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Friday May 19, 2006

red tape

As there isn't much going on with me volunteer-wise just now (have applied for my dream post but they don't decide who gets it 'til June so I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed & trying to not get too excited), I thought I'd chat about one of the most important things involved in volunteering overseas - governmental red tape!!!

My advice regarding this unpleasant aspect of the whole thing? Double-check with your host country's government yourself just to be sure... your sponsoring organisation may not be aware of recent/ impending changes. You'll appreciate the peace of mind it gives you.  

It's fairly easy to travel to most any country for a holiday, but trying to arrange a long-term placement that complies with government regulations can be very stressful. When I moved over to the UK for my first (and second) year, all I needed was a letter from the registered charity that was placing me stating the various dos-n-donts of my placement. Even though the organisation told me to trust that everything would be ok, I was still convinced that something would go wrong and I'd be turned away. I was so nervous the first time I nearly threw up on the Immigration Officer! Then, when he issued the visa for one year, I almost jumped over the counter and kissed him. (Weird fact? When I returned the second year and stepped up to immigration - the guy laughed and pointed out that he had stamped it the previous year - and I cheekily said, 'I hope you're as kind this time!')

You know the saying, 'third time's a charm'? I blithely stepped up to the counter, handed the man my passport and letter, and felt a strange sense of calm. This time I wasn't worried. My bad. He moved off to talk with his boss and came back saying that Westminster had changed the rules a few months previously and that anyone wishing to stay longer than 6 months had to have prior entry clearance and that he was obligated to send me back to the USA to get it sorted. Can you imagine? I burst into tears. I explained that I had been assured by my sponsoring organisation that the letter was all I needed.

Kind man went back to his boss, chatted and pointed at me standing there, trying to contain myself (having the strange, random thought about that tv show, 'Airline' being around). Very kind man came back over and calmed me by saying that he was going to grant me a six-month visa and that I'd have to have it extended later.

Shaking and wiping my eyes, I thanked him and proceeded through, already panicking about what was going to happen in six months.

Check back next week for part II of the whole immigration fiasco.

Posted by Dana ( 3:05 PM )
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