‘They do not mess around!’ Minor passport detail causes this Aussie traveller to be deported from Bali – Don’t let it happen to you!
- Replies 6
If you've ever been lucky enough to go on a holiday abroad, you'll know that the paperwork can sometimes be stressful— but a necessary evil—to ensure your journey goes without a hitch.
And for most of us, providing the necessary documents, such as a passport and visa, usually involves providing a valid, up-to-date, and undamaged document to immigration services, no more than usual.
But for one particular Aussie traveller, that same document became the undoing of his whole holiday, as one tiny detail caused him to be denied entry into his chosen destination, Bali.
Matt Vandenberg, a 29-year-old Australian, left Sydney for Bali, Indonesia, on a 6 am Jetstar flight. His plan was to celebrate his friend's wedding on Friday.
But as soon as he reached Indonesian customs, he was denied entry into the country.
‘So, I arrived at DPS, paid my visa, presented my passport, got brought over to the immigration office, and then an officer alerted me I have a 1cm tear on my passport page—to be fair, he's correct,’ was what Vandenberg shared online about his surprise discovery.
This unexpected passport detail was unacceptable to Indonesian customs, and authorities told him he would not be allowed in the country.
His passport was then confiscated until his flight back home.
‘I'm not disputing the tear, but it wasn't even noticeable unless you bend it back, and Immigration officers in Sydney were fine when they scanned it,’ Vandenberg said.
Adding to the chaotic situation, Vandenberg revealed that he was accompanied by two armed police guards during his 11-hour wait for a flight back to Australia.
But he had only kind words for the officers, stating: ‘To be fair, they are the nicest people you could have stuck by my side. They feel very, very, very sorry for me—rules are rules,’ he tweeted.
‘So, I’m flying home tonight, and I have an emergency meeting tomorrow about my passport tomorrow morning, so hopefully I can get a new one and get back over. I’ll be in a state when I take off, but at the moment, all I can do is laugh,’ he added.
Upon returning to Sydney, Vandenberg applied for an emergency passport, hoping to get back to Bali in time for his friend's wedding. All’s well that ends well, right?
Many who heard about his story praised the Aussie for his patience and positive attitude.
‘At least they were nice, and you were nice to them,’ one person wrote.
‘That sucks. Hope it all works out,’ another replied.
While someone else responded with: ‘I must say you seem to have handled it a heck of a lot better than most other people would.’
As for Vandenberg's response? A friendly goodwill gesture to others who believe they may find themselves in a similar situation.
‘My experience is probably a good warning for people travelling to Indonesia. They do not mess around!’ he said.
Vandenberg's situation is a reminder that it is crucial for travellers to double-check their passports for any damage or inconsistencies. Passport-related issues may have severe consequences, especially in countries with strict entry requirements.
Our takeaway? Always examine your passport thoroughly before embarking on international travel. You should be mindful as some airlines may have less flexibility when planning and booking trips, and circumstances like this can see you spending hundreds of dollars just to fix the problem.
Keep in mind that some countries also require passports to have at least six months of validity remaining before granting entry.
Members, have you encountered a similar situation before? What happened? Share your thoughts about this story in the comments below!
And for most of us, providing the necessary documents, such as a passport and visa, usually involves providing a valid, up-to-date, and undamaged document to immigration services, no more than usual.
But for one particular Aussie traveller, that same document became the undoing of his whole holiday, as one tiny detail caused him to be denied entry into his chosen destination, Bali.
Matt Vandenberg, a 29-year-old Australian, left Sydney for Bali, Indonesia, on a 6 am Jetstar flight. His plan was to celebrate his friend's wedding on Friday.
But as soon as he reached Indonesian customs, he was denied entry into the country.
The traveller said he was denied entry at Indonesian customs. Credit: Guillaume Meurice/Pexels
‘So, I arrived at DPS, paid my visa, presented my passport, got brought over to the immigration office, and then an officer alerted me I have a 1cm tear on my passport page—to be fair, he's correct,’ was what Vandenberg shared online about his surprise discovery.
This unexpected passport detail was unacceptable to Indonesian customs, and authorities told him he would not be allowed in the country.
His passport was then confiscated until his flight back home.
‘I'm not disputing the tear, but it wasn't even noticeable unless you bend it back, and Immigration officers in Sydney were fine when they scanned it,’ Vandenberg said.
Vanderberg said his passport was confiscated by Indonesian authorities until his flight back home to Sydney. Credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich/Pexels
But he had only kind words for the officers, stating: ‘To be fair, they are the nicest people you could have stuck by my side. They feel very, very, very sorry for me—rules are rules,’ he tweeted.
‘So, I’m flying home tonight, and I have an emergency meeting tomorrow about my passport tomorrow morning, so hopefully I can get a new one and get back over. I’ll be in a state when I take off, but at the moment, all I can do is laugh,’ he added.
Upon returning to Sydney, Vandenberg applied for an emergency passport, hoping to get back to Bali in time for his friend's wedding. All’s well that ends well, right?
Many who heard about his story praised the Aussie for his patience and positive attitude.
‘At least they were nice, and you were nice to them,’ one person wrote.
‘That sucks. Hope it all works out,’ another replied.
While someone else responded with: ‘I must say you seem to have handled it a heck of a lot better than most other people would.’
As for Vandenberg's response? A friendly goodwill gesture to others who believe they may find themselves in a similar situation.
‘My experience is probably a good warning for people travelling to Indonesia. They do not mess around!’ he said.
Vandenberg's situation is a reminder that it is crucial for travellers to double-check their passports for any damage or inconsistencies. Passport-related issues may have severe consequences, especially in countries with strict entry requirements.
Our takeaway? Always examine your passport thoroughly before embarking on international travel. You should be mindful as some airlines may have less flexibility when planning and booking trips, and circumstances like this can see you spending hundreds of dollars just to fix the problem.
Keep in mind that some countries also require passports to have at least six months of validity remaining before granting entry.
.png){kind=icon}
