Birth Certificate Bureaucracy

I was eligible to apply for Czech Citizenship two years ago after I passed my B1 Czech language exam.   However, I can't apply until I first sort out my birth certificate.

Here's the situation...

I need to provide a birth certificate with an apostille.  An apostille is basically an internationally recognised "super notarisation".  In the USA,  an apostille can only be issued in the state where the document was issued.  Since I was born in California, my birth certificate can only be given an apostille by the Secretary of State of California.

The fee to request an apostille in California is $20.  I have an old certified copy of my birth certificate with me in Brno.  I would need to mail my birth certificate to California, along with payment for the apostille, and the return postage for it to be mailed back to me in Czechland.  

I wasn't really thrilled about mailing the only copy of my birth certificate.  The next option was to request a new certified birth certificate from Riverside County, in Southern California.  I would need to submit a request by mail, with payment, for the new birth certificate.  It would get mailed to me in Brno.  Then I would need to mail the new one back to California for the apostille, and then have this mailed back to me in Brno.  Crazy.

I found lots of companies that I could pay to sort out a new certified birth certificate or to sort out the apostille.  Finding companies that would handle both the birth certificate and the apostille was damn near impossible.  The few companies that I did find that would handle both parts, and seemed somewhat reputable, cost around $1000.  

So while we were in California I took the opportunity to finally get my documents sorted.  I shipped my birth certificate to Sacramento for the Secretary of State to issue the apostille.  My mom needed to write a Czech for the $20 processing fee.  I included a pre-paid DHL envelope for it to be shipped back to me in Brno.

While in California, I also requested a new certified birth certificate just so that I will have a spare copy.  The new birth certificate will be sent to my parent's home in Arizona.

Positive

On Tuesday afternoon I started to feel like I was coming down with something.  On Wednesday, I had the flu.  Typical cold symptoms - fever, chills, runny nose, body aches.  On Friday morning, I just knew it was more than the flu so I went back to St. Anne's for another PCR test.

On Friday evening I received an SMS (text message) that my results came back positive.  The official results were sent to me via e-mail with instructions that I needed to contact my GP.

I spent the weekend on quarantine, taking cold medicine, drinking lots of fluids and trying to sleep as much as possible.  On Monday, I had a video call with my GP and I was put on sick leave.  I have a follow up appointment on Thursday but hopefully I'll be able to go back to work on Monday.  

I thought the flu symptoms were part of the Covid thing but this is the worst flu that I've had in 10-11 years.  At least I haven't lost my sense of smell.  Yesterday I walked to the nearest pharmacy which is only about 250 metres from my flat.  There and back and it felt like I had walked for an hour.

My friend David offered to bring me some "badger's fat."  I had to laugh.  Apparently badger's fat is a thing in Slovakia.  From his description, it sounded like the Slovak equivalent of Vicks VapoRub.  I declined his offer to drop it off to me as he has two small kids at home and they've just recovered from it so I don't want to pass this on to anyone else.  I honestly don't know if it is really made out of actual badger fat or if that's just what they call it.

While I was at the pharmacy I wanted VapoRub so I asked for something that I could spread on my chest to help with the congestion.  

The pharmacist gave me psí sádlo, which is "dog fat".  I guess it's badger fat in Slovakia and dog fat here in Czechland.

One thing that's nice is I didn't have to deal with whole 5 different copies  of the paper based sick note system.  As of 1 January 2020, an amendment went into effect to the Sickness Insurance Act which launched electronic sick notes.  eNeschopenka is e-sick leave.

When you're too sick to work, the Czech Labour Code says that the employees pays the salary compensation for the first 14 days and from the 15th day it is paid by the District Social Security Administration (OSSZ).  If you are self-employed then the OSSZ pays benefits from the 15th day that you are unable to work.

The old 5 copy thing was a mess where some copies were for the doctor, some for the patient, plus the employer and the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSZ).  Now it is all online which means it is faster to receive payment of sickness benefits.  Everything is done via a CSSZ ePortal.

