Residency!

Last Thursday evening Rene came home from work to find two letters from the Dutch Immigration Service in our mailbox. I opened the smaller one up first to find a letter saying that they are missing information in my file and will not make a decision about whether or not I get a residency permit until they receive the missing information. I was furious since Rene and I were painstakingly careful to make sure we got everything into them that they requested.

But then I opened the second letter that had arrived that day to find a letter that said that they have granted my request for a residency permit! Rene and I were really confused, the the second letter said that everything was set and I will get an appointment to come in personally to pick up my permit.

The next day Rene called them to find out what the deal was. They apologized for the first letter that said I was still missing information- it was an automated letter that wasn't supposed to get sent to me. So in fact I am a resident! Almost!

I haven't yet heard from them about when I can come to the Hague to pick up my permit, but I hope to hear from them soon. The permit is only temporary, though. It's good for a year from the date of my appointment with them (October 2), and next year I need to apply for a permanent permit, but I need to have a job with at least a two year contract in order for them to grant it to me (well, SOMEONE in the household needs that, and since Rene will be in school by then that person will be ME!).

So now it's time to get down and dirty and find me-self a job!