Passport renewal.

[harryopal1]

Just returned from the Australian Consulate in Denpasar Bali. I had tried a passport renewal on line and the account got blocked. So made an appointment for the Consulate this morning. When trying on line there were quite a number of documents required as well as passport to establish identity. i.e. birth certificate, driver's licence, medicare card, credit card. Had taken photographs of these other items and, as required on line, reduced them to a PDF format. At the consulate all that was required was passport and a few questions. I guess that makes sense as I am there and they can check my face against the passort photo for ID. Unfortunately the photos I took for a new passport were not acceptable as there was a bit of shadow on one side. I was directed to a photo place about half an hour away. Given a map but tramped up and down a street for several hundred metres to find the photoshop. As the directions included a one way street, getting back was another matter. But eventually done and dusted. I will receive an email when the new document is ready.

 

[Shadrach]

Just returned from the Australian Consulate in Denpasar Bali. I had tried a passport renewal on line and the account got blocked. So made an appointment for the Consulate this morning. When trying on line there were quite a number of documents required as well as passport to establish identity. i.e. birth certificate, driver's licence, medicare card, credit card. Had taken photographs of these other items and, as required on line, reduced them to a PDF format. At the consulate all that was required was passport and a few questions. I guess that makes sense as I am there and they can check my face against the passort photo for ID. Unfortunately the photos I took for a new passport were not acceptable as there was a bit of shadow on one side. I was directed to a photo place about half an hour away. Given a map but tramped up and down a street for several hundred metres to find the photoshop. As the directions included a one way street, getting back was another matter. But eventually done and dusted. I will receive an email when the new document is ready.

Good idea. I need an new passport in a couple years, so I will go to my consulate like you did. I don't even have a copy of my birth certificate. I have a California drivers license, and BPJS, and a debit card from my bank back home. No credit thank you! Life is such a hassle! You have to pay to be born, pay taxes to have a home to live, and if you don't pay, then the Government takes your land! even pay to Die! I don't believe this was the original plan. I think life was meant to be Enjoyed, Not live in Fear from Your Government or Your God!

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I don't think originally life had anything to do with enjoyment. You were born, ate and procreated, and died at some point. Although both food and procreation can provide enjoyment.

 

[jstar]

Many countries are trying to save money to outsource the customer interaction and first line administration for citizens abroad. So, like with (Schengen) visa, they start to use more and more companies like VFS to process the passport requests. And for the Asian region they have a center (as KL or HK) where those requests are approved and the documents are made.

Because of the cattle approach I try to avoid going to these people in Kuningan and apply for a new passport when I’m in my home country. If you’re outside of the busy holiday season, it will only take a week to get a new one. And it’s also much cheaper.

 

[Shadrach]

Many countries are trying to save money to outsource the customer interaction and first line administration for citizens abroad. So, like with (Schengen) visa, they start to use more and more companies like VFS to process the passport requests. And for the Asian region they have a center (as KL or HK) where those requests are approved and the documents are made.

Because of the cattle approach I try to avoid going to these people in Kuningan and apply for a new passport when I’m in my home country. If you’re outside of the busy holiday season, it will only take a week to get a new one. And it’s also much cheaper.

Getting a new Passport is a right, as a law abiding citizen, not something that should be for Profit! You say you will go back to your home country to get a new Passport. That's fine and Dandy, if you already are planning go back there, but if not, it is an expensive way to go, having to buy a ticket, and dealing with all the stress of Travel. I don't mind waiting awhile to get a new Passport, but I do mind having to Pay More! That is the consulates job, and it should be the same price anywhere in the world!