Visas

Hello everyone! I hope everybody had a great Memorial Day weekend!! If you’re not in the states, I hope you still had a wonderful weekend. I got to go on our last family vacation before my mission and it was grand. There are a few pictures from the trip at the bottom.

I thought for this post we could cover something that has been a thorn in my side and the side of many a missionary: the Visa (cue dramatic music). It seems to me that in the past few years getting missionary visas is becoming harder and harder. Especially for those going to the countries of Brazil , Spain and, you guessed it, France . Sigh. I’ve heard over and over about how missionaries have to stay in the MTC longer than usual or they get sent to a mission state side until their Visa comes in. In fact, here in Alabama we have a few missionaries, who have been called to Brazil , doing work here until theirs come in. Unfortunately, one of them received his and then lost it. He’ll have to serve the remainder of his mission here. Poor guy.

When I got my mission call we wanted to put in my Visa application immediately, but we had to wait until I got my FBI background check to send it in. I sent the background check application in to D.C. as soon as possible and then waited the 6-8 weeks. I wasn’t that worried because the mission travel office in SLC only asks that they have the Visa application by one month before my MTC report date (July 11^th).

Well, as usual, it didn’t go according to plan. After waiting six weeks I received a letter from the FBI saying that they couldn’t give me my clearance because we gave them a money order of $19 instead of $18. They had their money! Why did they care?! Put it toward the national debt! So that very day I sent in the correct amount and called to find out how much longer it would take. It was another 4 weeks.

This week is the 4^th week and I should be getting it soon. However, I know that if I don’t get it then it would almost be too late to put in my Visa application by the time the mission office asked for it. That would mean delaying my mission until August, which I DO NOT want to do. We decided to pray as a family Sunday and Monday and then call the travel office last Tuesday. I found out from the nice lady on the phone that I could have put my Visa application in months before and then sent in the FBI clearance later. Ahhh! I wish they had said that in the instruction sheet they gave me.

I should note that not all foreign visas require the FBI clearance. A friend who is going to Brazil said he didn’t have to. I guess it depends on what each country’s requirement is. Pray that mine comes soon!

My advice for the week is 1. Put in all applications you receive ASAP 2.Check and double check the instruction sheets 2.Remember that every detail is important to the government 4. Don’t be afraid to call the travel office if you have questions.

In front of old coke truck at the World of Coca-Cola.

Stone Mountain