The Visas
The Bangladeshi embassy approves long -term tourist visas (90 days) but gives you 3 months FROM the the date of approval, promising 3 business day turnaround once received. Or, if you are going short term, you can get a 30 day tourist visa once you arrive. We waited to apply until January 19th, to give ourselves a little wiggle room (we're slated to return on April 4th) but I had the applications filled out and sitting on the mantle for about 3 weeks ahead of time.
We should have received them last tuesday at the latest, but they had not shown up by wednesday evening. Thursday I called - had to leave a message, then again left a message friday (maybe I left two). No response. So I called twice and left two different messages Monday morning - still no visas and no call back and we're in the last week! Finally reached a human Monday afternoon:
"Oh, we received it on the 20th, but you only sent $131 per visa and our rates changed on the 15th, did no one call you? We've been waiting for you to send us the additional $19 per visa." "
"No, nobody called us - I've left five messages"
"Well, If you send us a check, when we receive it we will mail the visas 3 business days later"
"But I leave on Thursday!"
"Oh. Well, then I can mail you back your passports and you can decide what to do with them."
"But we need visas!"
"Well, you can get them once you arrive there."
"But those are for 30 days and we will be there for 60 days!"
"Oh"
"Is there any way you can expedite the processing? I can have a check overnighted to you by 10:30am."
"Well, the visa officer is in with the consul right now. I can ask him when he returns. I'll call you back"
And by some miracle, she did, and by an even greater miracle, the fedex tracking number for our return envelope was activated yesterday afternoon, so it's in fedex's hands now. Of course there's a blizzard.
Ben
The Bangladeshi embassy approves long -term tourist visas (90 days) but gives you 3 months FROM the the date of approval, promising 3 business day turnaround once received. Or, if you are going short term, you can get a 30 day tourist visa once you arrive. We waited to apply until January 19th, to give ourselves a little wiggle room (we're slated to return on April 4th) but I had the applications filled out and sitting on the mantle for about 3 weeks ahead of time.
We should have received them last tuesday at the latest, but they had not shown up by wednesday evening. Thursday I called - had to leave a message, then again left a message friday (maybe I left two). No response. So I called twice and left two different messages Monday morning - still no visas and no call back and we're in the last week! Finally reached a human Monday afternoon:
"Oh, we received it on the 20th, but you only sent $131 per visa and our rates changed on the 15th, did no one call you? We've been waiting for you to send us the additional $19 per visa." "
"No, nobody called us - I've left five messages"
"Well, If you send us a check, when we receive it we will mail the visas 3 business days later"
"But I leave on Thursday!"
"Oh. Well, then I can mail you back your passports and you can decide what to do with them."
"But we need visas!"
"Well, you can get them once you arrive there."
"But those are for 30 days and we will be there for 60 days!"
"Oh"
"Is there any way you can expedite the processing? I can have a check overnighted to you by 10:30am."
"Well, the visa officer is in with the consul right now. I can ask him when he returns. I'll call you back"
And by some miracle, she did, and by an even greater miracle, the fedex tracking number for our return envelope was activated yesterday afternoon, so it's in fedex's hands now. Of course there's a blizzard.
Ben
Praise God you are there!!! We heard the great news! God made this all happen, Visas and all! We love you and can't wait to see how God uses you!
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