Emergency Visa Services: Superhero or just good advice?

My children spent their formative years thinking I was some sort of superhero, deployed by the U.S Embassy to protect all U.S. Citizens. When the ‘bat phone’ (aka my work mobile) sounded I would disappear from a family BBQ like Bruce Wayne, off to rescue a tourist teetering perilously on a ledge. Sometimes they were close, I’ve spent hours arranging a medical airlift for a missionary involved in a horrific car accident or trying to find emergency shelter for a backpacker who had all their worldly goods stolen at knifepoint. Other times, I was called away to answer questions about opening hours or visa applications, so not always on the superhero scale.

Since leaving behind my career as a Consular Officer, in no small part to spend more time with my family, I thought I would leave behind emergency services too. Much to my surprise, much of my consulting is emergent in nature. I often field messages and calls on evenings and weekends from clients who require immediate advice. While these calls are not life or death, they feel that way to the person reaching out. The immigration process is long and opaque, and when a client comes to a place where they believe their immigration dream may be over, it really does feel to them like they are on that ledge.

Recently, I received a text message from a client who was in a hospital bed, while I was in a grocery store parking lot. Reading his message and hearing his voice really drove home for me that COVID 19 is real and will be with us to stay. His family was having technical issues booking a time sensitive visa interview and didn’t know where to turn, as he was in isolation in hospital. I quickly offered to speak with his wife to see how best I could assist. I determined it would be easiest for us to go through the process via a Zoom call so that I could better understand what was happening. While I am not a technical genius and couldn’t resolve the immediate issue, I was able to provide accurate advice which provided a genuine solution. I was also able to give the family a timeframe for resolution. In other words, I walked them back from the ledge and put them in a safe place until the emergency services (website tech assistance) could arrive.

My client left this review: As a family we would absolutely recommend Dawn. In a moment of panic, she was calm and reassuring and her expertise are invaluable. Her understanding of how the system works is absolutely accurate. Before considering a lawyer speak to this lady.... you won’t regret it!!

The thrill of helping this family, when they were at a real low point, can’t be described. I love helping people. I love giving real advice and providing a Bespoke service to each of my clients. If you need assistance with a visa or immigration issue, please get in touch!