Do sosial and cultural Visa required Telex?

[Amit]

Hello expat indo. I want to apply for sosial and cultural visa to stay in Bali. I already have the sponsor letter and id from one of my Balinese friend. I am from India and Indonesian Embassy in Indai, required telex to issue Sosial and cultural Visa. What is this telex? And what is procedure to make telex and how much it will cost approximately? Please give me ur suggestions regarding telex. Thank you. I want to get this sosial and cultural visa as soon as possible.

 

[snpark]

Yes you need, your sponsor must go to immigration office and apply, they will send the telex to your embassy there (Indonesian one) and you go collect it, it is a stamp in your passport, then you have 3 months from the date of the visa to ENTER the country, and then you can stay for as long as it says - beware a visa does not guarantee entry, still up to immigration at the airport to allow you in if you cannot provide proof of funds or return ticket

 

[William King]

The social and cultural visa is often issued for 2 or 6 months, but you can then extend it by a month at a time for another 6 months. (Or something like that)

 

[vocalneal]

It is not a "telex" per se. but an emailed document that has to be printed and submitted with your visa application.

 

[Davita]

I'm not sure about applying from India as some countries need a visit visa and India may be one of those countries. There is a list which can easily be searched.

Otherwise, it is NOT necessary to receive any telex, or otherwise, from Jakarta to receive a Sosbud. Each foreign RI Embassy/Consul Ambassador is autonomous in issuing Sosbuds on their own volition. All it requires is a letter sent, or presented by the applicant, to ensure the sponsor can provide necessary funds in case of the applicant's neglect.
It is common for the Sosbud to be issued for 60 days but, because of the code on the visa it is permitted to extend monthly for up to a max of 6 months.
(I use the term 'monthly' lightly but the restrictions are counted in days and needs careful scrutiny to avoid overstay).

 

[snpark]

the "telex" is not automatically sent to the consulate where you will be collecting it, not even necessary these days to print off a copy
I am trying to remember if you even need to send a copy to the agent, probably better safer and easier to do that so he has a copy of it, let him print it off

 

[Davita]

the "telex" is not automatically sent to the consulate where you will be collecting it, not even necessary these days to print off a copy
I am trying to remember if you even need to send a copy to the agent, probably better safer and easier to do that so he has a copy of it, let him print it off

SNP....I think you are confusing a simple Sosbud or Tourist visa with some other visas like Kitas, business visas or others.
The Sosbud has nothing to do with the central Jakarta Immigration office and No telexes are required and No agent is required.
I've had many sosbuds issued in Vancouver, Hong Kong, Singapore and KL. None of those jurisdictions required a telex from Jakarta and the visa was issued within a day or two after applying..In KL they issued the same day. All they required was a recent bank statement from my sponsor which I either presented or had sent.

I would add that the Tourist visa (no need for a sponsor letter) issued in the country where the applicant lives does not permit any extensions..... but I know of many, after arriving in Bali ,do find a sponsor and are able to extend their visa just the same as the Sosbud....don't know if this is guaranteed so best also have a plan B...... but it seems to work.

 

[snpark]

The 6 month one where you stay 60 days and then report to immigration every month instead of flying out?

No, I am sorry but for the original application, you get a telex and you have to go to SG to collect it, and then you fly back and you get it stamped on arrival and then you can stay 60 days and then after that you extend it at immigration

That is the "sosbud" one, there is certainly something sent from immigration here to the consulate there, even my agent used to email me the copy of it the day before when I used to have one

 

[snpark]

the "telex" is not automatically sent to the consulate where you will be collecting it, not even necessary these days to print off a copy
I am trying to remember if you even need to send a copy to the agent, probably better safer and easier to do that so he has a copy of it, let him print it off

Sorry, i meant to say "NOW" automatically sent - and not "NOT"

The immigration here sends it to SG consulate and it's all done by emails these days, used to be an actual paper thing, now its an email, even the agent just emails it all

 

[Davita]

The 6 month one where you stay 60 days and then report to immigration every month instead of flying out?

No, I am sorry but for the original application, you get a telex and you have to go to SG to collect it, and then you fly back and you get it stamped on arrival and then you can stay 60 days and then after that you extend it at immigration

That is the "sosbud" one, there is certainly something sent from immigration here to the consulate there, even my agent used to email me the copy of it the day before when I used to have one

SNP...Correct.
I have been using Susbud visas for about 15 years prior to getting a Kitas/Kitap and never had to do what you say your agent requires. At no point in the process is Jakarta Immigration involved in the issue, sending telexes or otherwise. If you are in RI when applying then clearly you will need to leave and return with a Sosbud stamp...but most prudent people apply for the visa in their home country prior to even visiting Bali.

