Indo-Canadian YouTube sensation Lilly Singh (better known as Superwoman) has run into visa trouble with the Indian consulate in Toronto.
As per Singh, she was initially assured of a one-year visa but has now been told that it would be valid for three months.
An annoyed Singh took to social media to express her grievances, tagging who else but twitter saviour and Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. She has also called Indian consulate in Toronto “the worst place on earth”.
The vlogger is set to visit India on a three-city tour to promote her self-help book ‘How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life’.
Singh shared her bitter experience with the consulate in a series of tweets:
Love india but gotta say that the consulate of india in Toronto is literally the worst place on earth. Such a disappointment.
— Lilly | #BawseBook (@IISuperwomanII) April 6, 2017
For travel to India, the consulate makes acquiring a visa the most difficult task. I hope one day @narendramodi can remedy this. It’s sad.
— Lilly | #BawseBook (@IISuperwomanII) April 6, 2017
.@SushmaSwaraj just a kind note to make you aware that the Consulate of India in Toronto is extremely difficult and unprofessional. 🙏🏽
— Lilly | #BawseBook (@IISuperwomanII) April 6, 2017
She claimed she was given a visa for three months despite being assured of getting it for a year.
I will send an email. As an FYI, I was told I would get a one year visa. That was of course when staff wanted a picture though. https://t.co/Y2TlhjkurC
— Lilly | #BawseBook (@IISuperwomanII) April 6, 2017
With more documentation than ever before, I received a lesser visa than before without any explanation. But again, I’ll send an email. Thx https://t.co/NOnWKhNeWv
— Lilly | #BawseBook (@IISuperwomanII) April 6, 2017
A fan of hers posted a video in which Singh has described her full ordeal. In the video, she narrated how she was initially treated with utmost courtesy by an official who assured her that she will get a one-year-visa. The official also requested her to click a picture together.
Singh said:
“So you’re going to make me fly back here in three months again, and pay for this all over again, and this is not cheap, it’s hundreds of dollars… just so you can make money and make this as difficult as possible? When yesterday you wanted a picture with me, everyone was very, very nice.”
@SushmaSwaraj This is Lilly Singh aka @IISuperwomanII, this was her experience at the Indian Consulate, please take some action towards this pic.twitter.com/1UGmEh3Ehq
— Suri | 9 Days (@TeamSuperMumbai) April 8, 2017
As Singh had hoped, Sushma Swaraj came to her rescue and directed the Indian High Commissioner in Canada to look into the issue.
Lilly Singh – Please contact Mr @VikasSwarup Indian High Commissioner in Canada. Let me see what best can we do for you. @IISuperwomanII
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 8, 2017
The High Commissioner replied promptly:
@IISuperwomanII Please send me your contact particulars on my official twitter handle. Happy to be of assistance. https://t.co/KGAZWymZNN
— Vikas Swarup (@VikasSwarup) April 8, 2017
@SushmaSwaraj Ma’am have asked @IISuperwomanII to contact me asap. Will offer all assistance https://t.co/qU85B1eCaK
— Vikas Swarup (@VikasSwarup) April 8, 2017
Singh then thanked Swaraj for intervening in the matter.
@SushmaSwaraj @VikasSwarup Thank you very much. I appreciate it and will do. 🙏🏽❤have a wonderful day x
— Lilly | #BawseBook (@IISuperwomanII) April 8, 2017