Day 19 - Work Visa, Part 1

Getting a Work Visa, Part 1

I am writing the first part of this on Friday, July 15, 2016, though I know I will be adding to this on Monday and beyond.  I got an email from the school director, telling me to start working on my work visa.  He said he was going to call, so I waited a while.  When he called he gave me instructions to find the attorney who would be working with me.

Most of the work has to be done through an immigration attorney, so I got the phone number and address of the one the school uses.  That would be Dr. Z (if you haven’t noticed I am not using full names of anybody.  Some are just their first names or an initial like this guy.  Easier than having to ask everybody’s permission). 

Well, it turns out that Dr. Z is just 5 blocks away and so is immigration.  He is across the street.  During siesta time, when most businesses are closed, I walked over to his office to locate it, so I didn’t have to search later.  Sounds crazy, but I needed to go to the open-air market anyway and it was on my way. 

Around 4:00, when businesses are reopening after siesta, I walked over there again.  His office was smaller than my kitchen.  He talked a mile a minute, and I understood maybe half.  I got the cost for 1, 2, or 3 years of a work visa, plus information on what I need to do next.  Seriously, I only know what I will do Monday morning.

So now it is Monday morning.  I just went to Dr. Z's office.  He made copies of my passport, tourist visa, and a copy of the apartment's electric bill.  His secretary made about a dozen photographs of me from every angle and he typed papers for Interpol, I think.  Wednesday I am supposed to return with payment and I will be going with his secretary to the immigration office across the street.

Not sure how long this will take.