Long overstay, wanting to exit. Best course of action?

[Shadrach]

Of course everyone knows, or knew they were on overstay. I don't think anyone "forget" the expiry date of their allowed stay. That's just a lame excuse. But a day or two on the wrong side, might of course be possible to somehow mix up.

There might be numerous reasons why people overstay, so I won't judge, since I unwillingly got into that position myself. However, I think Indonesia's very aggressive penalties for short overstays, is the reason most people find themselves continuing to a longer overstay. 1 million rupiah a day is a really hard punishment, and it quickly adds up to an amount they just can't cover. Although it might and should prevent anyone from overstaying in the first place, it will have a negative effect if you somehow get on that train.

Let's for example compare the Indonesian penalty with the most popular destination in SE Asia, Thailand. The daily fine is 4 times higher in Indonesia, and the maximum fine is 6 times higher. That is a huge difference.

In addition, the fine is in most cases waived when you exceed 60 days in Indonesia, that means your financial situation might be the decider whether you just don't have any other choice than to wait it out, until your overstay is of a more severe and longer kind, but yet manageable.

And when first expats find themselves on this overstay path, they might as well just continue a little longer, depending on their own situation. Maybe they're just stuck somehow.

I have no respect for people who do this on purpose, but life isn't always that black and white, unfortunately.

That said, don't think for a moment that overstaying is something any foreigners takes lightly, or is a "solution" for anyone, or something it's easy to get away with. In my case it has been a nightmare. Immigration do random checks at the kosts, hotels, Reddoorz or whatever they are all called, to weed out foreigners on overstay. During covid, when the airport was opened and international travels allowed, they actively did that a long time. A city like mine here in Medan, was reducing the amount of foreigners rapidly.

You might also be reported at any point, or having your passport checked on the street, so spending your days always looking over your shoulder, and hiding out, is not a way to live. Trust me. So I don't think anyone is comfortable with going that path, and they shouldn't be. That's the reason most do not let this go too far out of hand, but do come up with a solution to continue their life.

Everything you said was True! Before the overstay penalty was RP. 200,000. Similar to Thailand's penalty. It seems harsh and unnecessary and also the longer a tourist is here, the more money goes to Indonesia. As you probably read in my earlier post. I believe the World is for all People to enjoy, but it should be done with respect for everyone, and every place.
The life we live now is an accumulation of thousands of years of Mind Control to keep the Aristocrats, and Wealthy, on Top, and the rest of us below. We have been made to believe this is Normal. It is Not!
We the Masses do the work, while the Wealthy sit back and enjoy the Bounty.
Yes we need Organization, but it can be where Everyone in the World has enough. If we did live like this, then there would no need for people to Steal, Kill, Dominate, anyone else. If we used our collective minds, we could live in a World without Pollution, War, or Domination!
We could all have plenty of Clean Water, Healthy Food, a Home, Free Education, Medicine, Health Care, for All! But as I said, we have been manipulated into thinking the way it is now is Normal. It is Not!
We have to stop being Afraid , and stand up, and take back control of our World. Then we could stay anywhere,As long as we want, without Passports, Visa's, Time limits,
We have been convinced our life is like in Animal Farm- We are All Equal, But Some are More Equal than Others!

 

[frankfxxk]

As above's recommendations, do NOT purchase any tickets for now.

1. Surrendering to the Immigration officers is your 1st priority.
- They will decide your exit date and time. In due time, you will be asked to purchase your flight ticket out of Indonesia.

2. Keep it simple.
- Your replies should be short and concise. Immigration officers are used to endless waves of justifications by over-stayers, so yours will be nothing short of surprising to them.

3. Depending on the scope of the investigation on your case, you will be detained at either the local Immigration Office, and / or the local jail. The local holding cell would be a much preferred option - if you are able to request or slot yourself in.

4. Duration
- Be prepared to be held from a few days to weeks. This period of time will be determined by your Investigation Officer.

