Visit Visa - Socio Cultural conversion to KITAS

[jstar]

@Saudade (and @cup1981 ): The moment you enter with the SosBud, it only starts (the work that is). The moment you enter with a VITAS, most of the work is already done (the conversion to (K)ITAS is the more or less a formality.

If the SosBud route still exists (thanks @macvert ) it is a straightforward process not more complicated than the VITAS route.

You just have to make up your own mind what makes more sense in your case and whether you want absolute peace of mind or not. Your own kantor Imigrasi is the best reference (to see whether they will make difficulties).

 

[Saudade]

This morning my wife paid a visit to Immigration Ngurah Rai Jimbaran to enquire about converting a Sosbud to KITAS.
While she was waiting for her number to be called, she rang them & the dude who answered confirmed that Socbud can still be converted to KITAS.
When her number was finally called she posed the same question which was once again confirmed. The immigration officer also asked her why we didn't go the VITAS route to which my wife replied that we think about the extra 1million rp for VITAS & in her words, the officer understood.

macvert, where exactly you save 1.000.000 rp with the Sosbud route? according to the information on this forum the cost trough Telex + Vitas is
100.000 rp apply for the telex
S$ 160 at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore for the stamp on the passport, I totally forgot about how much cost the Sosbud , how much is the Sosbud at the Indonesian Embassy? I guess the price is the same in Singapore, Perth, Kl or another embassies right?
1.000.000 rp ITAS
1.000.000 rp MERP
55.000 rp finger print
Terimakasi

 

[jstar]

Don't forget you would need at least one night stay in Singapore:

Application drop off in Singapore is between 9:30am and 1pm. When you first enter the embassy, someone at the door will check your documents and put them in order. If you have everything you'll be issued a queue number. In the link at the top of this post it says a photo with any background color is ok in Penang. That is not ok in Singapore. The background must be white. There is a photo ($10 SGP) and copy shop at the embassy. You'll need a passport photo with a white background, a copy of the telex confirmation, a copy of your entry/exit pass that's given to you at the Singapore airport, and a simple 1 page form will be given to you to fill out. Once you drop off your documents you go to the payment counter and pay in SGP. The receipt says to pick up your document in 2 working days. That is incorrect. Pickup is the next working day. I was at the embassy for a total of 30 minutes for drop off.

The next day, bring your receipt and some form of identification between 3:30pm and 5pm. Pick up took a total of 5 minutes.

 

[macvert]

macvert, where exactly you save 1.000.000 rp with the Sosbud route? according to the information on this forum the cost trough Telex + Vitas is
100.000 rp apply for the telex
S$ 160 at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore for the stamp on the passport, I totally forgot about how much cost the Sosbud , how much is the Sosbud at the Indonesian Embassy? I guess the price is the same in Singapore, Perth, Kl or another embassies right?
1.000.000 rp ITAS
1.000.000 rp MERP
55.000 rp finger print
Terimakasi

The Indo Consulate Sydney website quotes $165 Aus (non refundable for Limitid Stay Visa which includes VITAS) to be sent along with all other required documents including your approval letter which cost you 100,000 rp so, about 1.75million actually

Sosbud through the Indo Consulate Sydney is $65

Then there is the cost of KITAS (about 2.3million rp if you do it yourself) which I am only assuming is on top of the VITAS cost as it is with the Sosbud cost.

 

[snpark]

Don't forget you would need at least one night stay in Singapore:

or pay agent and finish it all same day, agent costs less than a night hotel anyway

 

[jstar]

^ Take a shady hotel in one of the Lorongs in Geylang...

 

[snpark]

^ Take a shady hotel in one of the Lorongs in Geylang...

Then spend $100 on entertainment lol

 

[macvert]

macvert, where exactly you save 1.000.000 rp with the Sosbud route? according to the information on this forum the cost trough Telex + Vitas is
100.000 rp apply for the telex
S$ 160 at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore for the stamp on the passport, I totally forgot about how much cost the Sosbud , how much is the Sosbud at the Indonesian Embassy? I guess the price is the same in Singapore, Perth, Kl or another embassies right?
1.000.000 rp ITAS
1.000.000 rp MERP
55.000 rp finger print
Terimakasi

After finding the article “Spousal VITAS in 2019, An updated step by step guide” on this website I have realised that I was mistaken in assuming the KITAS fee was on top of the VITAS fee & only the MERP & fingerprints are on top of the VITAS fee.

So whether you take the Sosbud or VITAS route, the cost ends up about the same,

My apologies for any extra anxiety my assumption may have caused you ....

 

[Saudade]

After finding the article “Spousal VITAS in 2019, An updated step by step guide” on this website I have realised that I was mistaken in assuming the KITAS fee was on top of the VITAS fee & only the MERP & fingerprints are on top of the VITAS fee.

