Exit Ticket With a Visitor Visa

[cup1981]

So, I am heading to Indonesia with my wife -- likely in August -- and I am looking at the application process for the Visitor Visam which I will convert to an ITAS sponsored by my wife.

My question is that I see Indonesia requires an exit ticket now to get a visa, per the Embassy's website. Is this new? When I got my SosBud before, I never had to have an exit ticket.

Do I just buy any old cheap flight out of Indo and just not take the flight just to satisfy this part of the requirements?

thanks!

 

[Davita]

When I was using single-entry Sosbud visas to visit Indonesia it always needed an exit ticket to be shown, with the application, in Vancouver, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong Embassies/Consuls....but I don't recall it was necessary for any monthly extensions. I provided tickets which could be cancelled or modified.
I have heard of others that used cheap non-refundable one-way tickets to S'pore to comply.....and let them expire as unused.

 

[cup1981]

When I was using single-entry Sosbud visas to visit Indonesia it always needed an exit ticket to be shown, with the application, in Vancouver, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong Embassies/Consuls....but I don't recall it was necessary for any monthly extensions. I provided tickets which could be cancelled or modified.
I have heard of others that used cheap non-refundable one-way tickets to S'pore to comply.....and let them expire as unused.

That's so odd, as when I got my SosBud back in 2010, I didn't have a return or through ticket. Guess I will just grab a $68 ticket to S'pore and just no-show .

 

[harryopal1]

Applying for Sosbud last March through the Sydney Consul it became clear that I did not need to actually book a return flight. I went to the last stage on Jetstar to make a booking before confirming payment and copied and printed that which went with the application. No problem. And I have never been asked for evidence of an exit flight any time I have arrived in Indonesia

 

[macvert]

Applying for Sosbud last March through the Sydney Consul it became clear that I did not need to actually book a return flight. I went to the last stage on Jetstar to make a booking before confirming payment and copied and printed that which went with the application. No problem. And I have never been asked for evidence of an exit flight any time I have arrived in Indonesia

What about at the airport when leaving Australia, did you show them that same printed copy? ...... I have entered Indo from Australia twice on a Socbud & both times I had to produce a ticket out of Indo when I checked in at Brisbane

Funny thing though, when I once entered Indo from Singapore on a Socbud acquired thru an agent, a ticket out of Indo was never mentioned

 

[Davita]

That's so odd, as when I got my SosBud back in 2010, I didn't have a return or through ticket. Guess I will just grab a $68 ticket to S'pore and just no-show .

FWIW it cannot be a new requirement as I looked at my old passports with Sosbuds from 2008. I guess it depends on the Embassy/Consul where issued as I've also read that some applicants just indicate they have sufficient funds to buy a ticket and their plan was to extend the Sosbud anyway.

Applying for Sosbud last March through the Sydney Consul it became clear that I did not need to actually book a return flight. I went to the last stage on Jetstar to make a booking before confirming payment and copied and printed that which went with the application. No problem. And I have never been asked for evidence of an exit flight any time I have arrived in Indonesia

According to the Sydney RI Consul website on Sosbud application item 3 says.....3. Proof of a ticket in and out Indonesia, or a ticket to continue travel to another country.

It is clear a return ticket isn't necessary ....only an exit ticket. I also have never been asked for it on arrival or on extensions...I guess they expect that criteria is covered by the issuing embassy/consul.
IMO....showing a non-booked flight itinerary might work in some embassy/consuls but may be ineffective in others. I recall I also showed a standby-ticket to the Consul in Vancouver....and that was accepted.

 

[Davita]

What about at the airport when leaving Australia, did you show them that same printed copy? ...... I have entered Indo from Australia twice on a Socbud & both times I had to produce a ticket out of Indo when I checked in at Brisbane

Funny thing though, when I once entered Indo from Singapore on a Socbud acquired thru an agent, a ticket out of Indo was never mentioned

The airline should accept the Sosbud as proof you can travel to Indonesia...checking you have an outbound ticket from Indonesia has nothing to do with them other than if you do not have a visa to enter. My guess is they are just checking they aren't liable for you being rejected from entry.