5. Future Entry
- Don't put too much thoughts on this. You will be blacklisted for sure, but you can request for this blacklisting to be taken out in the near future. As always, you will need to fork out a certain amount of rupiah to ensure such a process. To be banned indefinitely will occur if you have committed a heinous crime on Indonesian soil. Your situation does not warrant a banishment, at all.

6. Fine
- You will be asked to pay up the fine that you have incurred over the 5 years overstay. Of course, given your circumstances, it's best not to divulge that you have been able to feed yourself. They will likely not ask you such questions. The Immigration Officer is looking to execute another deportation case, and will be highlighting process and steps towards your departure. No need to mention about anything prior - unless probed.

7. Common Courtesy & Mannerism
- Avoid displays of entitlement and privilege as much as possible. You are a subject of the Indonesia Immigration system from hereon forth, and you have broke their laws by overstaying. Stay calm, and collected at all times if possible. The officers may be tough at times to deal with, but amongst them, there will always be one with extra empathy. Look out for this particular individual. He or she will extend the much needed privileges to you in due time. For example. Using your mobile phone to order Grab food, going out for a cigarette or vape (if you smoke), and perhaps even having a can of beer. All these stress-relieving measures can be yours, if you know how to play the card of humility and sympathy. If you are going to act like some Macho Alpha, what comes around goes around.

8. No Intention of Coming Back
- Never ever mention such statements. By saying this, you are insulting Indonesia. Keep such thoughts to yourself only. Focus on the matter at hand - to get you on the earliest possible flight home.

Good luck and Godspeed.
FF

 

[Shadrach]

As above's recommendations, do NOT purchase any tickets for now.

1. Surrendering to the Immigration officers is your 1st priority.
- They will decide your exit date and time. In due time, you will be asked to purchase your flight ticket out of Indonesia.

2. Keep it simple.
- Your replies should be short and concise. Immigration officers are used to endless waves of justifications by over-stayers, so yours will be nothing short of surprising to them.

3. Depending on the scope of the investigation on your case, you will be detained at either the local Immigration Office, and / or the local jail. The local holding cell would be a much preferred option - if you are able to request or slot yourself in.

4. Duration
- Be prepared to be held from a few days to weeks. This period of time will be determined by your Investigation Officer.

5. Future Entry
- Don't put too much thoughts on this. You will be blacklisted for sure, but you can request for this blacklisting to be taken out in the near future. As always, you will need to fork out a certain amount of rupiah to ensure such a process. To be banned indefinitely will occur if you have committed a heinous crime on Indonesian soil. Your situation does not warrant a banishment, at all.

6. Fine
- You will be asked to pay up the fine that you have incurred over the 5 years overstay. Of course, given your circumstances, it's best not to divulge that you have been able to feed yourself. They will likely not ask you such questions. The Immigration Officer is looking to execute another deportation case, and will be highlighting process and steps towards your departure. No need to mention about anything prior - unless probed.

7. Common Courtesy & Mannerism
- Avoid displays of entitlement and privilege as much as possible. You are a subject of the Indonesia Immigration system from hereon forth, and you have broke their laws by overstaying. Stay calm, and collected at all times if possible. The officers may be tough at times to deal with, but amongst them, there will always be one with extra empathy. Look out for this particular individual. He or she will extend the much needed privileges to you in due time. For example. Using your mobile phone to order Grab food, going out for a cigarette or vape (if you smoke), and perhaps even having a can of beer. All these stress-relieving measures can be yours, if you know how to play the card of humility and sympathy. If you are going to act like some Macho Alpha, what comes around goes around.

8. No Intention of Coming Back
- Never ever mention such statements. By saying this, you are insulting Indonesia. Keep such thoughts to yourself only. Focus on the matter at hand - to get you on the earliest possible flight home.

Good luck and Godspeed.
FF

All good suggestions, Especially on not divulging how you were able to feed yourself. I mean come on! What kind of redundant statement is that? Yea, I'm sure the Immigration officer doesn't give a Damn and knows that you were able to feed yourself!
They are much more interested in getting Money from you, and Kicking you Out!

