of government and criminals

It used to be really easy to get a visa and just hop on a plane to move to Korea and teach English.  They have, very recently, made it a bit more difficult to obtain an E-2 visa.  Impossible? Absolutely not.  A bit more time consuming? You bet.

Part of the process is to obtain a current FBI Criminal Record Check.  This record check must be apostilled (basically a stamp that is recognized internationally, ensuring the document is original).  Now, while I also have to have a copy of my diploma apostilled, this is easy. I simply have a notary (found at a local bank- and an old family friend, which helped) copy and stamp the diploma. Then, I take it to the Secretary of State office in the state capital and have them apostille it for a measly $5 USD. Simple enough.

Most states, mine included, will not apostille a Federal document.  That means that when I mailed my CRC to the FBI, I had to include a request that they authenticate it (essentially a notary stamp).  Once I have received it back in the mail I must then send it to the U.S. Department of State in order to obtain a federal apostille stamp.  Many steps? You bet. But, at the same time, fairly painless.  And, really, relatively inexpensive.

• Fingerprinting- free at the local Police department
• FBI Criminal Record Check- $18 USD
• Federal apostille- $10 USD

Now, under most circumstances the time frame to get this all done would not concern me.  It takes from 4-6 weeks to get the FBI CRC completed, and another 1-1 1/2 weeks for the U.S. State Dept to apostille it.  However, I am having a slight freak out moment.

If you've been living under a rock, let me enlighten you.  The U.S. Congress is refusing to pull their heads out of their collective hind parts and prevent a government shut down.  Government shut down=FBI agents in the field, but no FBI agents performing background checks for people applying for E-2 visas.

Not to mention many of my family members not receiving pay (much more important than my visa, but my political thoughts and feelings are not the basis of this blog). 

I am hoping that since I started this process well in advance that even if the government shuts down it will (hopefully) not last for too terribly long (I study history and am putting faith in Congress--which begs the question, what the hell is wrong with me?), and I will still be able to get the previous steps completed in time.

After that process, I must send all of my documents to my school in Korea and they will obtain a visa number for me and mail it back.  I must then apply for the visa with the nearest Korean consulate (in Chicago).  They often require an in person interview, but once I reach that point I am going to attempt to get out of it by stating my distance from the consulate and inability to be there for an in person interview. It has worked for some.


Here's to hoping and praying that all goes smoothly.

In the meantime, I will continue my countdown to my visit to Austin to visit good friends and enjoy the beautiful 90degree weather.  Spring in Iowa has been rude and completely at odds with my hopes for a full week of at least 65degrees and no rain.