Juana walked into Mongolian language class one day.  She had just gotten a visa for her daughter to go to China.   I also needed to go to China, so I asked about it.  “It’s easy she said.  It’ll take you five minutes.” 

After I committed to teaching here, I looked into the visa issue and was advised that it would be best to arrive on a tourist visa and obtain something more permanent once here. But I might be required to leave the country.

Okay, I thought, no problem.

I got things ironed out on the Mongolian end, but I needed a visa into China.  I went to the consulate on a Friday and found a guard who pointed me to a door. I should go there after 4 pm, he said. I got there at 5. No one was there. A sign said that visas would be available MWF, 9:30-12:30. 

Monday I went back. A line of people stood waiting. The official was on break.  I filled out an application and waited 45 minutes.  I thought I’d go for a multiple entry visa, since the cost was the same.  Listening to the exchanges while in line, it became clear that I wouldn’t get one.  Multiple entry visas were only for business.  For a tourist visa, I learned, you needed a ticket with entry and exist dates.  I wasn’t worried. I wasn’t going as a tourist, but to get my visa.  I’d only be in China for a day or two.

When I apprised the official of my situation, he informed me that I would need my university contract with an official stamp. But I wasn’t paid by the university and had no contract with them. Could I use my Fulbright contract?  Maybe.  I was getting worried.

I spent time over three days getting a letter from the university and made a copy of my ten page single-spaced Fulbright contract.

Standing in line on my next trip, I noticed four of the five people in front of me being denied visas. Fortunately, my letter and contract were acceptable. I could return on Friday.

Friday I returned. I thought the pickup window would be easier than the approval window, but various arguments erupted as visas were denied. Mine, it seemed, hadn’t been completed. I could return at 4:00  pm.

I got to the door at 3:50 and succeeded in being first in line.  The door opened at 4:00.  I handed the official my pickup receipt and fee. She smiled. She pasted the visa into my passport and handed it to me. 

As I walked out, I checked my watch:  exactly 4:05 pm.