Today we finally collected the residence card for my wife from the Bulgarian Immigration Department! I had contacted many people for help, but it was an email that I sent to them three weeks ago that they replied to on monday (in Bulgarian of course!) saying it had been issued. I am ashamed to admit it, but on Sunday evening I had been checking out the flights back to the Philippines for my wife and I. I was really ready to give up. We have prepared our documents for the EEA Family Permit application and they will be submitted tomorrow at 10.00 am.
Since arriving here in Bulgaria I found a fantastic job. It is very enjoyable, the bosses are fantastic and all the staff extremely kind and friendly. I also believe that I have some excellent career prospects. So the surprise is, if we receive the Family Permit we are thinking of staying in Bulgaria anyway! We will be visiting some private hospitals in the coming weeks to discuss giving birth here. A famous footballers wife gave birth in a hospital recommended to me and the cost was quite reasonable!
I have been reunited with many true friends here and they all care immensely for Ann. We held a dinner party 2 weeks ago which was Filipino night. On Friday, we go to a friends for a Japanese night! Ann has done much better than I ever imagined considering she is in a foreign country for the first time, and pregnant.
It really is Win, Win or Win!
I really want to express my heartfelt thanks to Obie and Benifa. You held our hands throughout the whole process and completely changed our lives. You're knowledge of the whole process is truly remarkable and I am so pleased I stumbled upon this forum. Thanks also to Mr. Happy AKA Wanderer - it was a nightmare - but we won!
If the family permit is refused we will of course appeal. I believe that whatever happens it should provide some valuable information for others in our position.
