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Hi MadAnnie
I Think it will takes normally one month.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýRegards

Depends on How good is teh officer you are sending to follow this issue, if he has good relations, he can even finalize it in one day.

MadAnnie wrote:

I work with some people whose visa's have expired and the company say 'oh that is ok, not a problem'. Their visa's expired a month ago!

Also how long does it take to get residency these days as someone said today it is only taking 4 days.

Hi MadAnnie - I worked in Libya before the war, and came in on a multiple entry business visa.Ìý After 6 months it expired.Ìý my boss did not renew it, as he "knew someone" in immigration - and when the time came for me to leave on my holiday, he simply got this person to walk me through - passport stamped no problem,!!Ìý LOOOLÌý A tad nerve wracking for me - but they were unperturbed.Ìý Got a new visa in the UK while on my break - came in again no problem - and was evacuated at exactly the right time for me visa to be stamped legally!!Ìý :-)Ìý That's just my story - but there are many others like me.Ìý Bottom line is - before the war (and it looks like after, as well) many bosses dont bother to renew the visa - they just used there connections to get ppl in and out when necessary.Ìý It was never a problem then - hopefully not a problem now.

With regards to actual regulations for each visa:
1) Single Entry Business Visa: Usually valid for 1 month, can be renewed once inside the country for an extended stay - my friends recently did that and it was no problem.
2) Multiple Entry Business Visa: It is valid for 6 months - and you are supposed to leave the country every 2 months for a day or two, then come back in.Ìý Visa should be stamped on departure and upon return.Ìý Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need your boss' permission to leave the country on this visa - it is a requirement by law to do so!!Ìý ;-)Ìý But this is the visa bosses usually are lax about telling their employees how to keep it valid - cos it means that the employee leaves the country every few months - and they are petrified they wont come back!!Ìý (LOOOL - thats my take on it, anyway!!Ìý ;-) )
3) Residence permit.Ìý If you are staying in the country for any length of time, then your boss SHOULD get you this visa once you are in the country.Ìý it used to take anything from a few days to 3 months to get this one (:-( ) - but apparently only about a month now - and as has been said - it can take shorter, depending on your boss' connections.Ìý This permit is great for being able to move freely within the country, and for opening bank accounts, etc - BUT you need a letter from your employer if you want to leave the country.Ìý Can be a negative thing if you need to leave suddenly or have a bad relationship with your employer...but havent heard too many bad stories here....

Bottom line is - your friends shouldnt worry TOO much about expired visas - mine has also been expired now for 2 weeks, while my employer fiddles about getting my residence permit - and they keep saying "mish mushkela"!!Ìý Have been through countless roadblocks - and so far have not even been asked for my passport, let alone the visa...