So, a follow-up here to my earlier post
[members only]/
for those who have asked and thanks all for the help in the group here and elsewhere:
Second attempt: Jakarta
(Submitted Mid September)
Result: Approved (Workcation) in 9 days, no questions asked. After 8.5 days I had a look mid-day like most days, then it was still "Processing. Pending Document Check" like before. Got the approval e-mail at like 8pm local time.
Probably the most important comments first:
1) So, they got rid of the fourth page which was my doom on the first attempt and probably that of many other applicants too. They replaced it with a pop-up screen that appeared to work fine, at least with me. But the software was still not exactly bug-free. Before submitting I actually had to start a whole new application and delete the old one because I had accidentally put in the proof of residency pdf in the bank statements folder, and I couldn't change it no matter what I've tried (different browser etc.)
2) On my first attempt I was silly enough to actually book a real non-refundable trip as the trip details. So just FYI I've been in TH 12 days late August after I had already been like 40 days earlier this year and that rejected application before. No issues or questions at BKK entry, or at the exit at USM, that's all I can say about that,
Submitted:
Trip details: This time just some stuff I already knew beforehand would be too tight unless my application would be approved in like two days or something, a suitable flight and a not actually booked stay of 7 days at a luxury hotel in BKK where I had been several times before.
Proof of residency: My hotel was actually nice enough to provide me with a proof a residency letter, it seems they get this kind of request often, also attached e-visa, and the stay permit that is sent to you when you enter the country.
Professional portfolio: Yeah, so after being mocked about that in my last post I cut it down to like 70 pages, but really it was a lot less that that. Main parts:
1 page: Table of contents
2 pages: Cover letter explaining several things, mainly why most of my documents are from Hong Kong.
2 pages: Explaining my work in laymen's terms and general strategy considerations
1 page: Brief results, year by year, of the last three years
1 page: Certificate of self-employment, just written and signed by myself (as recommend by others in here)
1 page: Front and back page of HK permanent residence card (the back side states my right of abode in HK, just thought it might be useful for them, if they kick me out for whatever reason, I have other places to stay).
The rest of the portfolio was really just trading details and basically geeky math stuff that I never expected anyone who is not a super expert in this to read or understand (probably many peeps who claim to be experts in this would have problems understanding it).
Miscellaneous comments: So yeah, based on my experience I can recommend the Jakarta embassy also, relatively quick and easy. Also I will say Indonesia is an interesting country, I have not been before, not gonna lie, there is good and bad, here I will just say I can confirm almost all Indonesians tend to be very nice people. For further discussion this is probably the wrong group. I posted some thoughts about Bali in a Koh Phangan group, if interested you can find it there.
Happy to answer any DTV-application related questions in here.