My New Driver's License

I applied to renew my driver's license in August, coincidentally, on the very same day that my my old license expired.  It was surprisingly easy.  I had an appointment, showed my old license, signed some documents, and that was it.  I didn't need to take a new photo and it didn't cost anything.  I was given a piece of paper that said I applied for my renewal on 17.8., and I was told that my new license might be ready for pickup in two weeks but definitely within four weeks.  I would just need to make an appointment to pick it up.  

I wasn't really worried about how long it would take to get my new license.  It's not like I need it to ride the tram.  Since I knew that I'd be in Germany last week I had scheduled an appointment for yesterday.  

Again, it was very easy.  When I made my appointment online I was given a four-digit PIN that I entered today when I arrived.  I waited to be called up to the window where the clerk took my old license and gave me my new one.  I didn't need to pay anything and I was in and out of the place in ten minutes.  Awesome!

I did like my old license better.  Well, at least the photo was better.  For my new license they automatically used the photo they had in the system from the last time I was here to renew my ID, when I had my good experience at the Foreign Police.  The old license also had a second photo in the bottom right corner but my new license doesn't have it.

With my new license I'm legal to drive here for another ten years.

Driver's License Renewal

I got my Czech driver's license back in 2011 which was good for ten years.  To be honest I haven't driven much anyways.  I don't have a car here in Czechland and I don't need one thanks to the great public transportation system here.  To be honest I can't remember the last time I even drove in the past 8 or so years.

There was plenty of information on online about applying for a Czech license but nothing about renewing an existing one.  At least not in English.  I went online last week and managed to book an appointment for today right before lunch time.  I was provided a code and when I got there, I entered the code into the ticket machine and waited to be called.  

Once called I showed the clerk my license.  She printed off some forms, I double checked the data and signed the form.  She told me that I could make an appointment to pick up my new license in 2 to 4 weeks.  That was it.  I didn't have to give them a photo.  No fee and I kept my current license.  

My license actually expires today but I suppose that with this little paper I could theoretically keep driving until I pick up my new license.  I guess in Czechland. I wouldn't want to test this driving outside the country.

The best part was that I was in and out of the office in only 7 minutes.  Awesome!

Bankovní Identita

Bankovní Identita is a new banking identification system that is getting rolled out in Q1 of this year.   

The system will allow you to use your bank's electronic banking security methods to verify your identity.  Just use your Internet banking login details and you will be able to access more than 125 services on-line.

The system will allow people to electronically sign documents and automatically pre-fill forms which will reduce the amount of time people need to actually visit government offices.

People will be able to file taxes, deal with driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, get an extract from the criminal registry and deal with health insurance companies.  The census will be online and available in March.  I swear that anything that helps reduce Czech bureaucracy is a good and welcome thing.  

The Czech Banking Association has a commercial about it that I found on YouTube.  The commercial is a bit abstract in my opinion. 

©Česká bankovní asociace

Dogs in Czechland

Czechs are big time dog lovers.  Something like 25%-30% of Czechs own a dog.  The most popular dogs across the country are German shepherds, dachshunds, Labradors and golden retrievers.

Dogs are welcomed more places than they are in the USA.  It's not uncommon to see dogs sitting under the table at cafes, pubs, and restaurants.  And I'm not talking about service animals.  People take their dogs almost everywhere.

If dogs aren't allowed then there's usually a sign on the door indicating that dogs aren't allowed.  Large grocery stores, museums, castles, churches, and some restaurants are places that usually restrict entry except for service animals.

If you take a dog to a pub or restaurant, the waiter will normally bring the dog a bowl of water without even being asked.  

Dogs here tend to be better socialised than in the USA.  Dogs are well trained and because they are used to being out in public without any problems they continue to be become even better behaved.  

Now this is Czechland so there are rules and bureaucracy to deal with.

