A quick note on Visas

I learned the hard way that applying for a new visa when you are already in a country is in some ways more difficult than applying from the outside.  If you are applying for a visa that will replace the one you currently have, make sure you specify when you want it to take effect... otherwise it might take effect immediately and wipe out the other one for good.  Not all visas are created equal...the new one might revoke privileges (e.g. like work privileges) that you are relying upon.