The most laziest things to do
5:37 PMI am a weekend-in-bed athlete. But next month I’m flying abroad, so I traded duvet diplomacy for…
The embassy.
Scene: Embassy, air-con, false hope
What I should have done (learn from my clownery)
Scene: Embassy, air-con, false hope
Brought my passport, a stack of documents, and the kind of optimism you can only buy with sleep deprivation. Security scanned my soul, I passed the vibe check, and a very nice officer smiled, took my form, and told me to wait.
What I brought (and what I should’ve checked first)
- Passport (+ copies)
- Completed application form (print neatly, future you will thank you)
- Photos (correct size/background—always bring extras)
- Itinerary (flights/hotels)
- Financials (bank statements, etc.)
- Supporting docs (invitation, employment/student letter, whatever your visa type demands)
- i have to get my visa soon
- wish me luck
It was cold, quiet, and I started believing in bureaucracy with a happy ending.
She called my name. I walked up to the counter like “Walking on Sunshine” song was playing.
Plot twist: not denied, just… redirected
I wasn’t “refused.” I was told: “You need to process the visa in Surabaya as you're ID is Surabaya.”
Region rules.
Jurisdiction things.
Paperwork geography.
My lazy thought said i can do it Bali; my application said “lol no.”
June is exams + ceremonies + “why me” season, so… double screwed.
Solution? Panic-buy a ticket and fly to Surabaya. (Hi, chaos. It’s me again.)
- Confirm the correct embassy/consulate jurisdiction before you go. Some visas must be lodged in specific cities.
- Check current requirements (sizes, fees, processing times) the day before—rules change mid-sigh.
- Bring backups (digital + hard copies).
- Book flex tickets if your timeline is tight.
- Arrive early.
Mini checklist you can screenshot
- Which office processes your area/case?
- Updated doc list printed and highlighted
- Extra photos + copies
- Proof of funds/itinerary/letters
- Fee in the right payment method
- Buffer days for delays
- Backup plan (another submission day, courier, etc.)
Feelings (filed under: Not Urgent But Loud)
I wanted to throw something (not the pets, they’re cute).
Instead I booked Surabaya, packed snacks, and pretended this was a spontaneous city break, not a paperwork pilgrimage.
I’m off to Surabaya to make friends with a different queue. Wish me luck.
If you’ve done this dance and survived, drop your pro tips. If you’re reading this at the embassy right now, hydrate. Bureaucracy feeds on tears.
Ikkel
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