Visa system far from perfect<\/p>\n
This is in response to Mark Ogilvie's letter published in The
\nJakarta Post on May 10, 1999.<\/p>\n
Mark Ogilvie is unfortunately experiencing the same problem as
\nmany people around the world. Obtaining a visa to Australia has
\nbecome a difficult and time-consuming task for those trying to
\nenter from countries experiencing, or about to experience,
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
The letters of rejection received are standard fare from our
\nembassies around the world. They are particularly frustrating
\nwhen they state \"lack of funds\" or some other reason that is
\nclearly wrong.<\/p>\n
As agents we are continually faced with the same problems as
\nMark Ogilvie and his fiancee, only on a larger scale. Mr. Ogilvie
\ndoes not say when he first applied or how long he has known his
\nfiancee -- but both would have been key factors in his
\napplication.<\/p>\n
Having been through the migration section of the embassy on a
\ncouple of occasions I can attest to the volume of applications
\nwaiting to be processed. Even for the largest embassy, assessing
\nthousands of applications a week places a great strain on staff,
\nboth local and Australian. A drive past our embassy on any given
\nday will see hundreds of people waiting on visas. I doubt if
\nSuperman could process them quicker. Short-term applicants suffer
\nbecause of the risk of overstay. There are many who try to \"jump
\nthe queue\" by lodging permanent applications onshore rather than
\nin the applicant's country of origin. This is a case of the \"sins
\nof the fathers being visited upon the sons\". All applications are
\nscrutinized because of the record of previous visitors.<\/p>\n
Those wishing to obtain a visa should remember that lack of
\ntime and documentation are nearly always the culprits where visas
\nare concerned.<\/p>\n
Australia's visa system is far from perfect and, in our point
\nof view, could do with a major procedures overhaul. Having
\nrecently been through the process of obtaining visas for Eastern
\nEurope I can say it is something we share in common with many
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
However, changing procedures is something that is initiated by
\npoliticians, not embassy staff. The integrity remark slung by Mr.
\nOgilvie will be particularly hurtful to embassy staff who, from
\nmy observation, work extremely hard and will be prevented from
\nreplying (no, I won't be getting any applications processed
\nquicker). While we can certainly identify with Mr. Ogilvie's
\nsituation, we should remember that no one wins when we shoot the
\nmessenger.<\/p>\n
PETER LOUGHTON<\/p>\n
Immigration & Visa<\/p>\n
Advisory Services<\/p>\n
Joondalup, Western Australia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/visa-system-far-from-perfect-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }