Henry applied for NZ tourist visa

Magbabalik-tanaw ako sa ginawa ni Henry na pag-a-apply ng NZ tourist visa noong 2004 (di pa ako blogger that time).

January 2004 nang sabihin ng NZIS na 195 ang EOI selection points. Although bumababa naman ito every month, feeling namin malayo pa bago daanan ang 115pts namin. Henry and I entertained the idea of going to NZ as tourist then find a job whilst there. Si Henry muna, susunod na lang kami. When I mentioned this to my friend Len, she immediately sent Henry sponsorship form (NZ citizens na silang pamilya). Dip ala basta, basta sinasagutan yung form na yon. They went pa to the embassy to have it checked/authenticated.

Before going to the embassy, we already prepared the documents they require:
- Visitor’s Visa app form
- Passport
- Booking certificate (iba ito sa plane ticket)
- Emp. Cert
- Financial docs – bank cert, passbook, etc.
- Certificate of assets
- Sponsorship Form

Sa BPI Center sa Buendia ang office ng NZ embassy. Mga 8:30am kami dumating pero di kami pinaakyat agad nung guard. Dapat daw 9am impunto.

Sa itaas, hintayan na naman. Di lang kasi basta nagsu-submit ng documents. May konting interview na ginagawa yung visa officer upon receipt of application (sa may window lang naman ito). Nung kay Henry na, may mga tanong si v.o. na di nya marinig so come to the rescue si stage-wife (medyo ako yon). Nung una ok lang, pero nung second time na nag-coach ako, I was asked to return to my seat. Pahiya ang beauty ko. Henry was holding a slip when he returned to his seat. Nakalagay doon yung interview sked nya, July 13 daw.

Naka-formal si Henry nang bumalik for the interview (syempre kasama pa rin ako sa eksena). Mga 20 minutes tumagal yung interview. Tinanong daw kung ano ang gagawin nya sa NZ, saan sya titira, pano nya nakilala yung sponsors nya, ilang taon na yung mga members ng family ng sponsos nya (?), etc. Medyo nasilip din na ilang beses nang nag-sponsor ng relatives si Len and husband sa bahay nila. Tamang duda yung v.o. Ika nga, guily ka unless proven innocent.

Several days later, bumaba na yung result ng application. Nakakapanlumong denied ang hatol. Ang rason - no incentive to return to home country. However, Henry was given a chance to make an appeal. Dumugo ang utak ko sa pag-compose ng letter. Nilagay namin don na may stable job si Henry, could very much afford to pay for his trip, etc.

July 26, the final verdict arrived. Mag-isa akong pumunta sa embassy. Hindi tatak sa passport ang nakuha ko kundi isang malaking denial letter. Wala na kaming magawa. It is not our right to be travel to NZ, it’s just a privilege. Kung ayaw nila, wala kaming magagawa. Pero sumama talaga ang loob ko. Umuulan noon pero sige lang, lumakad ako papunta sa kotse kahit nababasa.

Isang araw ko ring dinamdam yong rejection na yon. Not sure if Henry felt the same, mas cool yon kesa sa akin. When I went back to my senses, I realized that there is nothing more I can do about it. Dapat na lang naming paghandaan yung plan B which is to wait for the pts to drop to 115. Di nagtagal, bumaba sa 100 ang selection pts. Pasok na kami.

Looking back, it’s good that Henry’s bid for visitor’s visa was not accepted. Medyo magastos din yon at walang katiyakang may trabahong makukuha. God is really good. When He closes a door, He opens a window.