The day after I graduated from college I got married. 7 days later I was supposed to be on a flight to Japan to work…provided I received my visa on time. The days in between my wedding and departure date were spent itching and scratching due to a nasty case of hives brought on by paranoia that my visa was not going to be issued. Nice way to spend a honeymoon.
Twenty six years later my wife and I are hours away from having visas that will allow us to stay in China for an entire year. This many not seem like much of an accomplishment but for an independent expat it is a feat that requires patience, faith and a sense of humor.
In three months we have been issued three visas, two extensions, signed an official confession of regret for overstaying and paid a fine for not registering with the local police department. We have been to the immigration department four times as well as two separate police departments three times each. We have submitted ourselves to 8 different medical examinations that involved gel, blood and needles but thankfully no truly invasive prodding.
We have been carefully directed on a timely basis by both our employerś visa specialist and two independent visa agents that our employer retains to assist in getting employees the proper visa. No expense has been spared and everything is on the up and up as far as we can tell.
So, we have taken all the correct steps but there is still a lot of hoop jumping.
One might think that I should be gnashing my teeth and alternately chugging Maalox and Jack Daniels but I have resigned myself to the process of becoming a legal working immigrant and learned that raging against the visa man gets you nowhere.
Sometimes growing up works to oneś advantage. I certainly have not gotten any rashes from this visa episode and am thinking I owe my wife another honeymoon.
