Visa … priceless

So I’m moving to England next month … didn’t seem like such a big deal when I agreed to take the job at ACS (well, it did actually – but that’s another story). Seems like getting a work visa stamp for the passport entails more hoop-jumping than I’ve done in a long time. I told my 13-year-old that there was a lot of red tape and she asked my where all the red tape is, ‘cos she didn’t see any …

So, after renewing my passport (has to be good for at least five years, and mine was rather worn out and due to expire) … applying (and paying!) for the work visa, getting approved by the UK government for a work permit, notarizing all sorts of documents (marriage license, birth certificate, etc) … still had one more thing to do: get my biometrics taken.

biometrics

Sounds a bit invasive, but really it was just fingerprints and a digital photo. I went to the local processing center which turned out to be the US immigration services center. Wow! Must have heard 20 different languages in the waiting room. So many people all coming from so many countries. I saw most continents represented (don’t think there was anyone from Antarctica). There was a big sign on the wall: Can you recite the pledge of allegiance? Gary was teasing me – do you know it? will you be able to recite it? I replied that I am fairly sure you don’t need to say the pledge of allegiance to leave the US … but you never know.

Bit of a strange experience … but since I took the day off for a 20-minute appointment, we wen to the movies in the middle of the day (decadent!). Saw The Wackness (Ben Kingsley is great – or should I say DOPE – in this film). Then ate at Cuba Libre in Old City … if you’re in Philly – check it out.