Ika, Jevon and I went down to the British Consulate in Sanur today, to clarify the procedure for getting her a visa to visit the UK. Britain specializes in bureaucracy and the immigration is no different.
The British Consulate is in an unmarked building on Jl. Tirta Nadi in Sanur. You can just show up, and the office is open from 9am-12pm. The desk staff, Mary from Sulawesi is super helpful and friendly. She is a shining star among a sea of paperwork.
The British immigration treats Ika like a tourist, and the several page app, asks scanty info about her connection with me. “If I could just get in front of a British official and tell him my situation, we’re married, we live here, I have a job etc. we’d be cool.” I said. “That’s what everyone says,” said Mary, “but you cannot talk directly, only your wife can do that.” Mary told me I could write a letter, to supplement the app, detailing everything about myself, convincing them I actually do exist and have a role in Ika’s life.
I have to get photocopy’s of my passport, rental agreement, bank statements, marriage license and send them with the app, to an agent in Jakarta, appointed by the British Embassy.
British Consulate
Jl. Tirta Nadi
Sanur
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{ 4 comments }
Nick this bureaucracy gone mad. Hope you don’t have too much trouble getting Ika a visa. Good luck. Helen
surely, all you have to do is get get someone from the british embassy to look at the baliblog arcives to PROVE you have been married to IKA for 16 months, and that you BOTH have a cool 10 month old son called JEVON. and if they are not happy with that, tell them they will be bombarded with emails from baliblog readers from all over the world, to confirm your marital status. good luck with it, pity ya cant bribe the brit`s for rp100,000,000
If we wanted to move to the UK, it would be easier. The fact that we are only going for a week, Ika on a Tourist visa, makes them treat her like a tourist.
Hi Nick, im from england and my fiance is Indo, she has been to the UK twice in the last 6 months both times on her 6 month re entry tourist visa, she got the visa very quicky with no interview, luck i guess. Is the process for a settlement visa much different?
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