Tourist visa application<\/p>\n
From Suara Pembaruan<\/p>\n
On July 21, I submitted tourist visa applications at the
\nAustralian Embassy for my mother and myself. An employee at the
\ncounter first examined all the documents accompanying the
\napplication forms before we were asked to pay an administration
\nfee of Rp 340,000 per applicant. The documents included a copy of
\nmy time-deposit and a copy of my savings account to prove that I
\nhad enough money for the journey. In addition, I submitted a copy
\nof my student card.<\/p>\n
Having scrutinized all the documents, the employee inquired
\nwhether I had a sponsor, to which I said "No", thinking that it
\nwas irrelevant, although, in fact, I had a brother staying in
\nSydney.<\/p>\n
We had to wait about three hours before our numbers were
\ncalled, and then we were given a letter stating that visits to
\nAustralia were limited and that we had never been to Australia.
\nAnother reason for the visa rejection was: "We are not satisfied,
\nas your planned visit is not serious."<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, I stated in my application that I planned
\nto visit Australia from July 25, 1999, to Aug. 4, 1999, which was
\nmy mid-year school break.<\/p>\n
I don't really understand the embassy's policy. Was the
\nrejection because of the fact that we were new passport holders,
\nmeaning that we had never been to a foreign country before? Of
\ncourse, I did not mean to stay long in Australia, as they might
\nsuspect me to try to get a job there. Besides, I had to resume my
\nstudies on Aug. 3.<\/p>\n
Although both the applications were rejected, the money (Rp
\n680,000) we had paid for administration was not reimbursed. Why
\ndoes the embassy impose an administration cost in advance instead
\nof waiting until they are sure applicants' visas can be granted?
\nStrangely, though, our passports were stamped "Seen July 21,
\n1999, Australian Embassy, Jakarta". Why was the stamp necessary?<\/p>\n
ELLY<\/p>\n
Tangerang, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tourist-visa-application-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }