I’m heading over to Australia for a meeting. Australia requires a visa to drop on in. As I’m enjoying this really nice salad, damn, I just realize I haven’t done jack on getting this visa. I whip out my BlackBerry, jump on the search to figure out who can quickly get me a visa for Australia. I’m looking for one of those expediting places that can get you a visa into anyplace within 24 hours.
I happened to wander onto the Australian site which talks about all the visa requirements and, golly gee, it’s all electronic. Click this, fill in that, fork over 20 bucks, and bob’s yer uncle, get the barbee fired up. Yup. In just under 6 minutes, I was able to electronically fill out the form, pay for, and get confirmation of a multiple entry visa into Australia. On my BlackBerry. 10 minutes after I realized I needed to get this done. That’s progress, folks.
Yes, it was in a browser so no big app issue here, that’s not the point. The big point is the true, always on, always connected, instant/demand nature of the world we are living in.
For your start-up, can you give instant gratification? Are you tuned to the ‘mobile’ device(s)?
Major kudos to the Australian Government as this has to be the smoothest piece of foreign paperwork I’ve ever filled out; well done!
I must have the wrong BB - 6 minutes I am still waiting for the Search to get loaded - let alone finding anything :-)
Posted by: Elliot Ross | May 27, 2009 at 13:46
Neat. Just tried using my BB Bold (3G) - search was quick. Yup, under six minutes is possible if you have all the info ready to go.
Of note, Canada doesn't require travel visa for Australian travelling here for short visits. Canada still using customs paper work (filled during flight) to gather the same info. Australian ETA idea makes sense and pays for itself.
Posted by: Kul | May 28, 2009 at 11:56