I never watch chick flicks. I hate them actually, but because my son was on the computer, and nothing else was on television, I watched the last half of the movie. I realized something about myself. It's weird. I've always walked my own path. Divorced my husband because he didn't want kids, and found someone who would have one with me. I traveled wherever and whenever I could. I read voraciously about other cultures, but essentially I've always been who I am. I'm a loud New Yorker who swears a lot and expects people to do their job. I'm a great boss and mentor to those who understand my way of working and the boss from Hell to those who don't. I'm the first person to show up when a friend needs a hand, but I'll also be the first friend to drop you if I no longer trust you or you have put your latest boyfriend before me.
My life is my own and who I am, I have no regrets on it. I'm strong because my parents pushed me to be my potential. They were first rate professionals in their own right and deserve the respect and admiration they've gained from their colleagues over the years. My dad, most importantly, showed me that politically correct is the wrong way to do anything - he's my idol and role model for my life and I will always respect him for what he taught me by example. His life wasn't always easy and neither has mine been, but we've built our own roads and the people who follow us know they'll get substance for their time. My son follows in my shoes and I so admire the young man he's becoming because he WILL make change in this world because of the background he's been dealt.
Thank you, my readers. I've had some significant changes in my life that I'm not ready to reveal, but someday soon... things will change for the better.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Visa extensions (Otherwise Known as the Seventh Circle of Hell
This process can be unbelievably complicated or very, very simple. :-)
YOU NEED TO START THIS PROCESS 60 DAYS PRIOR TO VISA EXPIRATION.
In Delhi, you need to go to the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office downtown (Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi). Don't bother to print and fill out the forms you find on-line because they'll refuse them. Here's the link, just in case: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/BOI_Forms/EXT_FORM.pdf
You will need the following items:
Bring four copies of everything (just in case. Sometimes it's only three, sometimes four). The officer will give you back everything he doesn't want.
Residency Permits
Rent Agreement
Employment Contracts
Letter from the Company requesting your extension (Note: there was a change this year. You will need to ensure that on this letter, it states that the company will repatriate you to your company of origin if the visa is denied.)
Passports (must have six months left on them.)
Copies of Existing Valid Visas
Four passport sized photos each
You must arrive before noon. When you arrive at the FRRO, you will show your passports and be directed to a little outbuilding to the right and get assigned a number which really doesn't matter. Then head back out and walk to the main building and head up the main staircase. On the 1st floor, right ahead of you, is the FRRO. walk through the doors and head left. There's usually a woman behind a small desk. Show her your papers. She'll tell you that you need a different form. Fill it out (twice, or thrice - or head back downstairs to pay the copierwalla for additional copies.) Bring all your papers back to the woman. When she's satisfied, she'll take them from you.
Find a seat over in the long thin section with desks to the extreme right. This is where the officers will sit. This section becomes seriously overcrowded once the officers finally come in (usually after 1:00) and everyone hovers waiting for their name to be called.
Once your name is called, sit down across from the officer and be as polite as possible. Answer all his questions as simply as possible. Do not offer any additional information. Once he's done, you can leave.
HOWEVER, you need to be back at 4:00 on the same day. Back in that office again, upstairs in the same building, waiting with the rest of the huge crowd. Now you're waiting on the decision. When they call your name, you will either be told that your request was denied, OR handed a sealed and stamped brown envelope which you need to take to the same place where you got your residency permits. Only they can open the envelope. In the envelope will be a declaration on how much time the extension is for. Most are between one year and 6 months.
Good luck!
YOU NEED TO START THIS PROCESS 60 DAYS PRIOR TO VISA EXPIRATION.
In Delhi, you need to go to the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office downtown (Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi). Don't bother to print and fill out the forms you find on-line because they'll refuse them. Here's the link, just in case: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/BOI_Forms/EXT_FORM.pdf
You will need the following items:
Bring four copies of everything (just in case. Sometimes it's only three, sometimes four). The officer will give you back everything he doesn't want.
Residency Permits
Rent Agreement
Employment Contracts
Letter from the Company requesting your extension (Note: there was a change this year. You will need to ensure that on this letter, it states that the company will repatriate you to your company of origin if the visa is denied.)
Passports (must have six months left on them.)
Copies of Existing Valid Visas
Four passport sized photos each
You must arrive before noon. When you arrive at the FRRO, you will show your passports and be directed to a little outbuilding to the right and get assigned a number which really doesn't matter. Then head back out and walk to the main building and head up the main staircase. On the 1st floor, right ahead of you, is the FRRO. walk through the doors and head left. There's usually a woman behind a small desk. Show her your papers. She'll tell you that you need a different form. Fill it out (twice, or thrice - or head back downstairs to pay the copierwalla for additional copies.) Bring all your papers back to the woman. When she's satisfied, she'll take them from you.
Find a seat over in the long thin section with desks to the extreme right. This is where the officers will sit. This section becomes seriously overcrowded once the officers finally come in (usually after 1:00) and everyone hovers waiting for their name to be called.
Once your name is called, sit down across from the officer and be as polite as possible. Answer all his questions as simply as possible. Do not offer any additional information. Once he's done, you can leave.
HOWEVER, you need to be back at 4:00 on the same day. Back in that office again, upstairs in the same building, waiting with the rest of the huge crowd. Now you're waiting on the decision. When they call your name, you will either be told that your request was denied, OR handed a sealed and stamped brown envelope which you need to take to the same place where you got your residency permits. Only they can open the envelope. In the envelope will be a declaration on how much time the extension is for. Most are between one year and 6 months.
Good luck!
Monday, June 2, 2008
First Time Post
My name is Jeanne and I am an American working in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta). I have been working at a dotcom here for nearly a year. I am in the process of leaving the company I work for and moving to Delhi. This is my story.
To read about my adventures picking up and moving from Chicago, Illinois, with a teenage son, rescued greyhound and siamese cat, click here: American in Calcutta.
To read about my adventures picking up and moving from Chicago, Illinois, with a teenage son, rescued greyhound and siamese cat, click here: American in Calcutta.
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