Tourist visa application

Tourist visa application

From Suara Pembaruan

On July 21, I submitted tourist visa applications at the Australian Embassy for my mother and myself. An employee at the counter first examined all the documents accompanying the application forms before we were asked to pay an administration fee of Rp 340,000 per applicant. The documents included a copy of my time-deposit and a copy of my savings account to prove that I had enough money for the journey. In addition, I submitted a copy of my student card.

Having scrutinized all the documents, the employee inquired whether I had a sponsor, to which I said "No", thinking that it was irrelevant, although, in fact, I had a brother staying in Sydney.

We had to wait about three hours before our numbers were called, and then we were given a letter stating that visits to Australia were limited and that we had never been to Australia. Another reason for the visa rejection was: "We are not satisfied, as your planned visit is not serious."

As a matter of fact, I stated in my application that I planned to visit Australia from July 25, 1999, to Aug. 4, 1999, which was my mid-year school break.

I don't really understand the embassy's policy. Was the rejection because of the fact that we were new passport holders, meaning that we had never been to a foreign country before? Of course, I did not mean to stay long in Australia, as they might suspect me to try to get a job there. Besides, I had to resume my studies on Aug. 3.

Although both the applications were rejected, the money (Rp 680,000) we had paid for administration was not reimbursed. Why does the embassy impose an administration cost in advance instead of waiting until they are sure applicants' visas can be granted? Strangely, though, our passports were stamped "Seen July 21, 1999, Australian Embassy, Jakarta". Why was the stamp necessary?

ELLY

Tangerang, West Java