We’ve been in administrative hell over the last 10 days, struggling to have our work permits renewed. The initial permit was granted for 18 months because it was the first time a permit was offered under the company name here in Glasgow (?). Anyway, the contract was 2 years, the permit was 18 months… go figure!

We started the renewal process with the HR department early summer and at that time we were told “not to worry, it’s just a formality...”. Now 5 months later it hasn’t been so much a ‘formality‘ but more specifically an ‘extremely stressful situation’. Michelle has a series of uncancellable meetings scheduled in France next week to attend, me I was going to go along for the ride, and the chance of free accommodation, free use of a car, plenty of good wine – and my all-time favourite – confit canard…

Up until just now, we’ve been “battle gear on – all swords blazing“, we haven’t been able to contact the correct governmental department, nor have we received any confirmation of receipts or in fact, anything at all. They have our applications, and our passports. It’s a feeling close to being cut off – with nowhere to go, because we don’t have our identity documents.

However just now, SUCCESS. I was finally able to get through to the correct ‘in-country team’ to find out that all things being equal, our case should be processed today and sent out no later than tomorrow. That is of course if they agree that we should be awarded with an extension for an additional 18 months. And you just never know….

So now we just have to hold our breath to ensure that our notoriously bad post man doesn’t deliver our very important passports to the wrong address (again!).

I just can’t imagine how I would have time to hold down a job.