Phew! A lesson in archiving

Don't believe that an application for a work visa in a foreign country will ever be easy. I've been having a fun time working through all the document requirements placed on me. I got a batch of three tough ones last Thursday.

One involved a chest x-ray, a second a job reference, and the third a copy of my university diploma. I knocked out the reference with one phone call and several emails over two work days, and had that on the third. I started the process to get a board-certified chest x-ray with a phone call and could have had an appointment the very next morning. I put it off until the following Monday, and it only took two hours from the time I entered the doctor's office until I walked out the door (though I did have to detour to another facility). The diploma. Well. That has been a sticking point for almost two months. I started on it at one point and then gave it up since my handler didn't require it. When I restarted, I had to navigate a twisty maze of websites and phone numbers and email addresses until I found someone who could help me. Once I found the correct office (only a week's work), I was directed to the two offices I needed to contact within three phone calls and twenty minutes. Things were going well. It looked like the documents would be on their way within a matter of days. Except, I found out one document was on a financial hold. Two phone calls and three people later, I reached the collections department. Ah.

And there my case has remained over a ten day period. My case was delayed while records were restored from backup. And again, when additional records needed to be restored. Nothing I could do, no agency could be pointed to, no other account person at another name-able institution could be reached to provide the necessary documentation. I must wait for another search of the records prior to 1991. Today came the break in the case. For the first time since reaching Collections, I received a call back. Yes, someone there sought me out to inform me that no records existed prior to 1991 and they had determined to clear my account. At last, I could move back to the other deparments where my documents had languished, and begin the process of having them sent to me.

With this under my belt, I need only deal with taxes and my final packing

and

I

am

outta

here