Certificate of Eligibility

[AshitaNoHisoka]

[Charles]

That's why they invented the telephone and the postal service. Phone up the consulate and ask them how to proceed. I assure you they'd rather deal with paperwork than a live human being.

[AshitaNoHisoka]

[Charles]

Alright. I called up and they said they can, but I have to send my actual passport along with the original certificate to do so. Hopefully I shouldn't have any problems.

I'm not sure I like the sound of that. At least make sure you send via something like FedEx or Certified Mail so you have tracking info.

[AshitaNoHisoka]

[Charles]

Yeah. It is a bit unsettling. But they also said it would only take one to process. Me and some friends are supposed to go there next week before my flight, so if can get there one day early before my friends i should be fine. But half the fun was supposed to be driving up there so I was trying to avoid going early. :/ But I know my friends' schedule, so I might have to go ahead of them one day since leaving something as important as those papers in the mail probably isn't a good idea.

Huh? Only take one what? Day? Remember this is bureaucracy and it could take longer than expected. It sounds like you're planning to mail in the documents, then drive up to the consulate to pick them up and fly out the next day from the same city. Just make sure you follow up constantly and the paperwork is done when you go up to pick it up. Or did I get that wrong and they're going to mail it back to you? Well good luck in any case.

[AshitaNoHisoka]

[GomiGirl]

Congrats - so when does the flight get in?

Make sure you let people know when you are going to be around - always up for beers with new FG's.

[AshitaNoHisoka]

[Charles]

Alright. I mailed it off a few days ago, and now I just received. Everything is in order. Glad everything wen well Sorry for asking obvious questions, just very important.

There are no stupid questions, just stupid people. (Just kidding. )

Sounds like you're on the right track. My professors wouldn't write letters for recommendations for students to go abroad until they've done 3 years of classes. It sounds like you've done the prep work, you've maximized your preparation for the very expensive overseas schools so you'll maximize what you get out of your time in Japan. Just stay away from those stupid gaijin that want to waste your time by speaking English.

[Billy]

There's a consulate in Miami. Why didn't you just drive down there? Unless of course you're living in North FLorida and Atlanta is closer. But I wouldn't send my passport with FedEx or any other carrier. They love shit all the time.

[aquamarine]

Just for future reference for those interested, it's common practice to leave your passport with the Japanese consulate for 3-5 days while the paperwork goes through. Unsettling, but it's just one of those things.