Spring has arrived with its loads of surprises!

Today I had my student visa appointment at the South Africa embassy in Madrid.

I was prepared.

At least I thought I was.

But things didn’t go as expected.

My visa might be rejected for two reasons:

• The Limpopo Field Guiding Academy didn’t provide their own proof of registration as a learning institution in South Africa.
• Worse, my health coverage is not recognized as an institution registered under the South Africa Medical Scheme Act.

The interview wasn’t pleasant.

The usual visa officer was absent, and her replacement, the boss, attended to me. 

She read everything, barely looked at me, asked a few questions, and complained about me being French and applying in Spain (though I’d confirmed this was okay beforehand).

Anyway, she took my application and mentioned the 8-week processing time.

Afterward, I discussed it with the receptionist. She was nice, supportive of my project and confirmed I need to provide the document the boss asks for by a meaningful eye gaze.

Originally, I planned to wander around in Madrid, enjoy the Retiro park, the museum of Reina Sofia to see the Guernica masterpiece.

The program had to wait as my priorities shifted to resolving the visa issue. 

I, finally, managed to understand the requirements of the Student Visa.

This one in particular:  “Proof of medical cover renewed annually for the period of study with a medical scheme registered under the South African Medical Schemes Act.”

I did some research on the internet about that (but obviously not enough) and also got in contact with the South Africa Embassy to double check with them.

Back then, the lady told me I could present my health insurance during the appointment. I left it there and continued with my initial plans and research.

In the end, I could find the list of registered institutions here:

https://www.medicalschemes.co.za/regulated-entities/medical-schemes-in-south-africa

It was not that complicated but I hadn’t seen it in the first place.

I tried to focus on the solutions instead of mourning my past actions.

Imagine me: starting to wander in the streets, a bit lost and stressed out by the situation.

I did not have the laptop with me. Only my smartphone. On a bench at first and then in a cafe so that I do not run out of battery.

I wrote to ALL the public institutions from the list asking for a quote as a foreigner and a confirmation of their registrations under the South African Medical Scheme Act.

One of them, CMP Medical Aid, was really swift in answering, and the only one, to be honest.

I got the quote and decided to apply for it and tried to get the registration done the same day so that I can give it right away to the embassy. 

I discovered I could fill in a PDF on my smartphone in the meantime. A first for me!

I was lucky to get registered the same day.

They asked me to pay upfront as I haven’t had any South African bank account.

But the delays are important for the cash transfers in my bank, and they couldn’t perform it right away, at least they need 48 hours.

I have harassed the Medical Insurance guy and my bank.

That was hopeless, I couldn’t neither get the registration document nor get the cash transfer confirmation.

I got closer to a print shop where I could have the documents. Pointless in the end.

I went back to the embassy unexpectedly, at least I needed to try.

If you do not ask, you will get nothing but regrets.

So I tried to get another appointment, another way to add the right piece of paper in the file to make sure I could have a positive answer, something, … Unfortunately, the next day is a public holiday in South Africa and next week is closed as well. The boss was already gone on vacation for more than one week. The receptionist, full of empathy, gave me an email address where I could write and send back the new document.

The good news is: it gives me a few days to get the medical coverage registration paper. Time is running on my side as there is no way my file will be processed in the meantime.

I had some brainstorming sessions with friends about leveraging the tourist visa, applying in France and finding other solutions… I appreciated the support at that moment.

Nothing more I could do. So I stopped thinking about it and enjoyed the wonderful spring, its promises.

I have enjoyed a bit of Madrid before heading back to Barcelona. Mostly walking in the streets and enjoying the explosion of nature, beauty, and sounds on that spring day.

But my brain couldn’t really stop thinking about the visa.

I realized another mistake I made: I asked for the start date of the training (14th of July) and not for my entry date on the territory (13th of July).

I am always bad with dates, clearly a weak point for those who know me.

Should I tell it or not tell it when I get back my medical coverage registration document?

I choose my battles and head for the medical insurance only; worse case, I will be staying in transit until midnight on the 13th of July. 

Nice struggling moments ahead.

Argh.

I hate when things are not perfect. I would have to live with it until I travel.

I need to keep faith. I need to believe in getting the student visa in time. 

Keep the positive vibes and visualize a successful visa outcome.

Photo : Olivier Rey