Guide to Applying for a Visa in Peak Holiday Season

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - VFS Global recorded that visa applications in all categories from Indonesia in 2023 increased by 9 percent from the pre-pandemic in 2019. It even increased by 137 percent from 2022.

Tourists' favorite destinations in 2023 include Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, England, Japan, Germany, Canada, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. This indicates that the confidence of Indonesian tourists has recovered.

Kaushik Ghosh, Head of Australasia for VFS Global, advised those planning to travel abroad to apply for a visa in advance to avoid busy schedules.

Tips for Avoiding Overcrowded Visa Application Schedules

Citing VFS Global, in order to avoid busy schedules, it is recommended that you apply for a visa as soon as you book your flights and accommodations. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days or 3 months prior to departure.

According to the Schengen Visa Code, which has been revised as of February 9, 2020, Schengen visa applications can be submitted 6 months prior to the date of travel. This year, VFS Global is advising applicants to apply as early as possible due to the increased demand for visas and limited appointment schedules.

In addition, visa applicants are advised to be wary of fraudulent entities. Including those that charge a fee to schedule an appointment or provide other services in the name of VFS Global or on behalf of an individual. VFS Global does not charge a fee to schedule an appointment on the official Visa Application Service website.

However, some governments require a service fee to be paid in advance at the time of appointment. This payment is deducted during the application process. This step is to ensure that the applicant is the actual person going through the appointment system to prevent fraud.

Additional Visa Application Services

VFS Global also offers several additional services for personalized applications. These include Visa At Your Doorstep, Premium Lounge, Prime Time, form-filling assistance, courier services, travel health insurance, and SMS alerts.

VFS Global serves 24 sovereign governments in Indonesia, namely Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, UAE (DVPC), Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

VFS Global's role in the visa application process is limited to administrative tasks, including the collection of visa application forms, required checklist documents, and biometric capture if required. VFS Global has no role in the visa adjudication process. 

Yunia Pratiwi

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