⚠️ Urgent Immigration Advice Needed: Expired MERP and Return to Indonesia with KITAP

[jstar]

In the eVisa system I could not even choose the type of IMK (the current name for MERP) but only got offered the permanent one. Perhaps since I have the permanent ITAP. It’s not cheap but rather convenient.

I do need to show the IMK with many airlines at check-in when leaving or going back to Indonesia btw.

 

[marcus]

I'll need to renew my MERP very soon, but saw this:
Third Amendment to Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration ... Law No. 63 of 2024 ...

A key provision affects re-entry permits for KITAS and KITAP holders ...

Even before this revision of the Law , Immigration had already implemented this change .

Surely this means that renewal of MERPs is a thing of the past?

Not yet , because there are still KITAP holders (like you) who may need a new MERP (now named Re-Entry Permit/IMK - Izin Masuk Kembali) .

My KITAP now serves, essentially, as a reentry permit?

Not yet . If you request a new Re-Entry Permit/IMK , you will still get it separated from the KITAP .

But I guess in a near future , the Re-Entry Permit will disappear as it becomes unnecessary (as all newer KITAS and KITAP are/were already obligatorily (to be) issued with the same validity Re-Entry Permit) .

 

[harryopal1]

Mid year 2028 with "permanent" Kitap and "permanent" IMK" I have to report that I am still here. Hope that by then things have generally become less complicated. With all my details in the Immi computer it would be nice to simply turn up with the passport, they check the files, see that I am the person shown on the passport and all done. But that is probably at least another ten years away.

 

[marcus]

... no stamp in your passport for either KITAP or MERP

But we still get both of them in separated pdf file .

now but you still have to pay 3.5 juta for it, when you renew your KITAP

Don't get confused , the Rp3.5 million is for a 5 years Re-Entry Permit/IMK . When you extend your 5 years KITAP , you will get time unlimited : KITAP (15 juta) + IMK (8 juta) .

 

[serious_fun]

Thanx for the replies.

I still can't get my head around this extra "permit"... I have KITAP but must get (buy) permission to reenter the country. (sigh)

 

[Balikbob]

But we still get both of them in separated pdf file .

Don't get confused , the Rp3.5 million is for a 5 years Re-Entry Permit/IMK . When you extend your 5 years KITAP , you will get time unlimited : KITAP (15 juta) + IMK (8 juta) .

I have never yet received any email from immigration with a copy of KITAP or IMK
The only way I found out my KITAP was approved was checking my wife's immigration account and I download a copy of my KITAP from there, NO IMK is shown on the immigration account

 

[jstar]

I have never yet received any email from immigration with a copy of KITAP or IMK
The only way I found out my KITAP was approved was checking my wife's immigration account and I download a copy of my KITAP from there, NO IMK is shown on the immigration account

That’s the correct way. The format kind of sucks, you can not print them out small enough to fit in passport or wallet.

If you want to travel internationally, you better make sure to get the IMK.

 

[harryopal1]

I took the email copies of the IMK and Kitap had them scanned, reduced to passport size, printed and laminated and keep them in my passport folder. Presented them last time coming through immigration in Bali and no problem.

 

[Balikbob]

That’s the correct way. The format kind of sucks, you can not print them out small enough to fit in passport or wallet.

If you want to travel internationally, you better make sure to get the IMK.

I have just spoken to immigration on the chat box and they said they no longer issue separate IMk it is integrated into the KITAP

 

[jstar]

I took the email copies of the IMK and Kitap had them scanned, reduced to passport size, printed and laminated and keep them in my passport folder. Presented them last time coming through immigration in Bali and no problem.

Granted I have +1,5 when tired but nobody was able to read this when I printed it on B7 format.

 

[harryopal1]

The print indicating re-entry permit and Kitap is large enough. The rest didn't seem to matter.

 

[jstar]

I have just spoken to immigration on the chat box and they said they no longer issue separate IMk it is integrated into the KITAP

Ok. That would mean you‘d have no longer a 2 year or other short term option.

 

[Balikbob]

Ok. That would mean you‘d have no longer a 2 year or other short term option.

Never had, ever

 

[marcus]

... I still can't get my head around this extra "permit"... I have KITAP but must get (buy) permission to reenter the country. (sigh)

Re-Entry Permit , Exit Only Permit/EPO , ... are strange , but they also exist in other countries (probably not invented by Indonesia) . Elsewhere EPO may be named Exit Visa .

 

[jstar]

I still can't get my head around this extra "permit"... I have KITAP but must get (buy) permission to reenter the country. (sigh)

It could be (and was much) worse. Years ago both citizens and foreign residents had to pay a cash departure tax at the airport before leaving. This fiskal was 1 juta. Abolished some 15 years ago I think.

 

[centurion]

Re-Entry Permit , Exit Only Permit/EPO , ... are strange , but they also exist in other countries (probably not invented by Indonesia) . Elsewhere EPO may be named Exit Visa .

US has Entry-Reentry Permit.

 

[harryopal1]

It could be (and was much) worse. Years ago both citizens and foreign residents had to pay a cash departure tax at the airport before leaving. This fiskal was 1 juta. Abolished some 15 years ago I think.

It was incorporated into air fares. If your aim is to attract tourists hitting them with these kind of taxes gives an unpleasant taste. Somehow less offensive if invisibly worked into the airfare.