The correct Indonesian name for a Sosbud is a Visa Kunjungan and here is the process to achieve it.....

Visit Visa (Visa Kunjungan)
Persons coming to Indonesia for short term stays (longer than 60 days allowed on VOA), not as tourists and not for business, should apply for another category of visa - the Visa Kunjungan (Social/Cultural Visit Visa) at an Indonesian consular office overseas. A letter of invitation/sponsorship from a sponsor in Indonesia is required. This can be an Indonesian citizen or a foreigner with a Temporary (ITAS) or Permanent (ITAP) Resident permit. You should also have a photocopy of the sponsor's ID card (KTP or ITAS /ITAP) to present along with the letter. This visa status is used by persons coming to study, for research, training programs or to visit family members (for example, expat college age children who want to stay longer than a VOA visa would allow).
The letter of invitation/sponsorship must include:

• the full names and addresses of your visitors
• their passport numbers
• describe the purpose of their visit
• principal addresses during their visit and estimated duration
• a guarantee that the sponsor will cover all living expenses, transportation costs, and any other costs incurred during the visitor's time in Indonesia.

You might have to include a bank statement to guarantee availability of funds for covering their expenses. They may also have to provide proof of return or onward ticket (onward ticket to any destination booked for a date no later than 6 months after your date of entry into Indonesia for the maximum stay of the sosbud. An onward ticket means any plane, boat or bus ticket for any destination outside Indonesia.

So, in list form, you need:
- a letter of sponsor which invites to stay in Indonesia (see above bulleted list for contents of letter).
- a photocopy of the Indonesian sponsor's KTP/paspor RI or a copy of the expat sponsor's ITAS and passport.
- a copy of your airline ticket (return trip)
- your passport
- a couple of pics
- fill out the form that the Indonesian Embassy will provide to you
- pay the visa fee (60 days: USD 50 or multiple entry for 12 months USD 110)

If, after 60 days, the guests want to stay longer, you will have to apply for a visa extension for them. Be careful, as you must apply for the extension in the same wilayah (district) as the address stated by your sponsor's KTP (Identity card). This means that if the KTP of your sponsor has been issued in Makassar, you must apply for all extensions in Makassar and are not allowed to apply for an extension in Bali.

Visa extensions are granted for 30 days each. You can extend your sosial budaya visa up to 4 times for a total maximum stay of 180 days. Go in person for the first extension, subsequent extensions can be done by an agent, if you choose. The two first extensions will be granted by the Kantor Imigrasi, while the two last will require a prior approval from the Kantor Wilayah before issuance by the Kantor Imigrasi. Each extension has a legal fee of Rp 250.000. They may ask you to buy the forms for anything between Rp 10,000 to 30,000. Though this last fee has no legal basis, it is customary.

Extensions are not guaranteed. You can only submit a “permohonan” (request). However, if you do follow the procedures carefully, you will minimize the chance of a refusal. If they decide to refuse it, ask your sponsor to request a Surat Keterangan Penolakan remitted to him, stating the reasons why the immigration department refused the extension. This is the law; they must list the reasons why they refused you the extension. If they do refuse, go with your sponsor to the Kantor Wilayah and ask to talk to the Kepala Divisi Keimigrasian. If you have initiated the procedure of the extension no later than 7 days before the expiration of your visa, if you have submitted all of the requested documents, if you don't do anything illegal (working), if you have submitted a copy of your onward ticket, and if you have proven that you or your sponsor have enough money to pay for your expenses, the Imigrasi usually won't risk your sponsor filling a complaint to the Kantor Wilayah (district office).

Regulations necessitate a 3-working day processing for these visas in Singapore, Bangkok, or your home country ... but from some reports, this process only takes ONE working day in Kuala Lumpur. Wherever you choose to process the application, be sure to allow the correct amount of time.

 

[snpark]

So how do you collect your sosbud? from where? there is something you get you have to submit to the consulate, right?

 

[snpark]

And again I am talking recently, gone are the days when you actually got something "paper" to take to the consulate, now they just email you an electronic "telex" which you then use

I was always under the impression that it was also sent to the consulate (or perhaps is available for any consulate to view online) because my agent before never specifically asked for a copy, I just sent it as normal practice

I assume then that when the agent goes to (example) the SG consulate, they can just input your passport number on a central database, see / access the visa request, and issue it (as the one page sticky in your passport) and then you fly back, it gets stamped, and then you get 60 days from then

But anyway point is / was that it is all online these days, no physical bits of paper, even kitas now is "e-kitas"

 

[Davita]

So how do you collect your sosbud? from where? there is something you get you have to submit to the consulate, right?

