Now I am even more confused .
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY FOR EXPATS IN INDONESIA
KITAS EFF Retirement Visa
- Thread starter prtytler
- Start date
I dont have time to waste with this kind of sh*t.
He was pointing out the costs I believe
The official cost and then with sponsor / agent
But ultimately I have to say and ask, this visa is 8loody expensive and complicated considering the alternatives?
What are the actual benefits really? You don't need to leave the country ever again?
Why not just get a 1 or 2 year biz visa and renew, or even the 6 monthly one and pop to SG for an afternoon to pick up a nice bottle
Next year I am eligible for this retirement visa but I just cannot justify the huge cost or complications with agents etc
On a kitas here through "my" PT company with a long term friend as sponsor and director, never had any problem with her or immigration so just can't see the point to transition to retirement visa which actually explicitly prohibits "work" whereas currently is no problem me meeting a client even if I am paid for work I did outside regarding projects outside, and anyway I pay taxes to get my NPWP since I declare the minimum salary required as a director which tax office stated on paper is $2,500 a month so 10% is $250 a month, all this paid directly with receipt and tax certificate issued, NPWP card and also BJPS etc etc, the only thing I never bothered with is SIM A, I can drive but just don't bother, agent even said if I want licence she can get me free without even going to the station or office. I carry a small laminated copy of my PP, KITAS PDF and even my covid certs 1,2, and 3. Usually in the day my original passports and bank books all with me in case need to get to CGK ASAP (my bug out bag lol)
But that's me.
The official cost and then with sponsor / agent
But ultimately I have to say and ask, this visa is 8loody expensive and complicated considering the alternatives?
What are the actual benefits really? You don't need to leave the country ever again?
Why not just get a 1 or 2 year biz visa and renew, or even the 6 monthly one and pop to SG for an afternoon to pick up a nice bottle
Next year I am eligible for this retirement visa but I just cannot justify the huge cost or complications with agents etc
On a kitas here through "my" PT company with a long term friend as sponsor and director, never had any problem with her or immigration so just can't see the point to transition to retirement visa which actually explicitly prohibits "work" whereas currently is no problem me meeting a client even if I am paid for work I did outside regarding projects outside, and anyway I pay taxes to get my NPWP since I declare the minimum salary required as a director which tax office stated on paper is $2,500 a month so 10% is $250 a month, all this paid directly with receipt and tax certificate issued, NPWP card and also BJPS etc etc, the only thing I never bothered with is SIM A, I can drive but just don't bother, agent even said if I want licence she can get me free without even going to the station or office. I carry a small laminated copy of my PP, KITAS PDF and even my covid certs 1,2, and 3. Usually in the day my original passports and bank books all with me in case need to get to CGK ASAP (my bug out bag lol)
But that's me.
TBH I am more inclined to agree with anything the new 2020s immigration says then various agents, especially about prices. Some of these agents sites are very dated and incorrect and advertise being run by expensive bule with fancy offices which is reflected in what they charge
Also most of them talk out their a55 especially when it comes to e.g how to "own" property and get free visa, with an * and then it says price excludes sponsor fee blah blah blah
We all have different situations.
I am 73, worked from 15 till 64, so I have ZERO intention to work now.
I travelled all my life, fed up with it, specially as nowadays it is a real hassle.
I have also zero intention to "fall in love" and marry. Same for my companion.
Yes, it is bloody expensive, could have a nice gastronomic holiday in France for that.
But honestly the retirement visa is not complicated at all.
F.Y.I. I always was a full package expat, detached by France HQ. Never handled a visa or W.P. or rental, all done by my employer.
During my career in various countries I had to deal with immigration (indirectly), custom, police, fire dept...and a few others.
Can't be hassled with it anymore.
Before coming here, from HKG, I contacted 4 agents in Bali, had a meeting with each of them on my first trip here.
Just by their email response you can easily see who is professionnal.
After meeting them, only one was declared "pro". FYI, one of them arranged a meeting at KFC...Not really serious.
Never saw one managed by a bule.
And we know that according to your location the rules can varie. Same for the price of the agent.
First 1 year KITAS (2017) was 8,5 m, now it's 12 to 15. And it will not get cheaper in the future....
Same for the immigration rules.
It was complicated before but not anymore .
Expensive is what some agents are charging . For example , charging Rp15 million for something that cost Rp7 million (Immigration's official price) is too much in my view . It requires just around 2 hours total online computer work (more than US$200 per hour in this example) .
Yes , if the agent/sponsor continue extending the ITAS , converting ITAS to ITAP , and extending the ITAP (like any other sponsored Visa/ITAS type except very few cases) .
Each person may have different needs & preferences . I did the 6 months option (when in practice was : only 5 months and extended each month) but never will do it again (I hate travelling & don't drink) . The Business Visa will probably require a visa agent , so not a good idea if you don't really do unpaid business : meetings/production check/..
By Law we must follow the Laws and Regulations .
Agents sometimes ask for a little different set of documents because somehow they can do things like that . But if we hire this type of agent , it may harm us in the future .
