American visiting Indo 30-60 days as a tourist ... What are VISA requirements?

[hidesert47]

Greetings all ...

I've been to Indo seven times in the last ten years, but max 29 days per trip. I hope to come for most of September and October this year, and I'm assuming I still have to apply in advance for a visa to cover that. I'm looking for some clear direction for the process. Can someone direct me to some good links that explain the process? As an aside, I'm a real tightwad and don't have cash to throw around, so I want to make this a DIY process.

Thanks in advance!

B

 

[El_Goretto]

It's all here: https://www.expatindo.org/the-different-types-of-visit-visas-for-indonesia/

You can apply for a visa at the nearest Indonesian Embassy.

Or you can get a non-free visa on arrival valid for 30 days that you will be able to extend.

Any question, feel free to ask.

 

[jstar]

I did not see this on the sister site, but I think you still need a sponsor (guarantor) for the extension of a VoA?

 

[R Cameron]

I did not see this on the sister site, but I think you still need a sponsor (guarantor) for the extension of a VoA?

No. You simply must pay the $35 (450rb?) fee when you enter to get your first 30 days, then visit immigration after about 22-23 days to extend the total to 60 days. The extension process is similar to the (old?) SosBud extensions, you go one day to fill out forms and submit your passport, go a few days later to be photographed, fingerprinted, and pay (355rb), and it's possible they may still ask you to come back the next day to collect your passport. I don't know the latest with agents, but it may be possible to have them do the submission and collection, only requiring you to go to immigration once. No sponsor needed anywhere in the process.

 

[waarmstrong]

We are getting, from the Chicago Consular Office, $50 60-day tourist visas for our mid-June to mid-August visit. File out the on-line appl and then mail all the required stuff to the office along with the print out the application generates. We are scheduled to be in-country the full 60 days and arrive in Jakarta at 5 minutes pasted midnight. If there is a tailwind and we arrive early, we will have to hang around in the corridor until the clock strikes 12 midnight and then go though immigration.

 

[Davita]

We are getting, from the Chicago Consular Office, $50 60-day tourist visas for our mid-June to mid-August visit. File out the on-line appl and then mail all the required stuff to the office along with the print out the application generates. We are scheduled to be in-country the full 60 days and arrive in Jakarta at 5 minutes pasted midnight. If there is a tailwind and we arrive early, we will have to hang around in the corridor until the clock strikes 12 midnight and then go though immigration.

Be careful my friend...I tried that some years ago and the Immigration bugger hadn't adjusted his rubber stamp.....and I lost a day.

Also, I think the new rules permit that visa to be extended with a sponsor.

 

[waarmstrong]

I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that tourist visas are not extendable beyond 60 days. In any case, I will take care to have my wife go through immigration first; she can start off by explaining the importance to her of the correct date stamp.

 

[Davita]

I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that tourist visas are not extendable beyond 60 days. In any case, I will take care to have my wife go through immigration first; she can start off by explaining the importance to her of the correct date stamp.

I used to get the 60 day Tourist Visa you describe which was not extendable but, according to new rules last year promulgated in our own Expat Indo website, this visa has morphed into a sosbud type, called a visit visa, which is extendable...I haven't tried so await your experience.

I thought you said you had a Retirement Kitas...did you lose that?

 

[hidesert47]

It's all here: https://www.expatindo.org/the-different-types-of-visit-visas-for-indonesia/
You can apply for a visa at the nearest Indonesian Embassy. Or you can get a non-free visa on arrival valid for 30 days that you will be able to extend. Any question, feel free to ask.

Thank you! So reading at the link above, I need 'Visit Visa On Arrival (Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan)', correct? If I am in the Bali/Lombok area, where do I visit immigration? Back at airport? And likewise, what if I am in Manado at the time?

Thanks again ...

 

[waarmstrong]

I used to get the 60 day Tourist Visa you describe which was not extendable but, according to new rules last year promulgated in our own Expat Indo website, this visa has morphed into a sosbud type, called a visit visa, which is extendable...I haven't tried so await your experience.

I thought you said you had a Retirement Kitas...did you lose that?

Did have a Retirement KITAS for the last 5 or 6 years were were based in Jakarta, but gave it up when we relocated to the Midwest USA in 2014. The plan was to return for a 2 months or so visit every other summer. Though with weddings and stuff, either my wife or all of us have been back every summer.

 

[Davita]

Did have a Retirement KITAS for the last 5 or 6 years were were based in Jakarta, but gave it up when we relocated to the Midwest USA in 2014. The plan was to return for a 2 months or so visit every other summer. Though with weddings and stuff, either my wife or all of us have been back every summer.

I understand...no point to pay for expensive Kitas/Kitap if only visiting. That was also my reasoning to resist a retirement visa for my wife and self when we first came to Indonesia. Now it is compelling as we stay in RI more than anywhere else.
However...now concerned about RI's applicable tax law and if they intend to apply them aggressively vis-a-vis foreigners.
Time to have a plan B but cannot afford to return to Vancouver as property prices are in the atmosphere...it is reported that central Toronto median for a house is around C$1.6 M....and rose 33% since the beginning of 2017.