 

[André]

As above's recommendations, do NOT purchase any tickets for now.

1. Surrendering to the Immigration officers is your 1st priority.
- They will decide your exit date and time. In due time, you will be asked to purchase your flight ticket out of Indonesia.

2. Keep it simple.
- Your replies should be short and concise. Immigration officers are used to endless waves of justifications by over-stayers, so yours will be nothing short of surprising to them.

3. Depending on the scope of the investigation on your case, you will be detained at either the local Immigration Office, and / or the local jail. The local holding cell would be a much preferred option - if you are able to request or slot yourself in.

4. Duration
- Be prepared to be held from a few days to weeks. This period of time will be determined by your Investigation Officer.

5. Future Entry
- Don't put too much thoughts on this. You will be blacklisted for sure, but you can request for this blacklisting to be taken out in the near future. As always, you will need to fork out a certain amount of rupiah to ensure such a process. To be banned indefinitely will occur if you have committed a heinous crime on Indonesian soil. Your situation does not warrant a banishment, at all.

6. Fine
- You will be asked to pay up the fine that you have incurred over the 5 years overstay. Of course, given your circumstances, it's best not to divulge that you have been able to feed yourself. They will likely not ask you such questions. The Immigration Officer is looking to execute another deportation case, and will be highlighting process and steps towards your departure. No need to mention about anything prior - unless probed.

7. Common Courtesy & Mannerism
- Avoid displays of entitlement and privilege as much as possible. You are a subject of the Indonesia Immigration system from hereon forth, and you have broke their laws by overstaying. Stay calm, and collected at all times if possible. The officers may be tough at times to deal with, but amongst them, there will always be one with extra empathy. Look out for this particular individual. He or she will extend the much needed privileges to you in due time. For example. Using your mobile phone to order Grab food, going out for a cigarette or vape (if you smoke), and perhaps even having a can of beer. All these stress-relieving measures can be yours, if you know how to play the card of humility and sympathy. If you are going to act like some Macho Alpha, what comes around goes around.

8. No Intention of Coming Back
- Never ever mention such statements. By saying this, you are insulting Indonesia. Keep such thoughts to yourself only. Focus on the matter at hand - to get you on the earliest possible flight home.

Good luck and Godspeed.
FF

Thanks for your advice

I believe my case would be pretty simple to process and "investigate", so I expect it to last just a few days. There is nothing special about my case (except for the length of overstay), I've been keeping to myself, and have nothing else hanging over me. Answering questions shouldn't be any problem. I won't involve any others, or mention any Indonesian names, so they can "investigate" further. I'll keep it simple and direct.

What immigration wants to know in all cases of overstay, is if you have been working illegally to support yourself. You might need proof to support answering that, and that I have. No worries

 

[centurion]

I think this Article is only applicable to resident foreigners (with e-ITAS/KITAS/KITAP) .

This Article requires a Court process , and in more than 25 years in Indonesia I never heard of any foreigner being prosecuted by this crime , did you ?

b. Show and submit any Travel Document or Stay Permit owned when required by the Immigration Officer on duty in the interest of Immigration control.

When you enter with visa your visa becomes ITK (Izin Tinggal Kunjungan-Visiting Stay Permit). Not having it can lead to this fine (25 million).

 

[André]

b. Show and submit any Travel Document or Stay Permit owned when required by the Immigration Officer on duty in the interest of Immigration control.

When you enter with visa your visa becomes ITK (Izin Tinggal Kunjungan-Visiting Stay Permit). Not having it can lead to this fine (25 million).

Not showing your stay permit status, not complying to do so when asked, can lead to this fine. Not the overstay in itself.

I've commented on this exact article earlier in this thread, and this article does not apply to my case.

