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- Jul 16, 2016
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My FIL passed away after a second stroke, and subsequent hospitalization, in April. We’ve always wanted to bring both of my inlaws for a visit to the US, but after my FIL had his brain aneurysm 6 years ago, everything was put on hold.
So, I had a number of medical issues to tend to in the US, so decided to return for at least 6 months. It might be as long as a year, if our kid has to complete the school year.
In May, we applied for a new Indonesian passport for Oma. As mentioned earlier, they’re now good for 10 years. As soon as we had our passport in hand, I went onto the Jakarta US embassy website, and followed the link for a B1/B2 business/tourist visa.
You have to fill out a lot of pages of stuff about prior jobs, even if it was way in the past. You have to pay the appointment fee before you can get your passport. It was $160 when we applied, but went up to $185, I think at the end of May. You pay in IDR by going to CIMB Niaga, or by doing a transfer to a special account number the website gives you.
They ask about social media accounts on the application, and ask for them, if you have any.
They have a standard exchange rate for USD->IDR every month or so. Your deposit takes a business day or two to actually become active. Only then can you get your appointment.
Appointments show up in the 2-4 week in advance time frame from what I saw. You’re expected to show up for your appointment no more than 15 minutes early, or late, or have to reschedule. No one can generally accompany you inside. Don’t bring tablets, Apple watch, etc. You can bring a phone, but will have to leave it at the security checkpoint.
Oma had a mid morning interview. The wait inside the embassy, and interview took about 2 hours. She was granted a 5 year visa. You can have your passport delivered to you, or pick it up at another location. Passport was ready 3 days after the interview.
The only thing that’s not quite clear, is the length of stay in the US that’s allowed. Online, I see mention of 90 day max stay, but nothing official that I could see. We didn’t ask. Of course when coming into the US, they can just tell you how long you can stay upon arrival, so nothing is guaranteed.
I know that tourist visas to the US can be difficult to obtain from many countries. I’ve heard that more elderly folk are more likely to get them without trouble. Oma is in her late 60’s.
My kid is excited about taking Oma to Disneyland and being able to show her interesting stuff in the US. Of course living in the SW US during the summer may be a bit of a shock for Oma. Hopefully no 120f days for her.
So, I had a number of medical issues to tend to in the US, so decided to return for at least 6 months. It might be as long as a year, if our kid has to complete the school year.
In May, we applied for a new Indonesian passport for Oma. As mentioned earlier, they’re now good for 10 years. As soon as we had our passport in hand, I went onto the Jakarta US embassy website, and followed the link for a B1/B2 business/tourist visa.
You have to fill out a lot of pages of stuff about prior jobs, even if it was way in the past. You have to pay the appointment fee before you can get your passport. It was $160 when we applied, but went up to $185, I think at the end of May. You pay in IDR by going to CIMB Niaga, or by doing a transfer to a special account number the website gives you.
They ask about social media accounts on the application, and ask for them, if you have any.
They have a standard exchange rate for USD->IDR every month or so. Your deposit takes a business day or two to actually become active. Only then can you get your appointment.
Appointments show up in the 2-4 week in advance time frame from what I saw. You’re expected to show up for your appointment no more than 15 minutes early, or late, or have to reschedule. No one can generally accompany you inside. Don’t bring tablets, Apple watch, etc. You can bring a phone, but will have to leave it at the security checkpoint.
Oma had a mid morning interview. The wait inside the embassy, and interview took about 2 hours. She was granted a 5 year visa. You can have your passport delivered to you, or pick it up at another location. Passport was ready 3 days after the interview.
The only thing that’s not quite clear, is the length of stay in the US that’s allowed. Online, I see mention of 90 day max stay, but nothing official that I could see. We didn’t ask. Of course when coming into the US, they can just tell you how long you can stay upon arrival, so nothing is guaranteed.
I know that tourist visas to the US can be difficult to obtain from many countries. I’ve heard that more elderly folk are more likely to get them without trouble. Oma is in her late 60’s.
My kid is excited about taking Oma to Disneyland and being able to show her interesting stuff in the US. Of course living in the SW US during the summer may be a bit of a shock for Oma. Hopefully no 120f days for her.