 

[El_Goretto]

Thank you! So reading at the link above, I need 'Visit Visa On Arrival (Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan)', correct? If I am in the Bali/Lombok area, where do I visit immigration? Back at airport? And likewise, what if I am in Manado at the time?

Thanks again ...

You have 2 options:

A. Apply for the Visit Visa On Arrival when you land which you will have to extend (be careful to get the non-free one. The free one is NOT extendable). It will take time off your holidays to extend and you will have to plan your activities around that. If you're in Bali, you can go to the Immigration Office in Denpasar. If you're in Lombok, you can go to the Immigration Office in Mataram. If you're in Manado, you can go to the Immigration Office in Manado.

B. Apply for Single Visit Visa (Visa Kunjungan Satu Kali Perjalanan) before your holidays at your local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate that will be valid for 60 days. With that in hand, you don't have to worry about extensions. But you will need a guarantor.

If you can, I'd recommend you get option B.

 

[hidesert47]

Thank you El Goretto for all the information!

 

[hidesert47]

About the 'Single Visit Visa (Visa Kunjungan Satu Kali Perjalanan)':

Requirements say 'Must be used within 90 days from grant date.' Does this mean travel must be initiated in that period, or does it mean I must exit the country in that period?

It also says, 'Extendable? Yes, 4 times for an extra 30 days each time.' Is this an extension I apply for while there, and will it require numerous visits to immigration?

This brings up the 'chicken or egg' question. If the visa application requires that I show proof of an onward (leaving Indo) air ticket, then my only choice if I decide to stay longer than 60 days is to buy a cheap Air Asia ticket at time of visa application and then and not use it, correct? Then I could purchase my 'real' return ticket while in Indo. Am I on the right track here?

 

[steveandpenny]

In manado imagation office is in the middle of the town. They have a small booth at airport but I don't know if you can extend visa there. The office in town will be helpful but can take a little too much time depending on the day of the week and if Internet is up. So don't wait till the day you need to extend it.

You question about a ticket...buy a refundable ticket.

 

[Davita]

About the 'Single Visit Visa (Visa Kunjungan Satu Kali Perjalanan)':

1. Requirements say 'Must be used within 90 days from grant date.' Does this mean travel must be initiated in that period, or does it mean I must exit the country in that period?

2. It also says, 'Extendable? Yes, 4 times for an extra 30 days each time.' Is this an extension I apply for while there, and will it require numerous visits to immigration?

3. This brings up the 'chicken or egg' question. If the visa application requires that I show proof of an onward (leaving Indo) air ticket, then my only choice if I decide to stay longer than 60 days is to buy a cheap Air Asia ticket at time of visa application and then and not use it, correct? Then I could purchase my 'real' return ticket while in Indo. Am I on the right track here?

1. It means you must enter Indonesia within 90 days from the issuance of the visa...once you enter that requirement becomes invalid.
2. You apply for extensions at the Immigration office in Indonesia nearest your sponsor's KTP address...it usually takes two visits.
3. Buy any ticket you are comfortable with. A return that can be open-ended or refunded or a local area ticket that can be canceled...any ticket that shows you intend to leave suffices. Sometimes an Embassy/Consul will accept 'no ticket' as long as you prove one can be purchased (i.e. recognized credit card)...just ask. I don't recall a ticket being necessary for extensions.

 

[fastpitch17]

Back in the day when I might have had to show a departure ticket, I had a Batam to Singapore open ended ferry ticket. Around $20.00 at that time.

 

[hidesert47]

B. Apply for Single Visit Visa (Visa Kunjungan Satu Kali Perjalanan) before your holidays at your local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate that will be valid for 60 days. With that in hand, you don't have to worry about extensions. But you will need a guarantor. If you can, I'd recommend you get option B.

I'm working on this, but I have yet another question. You use the word 'guarantor'. Another site says (referring to the Social Visa, which is what has now become the Single Visit Visa, correct?) 'you will need a Letter of Invitation from an Indonesian citizen.'

So my question ... is this really something that can be provided by any Indo citizen, or must it be in the form of some kind of official document? If my Indo friend writes to me and says 'Hey hidesert47, come on over and let's go diving', does that constitute a proper letter? I wouldn't want my friend to feel 'responsible' for me in any way.

If I need to go the 'official agent' route to get this done, can you recommend one? I tried one recommendation but they haven't responded to my email.

 

[jstar]

Your wish is our command....

https://forum.expatindo.org/showthread.php?1194-Sos-Bud-sponsor-letter

 

[jstar]

I wouldn't want my friend to feel 'responsible' for me in any way.

That is the whole point though. He is.

If you screw up during your stay, can't pay your return, .... HE is the one they will approach since he takes on the responsibility for you during your stay in RI. Sounds more dramatic than it probably is, but there is a reason why 'sponsor' gets replaced by 'guarantor'.