Lo and behold ...!

In my previous entry, I wrote rather pessimistically about the state of our visa application.  I had, in my rant lamenting the inefficiencies of immigration authorities failed to admit the fact I had posted the slew of documents required in last Friday's letter by courier on that day itself.  Tuesday. 19th March 2013.   You can imagine how curious I was when I picked up the letters on the landing yesterday evening after coming home from work.  Amongst them lay one of those red cards from the post office notifying a pick up.

'Can it be...? Nooo ... but all my online shops have arrived.  Could it be ...?  Can't be ... I had only posted it a couple days ago ... and they're not known to be efficient anyway ...'

With all those time in limbo, I dare not even hope.  Having said that, my pessimism had not stop me from praying.   In suppose behind every pessmist is an eternal optimist.  I had weighed worst case scenarios ... yet prayed that this application would be considered favourably. That we would get our passports and documents back soon.

I didn't think 'soon' would be today...!

Yes, lo and behold! When I finally made the trip down to the local post office this afternoon, my heart leapt when out appeared a very recognizable plastic courier envelop that I had inserted with my application (just so to make it 'easier' for my case worker).  It was instantly recognizable because it was self addressed in my own handwriting.

Gosh ... I have to say, I'm taking back everything negative I said about immigration.  With our passports and documents in hand, we can now go places.  Well admittedly not so soon.  We still have to wait for the biometric card to arrive.  The letter said in 7 working days.  Next week?

It is a relief that our wait for permission to remain in this country as BFL's wife is now over. Although in 29 months the nerve wrecking suspenseful process will begin all over again, I am no doubt thankful.  Thankful that if you really took a long hard look at the process that we had both been subjected to, immigration authorities hadn't been as inefficient as I have previously lamented.   They did advise to start the process at least 28 days before present permission expires.  Which I did.   More than 28 days to be exact.  My student visa expired on the 29th Jan 2013.  My application was submitted on the 22nd Dec 2012. 

With Christmas, New Year and their processing policy, they couldn't really do anything about it until the student visa ran out.  So, to be fair, it took them 52 days.  A month and a bit.  Not as long as I thought it would pan out - particularly with horror stories I've heard. 9 months?!  A year?  Rejected and spouse had to return home...!

Arguably, 52 days is rather long for one piece of paper/card to be considered.  But hey, I'm no longer complaining.  I'm in fact thrilled that:
a) My prayers are answered and application has been approved
b) That we're no longer unclear about my status quo
c) I can now legally work full time.

So, there you have it.  When you least expect it, it happens.  Prayer does work!