4 Common Mistakes Lead to Visa Refusal, Photo Format Matters
Reporter
March 13, 2025 | 04:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Travellers planning to go abroad need a visa to travel. However, not all countries require it. There are 76 visa-free and visa-on-arrival (VoA) countries for travellers holding an Indonesian passport.
Outside of those 76 countries, travelers must apply for a visa to the intended country before departure. This visa application is not always easy. Many travellers cancel their plans because they cannot obtain this document.
There are usually several reasons for a rejected visa application. Here are four common travellers' mistakes when applying for a visa, as disclosed by VFS Global, a visa outsourcing company operating in 158 countries, including Indonesia.
1. Mismatch of information
When applying for a visa, travellers must complete an application form containing personal data. Applicants must ensure that the details on the form, such as name, passport number, and date of birth, are the same as the official documents. Many visa rejections occur simply because of information discrepancies. Applicants tend to provide information that does not match the existing documents or identity proof.
2. Incorrect photo format
Photo formats for visas may vary in each country. For the UK visa, for example, the submitted printed photo must be 35x45 millimeters (width x height). The digital photo should be at least 600x700 pixels (width x height) with a minimum size of 50 KB and not exceeding 10 MB.
Applicants must provide a photo that meets the requested format. To know the visa photo rules in each country, travellers can visit the destination country's government website or VFS Global.
3. Incomplete documents
Applicants must submit all required documents. These refer to a specific destination checklist on VFS Global's information page. If even one document is missing or incomplete, the visa application could be rejected or not processed.
4. Unendorsed bank statements
Visa applications to several countries, such as the 29 countries in the European Schengen group, require bank statements. Applicants must ensure that these statements are properly certified. Although it is common to submit bank statements, and most tourists are aware of this, lacking bank statement endorsement is one of the most common mistakes that can lead to a visa refusal.
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