World Cup visas could be 'total debacle'

The shambolic organisation surrounding the issuing of visas for many of those traveling from Australia and New Zealand to the World Cup shows no sign of improving.

Almost a fortnight after the scale of the problem first came to light, it seems that little has been done to alleviate the situation. Mike Agostini, who until recently was Trinidad and Tobago's honorary consul in Australia, reported to Cricinfo that the Caricom Visa issuing offices in Sydney were "are still not operative, or, if so, just barely".

In a letter to Rose Blenman, who is in charge of the implementation of the controversial US$100 visa, Agostini wrote: "Are you intent on deluding the people wanting such visas, many of whom are continuing to complain, especially travel agents, about the failure of this Mission to provide proper assistance?"

He also flagged that applicants from New Zealand faced an even more difficult problem because of the lack of appropriate information and also the fact that they had to pay for the additional costs of sending their applications and passports to Sydney as well as for their return.

"I am as amazed as I am appalled at what is happening here and looks likely to become much worse, with the deadline for these visas being January 15, 2007 and the issuing office not fully operative and the time stated for issuing of visas and return of passports being still 'up to three weeks'."

He warned that the whole exercise was set to become a "total debacle" unless the scheme was abandoned. "The impression here continues to be a money-making exercise and thus also a 'rip-off' which is the way it still seems to be, for which the reputations of all Caricom countries will suffer."

Cricinfo has tried to contact Caricom to ask for clarification of the situation but has received no response. We have also asked Cricket Australia whether it has taken up the issue on behalf of supporters but no response has been forthcoming.

Chris Dehring, who is heading the organisation of the event, said: ""We believe the outcome of what Caricom has implemented ... will be much appreciated by fans. The visa cost works out to US$10 per country which is not particularly high. Also, nationals of many Caribbean countries require a visa to go to Australia and in some cases they have to send their passports to Washington."