The pitfalls of Outsourcing

'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Fri 27 Jan 2012 08:54
Time to apply for my Australian visa. I collected all the necessary paperwork from the company to which Australia has outsourced all visa applications. So far, so efficient.
I took the completed paperwork in. Visa application, photo, bank statement, form to say that I have nothing to do with the Fijian military or took part in the last coup. Problem! (no, it wasn't that I hadn't taken part in the last coup).
No, the problem was that if you have a UK passport, you can apply online. I protested that I didn't have a scanner for the necessary paperwork, and was happy to apply through them.
'you can't apply through us because you can apply online'.
Exit Peter stage right, muttering.

Scene: ye olde Internet cafe. Went online. You can only apply electronically for a three month visa, I want a twelve month, multi-entry visa.
Exit Peter, stage left, muttering.

Scene: the company office which the Australians have decided should handle visa applications. Enter Peter, stage right, trying not to mutter.
Much deliberation and civilised 'discussion'. Finally, they accepted the application, but insisted on covering it with yellow 'stick-it' notes to say they had advised me that I should have applied online. They asked me to add my comment on the notes, I did. Politely.
Then I paid the F$250 application fee.
Exit Peter stage right, muttering.
Apparently I should get the Visa, should they decide to issue it, in three or five working days.



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