I've never heard of an official embassy partner and thought visas were just issued through the embassy itself. Interesting. Many of us here are in the US. We do have members in Canada as well, but I don't think they need a traditional visitor visa. How soon is your shop?
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.