Visa woes: part IIthe recept strikes backSo this is how the scenario was suppose to have played out:
Me: oh here are my documents..
Recept: ok..seems you have everything here.. let me help you fill up your application form
Me: sure thanks!
Recept: All done...u'll be getting your visa in the mail soon
Me: Cool! hey can you teach me some Czech words
Recept: definitely and here..I baked some authentic Czech cookies too.. go ahead and have some!
well actually it when more like this:
me: erm I'm here to get my Czech visa...
recept moves behind two way glass
(the mrt door kind when you constantly see your own reflection-so it kind of feels like you're talking to yourself) me: *talks into silt* I'm here to get my long term student visa..
recept: well do you have all the documents?
me: i think so...*slots papers in*.. oh i haven't done the application yet..
recept: well do it then!
(in the "do i have to tell you everything" tone)*hmm i think i can forget about the Czech 101 lessons*cut to re-submitting documentsrecept: this bank statement will not do.. it is not official (needs verification) and it's not in Czech
*newsflash: it's only has 4 lines-- my name, my acct no, the acct type and amount in S$.. who wouldn't understand that and it is officially from the internet banking website*me: so i need to get the official letter and get it translated?
recept: yes...here's our recommended official translator..come back again on monday
*damn i have to work on monday*me: ok.. i'll try to get everything done today.. can i get someone else to translate the statement other than the official translator
recept: No.. only official translators allowed
9:40am: i find myself on a mad-dash cum power walk from suntec to bras basah maybank--in heels no less.. and i do this dramatic thing where i burst into the bank panting: i need to get a statement! causing quite a stir..
and the bank attendee (who was really nice) went like: ok miss take a seat and we'll help chew...(it felt so ER) she shouts across room: this girl needs a statement STAT!
meanwhile i take the opportunity to call the translators' office- n I nearly got a heart attack- it turns out that it takes
$150 to translate one freakin' page add $30 for a verification seal + 5% GST =
$189/-and with the bank statement request already costing me $20
it totals to a cool
$209JUSt to get a piece of paper that says miss tina has $x,xxx in her account
opps make tt ($x,xxx - $209 )Madness!!! oh n it takes 4 days to get a translation: my heart sinks
I'm not going to get my visa..not today anyways
I call my dad to tell him... N I get a ear-full about why I didn't stand up for myself in the visa office against "the unreasonable, money hungry consular"...opps wrong move.. Dad asks for visa office number so that he can scold the "bad lady" for me.. yikes.. it ends with me telling him i'll deal with it myself while he's still on the line going: what's the number what's the number...
*wheels in motion* there has got be another way...
Proceeds to power walk back into visa office
11:04am: Buzz.. buzzz *issit close already?* buzzz
11:05am: Click.. meddle...meddle...*blasted door*
11:06am:Recept opens the door..
Recept: you've got to push!!!!
me: opps!
so I'm begging the recept to accept my official bank statement... actually she could if she wanted too cos she's an official translator (she's the one that will translate my criminal record history form to Czech anyways- and it only costs $22) and she refuses -- cos it's clearly stated that they do not do translations in the office.. End of story.period.
I quietly trudge back to the mrt station, so sick to my stomach that even all the large SALE signs plastered on practically every shop window doesn't tempt me into shopping - even though I have the entire day off i just wanted to go home n get myself under the influence of intoxicating television..
truth be told: the lady is not all bad or evil she was just following her rules.. just don't expect her to fall over herself trying to help you..she just won't--
sooo to all you future visa-eees out there.. get your note pads out
lessons learnt#3: Things to bring the office:
- 2 passport size pics
- acceptance letter plus proof of housing (provided by the school)
- passport (valid for more than 7 months)
- travel insurance papers (coverage of at least $60,000)
- around $220 for visa fees
- instead of a bank statement BRING: a supplementary international credit card ~Ta Dah!~the secret cost saver
price of a translated bank statement:$209 vs Price of a sup card: $24!
and if you tell the cust service execs it's urgent they can get it to you in 1 week instead of 2.. given it's not the fastest method but it's the most cost efficient
#4: Don't procastinate!
The visa takes at least 2 months: so remember once you get your papers from the school hurry along down to get your visa...and same goes for flights. Once you can confirm where n when u're going, book your tickets to get cheaper seats. Also don't assume STA gives the best rates compare with misa travel (airfares.com.sg) that also sell student tickets
#5: You've just gotta push!!! to get thru..
Leave all bad experiences in the past..n enjoy the present!
not quite the happy gelato stained postcard.
--6:16 PM--