The agent in S'pore probably verified you were legit. That's a good reason to use agents if in a hurry...they have a way to smooth any application for Indonesian visas, etc.

 

[waarmstrong]

Me neither, although it has been a while since we landed at CGK with the intent to stay more than a couple of months. As long as you appear to have enough money to buy a ticket out, the visa issuing folks don't seem to be too picky.

 

[macvert]

I just had a quick look online at https://www.batamfast.com/booking/searchresults.ashx the last time I made enquiries, online bookings for the Batam - Singapore fast ferry were not available but surprise surprise it seems they now are at a price of 25 SGD all up. I also found I was unable to make a booking further out than 31st of March

 

[R Cameron]

I just had a quick look online at https://www.batamfast.com/booking/searchresults.ashx the last time I made enquiries, online bookings for the Batam - Singapore fast ferry were not available but surprise surprise it seems they now are at a price of 25 SGD all up. I also found I was unable to make a booking further out than 31st of March

I've heard of people using the Batam ferry as a cheap disposable ticket. Maybe you could get an even cheaper bus ticket across the land border in Kalimantan!

 

[harryopal1]

What about at the airport when leaving Australia, did you show them that same printed copy? ...... I have entered Indo from Australia twice on a Socbud & both times I had to produce a ticket out of Indo when I checked in at Brisbane

Funny thing though, when I once entered Indo from Singapore on a Socbud acquired thru an agent, a ticket out of Indo was never mentioned

I have left from Melbourne and Townsville many times and have never been asked to show an exit ticket from Indonesia.

 

[atlantis]

A return or onward ticket is MANDATORY by law for any non resident (ie VoA, Sosbud...etc).

The lack of one may trigger a refusal of entrance at the TPI and no visa should be issued without one. It is however at the discretion of the officer in charge to check it or not to.

It isn't a new requirement, it has always been the case with the now abrogated 1992 Immigration Law or with UU 6/2011.

The fact that some are not asked for it, the fact that some embassies forget to remember and check it while they legally should have done so (see below), the fact that some airline companies don't ask it upon check in doesn't change the fact that it is a legal requirement:


Pasal 42 UU 6/2011

Permohonan Visa ditolak dalam hal pemohon:
a. namanya tercantum dalam daftar Penangkalan;
b. tidak memiliki dokumen perjalanan yang sah dan masih berlaku;
c. tidak cukup memiliki biaya hidup bagi dirinya dan/atau keluarganya selama berada di Indonesia;
d. tidak memiliki tiket kembali atau tiket terusan untuk melanjutkan perjalanan ke negara lain;
e. tidak memiliki Izin Masuk Kembali ke negara asal atau tidak memiliki visa ke negara lain;
f. menderita penyakit menular, gangguan jiwa, atau hal lain yang dapat membahayakan kesehatan atau ketertiban umum;
g. terlibat tindak pidana transnasional yang terorganisasi atau membahayakan keutuhan wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia; dan/atau
h. termasuk dalam jaringan praktik atau kegiatan prostitusi, perdagangan orang, dan penyelundupan manusia.

 

[R Cameron]

Pasal 42 UU 6/2011

Permohonan Visa ditolak dalam hal pemohon:
a. namanya tercantum dalam daftar Penangkalan;
b. tidak memiliki dokumen perjalanan yang sah dan masih berlaku;
c. tidak cukup memiliki biaya hidup bagi dirinya dan/atau keluarganya selama berada di Indonesia;
d. tidak memiliki tiket kembali atau tiket terusan untuk melanjutkan perjalanan ke negara lain;
e. tidak memiliki Izin Masuk Kembali ke negara asal atau tidak memiliki visa ke negara lain;
f. menderita penyakit menular, gangguan jiwa, atau hal lain yang dapat membahayakan kesehatan atau ketertiban umum;
g. terlibat tindak pidana transnasional yang terorganisasi atau membahayakan keutuhan wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia; dan/atau
h. termasuk dalam jaringan praktik atau kegiatan prostitusi, perdagangan orang, dan penyelundupan manusia.

