"Zu Gast bei Freunden", that's the slogan for the soccer world cup 2006 in Germany. The English version is slightly different: "A time to make friends". (Literally, "Zu Gast bei Freunden" translates rather into "To be a guest at a friend's place".)
So much for the advertising. A friend of mine who lives in Canada and happens to be a Peruvian citizen is trying frantically to get a tourist visa for Germany to come and see some of the games. He even has tickets, for god's sake! In order to get his visa, he needs to be invited by a German citizen (same system as in Russia, by the way, not to indicate anything). This letter has to be notarized. Additionally, and there it's getting really ridiculous, they need a form called declaration of commitment, or Verpflichtungserklärung. (Don't German bureaucratic terms always sound oh so sexy?) This, in turn, is supposed to prove that the host (me) is willing and able to financially support the invited guest, no matter what, i.e. hospital etc. To prove it, you need to show up (in person, physically!) in the Ausländerbehörde office (some sub-department of the Foreign Service, I guess) and show them your salary or, in case you work freelance, as I do, a written statement by your tax advisor. Then you pay 25 Euros for their effort. Did I mention that this office is only open 4 days a week, some hours each? Working full-time? You'd better not be inviting any friends over!
As you need to coordinate every step with your guest, they'll definitely realize the pain it is for you. I've hardly ever felt so embarrassed by this country. Time to make friends? Forget 2006 - try again in 2024!
So much for the advertising. A friend of mine who lives in Canada and happens to be a Peruvian citizen is trying frantically to get a tourist visa for Germany to come and see some of the games. He even has tickets, for god's sake! In order to get his visa, he needs to be invited by a German citizen (same system as in Russia, by the way, not to indicate anything). This letter has to be notarized. Additionally, and there it's getting really ridiculous, they need a form called declaration of commitment, or Verpflichtungserklärung. (Don't German bureaucratic terms always sound oh so sexy?) This, in turn, is supposed to prove that the host (me) is willing and able to financially support the invited guest, no matter what, i.e. hospital etc. To prove it, you need to show up (in person, physically!) in the Ausländerbehörde office (some sub-department of the Foreign Service, I guess) and show them your salary or, in case you work freelance, as I do, a written statement by your tax advisor. Then you pay 25 Euros for their effort. Did I mention that this office is only open 4 days a week, some hours each? Working full-time? You'd better not be inviting any friends over!
As you need to coordinate every step with your guest, they'll definitely realize the pain it is for you. I've hardly ever felt so embarrassed by this country. Time to make friends? Forget 2006 - try again in 2024!
peterb - 30. Mar, 11:11
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