Is use of Visa Application Centre (VAC) mandatory?

[penguins]

Hello,

In August 2015 we received a letter requesting a police clearance which we provided. In that letter, they indicated:

Documents requested in its original form, e.g. police certificates, must be submitted to thru either of the following options:

1. Visa Application Centres (VACs)
For more information, visit [link redacted by forum software]/canada/Philippines/index.html

2. Courier
To: Embassy of Canada
ATTN: Visa Section
Level 6, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200
Philippines

In June 2016, we received a letter requesting an updated police clearance (as the previous one has now expired). In this letter they indicated:

Documents requested in its original form, e.g. police certificates, must be submitted to thru:

Visa Application Centres (VACs)
For more information, visit [link redacted by forum software]/canada/Philippines/index.html

Does this mean we *must* use the Visa Application Centre, or will they still accept it if I use a courier to send the police clearance directly to the address used before?

Thank you everyone!

 

[Aquakitty]

I don't know the answer unfortunately, but what's the issue with just couriering it to the VAC? They are both in the same city apparently.

 

[penguins]

I don't know the answer unfortunately, but what's the issue with just couriering it to the VAC?

Because reading the VAC web page [redacted by forum software]/canada/Philippines/how_to_apply.html it adds about 10 additional steps and forms and fees in order to use them. They have several checklists above and beyond the CIC checklists just to courier a simple document.

 

[Aquakitty]

All I'm seeing is [redacted by forum software]. Can you put it in a link forwarder or put spaces or dashes in the link?

 

[penguins]

Sure, let's try again, just remove the spaces:

VFS Global: h t t p : / / w w w . v f s g l o b a l . c a /canada/Philippines/index.html
Requirements: h t t p : / / w w w . v f s g l o b a l . c a /canada/Philippines/how_to_apply.html

Thanks for the super-fast replies

 

[Aquakitty]

Hmm, I thought that wasn't too bad, but do they charge the $19.50 on top of the $8.54 document fee? That's ridiculous!

The checklist is just a signature and a check mark on the relevant circle and you can courier it right to them.... if the fee is only the $8.54 that's not too bad I guess.

I suggest asking on the Manila thread about sending docs to the embassy if you don't want to pay the fee.