Have you ever had a dream that you had to chase after? That despite the challenges you have to face, you choose to pursue it and ignore the fact that it might be impossible or unreachable?
I was struggling with my Student Visa Application here in Sweden for more than a month, convinced that I had to fight for it since I believe God called me to be in this place for a greater purpose.
I left everything behind Philippines—my family, my ministry, my job, my comfort zone, uncertain as to what’s in store for me here in Gothenburg. I may have come here to study Music, but Lord knows that’s not the main reason as to why. I believe this is the place where God wants me to be planted in order to grow spiritually. He wants me to consider this place as my home for a certain period of time and a day will come, who knows when, I will come back to Philippines knowing that I will reach more people with my story.
To get the whole picture of as to why I came here to Sweden and my motivation to such journey, you might wanna read my previous blog entitled
“Detours to New Places”
Well, let me share you the story about my battle of having a Residence Permit here in Sweden. It was one heck of a ride you may say but it’s just amazing how God miraculously made a way for me. Please bear with me as I tell you every detail and the important dates that occurred.
Part 1 – The Beginning of My Race
To start with, it was 20th of April 2017 that I came here with a tourist visa (valid until August 02, 2017) to audition in Connect Music Academy, Gothenburg. It was my auntie Rose who told me about the school. And since I got accepted to the Academy, 16th of May, my next goal was to have a student visa so that I can pursue my study for 10 months. I only had three months to make sure I’ve processed everything before school starts, 21st of August.
Visa Requirements
As I was starting to work on my visa requirements, I realized that I would need to have money in my bank account amounting to SEK 80,000 (8,000USD / 500,000PHP) since the duration of the school is less than a year. I have to show the Migration Agency that I have enough money to support myself. The big question is “Where will I be able to get such amount?” I had to delay my submission for a month since I have to come up with a solution.
I had to write an email to the Migration Agency asking if a relative can sponsor me instead of showing such amount. One person from the agency responded that I am allowed to have a sponsor and as long as I can prove that I’ll get free food and accommodation, the required amount will be lessened to SEK50,000.
Believing that they allow such thing, I contacted some of my relatives (THANK GOD for having a HUGE FAMILY) if they can sponsor me. I even talked to some of my close friends if they can lend me any amount for a certain period of time just to show I have money in my bank account. (As much as I didn’t want to borrow money, I had to swallow all my pride and seek help. And for those who have been part of my journey to bless me, if you’re reading this. I am forever grateful. Thank you!)
So I was able to come up with SEK40,000. I provided everything such as Health Insurance (valid from August 14, 2017 to June 21, 2018); letter of sponsorship (indicating free food and accommodation); my bank account and my relative’s; and the school acceptance letter. Confident enough, I have sent them my application to the Migration Agency here in Sweden 19th of June.
So I went up north, 23rd of June to Sundsvall, for midsummer celebration and to spend the rest of my holiday, pretty much assured that God will be in control of my application.
Part 2 – Do I have to Leave Sweden?
That was the next big question in mind.
I had a plane ticket booked to Manila, 14th of July, since I was told via email that I would need to submit my biometrics (fingerprints, signature and photo) in person to the Swedish Embassy in the Philippines.
I remember praying to God the day I left Gothenburg, hoping He’d bring me back again. I was ready in case I won’t make it back to Sweden. I brought the things I needed most. I was trying to condition myself that no matter what happens, I should accept it and learn to trust God in my situation.
I also prayed to God, if he can make a way for me not to go back to Philippines and have everything fixed here in Sweden, it will help me save a lot of money.
Biometrics:
So while I was in Sundsvall, counting the days before my flight, I sent an email to the Swedish Embassy in Philippines making sure if they process biometrics for student visa application. They responded, 3rd of July, that I had to book an appointment in Bangkok because they don’t have the means to do it there.
If you’ll look at it, I am so much in trouble. But this response triggered me and my aunt, Malou to call the Migration Agency in Sundsvall. I asked a guy from the agency if I can do my biometrics and have the visa released within Europe so that I won’t have to go home. To my surprise, he told me that I don’t have to exit Sweden just to submit my biometrics. I can simply do it in any Migration Agency in Sweden. It was as if I was talking to an angel that day. All the answer he gave me was a YES. This was in contrast to the email I have previously received.
Hearing his response, I booked an appointment for my biometrics right away. What even surprised me more is that upon checking among all the Migration Agency in Sweden, it was Sundsvall that had the earliest date available. If you’d check Gothenburg or Stockholm, the latest booking you’d get is around August. Sundsvall’s available date is 5th of July, two days after we made the call.
God made a way for me to have my biometrics submitted within Sweden, without the need of going to Bangkok or any other Schengen countries.
