In Reply to: Visas posted by balijohn on Wednesday, 18. February 2015 at 07:40 Bali Time:
As Balijohn says it costs a damn sight more time and energy for an Indonesian to visit Australia.Going through the process now of getting an Indonesian and her son to Australia for a 3 week holiday.Visa application form is 19 pages long.Must have letter from sponsor in Australia who has to supply witnessed passport details plus bank statements proving they have enough to finance a 3 week holiday.
The Indonesian applicant must supply a letter from her employer guaranting she will return home.She also has to supply copies of land certificates and details of other property (cars,bikes etc).Her son must supply a letter fom his school saying he is enrolled as a student there.These are just some of the details they must supply and this is before you start filling in pages of questions for medical history and yet more questions about your criminal background .
All this must then be taken to a special office where you pay in excess of $400 for the two visas. ...And once you have paid your money there are no refunds even if your application is refused.
So the next time it takes you ten minutes to buy your visa after you get off the plane at Bali airport and all the terrible inconvenience involved spare a thought for any Indonesian foolish enough who wants to go and have a holiday in Australia.
No wonder the Australian tourism industry is on it's knees.Brings to mind that wonderfully enlightening bumper sticker you see on the back of Australian cars....Piss of we're full.