Embassy of Canada

The worst embassy ever. I have travelled to many countries but never had a nightmare experience like i had with Canada. Last year i sent my docs to NYC consulate but they disappeared with my passport for over a month. Not only did i need to cancel my trip but also i had to pay for a travel to nyc to chase after my passport. This year i bought air canada ticket going to tokyo via toronto international airport. My next connecting flight was within an hour and i didnt need to go through immigration. At the check in counter i was refused an entry bc i need a transit visa to fly over canada!!! Canada might be the only country in the world that requires a visa for connecting international flights. I am appalled by the fact that no information was provided prior to my trip. No other airports require a visa for connecting flight. Once again Canada cost me enormous amount of money. I wish they could be held accountable for wasting people’s time and money. I really really advise you to avoid Canada all together.

This review is based on my experience trying to get a Tourist visa. I am a G-​4 visa, for a non-​profit organization. So first of all, the information in the website is totally inaccurate. You need to fill up a form electronically but then you need to print it and take it to them, together with a letter from my organization what wait! oh! that doesn’t say that on the webpage. So my second visit was to leave all my information, the application, the letter, two pictures and my passport. They told me to wait for a week to be ready. When I came back, the person said she tried to reach me??? she has my phone numbers both cell and work and no voicemail I received! Only to say that my visa is not ready because I haven’t paid a fee. What? on the webpage states that for less than two days the fee is cero. Ok I said so I need to bring a money order for $ 90, the next day when I gave the check, oh, she said AGAIN I have to wait one more week to process the visa. And is perfect just on the same week I am supposed to travel AU Canada! We will see. Hopefully, next Tuesday my passport is ready, otherwise I will have to cancel my travel plans! So frustrating!

Here’s something important about the Canadian Embassy I’m surprised no one has noted: The rotunda/​pavilion (I’m no architect, I’m sure it has a precise name) in the front of the building is actually an astonishingly awesome echo chamber that not only magnifies the tiniest sound, but keeps it contained almost entirely within the dome. The best way to take advantage of this fact is to construct a time machine, travel back to Nov 12, 2000, and join me at the Canadian Embassy around midnight with my group of inebriated college friends as we sing the South Park hit classic «Blame Canada» at the top of our lungs.
There’s a very interesting sculpture in front of the building as well. This is one of the best places to get thrown out of in all of Washington.

This is the most beautiful embassy in the best location in Washington. On Pennsylvania Avenue across from the East Wing of the National Gallery and next to the Museum.
Security is good, quick and, as befits Canada, consistently polite. But no exceptions are made for rank or nationality.
Once you get past all the security checks and your escort has arrived to take you to your meeting, you go though a plexiglass security chamber controlled by a Canadian (RCMP?) security official. The officer opens door one and you step in. Door one closes and locks and the official makes sure everything is in order before s/​he opens the door that actually lets you into the working part of the building. At no point are both doors open at once.
I call that good security.
The office are modern and functional, not ornate.
Note: All kinds of barriers are up on Pennsylvania Avenue along the route of the inaugural parade. Getting to the door of the embassy is a bit of a challenge.

This review is based ONLY on my experience to obtain a tourist visa at the Canadian embassy.
Important NOTE: The Canadian Embassy in DC DOES NOT grant tourist visas anymore.
I wish they had posted this in bold on their website. Its posted somewhere on their bulletin board (may have changed now). But about 3 weeks ago, their website still gave instructions on how to obtain a tourist visa in person.
I went there on Dec 21^st, 2012 with all my paper work. Parking was easy to find on the adjacent street. As we entered the visa section of the embassy, we were «welcomed» by a very rude lady. She simply told us that they don’t give out visas anymore, gave us some sheets of paper and asked us to leave. When I told her this is not mentioned on the main website, she gave me another handout telling me its listed in the bulletin. Really? People are now supposed to subscribe to bulletin news from embassies?
First of all, I am shocked that an embassy located in the capital of the US does not grant tourist visas anymore. Secondly, what an attitude. Do they not want people to visit their country?
Total turnoff for me. If I didn’t want to visit my friend in Canada, I wouldn’t even bother mailing my documents to the New York Canadian Consulate (that is another story/​review).

The Canadian Embassy has very TIGHT security. I don’t think the President himself could get in if his name wasn’t on the list.
I went to a event hosted by the Canadian Embassy and the personnel were very lovely to work with. The security clearance and the bag check occurred painlessly. They have a big multi-​purpose room and it was dim and loud. They have a big screen and projector to watch short clips. They also have a few abstract paintings on the wall of the room, but nothing too fancy. The bathrooms and coat check are downstairs of the MP room. When the event ends, the cleaning crew will start clearing people out on the dot, it seems a bit rude but that’s how the Canadians roll. It was a fun evening and the Canadian Embassy was an uptight, but otherwise lovely host.
Also, it is by the Green/​Red line on the Metro but it’s a good 5 minute walk.

I’ve been to the Embassy for a variety of events — wine tastings, a dance, happy hour, game watching, and Canada Day. Its a very nice building with a basement /​ground floor that has a cinema and their museum. The multipurpose room/​auditorium is pretty big and can hold quite a few people. The cafeteria has a TV and can fit about 40 people or so for a party.
They always have excellent food — poutine, sliders, maple flavoured salmon — and good beer — usually Molson Canadian, but there’s been times when they have Keith’s or a Unibroue keg.
All in all, its a nice place. I just wish the museum was open later that 5pm, as it seems I never get to see their exhibits except during Canada Day!

I attended a training workshop at the Canadian Embassy all day last Thursday, and I was truly pleased with their facilities and amenities. There is a small theater in which presentations are made, a multi purpose room that our luncheon was held in, and various offices beyond the public area.
The building is more new than old and the staff is friendly. They hosted us for a post-​training reception, where I got to sample some of their white wine.
It’s metro accessible!