Social cultural visa

SummRazz

is it possible for an australian to go to Singapore and get a Social cultural visa? if so how long does it take? i am in australia right now i leave to bali on sunday do you think there is enough time to get the visa here? Thanks

RhysG

SummRazz wroteis it possible for an australian to go to Singapore and get a Social cultural visa? if so how long does it take? i am in australia right now i leave to bali on sunday do you think there is enough time to get the visa here? Thanks

what visa are you coming on and yes with the right agent you should be able to get a social culural visa, i also have the contact for an agent in Singapore pay to be fast track one or 2 day if you dont fast track it a week or 2.

SummRazz

RhysG wrotewhat visa are you coming on and yes with the right agent you should be able to get a social culural visa, i also have the contact for an agent in Singapore pay to be fast track one or 2 day if you dont fast track it a week or 2.

do you know around about how much that will cost i am just using the VOA then after two months was planing to go to singapore to get the social cultural visa i have tried so hard to get the visa here in the past two weeks the indonesian consulate in melbourne never answer the phone and there seems to be no way of just walking in there and talking to them i don't know what else to i leave this sunday.

spicyayam

Well you probably don't have enough time now to get it in Melbourne. Come on a VOA, extend it once and then fly to Singapore to get the social visa. If you use an agent the cost I think is about SG$175, plus of course your flight and accommodation for probably at least 1 night.

davita

Spicyayam is correct...you are too late to get any visa from Oz if you leave on Sunday. Make sure you have at least 6 months validity left on your passport, arrive in Bali and pay US$25 for a 30 day Visa on Arrival (VOA). Legally, you need a sponsor to extend that visa for another 30 days but some say that a sponsor is not required. Whilst in Bali you will need a sponsor letter and evidence of financial support from that sponsor which you take with you to Singapore. As has been said...if you use an agent and arrive early in the morning, it can be done the same day...otherwise, plan for a few days in Singapore.

RhysG

yeah better come to bali and work it out form here

phil170258

Whilst in Bali you will need a sponsor letter and evidence of financial support from that sponsor which you take with you to Singapore. As has been said...if you use an agent and arrive early in the morning, it can be done the same day...otherwise, plan for a few days in Singapore.[/QUOTE] I've never needed evidence of financial support from a sponsor (and I've had 3 social budayas)

hmbphd

I've never needed evidence of social support either. The social visa can be done in a one-day trip to Singapore if you fly out on one of the earliest flights and return on one of the latest. Ismail Visa Consultant (65) 63345520 - did a one-day turnaround for me. The flight, taxis, etc., ended up being quite expensive - but far less expensive than spending a few days in S'Pore. I believe the fee is around $175 American. If you get to the office by about 10:00 you can pick it up around 4:30 same day. Before you book anything, call the office and make sure it's not a holiday or a time when the consulate will be closed. The consulate observes both Indonesian and Singaporean holidays/ national days, etc. Also get SPECIFIC instructions about exactly what you will need. My "agent" here failed to tell me I'd need a passport photo. Going without one would have been a disaster. Also you need a sponsor letter and a copy of your sponsor's ID card. That letter must say certain things, so make sure you follow EXACTLY an example from someone who has one. Contrary to what many people will tell you, you DO NOT need an agent in Bali to help you with this process. They will just take your money to make the application, which you can do in Ismail's office. I've had more than one friend get their social visa completely messed up by using a local agency to "facilitate" the process. You don't need an agent to help with extensions, either, but that process is a bit more cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring long waits and possible frustration at the immigration office near the airport. Extensions are expensive - 600,000 Rp per month after your initial first two month social visa - so 2.4 million to extend the whole six months. I hope that helps!

davita

[/QUOTE]I've never needed evidence of financial support from a sponsor (and I've had 3 social budayas)[/QUOTE] You might be correct that it is not essential but the content of the sponsor 'letter of invitation' is up to the sponsor and sometimes Embassies/Consul will request a recent bank statement, which can delay the application. I applied once in Canada and this was requested. I also applied once for a multi-entry Sosbud in Jakarta and they telephoned my sponsor to evidence his suitability. Please see a copy/paste from another source of information on applying for a Sosbud......... [I]• guarantee that the sponsor will cover all living expenses, transportation costs and any other costs incurred during the visitors time in Indonesia. You might have to include a bank statement to guarantee availability of funds for covering their expenses.[/I]