Swing and a Miss - My First Visa Application Falls Short

It was an early morning for me. I shuffled all my papers into a folder, printed out a few last minute forms and finally headed out the Ausländerbehörde. All in all the process went pretty smoothly, mostly short waits and luckily the ladies were friendly and spoke English pretty well.

That doesn't mean they were helpful enough to actually give me a visa, or even read all the forms I gave them. After filling out an application and sliding all my papers through the slot under the glass I was under the impression things were going well. A few minutes later they were telling me I had the wrong insurance, didn't have copies of my diplomas, needed letters of reference from past employers, and some form from an architecture institution here that I didn't quite understand. None of these things were mentioned as needed for a visa application. Not to mention the insurance I have is the same plan as a friend of mine has who got a visa a couple weeks ago. The insurance company said many people have used it for visas and all been approved.

The good news is I at least got a three month extension to my current tourist visa - which expired tomorrow - and can email all the other forms as soon as I collect them. Its all about convincing them the health insurance fit their requirements. Here's hoping...

German Visa Hunt

I'm still hot on the trail of the elusive beast they call a visa. Today I sent out my application for health insurance and printed my resume. I already have letters of financial support from family and Kristi. We went yesterday to register our address at the Burgerampt so that's all settled. Now I just need to prove I have adequate funds in my bank account, and set up an apointment to turn in all my paper work. Hopefully they will take the passport sized photos I already have.

Its been a bit of an ordeal. As usual I have left things to the last minute seeing as my tourist visa expires next week but it will work itself out. Always has.

Back in Berlin

Its been a while since our last update here. As always we are busy, working, teaching, designing, writing, hosting friends and exploring the city. Our latest adventure is spelunking our way through the caverns of the German Bureaucracy. I'm slowly gathering the required documentation to apply for a visa so I can legally stay and work. First step is heading to the Burgerampt to register at our new address. Next is finding affordable health care, prooving to the government I have enough money so I won't leach off the social wellfare system and gathering together a portfolio and resume to show I am employable.

Kristi is also changing her registration address and then we are both heading to the volkshochschulen to register for language classes. Lots of running around, too much paperwork, and to top it all off there is rain, sleet and snow falling all at once - not to even mention the freek thunder and lighting that is sporadically filling the seemingly confused Berlin sky.

New York Hotels

New York City is a place everyone must visit at least once. It is like no where else in the world - a perfect blend of international cultures, amazing art, towering architecture, wonderful music, incredible food and more. This featured article - New York Hotels - is an informative piece that offers visitors ideas of where to go for various activities. It offers advice for shopping, eating, relaxing, entertaining, and as the name suggests, which hotels to stay at. It also points out a few additional places to check out around the NY region.

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