I'm always happy to see people quote the actual laws, so thank you.

the fact that some embassies forget to remember and check it while they legally should have done so

They have the right to check, but this law doesn't mention any requirement to show proof of the return or onward ticket. Likewise, I've never been asked for evidence of (e) through (h) on that list.

 

[kroshka]

On arrival, at the immigration in Jkt I have never been asked for a return ticket, even when on VOA. I have, however, several times been asked by the airlines when checking in abroad

 

[atlantis]

They have the right to check, but this law doesn't mention any requirement to show proof of the return or onward ticket. Likewise, I've never been asked for evidence of (e) through (h) on that list.

I think you have a wrong lecture.

The law indeed doesn't say that you should spontaneously show a return or onward ticket, which would be silly for an UU to do so. However not having one may lead you to, and is a reason to refuse entry/visa issuance.

In reference to your "They have the right to check, but this law doesn't mention any requirement to show proof of the return or onward ticket":
If you read correctly, the law doesn't say that you should show proof of having a passport or having enough money (point b. and point c.), however if you can't show any of it when requested, with no surprise you will be denied issuance of a visa and entry on the territory of the RI. read carefully both point b., c. and d., wording is the same. None say that you should "show proof" of having valid passport, enough funds and ticket, yet it would be silly to argue that the law says you should possess one but don't have to show proof of it.

If you translate it correctly, it says that any Visa should be refused if any applicant doesn''t have a return or onward ticket. It is therefore a requirement to do so, as having enough fund and a valid passport are, and if you are unable to show one, you may be turned back/deny entry. And quite a few people have been (and even more got threatened and extorted for not having one). It obviously require to be handled by an asshole for it to happen, but the type of immigration officer you may deal with is sometimes a lottery. In the past 15 years, Imigrasi and its officers have improved a lot but you still have some "old school" guys.

The Law I quoted is an UU, therefore very general and not going into details. The Peraturan Pemerintah, Peraturan Menteri and all guidelines (surat ederan and juklak) enacted to implement UU 6/2011 all repeat and explain in further details that no onward/return ticket = no entry/no visa.

Anyway, the reason behind this requirement is very simple. Most of us may have enough money to buy a ticket out if needed. However, and as it has been recorded in the archives of forums like ours, most people who are long term overstayers don't. Imigrasi just want to avoid a situation were they have to detain, at the Nation's cost, people having infringed the Law, be it for overstay or any other reason. Adjudicating your case and putting you quickly in a plane is what they look for. Most detention which last more than necessary is the result of a foreigner not having a ticket out.

By Law, companies are also liable to verify that you have all document legally required, passport, visa if necessary and valid return/onward ticket. If they let you boarding without a ticket, they may be asked by Immigration to fly you back at their expense. Some companies are more aware than others about it. I remember that Emirates, which was the company I was flying with when going back to Europe, was systematically asking me and verifying my KITAP. Being a resident I was exempted of having a return/onward ticket and it was OK but they wouldn't let a tourist/sosbud holder boarding without such proof of ticket.

Though this requirement is less and less enforced, people have to read a Law as a CYA manual. The Law also list as being mentally unsane a reason for deportation from Indonesia. They won't check if you are mentally sane at visa issuance/entry but if a foreigner is caught pissed drunk and acting weird he can be legally put on the first plane out on this reason. If enforced in Bali, tourism would greatly suffer, but some part of Bali would definitely be enjoyable again.

 

[R Cameron]

It's good to know what the law says, both UU and Peraturan, but much of the discussions we have here are about the practical applications of such laws. Sometimes it's over-enforcement (creating standards that exist nowhere on paper) and sometimes it's under-enforcement (not checking on things they have a right to check).

I've come into the country on just about every visa, from kitas, to free 30 day VOA, to 30+30 VOA, to SosBud/Visit visa.

