boltor...i'm sorry that your deal didn't go thru, but "work permits" seem to be hard to come by...i did some work in amsterdam & paris in 1979, but my company paved the way, because we were working w/ a partner co. in holland.....i also worked in cameroon in 1983 but under a usaid grant....i also made some sales calls in canada w/marketing types where i was told to put "conference" was the reason for the visit. there are other instances of problems w/international work with which i'm familiar. i don't think travisa, w/ a $45 fee [for processing paper work for tourist visa] should be expected to be a consultant for work permits...however, because they said, in effect, "no sweat", when you talked to them, i believe you have a legimate complaint...good luck