From 7 days to the boot, to 6 months and counting

2010-09-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

I decided to write down the story of my visa travails this time around in case the experience can benefit anyone.

When I re-entered from Jordan last week (going for my 3^rd 3-month request in a row), they gave me 7 days, telling me that I was doing was illegal (i.e. working & coming & going on 3 month visas). After getting advice on how to proceed, I decided to apply via the Palestinian MoI for a 6 month visa, which they send on to Bet El who then issues the visa. First however, the Ministry of Civil Affairs needs to coordinate with COGAT in Tel Aviv. I submitted my application to Min. of C.A. on Sunday.

Yesterday (Monday morning) I went to MoI in Jerusalem to attempt to get an appointment so as to at least legally extend my visa temporarily and not overstay. The woman refused to give me an appointment. On my way back into Ramallah, I get a call from the Min. of C.A. that COGAT has refused my application because there is not enough time to process it! Its what you call being b/w a rock and a hard place. At this point I am extremely worried as I know that I likely will not be allowed back in if I leave, and if I overstay my visa… the consequences are equally bad.

Running out of options I went straight to Bet El. One of the soldiers heard me out, and I sat there for some time until he managed to get ahold of his officer, who happened to be a friend of a friend who had spoken to him about my case (still unclear how much this helped in the process…). He agreed to issue me a 2 week emergency visa, saying I had to come back next day (i.e. this morning) to submit application… The 2 weeks would then presumably allow me the time to go thru the full process.

I got all forms filled out with help of friend in Pal. MoI this morning, go to Bet El. Am sitting with the soldiers for about an hour… Original soldier who had helped me out comes down and tells me matter-of-factly that they’d given me a 6 month visa… It was all I could do to not hug him ;) It is a single entry, but from what the soldier told me, I can pay and resubmit to have it converted to a 6 month multiple entry… not sure if/when I will do that, but its good to know at least.

It was a completely strange, out-of-normal-procedure experience as far as I can tell… Resolved 24 hours before I needed to pack my bags & head out again... I know I am very very lucky. And relieved/ecstatic… for the time being at least!

-- Anonymous

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From 7 days to the boot, to 6 months and counting