Tourist Visa Extension:
Since it usually takes 3 months for a student visa to be released, I decided to apply for a tourist visa extension before my scheduled flight, 14th of July, so that in case it won’t be granted, I’d still have the option to fly back to Manila and wait there.
In preparation for my application, I had to buy additional Health insurance valid from July 20, 2017 to August 15, 2017. Also, I had to seek help from my aunt Evelyn who lives in Stockholm since she’s the one who invited me to visit Sweden. She was required to make an appearance together with me to the Migration Agency during the application. Again, it was Sundsvall that had the earliest available date, which is 12th of July. Good thing my aunt and her family had scheduled a trip up north, to Ulvö on the same week.
So when we got to the Migration Agency, it took time for the lady to process my extension since she saw that I had a pending Student Visa Application. To her confusion, she had to ask a guy from the agency to help us out. I’m pretty sure it was the same guy whom I talked to over the phone about my biometrics.
He said that since I don’t have enough time to process my visa extension and that I have a pending student visa case, I cannot extend it. Doing so might even forfeit my student visa application. In my mind, I had no choice but to wait back in Philippines. My tourist visa was about to expire and my student visa application hasn’t even been handled by any case worker. I won’t have enough time to wait here in Sweden.
I was trying to convince myself that I have no chance but to fly back home. And yet, to my surprise, the guy instantly mentioned that I don’t have to leave Sweden. He said that I can wait for the decision of my student visa within the country since I have submitted it here. He even helped me follow-up my case and have a case worker look into my situation. He said that someone will contact me right away to help me out.
Again, another miracle. I get to stay in Sweden while waiting for my Student Visa. I was even able to join my aunt and her family to Ulvö for a camping trip.
Part 3 – A Response from a Case Worker
Proof of Financial Support:
After a trip in Ulvö, I went back to Sundsvall 16th of July, Sunday night. The following day, I got an email from a case worker, telling me that they have checked my Residence Permit application and that the Swedish Migration Agency does not accept sponsorship nor joint bank accounts as proof of financial support. They said that I have to provide whole amount of SEK 80,000 (Php500,000) in my own bank account. And since I only have SEK 40,000, where will I get the rest of the money?!?!?! I had to reply to the case worker that I was informed by one of the personnel in their agency that I can have a sponsor.
We had to visit the Migration Agency the next day, 18th of July but we were told that the case worker will contact us. He did contact us on the same day, and upon talking to him over the phone, he said that I was given the wrong information and he apologized for such miscommunication. He said that the best way for my visa to be approved is for me to provide the whole amount.
If you’ll look at my situation, it already seems hopeless. Though he was gracious enough to give me time to have everything transferred to my account. Lord knows I don’t have enough money on hand. I started seeking people who could help me. It’s frustrating asking people to lend you money. I don’t want to bother anyone in my case. But He also knows who can provide me with such amount. An amazing person, who doesn’t want to be named, helped me to have the remaining SEK40,000 right away in my bank account. I was able to receive the money and send the migration the copy of my bank statement, Wednesday 19th of July.
Proof of Health Insurance:
Another thing, the case worker saw that the Health Insurance I’ve submitted for my application has a start date of August 14, 2017. And since the goal is for him to provide me my Residence Permit before my tourist visa expires August 2, 2017, he told me that I had to provide an insurance starting August 3, 2017 onwards. Good thing I had bought an insurance which I intended to use for my tourist visa extension. It’s validity is from July 20 to August 15, 2017. Hallelujah!
Proof of Outside Sweden:
All my documents are good and the final thing he told me to do, as part of my requirements is to send him a proof that I am outside the country. As long as I am in Sweden, they won’t be able to make a decision.
I had to send him an email since he wasn’t very clear as to what kind of proof I had to provide–whether it should be a stamp on my passport or a photo and a bus ticket would suffice. The dilemma is that if I’ll be asked to provide a passport stamp, I would need to fly out of Schengen Countries since they don’t usually stamp passports for domestic travel. I prayed so hard hoping they don’t have such particular requirement as proof.
The case worker responded to my email saying that I only need to show a bus ticket, a photo of holding a newspaper which indicates the current date on a location that shows I’m outside Sweden. Hearing this gave me such relief. He even said that I would only need to go to Norway for a day and go back to Sweden since he’ll try his best to have the decision made on the same day.
Since I was in Sundsvall at that time, I had to book a train ticket back to Gothenburg, 20th of July. I traveled from 12.00 to 21.00, then dropped off my things before heading to Norway.
Part 4 – The Final Race
The Bus Ride to Oslo
I had bus booked to Norway, scheduled 21st of July at 2.00 am wanting to arrive early so that I can send the proof to the caseworker before the office hours. This would give them enough time to process my case.
