The Skinny With the OQT
Since moving here, I've wanted to become involved, in some way or another, with the Belgian legal system. In my wildest dreams, I would have never thought it would be in the way of my own personal immigration crises. I was actually thinking more along the lines of interning with a governmental agency or volunteering with a NGO, but, as they say in French, c'est la vie.
As it has been explained to me, when a tourist Visa expires, an Ordre de Quitter le Territoire (OQT) is automatically generated, without regard to any application for residency which may be in the works. Even though my application has been in the process for months, I'm told the OQT is valid, unless and until I receive an Order revoking it. Which means, absent a miracle, it looks like I'm headed back to the States a little sooner than expected!
Never a dull day in The Belgian Years ....
© 2006 by Cindy Lane. All rights reserved.
As it has been explained to me, when a tourist Visa expires, an Ordre de Quitter le Territoire (OQT) is automatically generated, without regard to any application for residency which may be in the works. Even though my application has been in the process for months, I'm told the OQT is valid, unless and until I receive an Order revoking it. Which means, absent a miracle, it looks like I'm headed back to the States a little sooner than expected!
Never a dull day in The Belgian Years ....
© 2006 by Cindy Lane. All rights reserved.
posted by Cindy Lane at 9:26 PM
2 Comments:
Don't go, just stay. They won't actually throw you out.
I would like to write some really rude words at this point. I shall restrain myself with saying that 'Belgians have some silly little rules that need challenged and if anyone has the ummpf to do it, you do'
Anyway, all you need to do is move to someone else's place until they revoke the OQT, if you're sure the revoking order is coming soon. They're not going to actively look for you.
This is just plain silly ... too silly for words. Involve CNN or some other media from home. I think the crisis would resolve itself fairly quickly in that instance.
To keep myself from crying, I'm trying to laugh, remembering that other famous blond, Bridget Jones, getting sent to jail while vacationing in Thailand in the second movie. She survives by teaching the local whores (her cellmates) Madonna songs and trading her fancy bra for smokes. She comforts herself by noting she is finally losing weight! In the end, she gets Colin Firth.
Hmmmm, I'd go to jail in Thailand for that. ; )
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