Nothing like the travel industry and government bureaucracy to make your head spin.
The short of it: since we ~~decided not~~ can't to go to Bali because of the bombings, we'll be overstaying our visas for our departure date of November 7th by five days if we don't do anything.
So now we have three choices:
1. Catch a Thursday afternoon flight to New Zealand and hang out there for five days before returning. Cost is $100 each for taxes, plus 30,000 frequent flier miles each.
2. Go to the Australian Department of Immigration, explain the situation, and apply for a visa extension. This could be free, $65, or $190--most likely $190 each. It could be processed same day for $100 more, or they can take your passport for a few days while they process it. It's all somewhat unclear, and Agent #1 whom we spoke to on the phone said 'it depends'. Thanks. Really.
3. Overstay our visas by five days. Phone Agent #2 from the Department of Immigration says 'oh, there are severe penalties for overstaying your visa more than 28 days', but won't say what the penalties are for staying over five days.
Right now... I'm in favor of #1, going to New Zealand. No hassle. No runarounds. And no risk of being banned from the country that could happen with #3. Sure, it's a lot of frequent flier miles, but we got 15,000 just a few weeks ago for opening up United Mileage Plus credit cards.
Sigh. I hate these types of decisions. None of them good. I just want to go home and watch a DVD and drink wine and putter in the garden...
Comments
Don't forget brewing your tea, or people watching at Fry's ;o)
Looking forward to seeing you in Auckland!! Chose option 1!!
Nev