Red tape

Red tape means there are lots of rules and paperwork (like forms you have to fill out) that makes it hard to do something. It is like when you want to do something simple, like build an apartment building, but instead you have to fill out a bunch of forms, jump through lots of hoops, and wait a long time for permission to make it happen. Red tape also refers to situations where things take a really long time to get done because of all the rules and paperwork.