Newly-minted ITAP Holder

[Fabius77]

Well, so the process is completed and today I got my KITAP from the immigration office. It took 2 months in part because the office had to process haji visas first, and on the way there has been the problem of a missing "letter of extract of marriage certificate", but an officer after all went to civil registry office and obtained the document, one way or another.

Only once an incentive was asked, very kindly, but in the end not taken and all offices, especially the general directorate of residence permits, were fast and friendly. I still have to report to police and ask the local civil registry for KTP-OA and KK, that's tomorrow's errands.

Anyway, I just read here that the ITAP loses validity if I were to leave Indonesia for 1 year. But the officer at the immigration office said there's no need to report yearly. Can somebody explain me how this works?

 

[atlantis]

Hi fabius77.

You indeed do not need to report every year, however should you be out of Indonesia for more than 365 straight days, your ITAP would be void. If you come back before 365 days, even for only 1 day before being out of Indonesia again, you are good (as long as the new period out doesn't exceed 365 straight days).

You will have to extend your ITAP in 5 years, starting the procedure at the earliest 3 month before the expiration date of your ITAP, and at the latest one day before its expiration.

 

[Fabius77]

I see, thanks for the explanation. The immigration officer forgot to mention this little detail, it seems.

 

[atlantis]

I see, thanks for the explanation. The immigration officer forgot to mention this little detail, it seems.

To be fair, many immigration officers are trying their best. Imigrasi is one of the institution which has improved the most in my opinion. There are still here and there some real assholes who can ruin the effort of many but it is far more rare than say ten or fifteen years ago.
The main problem remains the lack of training and socialization, which may explain that you had only incomplete information.

I have extended my ITAP a few months ago and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the level of professionalism displayed. They kept on smsing to inform me to come to bring a document, take pictures or just to confirm that I sent the documents to kanwil and ditjenim...etc. They almost made me regret that I won't see them again for 5 years.

 

[Fabius77]

Well yes, all in all the immigration service worked quite well. In 2011 for my first KITAS things were quite pathetic at some points.

Police instead hasn't improved much. Today I went to report for STM and the sullen, annoying officer asked 75 000 IDR and of course they don't release receipt. I didn't have the letter of the law handy to contest his request, so I paid without much fuss because mostly I want everything to be done and stay away from bureaucracy as much as I can.

 

[fastpitch17]

Well yes, all in all the immigration service worked quite well. In 2011 for my first KITAS things were quite pathetic at some points.

Police instead hasn't improved much. Today I went to report for STM and the sullen, annoying officer asked 75 000 IDR and of course they don't release receipt. I didn't have the letter of the law handy to contest his request, so I paid without much fuss because mostly I want everything to be done and stay away from bureaucracy as much as I can.

Do you even need a STM?

 

[Fabius77]

Sadly yes, I need it to request other documents. And I want to have all my papers in order.

 

[fastpitch17]

Sadly yes, I need it to request other documents. And I want to have all my papers in order.

Curious as to which other documents?

 

[Fabius77]

For one thing, foreigners must report to police and the STM is proof that it has been done.

STM is also required to apply for KTP-OA and KK.

I hope my answer is satisfactory.

 

[jstar]

^
Not really. The reporting to the police was the responsibility of the person or organization (or hotel or so) giving shelter to the foreigner. Not the WNA him/herself. And it was only necessary once per physical location.

This always has been an urban myth (and on Dutch forums for instance, you can still read it is mandatory to report to the police monthly even on SosBud). But the reporting requirement and SKLD, which was a nice plastic card à la KTP/KITAP, has been abrogated.

Having said that, in some regions the CatSip / Kelurahan does seem to demand the proof of reporting (still). (Not in my case.) And instead of fighting them, it might be easier just to go with the flow.

 

[atlantis]

But the reporting requirement and STM, which was a nice plastic card à la KTP/KITAP, has been abrogated.