The law states that dogs either have to be on a leash (a lead) or wear a muzzle.  In cases where the dog bites someone then the owner or walker of the dog is liable.

You have to purchase a ticket for the dog to ride public transportation.  When on public transport the dog must wear a muzzle.  Or if it's a small dog then no muzzle is required if the dog is in an enclosed pet carrier.  

People here are pretty good about picking up after their dogs.  I expect that there's a huge fine if you don't but I don't know how much it is.

All dogs must be registered with the city authorities.  Registration fees are paid for each dog older than three months.  The owner is required to register the dog within 15 days of getting the dog.  If you take a dog from a shelter then you are exempt from registration fees for the first year.  The fees can vary depending if you live in a flat or a family house.  The fees are also lower if you are a pensioner.

I'm told that Brno has the most complicated fees in the entire country because each of the city's 29 districts have their own rules.  Here are the fees if you live in the city centre.

If you live in a flat then the basic registration fee for a single dog is 1500 Kč ($67).  For additional dogs it is 2250 Kč ($101).  If you live in a family house then it is 600 Kč ($27) for the first and 900 Kč ($40) for the additional dogs.  If you are a pensioner then the fees are only 200 Kč ($9) and 300 Kč ($13).  

If you don't pay your registration fees on time then the fine is three times the original cost.  If your dog passes away then your are required to inform the authorities.

The Veterinary Act was amended so that as of 1 January 2020, all dogs older than six months must be chipped.  The fee to chip your dog is normally 400-450 Kč ($18-$20).  I though chips had been mandatory before but maybe there were exceptions allowed.  The fine for not chipping your dog was increased from 10.000 Kč ($450) to 20.000 Kč ($900).

Czech Citizenship Exam: Basic Legal Terms, Administrative and Criminal Law

Here are the 10 study questions for the Czech Citizenship exam from section 9: Basic Legal Terms, Administrative and Criminal Law. 

1.  Which of the following sentences about citizenship of the Czech Republic is true?

The application for citizenship of the Czech Republic must be submitted in person.

2.  Which authority issues a new identity card to citizens of the Czech Republic?

Municipal office or district office.

3.  Mrs. Nováková bought a dog and therefore has to fulfil certain obligations.  What must Mrs. Nováková do and what does she not have to do?

She does not have to provide dog training.  However, she must secure the chip for the dog, register the dog at the municipal office, and reimburse any damage caused by the dog.  

4.  In which case does Ms. Nováková have to apply for a new identity card?

After changing her surname, after changing the place of permanent residence, and after the expiry of the identity card.

5.  Which behaviour is a crime?

Mr. Novák caused a car accident, did not help the injured driver and drove away from the accident.

6.  Mr. Novotný is a citizen of the Czech Republic and has lost his passport.  Where can he apply for a new passport?

At the municipal office.

7.  Which of these authorities can issue a certificate that a citizen does not have a criminal record?

Criminal Registry.

8.  Which of the following authorities can verify the signature in a written document?

Municipal office.

9.  Stamps are used to pay administrative fees at government offices.  Which of these institutions sells stamps?

Czech Post.

10.  According to the law, juveniles also have criminal liability.  Which of these people is a juvenile?

David, who is 17 years old. 

English Comes to Brno

When I first moved to Brno, going on 7,5 years ago, it wasn't easy to find an English speaker.  Going to a restaurant was an adventure.  Even if I asked a waiter or waitress (in Czech), if they spoke English (or German), I mostly received a grunt and the menu was tossed on the table.  What a difference a few years has made.  Now when I go out, and speak Czech, many of the waiters will want to respond back in English.  Of course, I just keep speaking Czech.  If I had to learn it then I'm going to use it.

But one place I never thought would lighten up was going to the city administrative offices.  Of the 29 Brno city districts, Brno-střed has the largest number of foreigners living there, around 6,000 people.  About 7% of the local population.  Well now the Brno-střed, Brno-centre, website has information online in both English and Russian.

