Visa
When I first thought about writing this post, this was how it was going to begin:
"Applying for my visa was so quick and easy, I thought, for sure, I must have done something wrong."
Little did I know.
The application itself was incredibly simple. The hardest question to answer was how long my address has been my address. This issue was mainly due to the fact that I have never resided in this house until this July, but it has served as my permanent address (my parents' residence) for several years. Getting a straight answer out of my mother was fun ("I don't know. Between two and eight years, I'd guess."); luckily, my father had a much better sense of time ("Four years and eight months -- is that close enough?").
I signed up for my biometrics appointment in Atlanta, had to change it once, and went through the process without issue. I got together what I thought was the necessary paperwork -- the visa application, the stamped and scanned biometrics appointment sheet, the sponsor letter from Fulbright, the passport-sized photograph, the visa letter from Queen's. I read through the requirements over and over.
When confirmation that my visa application is being processed comes via email, I learn that it was a requirement to send my passport along with the application. I did not realize, at the time, that the visa is actually attached to a page of the passport. I was thinking they just needed to prove that I have a valid passport, and I presented it for examination several times during the biometrics appointment. My passport number and issuing and expiry dates were on the application in many places.
To say that I was freaking out would be an understatement. Thankfully, I had a new good friend who was willing to listen and convince me everything would be fine and someone who allowed me to use a Skype account to call Ms. Elizabeth Hizer, the coordinator for the US side of the Fulbright. She gave me the name of a contact at the Chicago British Consulate, and my passport was sent off by registered overnight delivery. It arrived safely the next morning, and my fears were abated.
This is the point where my second post on the visa application was going to end. You have no doubt noticed, it does not.
My passport arrived in Chicago on Thursday, August 16. On Friday, August 17, I received a voicemail on my phone informing me that my passport and transcript acknowledging the awarding of my BA degree were needed for further processing of my application, and these things were needed in four days. I'm hoping that my passport had just not made it into the proper hands at that point because I have nothing else to offer them on that front. As far as my transcript, I cannot fathom why they would need this piece of paperwork, nor am I aware how I would know they needed it, in order to have sent it in the first place.
I rushed to the post office Saturday morning and sent off my transcript by registered overnight delivery. Given the four day requirement, I wasn't going to risk it arriving in five. I have now spent $35 more than anticipated on the mailing of my visa application. Regardless, I immediately felt relieved.
The sense of relief lasted until tonight (Sunday night). In the voicemail I received, I was informed that I would be getting an email, which would basically repeat what was said in the voicemail. I received that email tonight, and it was mostly what was promised. However, it also included a code to be written on the outside of the envelope when I sent the additional requirements. There is a little warning after the code that warns my application may be denied if the code is not present. Considering I did not receive the email in time, I don't know how I could be expected to give them everything they wanted in the time required. Hopefully, what I've done is sufficient.
I'm not feeling overly confident at the moment.