So whether you take the Sosbud or VITAS route, the cost ends up about the same,

My apologies for any extra anxiety my assumption may have caused you ....

macverttttttttttttttttttt, this post is going to get me really gila, you had already convinced me there was a difference of 100 $ and now you are saying there is not much difference?
From the information you give and we got from this side as well, I got the conclusion that the Vitas process for the stamp on the Indonesian embassy you have to pay $$160 and if you apply for the Sosbud in the same embassy you have to pay only $$60, is not right? so I though the 100 $$ was coming from there, but to be honest I cannot remember how much cost the Sosbud visa in the Indonesian embassy in Singapore.
Hahaha each time I think I have made my mind and have things clear, there is something new appearing.
First I though to do it trough the telex, after knowing it was cheaper trough Sosbud I was thinking to do it trough Sosbud, and now if finally is more or less the same price I think probably would be easier and much straight forward to do the telex, less visits to the immigration office and according to my husband saving "money" and energy to go there, and time of course.
By the way, do you know how many days before we need to apply for the EPO and what we have to do or to bring to do it?
By the way, the article you mention is really really good and full of information with all the steps one by one, I read it already a few days ago when I was looking for information, I though you have already read it, thanks a lot to the members of the forum who wrote the article, really very helpful.
terimakasi

 

[macvert]

macverttttttttttttttttttt, this post is going to get me really gila, you had already convinced me there was a difference of 100 $ and now you are saying there is not much difference?
From the information you give and we got from this side as well, I got the conclusion that the Vitas process for the stamp on the Indonesian embassy you have to pay $$160 and if you apply for the Sosbud in the same embassy you have to pay only $$60, is not right? so I though the 100 $$ was coming from there, but to be honest I cannot remember how much cost the Sosbud visa in the Indonesian embassy in Singapore.
By the way, do you know how many days before we need to apply for the EPO and what we have to do or to bring to do it?

After reading your post & then me re reading Jamu's article it seems I was right the first time. What was I on yesterday ? ….. I forget …

$165 for VITAS (in Australia) then 2.055 million rp for ITAS, MERP & fingerprints.

I think you are right about the cost of Sosbud in Singapore if you do it yourself. The only time I got a Sosbud in Singapore was through an agent & cost me $180

I believe the MERP is compulsory with KITAS now & you don't need to apply for it.
MERP means Multiple Exit Re entry Permit & enables you to come & go from Indonesia while your KITAS is current.

EPO means Exit Permit Only & it is free. It should be applied for if your KITAS will expire while you are out of Indonesia. When I needed an EPO last year I was told to apply for it within 10 days of the date I was to leave.

 

[Saudade]

Please somebody could tell me if my Kitas will expire on 11 th April, does mean I can fly out on 11th or I have to fly on 10?
Should I apply for the EPO when the Kitas is going to expire? Is not the EPO for when you want to go outside meanwhile you still have the Kitas?
Macvert, “ it should be applied for if your kitas will expire while you are out of Indonesia” this confuse me.
Terimakasi

 

[jstar]

The moment you know you will leave country (and before expiration of your KITAS of course) and you have a date, you apply for the EPO. Officially (and 'normally') you have to leave the country within 7 days after obtaining the EPO.

NB: The EPO will cancel the ITAS so of course it still needs to be valid. I suspect you're thinking about (M)ERP, that allows you to leave and re-enter the country.

 

[macvert]

Should I apply for the EPO when the Kitas is going to expire? Is not the EPO for when you want to go outside meanwhile you still have the Kitas?
si

You only need to apply for an EPO if your KITAS will expire while you are out of Indonesia

The MERP is for when you want to go out of Indonesia & return to Indonesia while you still have KITAS

The MERP is included when you get KITAS ... you don't have to apply for a MERP

 

[Saudade]

I went yesterday to apply for the EPO with all the documentations I though I needed, and I was a little naive or bodoh, because there is two formuler as well and one of them has to be fill by the sponsor, in the case of Kitas keluarga by our spouse, so back home and I will continue on Monday, by the way now the break time at the immigration office is from 11:30 to 1 pm, at least yesterday, I think before used to be from 12 to 1 pm.
Have a beautiful weekend

 

[harryopal1]

Macvert, I can understand your feeling of uncertainty and worrying about these processes. Better think of it as a marathon with all sorts of issues between start and finish. From Sosbud to Kitas to Kitap and finally crossing the finishing certainly felt great. Just plug away and you will get there .....eventually. Good luck.

 

[snpark]

I went yesterday to apply for the EPO with all the documentations I though I needed, and I was a little naive or bodoh, because there is two formuler as well and one of them has to be fill by the sponsor, in the case of Kitas keluarga by our spouse, so back home and I will continue on Monday, by the way now the break time at the immigration office is from 11:30 to 1 pm, at least yesterday, I think before used to be from 12 to 1 pm.
Have a beautiful weekend

Thats only for Friday prayers not every day

 

[Saudade]

Going again trough this post, even when it is still confusing, it seems like Cup and Ratu had clear there was not possible to convert the Budaya Social Visa to Kitas Keluarga, so I feel so stupid now!

 

[Saudade]

I


Yes, I understand & know the feeling of not being relaxed & sure of the outcome when it comes to dealing with immigration
Yes, I will go the Sosbud route because it has now recently been confirmed that it can be converted to KITAS by both the Sydney Consulte & Immigration in Bali
Yes, KITAS definitely seems quicker & possibly easier if entering on VITAS ..... from past experience it took 11 weeks when I applied for Kitas 4 years ago after enteng on a Sosbud but I wasn't going anywhere & the local Imigration office was within reach for a day out..

macvert, you are lucky if you are not in Indonesia yet, because I confirm, there is NO SOSBUD ROUTE TO CONVERT IT TO KITAS anymore.
This post confused me a lot and finally I decided to do the Sosbud route and this morning I went to the immigration office in Denpasar after applying for a budaya sosial Visa in Perth, and they told me it is not possible, so I have to go again to overseas to be able to apply for the Kitas keluarga again.