Paperwork is now available in both English and Russian and at the main office there is an English-speaking clerk.  And starting next month, 150 office employees will get English lessons.

Wow!  How times have changed.  I wonder if other languages, like German or French, are next?  Or if other districts plan on doing this too?  

Re-register with the Foreign Police

I had hoped when I received my last ID card that it would be a very long time before I had to go back to the Interior Ministry.  That hope was short lived.  I actually needed to make two visits but I just combined them and did everything at once.

1.  Since I have a new passport I needed to give the information to the authorities.
2.  Since I'm moving I need to update my ID card.  I needed to show a copy of my new lease, provide biometric data and buy a 1000 Kč (~$39) stamp.

I'm not 100% on the law but I believe that you need to report a new address within 30 days of moving.

Oh a joyful day of bureaucracy but, all and all, it was't actually too bad.  I did manage to do everything in Czech.  It should take about two weeks before my new ID card is ready.  What's nice is that I got to keep my current card while my new one is in the works. 

Blue Insurance Card

A few weeks ago I received a letter from my insurance provider that because I now have permanent residency in Czechland, I need to update my insurance card. 

Fine...but here's what I don't understand.  The company knows I need a new card but they won't request it until I give them my old card.  Which means that for a period of time I'm without an insurance card.  Why can't they order the new card, let me know when it's ready and immediately swap it out for my old card?  Loczech. 

So I go to the VZP office and give them my green insurance card (for non-EU citizens).  The clerk tells me that it will take six to eight weeks for my new card to be ready.  She gave me a piece of paper stating that I still have health insurance and that any doctor or hospital can call them to verify my coverage.  I'm glad that I took out travel insurance for my trip to the Stans next week.

Fortunately it only took two weeks for my card to be ready.  This time I've got a blue EU card.  The coverage is the same but I will miss my old green card.

Glad I Already Passed!

I'm so glad that I already have my Czech permanent residency.  Apparently the government plans to make it a wee more difficult beginning next year.

It looks like there will be a required eight-hour course covering every day situations in Czechland plus Czech culture and politics.  The language exam will be more difficult too.  Currently one only has to know 900 words and phrases but beginning next year it will go up to 2000.

Each year about 15,000 people apply for permanent residency in Czechland.  I wonder if this extra requirements will decrease the numbers at all.

I'm Approved

This is my 1,000th blog post!  Who would have thought that this blog thing would still be going strong?  I guess it's appropriate that this is my 1,000th post because I got some great news today.

On 3 December I submitted my paperwork for permanent residency and today the Czech Interior Ministry called me to say that I've been approved.  Yeah!!  No more having to jump through hoops like a trained circus poodle every two years to request a visa extension.  This will give me almost equal status with Czech citizens except that I can't vote.  If I want to vote and get a Czech passport then I can apply for that in another five years.  And who knows what will happen in another five years?

I need to make an appointment to visit the ministry for a new photo and submit my biometrics.  I should get my new Czech green card in a couple of weeks after that.

I've Applied

This morning I applied for Czech permanent residency.  Permanent residency; not citizenship.  There's a difference.

As a non-EU citizen, living in the European Union, I'm required to renew my work permit and my residency permit every couple of years.  Every time I apply I have to provide a form and lots of notarized documents.  IBM picks up the application fee for the renewals.

Now that I've lived in Czechland for the required five years, and passed my language exam, I am eligible to apply for permanent residency.  Permanent residency allows me to live and work in Czech Republic without having to obtain future permits.  For the past five years I've paid in to the social system but without permanent residency, I'm not allowed to claim unemployment benefits.  If I quit or lost my job then I would have 30 days to find a new firm to sponsor my visa or I would have to leave the Schengen area.

With permanent residency, I will now get treated the same as Czechs except that I don't get to vote.  For that you need citizenship and I can't apply until I've been a permanent resident for at least five years.  Bureaucracy is so much fun to figure out.

