Visit Visa to ITAS

[cup1981]

OK, so my wife and I are officially heading back to Indonesia on May 23rd (for good this time), but I am running into a visa issue as we are in a slightly different boat than last time I got my KITAS.

I tried getting my ITAS here in the U.S., but the consulate says I have to have "Limited Stay Visa Authorization Letter from the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration," which I don't think I can get because my sponsor (my wife) is here in the U.S. with me.

So, my first question is can I get this letter while my sponsor is here? If so how would I pull that off?

I was thinking then, I would just get a family-based visit visa. Well, that is a no go because we've been in the U.S. for 7 years, and my wife does not have the required KTP or SIM to apply for it as my sponsor (womp-womp).

Finally, I was thinking head to Indo on a Visit Visa - Tourism. Once in Indonesia, we would get her required KTP/SIM and convert my tourism visa to a family-based Visit Visa or maybe even an ITAS.

What I am wondering is can I even convert a tourism-based Visit Visa to a spousal-sponsored Visit Visa or ITAS, or do I have to leave the country to reapply for a spousal sponsored ITAS or Visit Visa?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dafluff]

So, my first question is can I get this letter while my sponsor is here? If so how would I pull that off?

This is now all done online, however if your wife's KTP/KK is not in order (ie. not updated to reflect that you are married), then it can't be done.

What I am wondering is can I even convert a tourism-based Visit Visa to a spousal-sponsored Visit Visa or ITAS, or do I have to leave the country to reapply for a spousal sponsored ITAS or Visit Visa?

Thanks in advance!

Does your wife not have a KTP at all? If she does, she should be able to sponsor you for a social visa/Ijin Kunjungan.

As far as the regulations go, a Visit Visa (Ijin Kunjungan or more often, SosBud) is convertible to a KITAS. I do not recall if the KITAS has to be sponsored by the same person as the Ijin Kunjungan.

Really worst case scenario is you come in with a Visit Visa, can stay up to 2 months, then extendable 4 times. This gives you plenty of time to arrange wife's paperwork. Then if it is not convertible, you apply for VITAS online, then get it stamped in Singapore.

 

[cup1981]

This is now all done online, however if your wife's KTP/KK is not in order (ie. not updated to reflect that you are married), then it can't be done.



Does your wife not have a KTP at all? If she does, she should be able to sponsor you for a social visa/Ijin Kunjungan.

As far as the regulations go, a Visit Visa (Ijin Kunjungan or more often, SosBud) is convertible to a KITAS. I do not recall if the KITAS has to be sponsored by the same person as the Ijin Kunjungan.

Really worst case scenario is you come in with a Visit Visa, can stay up to 2 months, then extendable 4 times. This gives you plenty of time to arrange wife's paperwork. Then if it is not convertible, you apply for VITAS online, then get it stamped in Singapore.

Thanks for the detailed reply. No, we have been in the U.S. for over 7 years, so her KTP is long expired and missing. Her KK is updated with me as her spouse, as we previously had a spouse-based ITAS.

She also has an Indonesian Overseas Card, known as a Kartu Masyarakat Indonesia Di Luar Negeri, but I am not sure if that takes the place of the KTP. I am waiting on an answer from the consulate in Houston on that, but they are highly unreliable with answering visa questions.

At least I now know I can convert my visit visa or just do a Singapore run if needed .

 

[centurion]

Indonesian embassies are not the most reliable source of information as they are under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Immigration is under the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

 

[cup1981]

Indonesian embassies are not the most reliable source of information as they are under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Immigration is under the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

Yeah, worst case, I will just go on a VOA and give her time to get her paperwork in order. Once she gets that, I can leave the country (go to Singapore) and apply for the ITAS.

 

[fastpitch17]

Yeah, worst case, I will just go on a VOA and give her time to get her paperwork in order. Once she gets that, I can leave the country (go to Singapore) and apply for the ITAS.

I have never heard of an American needing a Visa Stay Authorization letter from Director Immigration. Of course, things change.

I would suggest a simple Social Cultural Visa. Single entry $50.00, multiple entry $110.00. Single you leave within 60 days, multiple you leave withing 60 days of each stay and is good for a year. Check the Councilates Web site for a list of the posted requirements for it. That's what I used and I see on the Chicago site it is still available. Got me in easy, got out every 59 days for a badly needed break and back in easy.

 

[cup1981]

I have never heard of an American needing a Visa Stay Authorization letter from Director Immigration. Of course, things change.

