I am being sponsored by a US company to apply for a US Visa. Tonight is the absolute final deadline. An initial series of declarations secured a Visa whilst we went through an adjudication procedure.
This week has seen a last minute rush and I have spent considerable time this week... trying to cajole and persuade friends, colleagues, ex-colleagues and people who have become strangers to make declarations under penalty of perjury under the laws of the USA. These declarations were drafted by the sponsor company's attorneys. The drafts are based on my CV. It's been pointed out that my CV is record of work. It gives little away about me... who I really am... or what I really want.
As a consequence I know the preparation and signing of these declarations has been awkward for some. It's been time consuming for many. It's just been impossible for others... but the cajoling and persuading is not something I found easy either.
Under penalty of perjury these individuals declared a)they were of sound mind b)they were fasmiliar with my work and performance, and c)recorded some very flattering comments on the scope of my skills.
Now I wait and see if these declarations satisfy the US Immigration services.