> Wow, this is a great deal of burden that for sure I didn't have to do
> last time :-( Not sure why, maybe the laws changed or something. It is
> crystal clear that I have to do it this time however.
I think you're overreacting guys... I would first try and go to the
nearest Canadian embassy and try to get the visa. I bet in most of the
cases they will just issue it without any invitation letter and the
like... if not, only then worry about it ;-)
I'm also citizen from one of the countries (Romania) which require visas
to most of the world (or it required, the situation's relaxing in this
respect), and I never had any problems getting one. Or maybe it changed
after 9/11 ?
Cheers,
Csaba.