Posted by 4 times traveller on Wednesday, 3. February 1999 at 16:03 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Visa's posted by jc on Wednesday, 3. February 1999 at 13:02 Bali Time:
My family and I have travelled to Bali four times in the past 15months. We have made friends with a dear Balinese guy who is 30yrs old and single. Last year our whole family decided to pay for him to come to Australia for a one month holiday and promptly told him so. He immediately purchased a passport which cost him Rp1,000,000 (his wage is RP50,000 per month - so he borrowed from family and friends). On our arrival in Bali we proceeded to the travel agent and purchased a ticket for him which cost us US$900 (the travel agents advise to purchase the ticket in advance - but they also lodge visa applications). We then filled in the appropriate paprework with him and wrote letters of sponsorship advising the Aust Govt that my sister and my families (husbands, grown children etc) were sponsoring him and paying all expenses travel insurance accomodation and spending money etc. The holiday visor cost RP400,000 - which was closer to $100 Australian dollars than the previously quoted $50.
His visa application was declined - the reason given was that he could not prove to the Australian Government that he was a genuine visitor. We sought audience with the Consul and did not receive a very good reception by his staff - as no correspondence will be entered into once an application has been rejected. The consul told us that his profile ie single minimal education and low skilled worker does not meet the requirements of the Australian Govt for a visitor visa - as STATISTICS SHOW MEN MEETING THIS PROFILE DO NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO INDONESIA. TO say we were stunned and disappointed is an understatement. But please be advised it is not easy most others at the embassy on the day we saw the Consul were getting the knockbacks. We have since been advised to pay extra money and go through a lawyer in Bali - we have not retried as we were all so disappointed in the outcome not to mention everyone's waste of time and money. Hope this is of some help for your friend.