The nice plastic card was a SKLD, including a pic of the holder and issued by Mabes POLRI. the STM was issued by any Police precinct and had (and still has) only a paper format.
There is an example of the ex-plastic card SKLD here: http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.o...-by-an-indonesian-spouse-in-an-itap-uu-6-2011
The SKLD is not issued anymore. However STM, which are just an informal police registration form are still issued routinely by the police and this totally legally, though it is not a legal requirement for immigration purposes.

 

[jstar]

Sorry for the nomenclature mixup. SKLD it was. But on the reporting: Already a couple of years ago, we went to a police station for some visitors and we were sent away with "we don't do that anymore".

 

[Fabius77]

However STM, which are just an informal police registration form are still issued routinely by the police and this totally legally, though it is not a legal requirement for immigration purposes.

Ah, I even looked up the regulations but as usual it wasn't very clear whether police registration is still mandatory or not.

Considering that now I am in Indonesia on an ITAP "Ikut istri", if my wife has to report me to the police means we're both going. Anyway, I'm quite sure the certificate will be valid all the 5 years of the ITAP .

 

[Anglian]

I'm in the process of getting a KTP, I've had to give the police copies of my passport an KITAP, I've been asked so far for
copy of passport
copy of KITAP
copy of Birth certificate( not black and white copy)
copy of immigration blue book(haha)
KK
marriage book
Letter from RT Man
letter from wife

havent been to the office yet

 

[jstar]

Same here at the time, but the spousal and RT letters were combined into one (standard) form. Obtainable at the Pak RT.

 

[atlantis]

Considering that now I am in Indonesia on an ITAP "Ikut istri", if my wife has to report me to the police means we're both going. Anyway, I'm quite sure the certificate will be valid all the 5 years of the ITAP .

In spite of what police officers may say there are no date of validity for an STM. Again an STM is just an informal registration which is acknowledged by a paper form which is not standard from one police precinct to another. It's just a way to acknowledge that you came and say "Hi my name is Fabius, I am a citizen of country X holding passport number Y and I reside in your area at address W. Please, meet my wife Mrs Fabius who is my sponsor".

Though UU 6/2011 has removed the obligation for us to register for an SKLD and has removed the obligation for our sponsor to declare our residence, UU 2/2002 (The Police Act) still gives the obligation for the Police to supervise the activities of foreigners living/residing/visiting their area.

It isn't a bad idea to visit your Polsek once in a while to signal your presence, have a small chitchat, show them your passport, ITAP and KTP OA (they love it, most of them are unaware of the fact that KTP can be granted to foreigners). It shows some respect and it can only help you in the future. I have always find it better that it is me who go to them rather than them coming to me.

if you live in Jakarta, the above may not be necessary. However if you live in a place which is less crowded it is definitively an idea to consider.

I don't often have troubles but we have had some tense confrontation with preman of the neighborhood for whom I had to set limits that they should not trespass and explain that security of our house or warehouses was a strictly internal affair and that no help was needed. Anytime I have had to call the police they were in my house in a very short time. I am keen to believe that my frequent visit to them just to say hi have greatly helped.

 

[Jaime C]

I don't often have troubles but we have had some tense confrontation with preman of the neighborhood for whom I had to set limits that they should not trespass and explain that security of our house or warehouses was a strictly internal affair and that no help was needed. Anytime I have had to call the police they were in my house in a very short time. I am keen to believe that my frequent visit to them just to say hi have greatly helped.

Uh oh. Have you been going to the pasar by yourself again? Ibu is gonna be mad.

 

[atlantis]

Uh oh. Have you been going to the pasar by yourself again? Ibu is gonna be mad.

I spend about 3 to 4 hours in our main pasar every night Jaime C. We trade everyday about 2 tons of fresh products, starting at 2.30 am and usually ending around 6 am. I am pretty easy to spot should anyone want to find me. As I said, we do not need any form of protection. We are self sufficient.

 

[DzulnSiti]

When I was applying for mt SIM C the officer ask for my STM , anyway because it near by I redo it again since my last is during KITAP. The intel told me I need not report again. But when I check the rule for making SIM there is no such requirement.