I was eligible to apply back in July when I hit my five year anniversary but I couldn't apply because I hadn't completed my Czech language test at the time.  I basically lost five months but no problem.  My application has been received and, due to the upcoming Christmas holidays, I should receive the results back in about 10 weeks. 

A1 Language Exam

July 1st was my five year anniversary in Czechland and as of then I've been eligible to apply for permanent residency.  In order to apply I am required to pass a basic Czech language exam.  Unfortunately, I've been so busy with work, and with my family's visit, that I haven't had the time to take the exam.  On Monday, everyone left for Budapest for five days which gave me the opportunity to catch up with things at work and to take my language exam.

Voucher for free exam

Last week, I had to go to the foreign ministry to pick up a voucher for the exam.  All applicants are entitled to take the exam one time for free.  If you don't pass the exam the first time then you have to pay 1,500 Kč (~$75) for each retry. 

For permanent residency you only have to pass the A1 level.  This means that a person can handle simple conversation about common everyday situations concerning oneself, one's place of residence, property, relatives and acquaintances when:

• visiting public institutions, post offices, shopping, ordering services or food;
• dealing with officials, health care providers;
• handling accommodation and public transportation 

A1 means that you have basic survival Czech.

The first part of the exam covers reading, listening and writing.  The reading portion takes 20 minutes and you have to answer multiple choice questions.  The listening comprehension part last about 35 minutes.  You hear quick conversations and have to answer multiple choice questions.  This was the most difficult part for me.  Then comes the written portion which lasts for 15 minutes.  You are given a theme to write about.

If you successfully pass these three parts then you can take the verbal portion.  I had to sit one-to-one with the examiner for about 5 minutes and hold a conversation about how long I had been in the country, where I was from, what I liked about the Czech Republic, etc. 

My official A1 certificate

I passed!!  My Czech is better than A1 but I was still nervous about the exam because I had to pass it.  If I apply for Czech citizenship in five years then I will have to take the B1 exam which will be much more difficult. 

Now I just need to get notarized copies of my paperwork and submit everything to the foreign ministry.  Hopefully I can find the time and get an appointment in November.

Update:  I applied in December.

Shop Hours

The time that stores are open is much different in Europe than back in the USA.  In America, stores have longer opening hours.   Heck, most big grocery stores are open 24/7.  Not so over here.

Stores in Czechland usually open between 7 or 8 AM and close by 6 PM, Monday to Friday.  It is not uncommon for small shops to close from 12 to 1 PM for lunch.  If small shops are open on the weekend then it is usually only on Saturdays and they will close by 12 or 1 PM.

Hypermarkets (shopping centers) are open seven days a week and usually close at 9 PM.  My local Albert is open from 7 AM to 9 PM.

A večerka is a small convenience type grocery store that is open late night.  Or if you're lucky there will be a local nonstop that is open 24/7.  In Brno, there's even one Tesco that is open 24 hours.

Czechs (and Slovaks), traditionally, tend to start work early in the morning and stop early enough to still make it to the local shops before they close.  It must come for the days of Franz Joseph and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Limited office hours are a leftover from the days of communism and make bureaucracy so much worse here.  Most government office are open to the public on Mondays and Wednesdays, and may have limited hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Don't even think about trying to renew your driver's license, visit city hall or go to the Foreign Ministry on a Friday.

Optician's opening hours M-F

I just don't get why shops aren't open longer here.  There's this very cool antique store in Brno which I would love to spend some money in.  Too bad  it's only open Tuesday - Thursday, from 10 AM to 1 PM.  It's like some stores are afraid to be open longer because then the employees would have to work more.

In the USA, the prime time to buy a car is on the weekend.  Not so over here because that's when the car dealerships are closed.

One of the great things that I like about Christmas time over here is that almost all shops stay open longer.  At least until 7 or 9 PM. 

