I have a feeling bureaucracy is something I am going to have to get used to[1]; I have already filled in and sent back 3 forms, if I try and book my plane ticket myself then JSPS won’t pay[2] and, before I can apply for my visa, my employers have to obtain and send me a Certificate of Eligibility[3]. I still have one more form to be sent before I leave. After I arrive I must send one within the first week announcing my arrival, a second informing them of my new Japanese banking details[4] and a third to arrange Japanese lessons.
According to the regulations, about the worst crime I can commit (professionally), is to forget to hand in my holiday form. Submitting my holiday form after my holiday instead of before it is a sacking offense.
In other news, apparently people who have had Botox are less likely to be angry. Perhaps I should get some before I go to help me cope with the paperwork?
1. No winging please, if you think British bureaucracy is bad it’s time you got out and experienced some of the others.
2. I have to book through the JSPS’s preferred travel agent (KNT). Yup, that means I am flying out to Japan to start my job at TIT with KNT. Joy.
3. Which required a fourth form and a copy of my passport.
4. Oh God. How many forms will there be for THAT procedure?!
5. Thanks Dan-san, these numbers are a MUCH better idea than all those clumsy asterisks.
