Visa application

Visa application

I was amused to read Mr Hugh Paul Bishop's letter of righteous
indignation regarding the visa application procedures at
the Australian Embassy (The Jakarta Post, July 14, 1995). I have
no idea what nationality Mr Bishop holds, but we Asians are quite
accustomed to the policy applied by most western embassies in
issuing visas to us, namely, "guilty until proven innocent."

It is not just Australians who are, to quote Mr Bishop,
bumming around Bali. There are plenty of Americans, Britons,
Germans, Italians, Frenchmen, and so on (I am sure I've missed a
few others).

Should Mr Bishop wander over to the British visa office he
will find that Asians have to produce a valid return ticket,
proof of funds, sponsorship letter and pay a large sum of money
(Rp 12,100/for single entry, Rp 166,500/for multiple entry) for
the privilege of applying for a tourist visa to the UK. All this
is conducted in an inadequate little room with a few seats so
that most people have to stand around or lean against the walls
and queue in front of the window for hours. The U.S. Embassy
requires pretty much the same documents but only demands Rp
45,000/for the application fee. These are standard procedures
applied by most of the so-called "advanced" nations. And none of
them issue the visa immediately.

In comparison, I found the Australian visa office far more
"humane." The visa application room is large and well lit with
proper seating and television programs to entertain you while you
wait. It took me about half an hour to receive a multiple entry
visa from a pleasant young man who actually apologized as I had
to wait a few minutes at the window while he took a phone call. I
had my wallet out to pay the obligatory fee but was pleasantly
surprised to learn there was no charge!

R. POTTER

Jakarta