Friday, November 11, 2011

Visas are whack but now it is time to celebrate...

Youtube... maybe you heard of it?

Like everyone i like to do what i want, when i want. Unlike most people i have never been able to suppress this urge long enough to attain that fabled status of 'adulthood'. 

Never really had a real job because it tied me to a routine and a place. I hate knowing i will be doing the same thing, at the same time, in the same place, 5 days and 40 hours a week. I prefer casual work and living arrangements so that if i want to jump in a car or on a plane at any given time there is nothing to hold me back. 

And then... along came the cutest little brown-eyed boy you will ever meet. His country happens to have a bundle of complicated issues that make gaining a visa a stress inducing, medication requiring, shit fight. So i am learning the art of waiting, appearing like an adult and (government approved) pharmaceutically enhanced relaxation.

I am used to be able to talk my way into or out of any problems with a little creative problem solving. Some people call that manipulation. I call it being persuasively charming. The government, those sticklers for correct process, may call it bribery. 

There is no way to sweet-talk yourself a quick visa in Australia. All you can do is: 
  1.  Fill your application with lovey-dovey letters from you and your partner. This can be difficult if your singificant other is from a culture where public affection is frowned upon and English is their second language but trust me after this step it only gets harder.
  2. Get your family to say how you to go together like peas and carrots. I suggest being persuasively charming.
  3. Slip in photos of you and your partner looking desperately in love. 
  4. Pray your application isn't delivered into the hands of one of the 'less reliable' staff at the Indian visa processing office in New Delhi.
  5. Wait.
  6. Wait.
  7. Wait. 

I agree it should be an unbiased process performed by a faceless incorruptible office worker but i wish this worker was at least competent. We waited and waited and waited for our visa. I didn't want to complain or jeopardise (wow is that how you spell that?) the process in anyway but after not hearing anything i eventually emailed the office. And then...

       8. Wait 11 days for any acknowledgment.

"Oh sorry we gave you the wrong information, you didn't need to pay an extra $2000 and apply for a two year visa, even though we phoned you up and told you you definitely had to if your husband ever wanted to visit Australia. Yes, oops, that was a mistake. Also our mistake has now delayed your visa for another two months."

It seemed our application had been 'stalled' due to some incorrect information the office had given us. Even though they had it for well over the normal processing time they agreed they would START processing it now. Except then someone went on holidays and it sat in an inbox for two weeks. 

       9. Wait.
      10. Wait.

It's character building, right? I am sure i must be on the verge of adulthood by now because suddenly it came. I got a phone call from the Indian office. And a written apology. Mero Budda is picking up his visa in Kathmandu today. 

Even though they made a thousand mistakes I could have kissed that little Indian office worker when she told me she was granting the visa. I was shaking and crying and thanking her over and over. And then i sat down and ate a bucket of ice-cream. So visa process Australia--> Nepal STAGE ONE COMPLETE.

8 comments:

  1. a verrrry verrrrrrrrrrry huge CONGRATULATIONS amanda...feels so good to hear that... for you have been going through such hardtimes...
    m happy you both are a step closer now..
    and about the boots.. I bought it in DOTS.. Its in City centre, Kamalpokhari.. :) hope he gets it! all the best hun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. hey Amanda,
    Congrats!
    I can completely sense ur happiness reading this post!
    thank you for the comment and reading my post...
    Do u understand Nepali? was just little curious coz i know some foreigners who understands nepali like normal Npeali... :)
    i time and again popped into ur blog to read something new and i am happy new posts with new thing and new subjects...
    Alright Seems like its Time for celebration....Yayyyyyyy..
    Take Care

    ReplyDelete
  3. That’s a great news . Congratulations...

    ReplyDelete
  4. great post. even better news. congrats again!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hurray! Congratulations :)!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't commented her or ages but I just wanted to tell everyone how proud I am of you and all that you have been through over the last few months. You have been so strong and I can only say what an amazing adult you are. You have been VERY patient and very calm when dealing with all the mistakes and red tape. We are so happy that your husband will be able to come to our country and see where it all started for you. It was all worth it. WE love you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I feel your pain sister, but at least now you know it was all worth it, right? :) Hope to see some new pics and updates soon. I know you don't know me from Eve, but I found your blog on the fb group. It's so nice to find people in the same situation who understand how it feels to wait, and wait, and wait! You can find me at the bottom of the list on Member Introductions :)

    ReplyDelete