Agent's price are (almost) independent of Immigration's price and the agent can (probably) legally charge as much as he/she wants .
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Why are retirement and work stay permits often charged at prices far above the official government fees? It is easy to blame immigration agents, but people should also remember the corruption case involving the former Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim. Relevant discussion can be found in posts #273, #274, and #277:
https://www.expatindo.org/community...n-the-past-few-weeks.7079/page-14#post-116787
The issue was reportedly not limited to one individual. According to the allegations in those reports, a number of officials, including immigration staff at both the central and regional levels, were involved in receiving regular payments every week. Where does most of this money come from ?? It is from the immigration agents according to the report. The top people in the chain could receive Rp100m-200m PER WEEK.
"From the results of the preliminary investigation, the suspect is suspected of making a profit of between Rp 100 million and Rp 200 million every week," said Ketut (NB. Ketut is one of the state attorney)
iknpost.id
By contrast, they would likely be far more cautious when dealing with spouse-sponsored or ex-Indonesian stay permits, as Indonesian citizens are generally in a much stronger position to report irregularities and bring them to the attention of the media or the relevant authorities.
https://www.expatindo.org/community...n-the-past-few-weeks.7079/page-14#post-116787
The issue was reportedly not limited to one individual. According to the allegations in those reports, a number of officials, including immigration staff at both the central and regional levels, were involved in receiving regular payments every week. Where does most of this money come from ?? It is from the immigration agents according to the report. The top people in the chain could receive Rp100m-200m PER WEEK.
"From the results of the preliminary investigation, the suspect is suspected of making a profit of between Rp 100 million and Rp 200 million every week," said Ketut (NB. Ketut is one of the state attorney)
Pejabat Kemenhub Terjaring OTT Jaksa
Ketut Sumedana. (Antara/Reno Esnir) PALEMBANG, IKNPOST.ID – Kejaksaan Tinggi Sumatera Selatan (Kejati Sumsel) menangkap Kepala Kantor Unit Penyelenggara Pelabuhan (KUPP) Kelas III Direktorat …
iknpost.id
By contrast, they would likely be far more cautious when dealing with spouse-sponsored or ex-Indonesian stay permits, as Indonesian citizens are generally in a much stronger position to report irregularities and bring them to the attention of the media or the relevant authorities.
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Helpful Herbert
Well-Known Member
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It's so much easier marrying a local. But whether that works out cheaper is a more difficult question 
Not often, always.
You pay :
- For the sponsorship by the agency
- For the work agency
- And I would not be surprised that some of it goes for "greasing the wheels"
Not that easy for me . I married (nikah sirih) 6 years after my divorce (then after 2 more years we married officially to be eligible for the Indonesian spouse's Visa/ITAS) .
For sure not cheaper if the Indonesian spouse or/and her/his family is/are poor (considering all the other "obligations") . But then we are not making an appropriate comparison .But whether that works out cheaper is a more difficult question
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jstar
Mr. 10,000
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Of course nikah siri is recognized by one religion only and not considered marriage for the Republic of Indonesia. Popular with Middle Eastern tourists for a short sex vacation in Puncak. The Arab version of a holiday in Pattaya.
Of course Herbert’s remark was tongue-in-cheek.
But coming back to the issue at hand; why the hell would someone of 72 in a serious relationship with a WNI not marry her? Better be screwed by her than by an agent you don’t know.
Of course Herbert’s remark was tongue-in-cheek.
But coming back to the issue at hand; why the hell would someone of 72 in a serious relationship with a WNI not marry her? Better be screwed by her than by an agent you don’t know.
I oppose this 100%.
My companion a me are living together since 11 years, and have both ZERO interest in getting married.
i mean, getting married at 70 ? I hope you're joking ?
And don't give me the "Mine is different and I love her to bits" LOL .
Well, from the 100's of post I have seen asking question and citing the hassle they are going through I don't think it is more easy.It's so much easier marrying a local. But whether that works out cheaper is a more difficult question
jstar
Mr. 10,000
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- Jul 31, 2016
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You start talking about ‘love’ all the time. I didn’t.
Just think convenience and finances. Many elderly couples in Europe at the end of their lives get divorced only because it will give a boost to their financial situation (tax, pension, social security, ..). Has absolutely nothing to do with their feelings for each other.
I would never ever pay an agent such exorbitant amounts of money. For 2 hours of work?
I agree with you that a marriage is a risky option .
From what I saw , many people change their behavior after they marry , so I would prefer to just date if possible (each one living in his/her own place) .
But I didn't see any advantage by living together in Indonesia without marrying legally (I did that for 5 years with my first wife + 2 years with my present wife) .
Freedom, independance.
Two things we both cherish a lot.
And we spend only 60% of our time together.
I married once in my life, in Thailand mainly for admin reasons.
Thai girl French educated fluent french, perfect french cooking.
She 27, me 42,about the right time. And as my job involved a lot of travel, and plans to live in France a bit, have kids, it would (visa wise for her) be much easier if we were married in France. Lasted about13 years which I consider not bad.
It's a bit more than 2 hours...
Confirmed by what I read on here.....
