Long waiting periods for obtaining your visa, a reply from the administrative services, or guidance to the correct department can be time-consuming and discouraging for prospective expats. Bureaucracy is a world apart, with each country having its own rules and contradictions, culture and way of functioning. It imposes certain restrictions on locals and expats, as well. But can excessive bureaucracy be a hurdle to moving abroad plans? We will try to answer this question in this article.
Disorganization can be a real pain
Most of us have complained at least once about a lengthy and complex administrative procedure with too many middlemen. Lost or misplaced files or documents to be sent by post, while an e-mail would have been easier. Documents that need to be faxed (yes, they still exist). Add to that the fact that even important e-mails tend to get lost in spam or cannot be found. No matter how serious and straightforward the immigration authorities might look, they cannot find you or direct you to another department, which leads you to another department that does not understand your issue and redirects you to reception. You tend to lose patience, but the plus point is that at least someone is attending to you at the other end. But does the problem come from you or them? You are sure you have taken the proper steps but begin to doubt the administrative delays preventing your plans from becoming successful.
We could point out German, Maltese, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, or Brazilian bureaucracy. Many expatriates have shared their experiences, and the same words come up: "cumbersome," "slow," "headache." A matter of culture? Not necessarily. Many nationals also complain about their country's administration. For example, it can be challenging to obtain a Brazilian driving license if you are not familiar with the procedures. In Malta, expats say they are fed up with the paperwork. Especially as they find that the Maltese authorities are not always understanding. According to them, a simple action can turn into a complete showdown. Expats also struggle to cope with Italian bureaucracy, which they describe as obsolete, cumbersome and incomprehensible. In addition, expatriates feel that both online and offline administrative services are not always accessible.
The language barrier
While public services can be accessible, you might be faced with a language barrier. It is important for expats to learn and speak the host country's language. But just as foreigners learn and adapt, so does the host country. The language barrier is a concern in many countries with excessive bureaucracies, such as France and Japan. While the city halls may have English-speaking staff, the situation is much more complicated for smaller institutions.
Capital cities and large towns often have an advantage, although not all areas of Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto stand on the same ground. The same may be true of Paris, the capital of fashion, but bureaucracy is not glamorous at all. Administrative documents are often written in French but not always translated into English or other languages. The worst is that this is also true when renovation or new infrastructure is undertaken—new metro stations with no signs in English (or only the main lines). We are not doing the right thing by thinking mainly in French.
Bureaucratic delays
Red tape also exists on the Internet. People will tell you to use online services, yet they are not always accessible. Why not use the telephone? But then again, sometimes you feel like you've been plunged into a similar treasure hunt. Being directed to the right service can take days, and it might not even be successful.
Sometimes, the waiting time might irritate prospective expatriates. In very popular destinations like the United States or Canada, you need to be patient. Obtaining a visa can (depending on the type of visa requested) be like an obstacle course. The health crisis is to blame, but the lack of administrative staff also explains the lengthy delays. The government sometimes contributes to longer waiting times (such as the Trump administration targeting travelers from certain countries).
Can excessive bureaucracy be an obstacle to moving abroad plans?
Can complex administrative procedures discourage prospective expatriates? The answer depends on each individual. Waiting many months for your situation to be sorted out can indeed discourage the most motivated candidates. Because when these lengthy delays are part of the system, what else can you do besides waiting?
Waiting times can be as hard as moving abroad means starting a new life. While some are waiting for a student visa, others are waiting for a work permit. Many resources have already been invested in the project (language courses, acquiring new skills, passing a diploma, etc.). Putting a life project on hold because of a country's administrative system can be discouraging.
Sometimes, however, this excessive bureaucracy can even force foreigners to postpone their moving abroad plans or to move to another country. Other expatriates say they are tired of the red tape in a particular country. For some, administrative delays mean their residence permit has not been renewed.
Still, the same reasons can motivate prospective expatriates to move forward, even if it means moving to another country (tiredness, rigid administration, etc.). Whether they choose to leave or stay, they all believe their efforts should not have been in vain. These prospective expats want to win the time battle and plan their future lives abroad to stay motivated. After all, moving abroad is much more than the vision of a rigid or excessive bureaucracy. There is a future behind the administrative barriers: a job, a university, setting up a business, meeting new people, etc. All these opportunities are waiting to be seized.
