Ugh.
Too weak for a real rant.
So I’m a grad student who will spend next year abroad to do research. I and spouse must get visas for the country involved:
a) application fees totalling 120$, but that’s just the beginning.
Two sets each of the below, for each of us:
b) criminal background checks from the police. 32$
c) health check by a doctor, certifying that we don not have, among other things, bubonic plage, contagious forms of leprosy, rabies, or “manifest state of psychois, hallucination” etc.
This involves the checkup and lab work itself (involving 3 afternoons), plus getting a notary to come in with us and certify the doctors’ signature. 2 sets. . so 60$ for the paperwork, and whatever co-pay
d) 1. a financial support declaration
2. proof of solvency of sponsor, and
3. attestation from academic institution, etc etc.
I may have paperwork that fulfills these three. Otherwise 18-28$ each for signatures here. I may have to register as a auditing student with the university there, though, in order to fulfull the last. Ugh.
e) a pledge to register with the city authorities on arrival-- again 12-28$ back for signature-- we apparently have to a a full extra set of all these documents for them, too. Why can’t we just show them the visa stamps? It will have apparently worked for the consulate. . .
f) another 20$ if we have to mail the apps in instead of going to LA and signing everything in person.
g) we also, because my spouse is coming along, have to have proof that we’ve arranged an apartment ahead of time. This is difficult.
Ughrgle!
I’ve always heard people relate woes about the INS and paperwork. I’m starting to get a taste of this. I mean, it’s just for a year guys! I really don’t want to stay in your country permanently, really. I promise to be good!
Some notary public’s kid is going to college because of us.
My head hurts. I don’t want to do the math here.