 

[André]

Everything you said was True! Before the overstay penalty was RP. 200,000. Similar to Thailand's penalty. It seems harsh and unnecessary and also the longer a tourist is here, the more money goes to Indonesia. As you probably read in my earlier post. I believe the World is for all People to enjoy, but it should be done with respect for everyone, and every place.
The life we live now is an accumulation of thousands of years of Mind Control to keep the Aristocrats, and Wealthy, on Top, and the rest of us below. We have been made to believe this is Normal. It is Not!
We the Masses do the work, while the Wealthy sit back and enjoy the Bounty.
Yes we need Organization, but it can be where Everyone in the World has enough. If we did live like this, then there would no need for people to Steal, Kill, Dominate, anyone else. If we used our collective minds, we could live in a World without Pollution, War, or Domination!
We could all have plenty of Clean Water, Healthy Food, a Home, Free Education, Medicine, Health Care, for All! But as I said, we have been manipulated into thinking the way it is now is Normal. It is Not!
We have to stop being Afraid , and stand up, and take back control of our World. Then we could stay anywhere,As long as we want, without Passports, Visa's, Time limits,
We have been convinced our life is like in Animal Farm- We are All Equal, But Some are More Equal than Others!

Is this what they call Utopia?
It sounds great, but Martin Luther King's speech phrase "I have a dream" comes to mind

 

[Shadrach]

I am losing track of what you are doing? First you asked for suggestions of what to do. And examples, if anyone had overstayed like you, and what they went through and the repercussions of their action's. Now, it seems you have turned this thread into a legal debate, with you correcting what everyone comments. Are you losing your Marbles? Wherever you're going, You should become a Indonesian immigration law professor!
You seem to love to debate over this issue, and have done quite a bit of research into the matter.
Maybe you should ask the Immigration officials to incarcerate you for a long time, with access to University level Law books. And then you could gain permanent Resident status, when they let you out, and become a Immigration law professor here, and teach the Indonesian students!
I think you'd be great at it.

 

[Shadrach]

Is this what they call Utopia?
It sounds great, but Martin Luther King's speech phrase "I have a dream" comes to mind

Yea, and look what happened to Him!
I was a young boy there in Memphis when this happened. It was unbelievable. The Black people went wild and started breaking all the windows of the Major department stores, and began pillaging as much as they could. They also burned cars and basically went Ape Shit!
That brought in the Military, and you can guess what happened next!
They did everything he was preaching not to do! Those were volatile days, with the Vietnam War protests, Kent State massacre, Nixon getting kicked out, John F. Kennedy assassinated.
But the Dream is true and Strong and I believe in it. We just have to wake up, and let go of the fear, and love each other as One Big Universal Family!

 

[André]

I am losing track of what you are doing? First you asked for suggestions of what to do. And examples, if anyone had overstayed like you, and what they went through and the repercussions of their action's. Now, it seems you have turned this thread into a legal debate, with you correcting what everyone comments. Are you losing your Marbles? Wherever you're going, You should become a Indonesian immigration law professor!
You seem to love to debate over this issue, and have done quite a bit of research into the matter.
Maybe you should ask the Immigration officials to incarcerate you for a long time, with access to University level Law books. And then you could gain permanent Resident status, when they let you out, and become a Immigration law professor here, and teach the Indonesian students!
I think you'd be great at it.

If it was up to me, I wouldn't debate this subject at all. But I have put myself in this position, and after starting this thread, I've only been trying to be polite enough to answer all your posts.

My initial concern was if anyone had a recent experience with "ticket in hand". But unfortunately no one has had that here. But the general answers and posts I've received, have convinced me to not buy the tickets beforehand. And for that I'm grateful. You guys might have saved me a bunch of money.

Regarding this discussion, it seems my 5 years of researching this issue, through laws, other expats' experiences, embassies' experiences, and my own experience with other countries' immigration policies, has given me some knowledge of what probably awaits me.

I'm not claiming I know everything, but I'm obviously not a newbie, and we'll just have to wait and see what will happen. I will report back in a month or so.

If anyone is offended by any of my posts, I apologise.
I will step back, and just give you guys an update when this has been settled.

André

 

[André]

We just have to wake up, and let go of the fear, and love each other as One Big Universal Family

Couldn't agree more!

