Passport Pains

This is somewhat controversial but I have to faithfully record my expat adventure for posterity or at least for my own reflection in my old age.

So we were planning to go to get our US visas yesterday with the kids except I had the hunch I better go read the application checklist more closely to make sure I had everything in order. So it came to pass that I realised with some trepidation that both junior's passport and mine would not pass muster. Both passports expire in 2 years and we needed visas for 3 years. So at the last minute it was, "you need to go to school tomorrow cos we are not going to the embassy" and "sorry, school bus uncle, you do need to come pick up junior for school tomorrow morning because we have a change of plans."

So off to passport office we went and lo and behold, we were told policy has it we cannot extend junior's passport - there was some flip flopping around the ages but basic message was boys between 13 (or flip flop to 11) and 16 can only have passports for 2 years or we have to post a bond (ouch). And then: however, if we can wait till August 15 when new rules come into force, we will be able to get a new passport that will allow the full 5 years. But but but... I countered, I cannot wait because my plans are to arrive in the US on August 18. Policy is policy is policy says the powers that be and don't think of going to see your MP because it is not going to work. Then the sweetener - there are others in similar situations and the US embassy understands, so just go ahead and see what they say, blah blah blah.

Problem is they are not the ones who will be running from place to place, eh. There was even some alluding to maybe leaving junior behind (to my utter jaw dropping flabbergasted amazement). And the better half was to my surprise very understanding that the officers cannot bend policies so we will try, etc, etc.

And to think we only renewed junior's passport in May, barely 2 months ago. Such bad timing.

How can the passport section do this to citizens, I groused in private to my better half, flip flopping around with important things like passports in knee jerk fashion because a certain musician from London skipped his national service...

Anyway, we are going to heed the officer's advice and see if the US embassy folks are as understanding as our officer reckon they will be. Otherwise, we will have to figure out next steps.