Best Visa for future movements?

[m17tgw]

Hey guys

Just looking for a heads up on the best approach moving forward as my situation is not so straightforward, so il give you a an explanation of my situation.

I'm a UK citizen living and working in the UK (In full-time employment in Logistics) married since 2023 to my Indonesian spouse, as of 2018 I've always visited 2-3 times a year visiting on VOA and E-VOA'S, from next summer I'm looking to spend 6 months a year living in Indonesia with my wife and then the remaining 6 months returning home to the UK to work,( I plan to do this for about 2-3 years before eventually moving here permanently) I know my options are a 1-2 yr E31A Spouse Kitas that will give me freedom to come and go or I've heard of a business visa but think have to renew every 2 months etc,

Is it better to get my first Spouse Kitas application in the system and come and go as above? Or just do separate visas and extend every 60 days ?

Thanks for your help in advance
Martyn

 

[marcus]

... Is it better to get my first Spouse Kitas application in the system and come and go as above? Or just do separate visas and extend every 60 days ? ...

So the differences between your best options are :

1) Family Visa/KITAS E31A sponsored by the Indonesian spouse:
a) official cost : Rp6 million (1 year) , Rp8.5 million (2 years)
b) required to request an 'EPO/Exit Only Permit' to cancel the KITAS , if applicable
c) Indonesian income tax : over worldwide income , even staying less than 183 days (although not enforced in the past , don't know now)
d) required to : get SKTT (Indonesian ID) , report any change of : civil status , passport , Indonesian address , family members , ...

2) 60 days Tourist single entry Visa C1 - no sponsor required:
a) official cost : Rp1 million
b) for 180 days/year you are required to do 2 extensions of 60 days each (Rp1 million each) . Total official cost for 180 days : Rp3 million

 

[jstar]

I assume your marriage is registered here and the status of your spouse (KTP) is married?

Something that you must realize, is that you’re supposed to be domiciled in the country for a spouse sponsored ITAS. This seems like a formality but you(r spouse) do(es) have to deal with the Pak RT/Bu RW/Lurah/CatSip etc. who have to declare you live there.

 

[marcus]

... the E31A Spouse KITAS is usually the smoother option. It lets you enter and exit Indonesia more freely than juggling 60-day visas every couple of months, which can get stressful and costly ... So, starting with the spouse KITAS makes the most sense ...

In m17tgw's situation I would prefer the 60 days (up to 180 days) Tourist Visa/Stay Permit as it is the cheapest (for this situation) , easy to get & extend (after you do it once , and each of the 3 processes certainly easier than getting the single E31A Visa/KITAS process) , and less bureaucratic .

The business visa route isn’t ideal for your situation—it’s short-term and meant for work purposes, ...

The Business Visa does not make sense in this case . And by the way , it is not considered as "for work purposes" . What it allows is basically participate in meetings to discuss/sign import/export contract(s) .

 

[m17tgw]

Hey Martyn,


Given your plan to split time between Indonesia and the UK for a few years, the E31A Spouse KITAS is usually the smoother option. It lets you enter and exit Indonesia more freely than juggling 60-day visas every couple of months, which can get stressful and costly. You’ll still need to set up the KITAS properly through the immigration channels, but once it’s in place, it gives you stability and less paperwork.


The business visa route isn’t ideal for your situation—it’s short-term https://tropical-casino.com/ and meant for work purposes, so you’d be constantly renewing it and it won’t tie you to your spouse like the KITAS does.


So, starting with the spouse KITAS makes the most sense for your plan to live 6 months there each year. Once you’re ready to stay permanently, you can transition smoothly to a longer-term KITAS or permanent residency later on.


If you want, I can also outline a simple step-by-step approach for your first KITAS application.

thank you for the feedback and yes i would welcome your step by step advice thanks!

 

[m17tgw]

I assume your marriage is registered here and the status of your spouse (KTP) is married?

Something that you must realize, is that you’re supposed to be domiciled in the country for a spouse sponsored ITAS. This seems like a formality but you(r spouse) do(es) have to deal with the Pak RT/Bu RW/Lurah/CatSip etc. who have to declare you live there.

yes married in Jakarta August 2023, and all registered with the government bodies and yes my wife's KTP is updated as married. I was told last month that all I need is the first Kitas to be applied & after the 1-2 year option I don't have to age the visa, as I've been married over the 2 year requirement, apparently I'm allowed to apply for the 5 yr KITAP, no urgent rush but its a nice option and I've enquired with immigration and the D.I.Y approach is around 7-8 Juta, nice to know as some visa agents quote 40-50 JT for each application