wtf kinda BS is this? British consulate charges $2.49/min to talk to a live person

[Aharami]

Im an US permanent resident looking to travel to Bermuda soon. A month or so before I go, I try to find out if I need to get a visa to travel to said country since Im not an US citizen. Ive had no problem finding out visa requirement info for all the countries Ive traveled to so far (Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Aruba). I also like a live person confirming my web findings and that have been free of charge and problems so far.

But Ive been trying to find out if I need a visa to travel to Bermuda. Bermuda doesnt have its own embassy since it's a British territory. Fine, go to the British consulate website (http://www.britainusa.com) and dig thru to find this

Holders of U.S. Alien Registration Cards DO NOT require a visa to visit Bermuda, British Virgin Islands or Cayman Island.

But what's confusing me is that right below that, they have

In order to apply for an Entry Clearance Visa to Visit the Overseas Territories you will need to supply all of the following documents in original form:

1. Application form completed online - click here.
2. Your passport (note: It should be the original document and have ample validity)
3. One passport size photograph (Click here for example)
4. Evidence of your Immigration Status in the USA. Please submit the original document. Copies will only delay your application. Examples inlcude:

[/b]-Alien Registration Card[/b]

-H1-B Visa

-Advance Parole Document ...

Why would they have alien registration card listed under visa requirements if permanent residents dont need a visa? So I want to confirm that US permanent residents dont need a visa from a live operator. I start digging for contact phone numbers and come across this

For further visa enquiries please contact ABTRAN, our commerical partner, at these numbers:

Holiday Opening Hours

1 900 990 8472 (Premium rate $2.49 per minute)

1 800 935 9993 (Credit card $2.49 per minute)

Calling from the UK? Please call:
0906 664 8472
Calls cost £1.50 per minute

Wtf kinda embassy charges you money to find out basic info?!?

Does anyone here know if US permanent residents need a visa to travel to Bermuda?

 

[Zolty]

Wtf kinda embassy charges you money to find out basic info?!?

The american embassy

 

[TheKub]

1. Pay 2.49/min to get the answer
2. Create adwords supported website listing that info
3. ??????
4. PROFIT!

 

[dainthomas]

Say thanks to the crappy exchange rate. It's only 1.5 £/min.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Say thanks to the crappy exchange rate. It's only 1.5 £/min.

it doesnt matter what the exchange rate is. Talking to a live embassy representative shouldnt cost you any money. At the very least, make it a local line so people just have to pay long distance rates. They shouldnt make you pay a premium rate to find out this info

 

[spaceman]

well you do probably get that sexy british accent.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: The Cornballer
well you do probably get that sexy british accent.

oh yea!

anyways. I found conclusive info here http://www.bermudatravelnet.com/tips/documents.html

Visas

Visas are not required except for Nationals from the following countries: Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, China (People's Republic of), Croatia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia (former), Georgia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kampuchea (Cambodia), Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, North Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Soviet Union (former), Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam (North & South), Yugoslavia (former) and Yugoslavia (Serbian Federal Republic of).

Note: any of the listed nationals who are permanent residents of the US or Canada holding a valid US Alien Registration Card or a valid proof of Canadian Landed Immigrant Status plus a valid Passport, do not require a visa to enter Bermuda.

However, persons requiring visas to enter other countries on departure from Bermuda must be in possession of the respective visas or transmit visas prior to arrival in Bermuda. Visas may be obtained from the Visa Section of a British Embassy or other British Foreign Service establishment abroad, i.e. a Consulate.

But british consulate charging you money to talk to a live person is still messed up.

 

[syee]

Originally posted by: Zolty

Wtf kinda embassy charges you money to find out basic info?!?

The american embassy

QFT! My dad called the US Embassy for visa requirements when he was going for a cruise. Cost him $7 to find out if he needed to get a visa before hand. (he's holding an Australian passport). Damn Americans!

 

[coolVariable]

Originally posted by: syee

Originally posted by: Zolty

Wtf kinda embassy charges you money to find out basic info?!?

The american embassy

QFT! My dad called the US Embassy for visa requirements when he was going for a cruise. Cost him $7 to find out if he needed to get a visa before hand. (he's holding an Australian passport). Damn Americans!

He must have been calling some cheap embassy. In Europe its something similar ridiculous per minute BUT NO LESS THAN 20EUR!!!

I hope the Queen's representatives follow in those footsteps and charge 20GBP!

 

[IAteYourMother]

well, I think the site refers to alien registration card except for US ones