OH, Oh, OH, what a day I have had.
I went down to the Consulate in Houston. Found out:
- Passport photos are too big (specifically, I must, “shrink my head”)
- I need a criminal background check (side note: I’ve never even had a speeding ticket)
- Medical Check (still) not needed
Ok, let me be clear. I don’t have a job at all waiting for me in Taiwan. My husband does and the “funny” thing is that he really isn’t having to do anything. His company got his paperwork together, faxed it ahead of time just to make sure everything was straight and then got the go-ahead to forward everything to Taipei so they could put as much of a rush on his work permit as possible. No med check, no criminal stuff, nada. “Special Handler” to be attentive to the permit. You’d think some of that special treatment would flow my way.
Well, apparently, I am the bald-headed stepchild.
Visa Lady: “Uh, everything look OK. Except you need criminal paper.”
Me: “Huh?”
Visa Lady: “Piece of paper saying…”
Me: “Saying that I’m not a criminal?”
Visa Lady: “Right.”
Me: “OK. What’s the piece of paper called? Where do I go to get it?”
Visa Lady: “Anywhere. Police station. Anywhere.”
Me: (hopeless and knowing full well that this isn’t going to get any better but smiling the whole time: “OK. Thanks.”
Many hours, phone calls and rejections later, I am planning on going to Police Headquarters to stand in line WITH THE REST OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT, get fingerprinted and have them run the check. I think. At a local station today, I had some guy lick his lips at me. :raspberry: Somebody has GOT to be filming this.
On a high note: the “Visa Lady”, my new friend, “Jenny,” mentioned again that this no medical exam needed policy is “very new” but very true. Another woman, “Document Lady” (she was behind the window marked “Document”) ran over and said, “Taiwan is still telling you it is needed? That is strange. That is wrong.” So, still coming from the same source but reiterated.
Yeah, I’ve got to ask them about being able to apply for a multiple entry thingy. I checked it on the application but I suppose I shouldn’t put too much stock in that.
Any words of advice about going to Police Headquarters tomorrow? I already got a manicure to make sure my hands look good for the fingerprints, so don’t bother including that one. What kind of demeanor should I have when I’m standing in line with my fellow rebels? Should I wear leather? Should I lick my lips at someone else BEFORE they do it to me?