E31A vs. Kitas?

[Suramaduman]

Hello all,

I asked a E31A Visa (spouse). I entered the country and I received another e-Visa.
Notice, there's nothing in this E-Visa that says Kitas. I've been to Banks and Insurances and they said they cannot open accounts for me because my Visa is not Kitas yet. Other people said that my visa, according to new regulations, is already a Kitas.

Is it the case that I still need to convert my visa to KITAS?

 

[Nicho]

Hello all,

I asked a E31A Visa (spouse). I entered the country and I received another e-Visa.
Notice, there's nothing in this E-Visa that says Kitas. I've been to Banks and Insurances and they said they cannot open accounts for me because my Visa is not Kitas yet. Other people said that my visa, according to new regulations, is already a Kitas.

Is it the case that I still need to convert my visa to KITAS?

The E13A (Spouse) is a once only entry permit from the Director General approving your application for the Spouse Kitas . I had 14 days to get to immigration to convert to the 1 year temporary stay Kitas when I arrived in 2015 . I'd be on my way or getting in contact with Immigration ASAP .

 

[Suramaduman]

Thanks. I just saw that actually I have received an ITAS the next day after I arrived. Is that a Kitas?
The QR doesn't work though (just like pointed in another post)

 

[Nicho]

Thanks. I just saw that actually I have received an ITAS the next day after I arrived. Is that a Kitas?
The QR doesn't work though (just like pointed in another post)

Yes Itas - Kitas same . The K was for Kartu/Card in the old system which I think you no longer get . As for QR codes I can't help , I did mine before all this QR , E-Visa , Whatsapp stuff . I know a lot of expat details have not yet been entered into the system which might explain it . I've been here just over ten years and there is still no record of me in the new system ! Like everything in Indonesia , Besok / Tomorrow which can be anything from tomorrow until next month or Nanti / Later which has much the same meaning . I'd be printing several copies and laminating 1 to carry at all times . Also check with your local registry office if you can get your KTP / ID Card , KK / Kartu Keluarga / Family Card and SKTTS card / formerly a letter of residency/domicile from the Kepala Desa where you live . You will need a Surat Tanda Melapor /Police report from your local Police office as well . Some expats have gotten there cards when they got the Itas , others have been told they had to wait until they did the Alhi Status / Conversion to Itap/ Permanent Stay Permit which you can do after 2 years on the Itas/ Tempory Stay Permit . The old cards were great , same size as a credit card . Didn't have to carry A4 copies or rely on Smart phones . There's alot of running around to be done getting everything which has to be renewed every year while on the Itas if they say you can't get the cards yet . Good luck , Cheers .

 

[Shadrach]

I went to my agent today and picked up my Passport, and they gave me the ITAP, and IMK, on pieces of paper. My agent did make me a laminate of the ITAP, but not the IMK. He made it a little too large for some reason, but I can always go later to a print shop and have both made into a laminate. I agree with your idea, to have these both on a small laminate, that I can carry wherever I go.
Indonesia wants to be modern and make everything electronic, but they just aren't up to date with their programming. Another situation with new technology, is my motorbike. It has the new electric key, and no kick starter. I just tried to start it, but the electronic key's battery was dead! And with no kickstarter, I was unable to start the bike, even with a charged battery!
Honda really should have not eliminated the kick starter, and regular key. Whose idea was this anyway, The battery manufacturers? I mean it really doesn't make a difference, if you have the old style key, or the new electronic one. If you lose either, you can't start your bike! There has to be a better way?

 

[Hawk256]

Another situation with new technology, is my motorbike. It has the new electric key, and no kick starter. I just tried to start it, but the electronic key's battery was dead! And with no kickstarter, I was unable to start the bike, even with a charged battery!
Honda really should have not eliminated the kick starter, and regular key. Whose idea was this anyway, The battery manufacturers? I mean it really doesn't make a difference, if you have the old style key, or the new electronic one. If you lose either, you can't start your bike! There has to be a better way?

The new electronic keys don't have a shaft that can be broken with a screwdriver or defeated some other way mechanically. The only way to get the bike into working condition without a key is to buy a new CPU module for 4 million. So don't lose your key. Maybe better to buy a second one now just in case like I did for mine. The same reason for the loss of the kickstarter, without a mechanical way to start the motor bike, it makes it harder to steal. Look at the theft rates and you will be happy to have what you have and it has nothing to do with Indonesia. All of the motorbikes in the world are the same.

 

[Shadrach]

The new electronic keys don't have a shaft that can be broken with a screwdriver or defeated some other way mechanically. The only way to get the bike into working condition without a key is to buy a new CPU module for 4 million. So don't lose your key. Maybe better to buy a second one now just in case like I did for mine. The same reason for the loss of the kickstarter, without a mechanical way to start the motor bike, it makes it harder to steal. Look at the theft rates and you will be happy to have what you have and it has nothing to do with Indonesia. All of the motorbikes in the world are the same.

I still would rather have the old style key, and a kick starter! I'm not worried about theft! With this system, if you do one thing wrong, nothing works, or the battery drains overnight, etc. If you like the new system then good for you! I have two electronic keys, and they both Suck!

 

[marcus]

Thanks. I just saw that actually I have received an ITAS the next day after I arrived. Is that a Kitas?...

ITAS = Izin Tinggal Terbatas / Temporary Residence Permit
KITAS = Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas

Few years ago you would need to go to the Immigration Office to pay/get the ITAS + a Re-Entry Permit stamped in your passport + an ITAS card . Now the process is simpler and you pay for everything when you request the Visa and get everything through email (so now the KITAS became e-ITAS) .

Your Indonesian spouse is supposed to receive your Re-Entry Permit (by email) too , didn't she/he ?

 

[pantaiema]

Hello all,

I asked a E31A Visa (spouse). I entered the country and I received another e-Visa.
Notice, there's nothing in this E-Visa that says Kitas. I've been to Banks and Insurances and they said they cannot open accounts for me because my Visa is not Kitas yet. Other people said that my visa, according to new regulations, is already a Kitas.

Is it the case that I still need to convert my visa to KITAS?

E31 is often called (V)ITAS. It is the spouse sponsored visa that once it is activated (by using it to enter the country), it will automatically converted to become e-ITAS.

Many people have reported, they get the e-ITAS emailed to them in pdf attachment as soon as they pass the immigration gate using that visa.

 

[marcus]

... I'd be printing several copies and laminating 1 to carry at all times .

It is not necessary in my view , except a paper copy (of ITAS & Re-Entry Permit) to carry with your passport if you travel abroad + an ITAS paper copy to open an Indonesian bank account . Almost nobody else will ask you for the ITAS , except in rare cases like for example , the Police and/or Immigration looking for criminals/illegal foreigners in night clubs .

Also check with your local registry office if you can get your KTP / ID Card , KK / Kartu Keluarga / Family Card and SKTTS card ...

In your case , you should get only the SKTT (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal) at your city's Kantor Catatan Sipil/Registry Office (usually free) , which was designed to be your Indonesian Identity Document , but in practice it is almost unknown / not used .

You will need a Surat Tanda Melapor /Police report from your local Police office as well ...

This is a document that should not be required anymore (but it may still be required by some cities) , so first check if your city's Kantor Catatan Sipil still requires it for the issuance of the SKTT (usually cities have a website like https://disdukcapil."name of the city".go.id) .