Further Frustration With the Kyrgyz Embassy

The FedEx package arrived today that contained my crispy-clean Kyrgyz visa. I grabbed the envelope like it was Christmas morning, only to find a huge black fly in my Chardonnay. I stated before that I was specifically told by the language school to not get a tourist visa, and after multiple attempts at contacting the Kyrgyz Embassy, I found out that I should apply for a business visa for study. Now this:

Maybe they weren’t on their game because of the recent holiday. Whatever it was, I still find myself scratching my head when I think about the information they received and what the final product was. I sent this:

• An application requesting a business visa.
• An invitation letter requesting a visa for study.
• A cashier’s check for the amount of a business visa (not tourist, which is less).
• I also want to point out that I was told on the phone (after having to call 8 times to reach someone) that I should apply for a business visa.

After all this, they decided to keep my extra money and produce a tourist visa. *scratches head* At this point I think I’m just going to keep it the way it is and deal with this after I get there. I have a lot to get done before we leave for Guatemala, and I don’t want to spend anymore time and/or money with the Kyrgyz Embassy. If I can’t extend this visa in Kyrgyzstan, I’ll just venture over to Uzbekistan for a bit.