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