As much as I may complain at times about limited shopping hours in Czechland or Slovakia, it's even more restrictive in Austria and Germany.  In Austria and Germany, Sundays are meant for family time so nothing is open on Sundays.  Not even the mall.  Unless you want to do your grocery shopping at a gas station mini-mart then you had better get your Sunday supplies on Saturday because nothing will be open on a Sunday.

BESIP

BESIP is the Czech Road Safety Department.  It's a part of the Ministry of Transport and is responsible for road safety.

It was recently announced that they will distribute an English-language leaflet to acquaint foreigners with the local traffic rules.  Apparently there is a rising number of road accidents caused by foreigners.

Czech toll road network

The funny thing is that the foreigners with the highest number of accidents here are Slovaks.  Followed by Ukrainians and then Germans.  Not quite sure why they decided to print the leaflets in English but OK.  Besides, aren't the traffic rules in Slovakia pretty dang close to the rules here in Czechland?

The leaflets will be available at gas stations, hotels and on the BESIP website.  Here's a link to the rules.  I really wish I had this when I was taking driving lessons and studying for my Czech driver's license. 

Tünde's Dual Passports

Claudia and Norbert managed to get both of Tünde's passports sorted out at the embassies in Prague.  I still find it funny how the EU is supposed to standardize things between all of the member countries but in reality it just kind of helps a whole bunch of different countries interact with each other.

Tünde has four first names.  Well, her first name is Tünde and she has three middle names.  Most of Europe doesn't really do middle names so she has four first names.  Due to the Czech name rules, the baby could not be named Tünde until it was first proved that the name already exists in Hungary.  In Hungarian, it means "little fairy."

Hungarian Baby Passport

For her Hungarian passport, the embassy did not want to allow four first names.  However, they complied because Germany allows for it.

For her German passport, the embassy did not want to allow for a hyphenated double last name.  However, the German embassy complied because it is valid in Hungary.

I'm not sure which passport they had first in order to prove it to the second embassy.  Holy bureaucracy!!

German Baby Passport

The German baby passport is valid for six years.  I'm not sure how long the Hungarian passport is good for.

As far as I know this is the end of the passport adventure.  Tünde has dual citizenship from two different EU countries.

I know a German couple here in Brno, and their daughter was born in the USA when they lived in North Carolina.  Since she was born in the USA, she is an American citizen.  She also has a German passport.  However, they told me that when she is 18 years old, Germany will require her to decide which passport to surrender.  The USA doesn't require her to choose and she can keep both.  I wonder if it's because the second passport isn't from a fellow EU country?

My (Hopefully) Last Temporary Long-Term Visa

Today I received my new biometric long-term residency permit card.  Once again, it took me five visits.  These Czechs have got to figure out a way to streamline the bureaucracy.  It is absolutely maddening! 

The first visit was to submit my paperwork for another two-year extension.

Due to the delay in getting my work permit, I received a certified letter from the Interior Ministry that my visa renewal was put on hold until the work permit is finalized.  So when my work permit was finalized I had to go back to the ministry to provide them with a notarized copy.  That was the second visit.

I had to go back for a third time to get a temporary extension of my previous visa due to my Caucasus trip.  My previous visa would have expired while I was outside of the Schengen Zone.  I was told that it probably wouldn't be a problem since I have an American passport but I didn't want to risk it.  The temporary extension was another visa sticker that went in my passport.

My fourth visit to the ministry was to have a new photo and my fingerprints taken.

2500 Kč = $132

On my fifth, and thankfully final, visit I had to give them the 2500 Kč.  The only way to pay is with government stamps.

So I'm legal in Czechland until 2015.  Next year will be my fifth year so if I want I can apply for permanent residency.  This means that next year I'll have to go through all of this, (and a bit more), all over again.  On the upside, I will never have to deal with this again.

Another Visa Approval

My long bus ride from Baku to Tbilisi was pretty uneventful.  It was definitely easier leaving Azerbaijan than it was trying to get in.