The bus had to go through an immigration checkpoint before crossing over to Norway. I didn’t want to be questioned since my situation is a bit complicated. My uncle Kent booked my seat in first class, which is on the upper deck of the bus. When an immigration officer went into our bus, she kept asking too many questions to the tourists in the lower deck. I began praying to God to give me favor and guidance as I would want to avoid any complications and interrogations (not that I’m illegal or anything, it’s just that my situation is complicated enough to be explained).
Another immigration officer went to our deck. He started questioning the people in front of me. I prepared my return ticket dated the same day, 21st of July at 18.15. When he came to me, I showed him my passport and told him right away that I’m just gonna be in Oslo for a day and be back to Sweden. To my surprise, he did not even dare to ask me any questions, he simply said “Ok!” and smiled away. Now this is a divine intervention. Thank you Lord!
Early Bird in Oslo
I arrived in Oslo around 6am without even knowing where to stay. Good thing we were able to visit Oslo around May 2017 for a Bruno Mars Concert that I got familiarized with the place. I even had wi-fi connection around the city that I was able to contact a friend in Oslo. I told him about my situation and he was kind enough to help me out.
Since it was early in the morning and most of the establishments were closed, I couldn’t exchange my money to Norwegian crowns. I have no means to buy anything especially the newspaper!
This friend of mine works in a hotel just within the city. He told me that I can stay in the hotel to use the internet so that I can send whatever I need to the Migration Agency and even wait for the result there. We met around 8.00 am. He even bought me the newspaper, a breakfast and took my photo in front of the Oslo Central Station.
I was able to send this photo to the caseworker first thing in the morning.
Sleepless in Oslo
Since I have been traveling for almost 24 hours, I didn’t have enough sleep. I was so tired that I asked my friend if I can have a quick nap in the lobby (just maybe he’d allow me to sleep on the couch?). He didn’t reply to my message thinking he was too busy working so I tried to keep myself awake.
Few minutes have passed, he came to me saying that they’re currently fully booked but since one person canceled, he’ll be able to provide me a room to sleep with no cost. Now this is God’s favor!!! I get to rest despite my situation.
Waiting in Oslo
Before I took a nap, I had to send the caseworker another email around 11.00 trying to confirm whether he received the photo I sent him. He replied saying He has received my email that morning and he has submitted my case for approval. He also mentioned that they’re aware of my situation in Norway and they’ll try their best to have it released within the day. In case they don’t get to finish, he’ll let me know later on.
I wasn’t prepared to stay longer in Norway. I didn’t have enough clothes with me and have no place to stay in case the Migration Agency may have some delays. So instead of worrying, I took a nap.
I woke up around 15.00 still waiting for the result. By that time I realized I had to kneel and pray that God would not cause my Visa Decision to be delayed. I cried out my heart to God declaring my victory in the midst of my battle. I started praising him for all the miracles He has done. After everything I’ve been through and the breakthroughs I’ve witnessed, I know in my heart God will never ever fail me.
Fifteen minutes after I have finished my prayer, I checked my phone to see that I have received an email from the Migration Agency stating that the decision has been made and that I can now go back to Sweden. I was told that I can print the Visa decision on Monday in any Swedish Migration Agency.
With all these things that have happened to me, I saw how God has been faithful. He has made all the delays, disappointments, mishaps and whatever the enemy had tried to do and turn it for my advantage. He was able to show His greatness in my most impossible situation. He has proven that in Christ, there are no Delays. There are no accidents and even difficult situation that He cannot solve. He is the God who is in control of our lives.
Visa Grant
Today, 24th of July, I have received the printed copy of my Residence Permit with start date 21 July 2017 valid until June 2018. My Visa is released a month after I have submitted my application. It usually takes 3 months up to 1 year for them to release it but God was able to give me right before my tourist visa expires and before the school starts. He has turned my mourning into dancing and my sorrow into joy.
God has made me more than a Conqueror in all these things. He has made me an Overcomer. He has made my faith even stronger. I am confident enough that Nothing is too difficult for Him and everything is possible for those who believe. God is REAL. And His love for us is so amazing that He doesn’t want to withhold it from us.
I have learned that in every journey we’re in, we should be brave enough to finish the race God has set before us. Despite the hindrances and the challenges we have to face, God will help you and guide you along the way!
Trust Jesus in every area of your life. He is able to do things far greater than we can imagine. Nothing can stop God from fulfilling His plans and making His promises come to pass. He is not limited by time, by resources, by people, by situations, by the government and its rules nor by the enemy. He alone can work all things together for our own good. After everything I’ve been through, I cannot deny God’s love for me. I cannot deny His existence and His faithfulness. Let this alone be a living testimony as to who God can be in your life.
To all those people who have prayed for me, cheered me on, helped me in any way, I am forever grateful. You are part of my journey towards my victory and harvest. I am so blessed to have you in my life and I do believe God will bless you in such ways that you will be amazed. I love you all.
Sincerely,
Abby Bern 
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