I would suggest a simple Social Cultural Visa. Single entry $50.00, multiple entry $110.00. Single you leave within 60 days, multiple you leave withing 60 days of each stay and is good for a year. Check the Councilates Web site for a list of the posted requirements for it. That's what I used and I see on the Chicago site it is still available. Got me in easy, got out every 59 days for a badly needed break and back in easy.

Here is what the Indonesian Consulate in the U.S. says (see No. 4).

Limited Stay Visa is a single entry visa that is related to work and to other purposes such as investment, research, family unification, performance, sports, social activities, retired / senior citizens, etc.

The holder of the Visa and Visa Permit (KIMS / KITAS) once / she arrives in Indonesia. The single / multiple exit and re-entry permits can be obtained from the period of valid valid permit.

Requirements :

1. A passport which has at least one blank page for visa, with at least: a. 12 months validity for 6 months stay; b. 18 months validity for 12 months stay; or c. 30 months validity for 24 months stay
2. Two recent color photographs (passport size) with white background on picture-quality paper. Note : Do not staple or affix the photographs on the form.
3. Complete the online application. The application can click here to start
4. Limited Stay Visa Authorization Letter from the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration. Note : From the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Note : To initiate and expedite the process of authorization, it is advisable that the applicant's sponsors in Indonesia submit a request for authorization to the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta, Indonesia. Please make sure that the notification is addressed to the Indonesian Embassy / Consulate Generals in which the visa will be issued.
5. Applicants under the 18 years of age should attach a notarized copy of birth certificate. In addition, a notarized letter of consent was signed by non-traveling legal guardians who must be attached to the applicants under 18 years of age travel without the legal guardian.
6. For Non-US Citizens: Please provide a copy of US Permanent Residence / Visa / Valid I-20 from schools / universities.
7. Inoculation is recommended but not mandatory, and is not only mandatory.
8. Payment in money order, company check or cashier's check. Click here for the list of consular transaction's fees

Without my wife being in Indonesia, we cannot get that letter. I tried asking them if I needed to get it myself or if they would get it for me and just charge me a telex fee, but, as usual, their response was in no way related to my question lol. They are impossible to get information from.

 

[fastpitch17]

Chicago's site makes no mention of it and perhaps someone here that keeps up more on these things can add additional information because I have just never heard of an American needing this letter. Others, yes but not Americans. Are you looking at the Indonesian Embassy site or the site for your home state? I think you mentioned the Houston Consulate. Check where you will be applying because it will be them issuing the visa, not the Embassy.

 

[cup1981]

Chicago's site makes no mention of it and perhaps someone here that keeps up more on these things can add additional information because I have just never heard of an American needing this letter. Others, yes but not Americans. Are you looking at the Indonesian Embassy site or the site for your home state? I think you mentioned the Houston Consulate. Check where you will be applying because it will be them issuing the visa, not the Embassy.

You know what? I think you are right. Now that I check, the official immigrasi site makes no mention of that letter.

Foreigners married to an Indonesian must provide a :

1. Letter from the Indonesian spouse to the immigration office confirming their marriage and a request for a KITAS for the foreign spouse;
2. Copy of their marriage certificate from the government office;
3. Copy of their marriage report letter from the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in their country and also from the civil registration office in Indonesia for spouses married abroad;
4. Copy of a valid Indonesian identity card of the Indonesian spouse;
5. Copy of the Indonesian family card issued by their local authority.

We are sill lacking the civil registration of our marriage (was lost in one of our moves), but we may be able to get it somehow.

 

[fastpitch17]

Not sure if you need a "wife" sponsor for a social cultural visa. Even if her KTP is past renewal time, it is the same number.

 

[dafluff]

Here is what the Indonesian Consulate in the U.S. says (see No. 4).

Without my wife being in Indonesia, we cannot get that letter. I tried asking them if I needed to get it myself or if they would get it for me and just charge me a telex fee, but, as usual, their response was in no way related to my question lol. They are impossible to get information from.

Item 4 in that list is the telex authorization for VITAS (Limited Stay Visa). It is an authorization from Immigration in Jakarta to the consulate to issue the VITAS. Everyone needs it before applying for one. This can now be done online, but as I said before you need to have your sponsor's (wife's in this case) paper work in order.

You don't need an authorization telex for visit visa, you do for a stay visa.

Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to apply for VITAS online: https://www.expatindo.org/online-kitas-application-procedure/

The article is a bit old, but the general idea is the same.

 

[Jamu]

I went through the process three months ago and reported my experience in detail on the following thread, https://www.expatindo.org/community/threads/how-to-proceess-kitas-vitas-online.411/page-6