• Applying for visit visa at Indonesian embassy aboard: I've had to show an exit ticket when doing the application myself, but didn't provide one when using an agent.
• Flights originating from USA, KL, and Singapore: Never been asked at the origin airport for any documentation of exit ticket.
• Airport arrival immigration in Indonesia: On visit visas about half the time they ask when I am leaving, but have never asked to see a ticket. Sometimes I have told them an exact date, sometimes a more general "beberapa minggu", sometimes simply "saat perpanjangan visa sudah habis". All have been accepted without problem.
• Local immigration for visa extentions: When extending a SosBud/Visit visa that still has a few extensions available I have never been asked to show a ticket, or even asked exactly when I'm leaving. With the 30+30 VOA extension they have consistently asked to see the exit ticket.

At any of these points I have a credit card in my pocket and wifi and/or cellular on my phone, if I am pressed for a ticket I would simply excuse myself from the queue to organize my documents and purchase a cheap ticket to KL or Sg. Maybe there is a slight risk to this strategy, but in my estimation it is negligible.

 

[atlantis]

It's good to know what the law says, both UU and Peraturan, but much of the discussions we have here are about the practical applications of such laws. Sometimes it's over-enforcement (creating standards that exist nowhere on paper) and sometimes it's under-enforcement (not checking on things they have a right to check).

The purpose of a forum like ours is to explain what the legal requirements are and to precisely avoid to readers experiences such as over-enforcement made by officers who would have a poor understanding of the Law they should enforce or, unfortunately sometimes, who would be looking to extort unaware foreigners.

We are more than happy when any of us has only to face under-enforcement but we can't deny that checking for a ticket happen (there are multiple accounts in the old forum) and is definitely the right of an officer at the TPI. Making sure that one is aware of it is the goal of my previous post.

As you rightly said, a credit card being handy along with an internet connection would very certainly deal efficiently with a request of a ticket, however not all people have a credit card and an internet connection or more simply, they may not remember that they could book a ticket in a matter of minutes when putting under pressure by an officer. If everyone would be able to do so, we wouldn't have had a few cases in the old forum of foreigners being in trouble for the lack of a ticket to be shown.

I don't go out of Indonesia much now and have had a KITAP for 8 years or so and before that a KITAS. I therefore don't get asked anything at the TPI, save for the friendly chit chat and welcome. However, I was (almost) systematically asked to show an onward ticket before. Reason was simple: I was displaying all the criteria of an illegal worker for an immigration officer: Multiple sosbud, no KITAS, still young and in an obvious working age, stays of up to 6 months in Indonesia on the same visa, visa run of a day or two at maximum. This is when officers were asking me to show a proof of a return/onward ticket. At the time I was always keeping an open date ferry ticket from Batam to S'pura. Always got it accepted.

 

[Jamu]

Most countries, including Indonesia, give immigration officers a pretty wide latitude to refuse entry to any person who they believe will not comply with the stay requirements of their entry visa or who otherwise will be an 'undesirable' entrant. This could be lack of sufficient funds, no clear plans for the visit, suspicion of intent to work illegally, obvious intoxication, no return ticket, whatever... so there is a pretty significant amount of discretion on the part of bapak or ibu at the immigration counter, all the more reason to be polite and courteous. Insisting on supposed rights under the law will likely get you nowhere other than on the next plane out.

 

[Davita]

Most countries, including Indonesia, give immigration officers a pretty wide latitude to refuse entry to any person who they believe will not comply with the stay requirements of their entry visa or who otherwise will be an 'undesirable' entrant. This could be lack of sufficient funds, no clear plans for the visit, suspicion of intent to work illegally, obvious intoxication, no return ticket, whatever... so there is a pretty significant amount of discretion on the part of bapak or ibu at the immigration counter, all the more reason to be polite and courteous. Insisting on supposed rights under the law will likely get you nowhere other than on the next plane out.

That is true and happens everywhere not only Indonesia.
I watch the TV show 'Border Patrol' where such episodes at Immigration happen in many countries. They usually catch the liars and get them to sign their own deportation order.
I believe there is an Indonesian Border Security/Patrol TV series.