In Reply to: No more VIP/VOA posted by Jillie on Tuesday, 21. July 2009 at 13:58 Bali Time:
perhaps?
In reading posts here regarding "VIP/VOA" services it appeared that from what started as just one operator(presumably officially sanctioned) handling this "service" in the beginning, it was getting to the stage that there were so many offering this "service" that authorities could no longer "turn a blind eye" to what was/is going on. Seemed from looking at posts here, there were so many who had a "friend" to whom they could "refer" people wanting to expedite their Immigration procedures in Bali for a "fee".
When in Manado, I broached the subject of establishing this service (predominately for our many resort guests) with Immigration Officials there but there was NO WAY that they would consider this happening at that time for arrivals into Manado Airport.
I think that it must be clarified that the "VIP/VOA" services are in no way linked to the VOA "scam" which involved substitution of 7 Day Visas for 30 Day Visas with corrupt Immigration officials pocketing the difference.