The most exciting moment came when I got a call on my mobile from the Czech Interior Ministry.  My visa application was approved.  Yeah!!  I was given an appointment time for next week to have my photograph and biometrics taken for my new Schengen ID card. 

My new visa will allow me to remain in Czech Republic for another two years.  However, in one year I will be eligible to apply for permanent residency which means I won't have to deal with two year extension requests anymore.  However, I will still have to first pass the prerequisite Czech language exam at the A2, or higher, level.

Now it's bed time.  I have to be up in a few hours to catch my flight back home.

Azeri Visa

Getting a visa for Azerbaijan is a pain in the arse.  There is no visa on arrival.  It's mandatory to apply for a visa through an Azeri embassy.  The challenge is that Azeri embassy rules for what's required in order to obtain a visa can change overnight.  Plus, each embassy interprets the regulations differently.

All of the embassies require a completed visa application.  The application requires each person to declare if they have ever visited Nagorno-Karabakh.  If you have, then you can kiss your visa request good-bye.  You have to present your original passport, plus a photo copy of the data page.  The passport must be valid, at a minimum, for three months longer than the end of the visa.  Two passport photos are also required.

Of course there's an application fee.  For a single-entry, up to one month tourist visa EU citizens generally pay €60 while Americans pay $160 due to reciprocity.  

Azeri embassy in Vienna

If I apply for my visa at the Azeri embassy in Vienna then I have to provide a hotel reservation with a signature and a stamp on actual hotel letterhead.  This means at least an extra two weeks of lead time for the hotel in Azerbaijan to snail-mail it to me.  I also need to show a flight ticket or some other proof of transportation in and out of the country that corresponds to the requested dates on the visa application.  The application fee has to be paid in advance at an Austrian bank and the receipt needs to be given to the embassy.

Processing time is 3 to 7 business days.  The embassy in Vienna only handles visa requests on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9:30 to 12:30.  This would cost me to take two days off of work, the first to apply and the second to pick up the visa, plus the travel expense to Vienna.

Azeri embassy in Prague

The embassy in Prague takes 5 to 10 business days to process visa applications.  The visa section is open from 10 AM to 12:30 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Again, this would require me to take off two days from work.

For the Prague embassy, the visa will be issued for the exact dates of one's hotel reservations.  It too requires the hotel confirmation to be on original letterhead but the reservation must all be prepaid.  A letter of invitation is also required and it must be approved by the Azeri Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Most companies charge an additional $50 to $200 for this depending on how quickly you need it.  The MFA can take 2 days to 2 weeks.

After some serious Internet research I found a travel agency in Tbilisi that can sort out my Azeri visa.  I had to e-mail them the completed application, a scanned passport photo, passport data page and the dates that I wanted the visa issued for.  For $180 they could get me a visa issued in one day.  By far, this would be the easiest option.  I would just need to visit the travel agency once I get to Tbilisi.  So I made my arrangements with the agency over a month ago.  Then last week they notified me that the embassy in Tbilisi changed the rules and there are no more same day requests.  Visas in Georgia now take five days.  Ugghhh!!!

My original holiday plans for the Caucasus were to spend a couple of days in Tbilisi, get my visa for Azerbaijan in one day and immediately head to Baku for five days.  Then back to Tbilisi and down to Armenia with a possible visit to Nagorno-Karabakh.  This last minute hiccup with the visa change has caused me to alter my entire trip and change every hotel reservation I had.

Azeri embassy in Tbilisi

Now I'll have to apply for my visa on a Monday morning and hopefully it will be ready to pick up on Friday afternoon.  If I go to Armenia between these days then I won't have time to get to Nagorno-Karabakh.  Besides, if I did then my Azeri visa would be voided.  So I'll head to Georgia, try to get the visa and play a few things by ear.  Something tells me that this adventure will have a few more twists and turns.  Wish me luck.

Update:  I finally received my Azeri visa.