A Visa in the Hand is Better than Six in the Mail ...

I am now holding my definite "permanent resident" visa. It feels like the end of a long journey, but was finally fairly painless. I stumbled mostly upon mental hurdles on the way, like when

• having my fingerprints taken,
  
• handing in C’s tax returns,
  
• undergoing vaccinations for children’s diseases I already had and was not likely to encounter again,
  
• going through a thorough medical exam where I was X-rayed and tested for all thinkable and unthinkable STDs,
  
• having my medical records (that I previously assumed confidential) scrutinised,
  
• being cross-examined on my private life,
  
• applying for police certificates from every town I have resided in,
  
• putting toghether a list of all employers I have had in my life (and quite a few at that) and all schools attended.

And finally: swearing to all sorts of things, including never having enlisted in a non-capitalistic political party.

But still, like I said, was actually reasonably painless.