crystal's capers

On getting a visa

Unlike Canada, Germany does not want immigrants. It is becoming clear that to prevent people from effectively immigrating into the country a profusion of bureaucratic red-tape has been instated. Having no right to an EU passport makes it nearly impossible to get a working visa; it's a vicious circle of needing a visa to get a job and needing a job to get a visa.

I was recently at the local visa and immigration office and found out several things (only after Riki hounded them for straight and conclusive answers):

1. 85% of the information I attained on Government Canada and German Embassy website prior to arriving here was incorrect, or incomplete.
2. My 90-day tourist visa is NOT renewable for up to 90 days more; whats more, I must leave Germany for at least 90 days in order to attain a new tourist visa.
3. There are no common-law clauses or financial responsibility documents that will secure a residency permit.
4. Possibility of employment is insufficient in attaining a work permit: one needs to acquire an actual position with a company that is willing to fill out paperwork headed by the phrase: "untruths or declaration of employment solely for the purpose of attain a visa for a foreign immigrant is punishable by up to 3 years in prison." That's enticing.
5. Most language schools here hire on a "freelance" basis, so not only do they not have to pay insurance or give benefits, but they don't have to sponsor visas.
6. It is possible to lengthen one's stay in Germany if they acquire a student visa, whereby they must show proof of enrollment in a German as a Second Language course of at least 20 hours per week; the visa lasts as long as the course.

So basically, I need a f#$&ing job, ASAP.

... Or Riki and I could go down to the courthouse and sign a little paper that says: "Mrs. Weber."

(haha)