You go to the Embassy/Consul in your home town/area wherever you live....or send the passport and application forms to them if distant. They provide the application form and you fill it in. Attach the letter of introduction from your sponsor, plus the recent bank statement, and are told to return in a couple of days.
On return you need the money order in the currency of the RI Embassy/Consul country and they give you back your passport with the Sosbud stamp already endorsed (it takes a whole page).
You are then allowed 90 days to enter Indonesia or the Sosbud becomes invalid.

SNP you are consistently confusing people with other visas like Kitas etc...please stick to the OP's question on how to achieve a Sosbud.

 

[snpark]

Are you sure you are not confused? I mean you said you haven't done one for many years?

I have never done any visa where I needed a money order or anything like that?

The sosbud is the 6 month visa that actually is 60 days can be extended 4 x 30 days within Indonesia ? Right?

 

[jstar]

What is this telex? And what is procedure to make telex and how much it will cost approximately? Please give me ur suggestions regarding telex

Well, or there is a mixup with VITAS or you think of the need to get pre-approval from the Indonesian immigration head office (in Jakarta), which is for specific countries that require authorization prior to issuing a so called CALLING Visa.

But India is not in that list of countries, which is:
Afghanistan, Guinea, North Korea, Cameroon, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria and Somalia. And Israel is a special case altogether.

So just follow the path described above; go to the Indonesian consulate where you reside with all required documentation. If you provide that, you will get the Visa a couple of days later.

 

[snpark]

Yes I think the op is about one of those "calling" visa visit visa where they need an invitation letter?

I might be wrong but for the 6 month sosbud I am pretty sure of the process since I also recently did one while waiting to process my new KITAS last year, it was easier than flying out in between

 

[Davita]

Here is another verification on how to apply for a Sosbud to visit Indonesia.
So far you have provided nothing to prove your point.

Social Budaya
The Social Budaya visa is the most popular visa for anyone who is planning to visit Indonesia for an extended period of time. Unlike a Tourist Visa, the Social Budaya visa is valid for six months. Just to be clear, it is not a work visa and though many people do work while on a Social Budaya, it is actually illegal to do this.

A Social Budaya can be used for doing voluntary work and visiting friends and relatives. The visa is initially valid for a period of 60 days and can be extended four times – each subsequent visa is valid for a period of 30 days – after that. Once you have been in the country for six months, you will need to leave the country, but you can immediately apply for another Social Budaya visa and return on the same day.

Application Process
You need to apply for your visa at an Indonesian Embassy. If you’re already in Indonesia, I would advise applying for a Social Budaya visa in either Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) or Singapore. You can either apply directly at the Embassy – the process takes a total of three days – or pay a visa agent (optional) to do your paperwork and the visa will be ready on the same day.

Visa Agent Singapore
I always used a visa agent in Singapore. The agent I use in Singapore to arrange my Indonesian visa is called Ismael. You can find his details here. Like most visa agents, Ismael charges 175 Singaporean Dollars for a Social Budaya. You do not need to book an appointment, simply turn up at his office with the correct paperwork before 10:00am and he will arrange the visa on the same day (by 4:00 pm).

If you do not want to pay a visa agent, you can apply for a visa directly at an Indonesian Embassy. A Social Budaya visa in Singapore costs Singapore $62 and will take three working days to issue. Whichever option you choose, you will need to submit the same paperwork.

Paperwork
You will need:
– sponsorship Letter from an Indonesian Citizen
– a photocopy of your sponsors KTP (identity card)
– a photocopy of the Kartu Keluarga (family card)
– two passport sized photographs, preferrably with a red background
– passport of the person being sponsored
– Social Budaya application form

There is a set format for the sponsorship letter. However, whatever your sponsorship letter looks like, it needs to include the following information:
– date
– name of your sponsor (who needs to be employed)
– KTP number of your Sponsor
– Address of the sponsor
– name of the person who is being sponsored
– passport number of the person being sponsored
– signature of the sponsor on a Materi (little stamp which somehow makes any Indonesian document legal)

Applying for a Visa Extension
A Social Budaya visa extension costs Rp300,000. To apply for a visa extension, you will need the same paperwork as you do when applying for a Social Budaya visa. You should apply for your visa extension five working days before the visa expires.

To apply, simply go to the local immigration office where your sponsor is based (the office closest to the sponsors home address). On the day you apply you will need to submit all of the above paperwork and fill in a form, which you can pick up from the counter in the immigration office. You will also have to pay for the visa with Indonesian currency. The process of issuing the visa takes five working days.