 

[centurion]

Not showing your stay permit status, not complying to do so when asked, can lead to this fine. Not the overstay in itself.

I've commented on this exact article earlier in this thread, and this article does not apply to my case.

Sure, in the immigration office/border post they will ask first where is your stay permit. And you cannot present any.

 

[André]

Sure, in the immigration office/border post they will ask first where is your stay permit. And you cannot present any.

You misunderstand this law. If I refused or did not comply to showing my status, I could be fined.
All I have to do, is showing my passport. With showing my overstay, a different law applies.

Read the whole article, not only this sequence. Then you'll understand.

 

[marcus]

b. Show and submit any Travel Document or Stay Permit owned when required by the Immigration Officer on duty in the interest of Immigration control...

Sorry , I referred to just "a .provide all necessary information regarding the identity and / or their families, and report any changes in civil status, nationality, ..." as applicable only to Residence Permit .

Yes , you are right , item b. is for every kind of Stay Permit (Visit Stay Permit and Residence Permit) . But regarding Andre' , I assume he has one (expired) , if so he would not be prosecuted by not showing/submitting it , in my view .

 

[Brian86]

b. Show and submit any Travel Document or Stay Permit owned when required by the Immigration Officer on duty in the interest of Immigration control.

When you enter with visa your visa becomes ITK (Izin Tinggal Kunjungan-Visiting Stay Permit). Not having it can lead to this fine (25 million).

This law is not addressing having an expired stay permit, it is addressing having ("any...owned") a permit and refusing to provide it to an Immigration officer. He can present his passport with the original, 5 year expired, stay permit, and he has complied with this law.

 

[Shadrach]

This law is not addressing having an expired stay permit, it is addressing having ("any...owned") a permit and refusing to provide it to an Immigration officer. He can present his passport with the original, 5 year expired, stay permit, and he has complied with this law.

Does this law apply to someone that lost their Passport? Why would anyone not give their visiting stay permit if asked by a customs official, unless they lost it or it was stolen. This is a strange conversation. If a person is in front of an immigration/ customs officer, then I would assume they are leaving and have brought all necessary things such as passport, documents, belongings etc?

 

[gemima]

Does this law apply to someone that lost their Passport? Why would anyone not give their visiting stay permit if asked by a customs official, unless they lost it or it was stolen. This is a strange conversation. If a person is in front of an immigration/ customs officer, then I would assume they are leaving and have brought all necessary things such as passport, documents, belongings etc?

If the law didn't state this then there would be no requirement to show an immigration official your stay permit when questioned by them. I'm sure it's a law written to enable the immigration officials to do their work.
Yes its stating the obvious but fundamentally a lot of our laws are very obvious.

 

[André]

If the law didn't state this then there would be no requirement to show an immigration official your stay permit when questioned by them. I'm sure it's a law written to enable the immigration officials to do their work.
Yes its stating the obvious but fundamentally a lot of our laws are very obvious.

Right. And when it comes to losing your passport, I'm confident exceptions might be made. Each case is individual.

 

[André]

Does this law apply to someone that lost their Passport? Why would anyone not give their visiting stay permit if asked by a customs official, unless they lost it or it was stolen. This is a strange conversation. If a person is in front of an immigration/ customs officer, then I would assume they are leaving and have brought all necessary things such as passport, documents, belongings etc?

Now you are assuming this only (?) applies to people leaving, or on their way out of the country. This law, as I see it, is basically targeting people who have their passport checked on the street, or anywhere else than at an airport (there you should have the ones with all proper documents).

Immigration or police do have random passport checks, on the streets, at hotels etc. In Thailand it's also a law to present your status at any time when asked, and most do that by having a copy on their phone (it's not required to have your passport with you at all times). That is sufficient in Thailand, and I assume this is sufficient for checkpoints in Indonesia as well

 

[Brian86]

Does this law apply to someone that lost their Passport?

If your passport is lost or stolen, it is no longer something "owned" (dimilikinya) and this law doesn't apply.