengen visa came up for a trip to Europe and this could be had in just two weeks.
I preferred this choice.
Then I learned that a Schengen was still needed for a Canadian visa application (not sure why really) so the Europe trip will be the first step in her application to get a Canadian visa.

[RussianWind]

Then I learned that a Schengen was still needed for a Canadian visa application (not sure why really) so the Europe trip will be the first step in her application to get a Canadian visa.

It's not. When you fill the visa form you mention in which countries you've been before. More travelling abroad - more guarantee that this person is not a potential immigrant.

I think in your case it's better to collect all papers of your trips (and e-mails after reading the Viking's story) for the future.

[RussianWind]

Try a Canadian visa. Invite her to visit you, not like a tour. And please don't use any agencies which promise to help with the visa. Nothing horrible will happen if she is refused.

[UTRO]

I should warn not to do this. There are some travel agencies what "forget" to book a hotel on a client's name. There are some fanatic visa officers who make call to these hotels and if the booking is not confirmed, they refuse with the visa. The agency tells to a client that the conulate didn't give the visa for unknow reason and they grab the money in any case - either she gets the visa or not.

It's better if she brings them data of a specified hotel and flights, so they will officially book them.

RW, I agree with you, If the person has no previous Schengen Visas.

[UTRO]

Agencies have agreements with certain hotels for their groups and own tours. If a client insist, they can book any avialible hotel the same way as we do - throught the internet or whatever. A client brings them money afterall.

I always get my visas myself. The reason why Canadaman's girfriend is better to use a travel agency is that she lives in Perm and needs to travel long way personally to a consulate, I guess to Moscow. I think it's not what they both want.

She could use Pony Express, no?

[RussianWind]

She could use Pony Express, no?

Agreements only with the US, Canadian, Estonian and Latvian consulates.

[GQBlues]

Good eye. It is the Nicklaus couse.  It is a par 4, and I thought it was the 18th.  4 years ago so can't recall.  Some more photos of the course.

Even with my open hips I tended to hit a high draw, hence I am aligned to the right.  Interesting, after seeing this photo I made some corrections such as lowering my hands, not opening my hips, and standing slightly more erect with weight more on the balls of the feet.  Result - a slight cut that finds the fairway fairly regularly, yet sacrificing about 15 yds of length.

It is. Par 17th is actually a Par 3 hole and the tee box was on the side of the downslope of the 16th green. You can't see the tee box from the picture of the 16th green shown here, but it should be on the back left-side of the green halfway down the slope.

I have a natural fade, which is why I try to cut shots although you're right, holes like these should be played with a draw.

The boys played golf in the morning, then spent the afternoon with their wives/GFs. I took wifey horseback riding in the afternoon. All day long there were only us and a couple of whales out on that day. The sunset ride back to the stables was phenomenal!

I'm attaching our portrait done at El Squid Roe. I'm not sure how the artist actually knew what was on my mind.  Also, a picture of my personal Anna Rawson practicing. She will actually make a great player soon enough. Her setup is pretty darn good which allows her a sweet swinging motion - Lady Fred Couples, butter.

[SANDRO43]

Oxford dictionary:
immigrate
  • verb come to live permanently in a foreign country.
  — DERIVATIVES immigration noun.
emigrate
  • verb leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another.
  — DERIVATIVES emigration noun.
  — ORIGIN Latin emigrare, from migrare ‘migrate’.
  — ORIGIN Latin immigrare.

It's even simpler than that . Latin verb migrare = to depart, move, change place - hence the etymology:

Immigrate <-- migrare + in = to move into
Emigrate <-- migrare + ex = to move out of

Somenone emigrates from a country to immigrate into another. The confusion depends on the point of view: the relocating person sees him/herself at first as an emigrant (ex-iting from own country), and is seen by the receiving country as an immigrant (in-tering from abroad).

[OlgaH]

I still don't see why a girl who has a Canadian boyfriend could pose any danger to any European country.  It's obvious that even if she should emigrate, she would more likely end up in Canada than in Europe.

Blues Fairy,
I corrected my previous post because it cost nothing to make a person happy, I hope you are    but about the difference between immigration and emigration you can look here just for the sake of your own curiosity  
http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-immigration-and-emigration/

 When there is a foreign man involve there is also can be (as I wrote in my previous post "can be" it means it can be otherwise) a question who he is and how they met and actually the visa will depend mostly on a subjectivity of a consular officer due to the so popular associations with MOB and human traffic.  When a woman apply for a tourist visa and suddenly there is a foreign man (doesn't matter where he is from) who has paid for her expenses her real propose for getting a visa will be under question and there also can be a suspicion about her desire to immigrate into a country with a help (financial help) of the man.    

  
Sandro, sorry I did not see you post.