Thread: visa's again!!!!

I enjoyed the exchange between Roy and drbruce. Pleasant, informative, with poetic touches as well.

What still bugs me "very big", (so to speak), is why it's still so difficult to get straight and accurate information from government/official sources in this country?

I think that most of us understand that "corruption" is endemic here. Many ordinary Indonesians I speak to about this usually throw up their hands in surrender. As if there's nothing that can be done about it. They might be right, but some kind of no-bull-shit transparency is just around the corner. Isn't it?

I just learned that the Indonesian government is introducing a "Freedom of Information" act. Well, that's a giant leap in the right direction, I guess (if it works).

You would think that it wouldn't be such a huge problem to simply write a few definitive pamphlets about the various visa regulations. And have versions of them easily accessible on government websites, (when they "work" or are "up-dated").

Some one please tell me that the era of police playing Solitaire on their new computers is coming to an end.

:!:

Some one please tell me that the era of police playing Solitaire on their new computers is coming to an end.

I think it is Phil. They’ve recently added chess to their games software. :wink:

Legal versions of the software, I trust, Roy.

I've been to several police stations in the last month or so and haven't noticed any using Micro$oft Vista, so far.

Before anyone jumps to false conclusions, I was on a quest to get a local car driver's licence. I succeeded, when I finally found the correct police station. I'm pretty sure I overpaid for it, but I was too hot and bothered to get into serious bargaining. Rp350,000 for one year, but things like practical and theoretical tests were waived.

:D

Call the "INDONESIAN EMBASSY" in each country for reliable gov. information,or search their website..................................

Originally Posted by gina tyler

Call the "INDONESIAN EMBASSY" in each country for reliable gov. information,or search their website..................................

Yes try to get serious, helpfull answers from the embassies. Good luck :lol:

Your point is well taken Nakal, but you leave out the reality that it is precisely within those Indonesians Embassies that the visas are issued.

No question that the various Indonesian Embassies around the world are not very consistent...one embassy to another, in what is required for ANY particular visa. That is precisely the reason why it is always good advice to consult with the Indo embassy closest to where one lives, and where one will be applying for the visa!

Yes Roy you are absolutely correct about that and Gina's advise is also correct that it should be the best place to get information about these things.
Unfortunately it happens too many times that the embassy doesn't even know exactly how things are done or what is required for many things including visas.

My experiences with embassies or other government places are just not that positive. For example they tell you what is required to get a visa or some other official thing and when you arranged that and head back to the embassy and hand it over to them their reply is: "Oh sorry but you need that other thing too..." You are like, why couldn't you say that when we first met?? That's just a small example and not even typical Indonesia. Happens everywhere.

So my advise would be, if you try to get info from the embassy make sure you ask, and ask, and ask again if that's really all you need to get what you want so you don't have to go back 25 times and get extremely frustrated :?

I “hear you” Nakal, but one trick I’ve learned is to ask for the name of the person you’ve spoken to (on the phone) at the embassy, (writing it down of course), and ask them to make a note of your call.

With few exceptions, most notably Singapore, the visa staff at most Indonesian embassies is fairly small. Personally, I will not appear at the Indo Embassy in Singapore, preferring to use a Bali Ide aligned agent. That place is a nut house, (IMHO).

Another point is that you are always able to request a review, and to politely ask the staff member “at the window” to discuss matters with a visa officer.

Sorry to hear that your experiences have been not so good, but to be honest, I’m not all that surprised either, most especially if the embassy was in Singapore.