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