Indonesian Visas Page 2
Business Visa
All persons coming to Indonesia for business purposes (as opposed to just a short term tourist or study trip) for a period to exceed 60-days are required to obtain a business visa.
A business visa does not allow a foreigner to work or be gainfully employed in Indonesia, but only to conduct business negotiations, short term work assignments, or training assignments. If you plan to work in Indonesia for a period of time, you must have a KITAS and a proper IMTA.
A single entry business visa can be extended two times after a one-month stay (one month for each extension). If you have a multiple entry business visa (MBV), after a 60-day stay the visa can be extended four times (one month for each extension). You can enter Indonesia as many times as you want in a one year period on the multiple entry business visa, as long as you don't stay more than 60 days on each visit.
If you enter on a multiple-entry business visa, you are not required to get an exit permit each time you leave.
Please be aware, however, that there may be Indonesian income tax obligations if you are in Indonesia on a business visa for more than 6 months in one year.
If you plan to temporarily work in Indonesia for a few months, you must apply for a temporary working visa index 457. Your sponsoring/employing company can apply for it at the Indonesian Immigration office in Jakarta. Upon entry into Indonesia with a temporary working visa index 457, you will get a 60-day visa stamped in your passport at the Indonesian Immigration airport. Within a few days after your arrival, you will have to apply for a temporary working permit at the Manpower Department, but you must first pay the DPKK fee or Skill and Development Fund fee of USD200 to cover your 60 day working period (USD100/month).
Overstaying your VisaOverstaying any type of visa is a serious offense if you have overstayed more than 60 days. If less than 60 days, you will fined Rp 200,000/day for every day you overstayed your visa and then deported once you have paid the fine. The maximum fine for overstaying a visa is Rp 25 million and 5 years in jail. If you inadvertently overstay, go IMMEDIATELY to the immigration officer at the airport once you realize it and explain the circumstances. Delaying the report will only make the situation worse.
There are only a few legitimate reasons for overstaying your visa - the main one being that you were ill and in the hospital or unable to travel. Once you realize you will not be able to leave before your visa expires, ask a friend to officially report your illness in writing to the local immigration office so that you officially acknowledge that you have overstayed your legal stay limit. This will lessen the monetary penalties. Don't wait until the immigration catches you!
For lots more advice on this subject see Overstaying Your Visa
Repeated Short-term Visas Necessitate Leaving the Country to get a New VisaChoosing (okay it's no one's first choice to come to Indonesia for short periods on a Tourist or Business visa, and then going to Australia or Singapore to renew your visa ... is quite common. The Indonesian government does not approve of people working on these visas, yet they continue to grant them to people who repeatedly come back to Indonesia after a short trip outside the country.
Feedback from some visitors to this site that have been in this situation:
“According to Indonesian consular officials, it's perfectly legal to come to Indonesia on a 60-day VOA, leave before the end of the sixty days, flying out of Indonesia, then returning on a new 60-day VOA. There is no need to pay bribes or any other fees upon arrival in Indonesia.”
“Some immigration officers may suspect that you are working in Indonesia without a permit. They just wonder how you finance your living costs (extended holidays after having returned for the x-th time to Indonesia. That's why they might ask you some questions. Some officers might go further and try to put you in an embarrassing situation in order to extract bribes from you, or simply asking for some money. It's a psychological game. There is no general answer on how to deal with each kind of such situations. The best results come from staying polite and taking in easy.”
All persons coming to Indonesia for business purposes (as opposed to just a short term tourist or study trip) for a period to exceed 60-days are required to obtain a business visa.
A business visa does not allow a foreigner to work or be gainfully employed in Indonesia, but only to conduct business negotiations, short term work assignments, or training assignments. If you plan to work in Indonesia for a period of time, you must have a KITAS and a proper IMTA.
A single entry business visa can be extended two times after a one-month stay (one month for each extension). If you have a multiple entry business visa (MBV), after a 60-day stay the visa can be extended four times (one month for each extension). You can enter Indonesia as many times as you want in a one year period on the multiple entry business visa, as long as you don't stay more than 60 days on each visit.
If you enter on a multiple-entry business visa, you are not required to get an exit permit each time you leave.
Please be aware, however, that there may be Indonesian income tax obligations if you are in Indonesia on a business visa for more than 6 months in one year.
If you plan to temporarily work in Indonesia for a few months, you must apply for a temporary working visa index 457. Your sponsoring/employing company can apply for it at the Indonesian Immigration office in Jakarta. Upon entry into Indonesia with a temporary working visa index 457, you will get a 60-day visa stamped in your passport at the Indonesian Immigration airport. Within a few days after your arrival, you will have to apply for a temporary working permit at the Manpower Department, but you must first pay the DPKK fee or Skill and Development Fund fee of USD200 to cover your 60 day working period (USD100/month).
Overstaying your VisaOverstaying any type of visa is a serious offense if you have overstayed more than 60 days. If less than 60 days, you will fined Rp 200,000/day for every day you overstayed your visa and then deported once you have paid the fine. The maximum fine for overstaying a visa is Rp 25 million and 5 years in jail. If you inadvertently overstay, go IMMEDIATELY to the immigration officer at the airport once you realize it and explain the circumstances. Delaying the report will only make the situation worse.
There are only a few legitimate reasons for overstaying your visa - the main one being that you were ill and in the hospital or unable to travel. Once you realize you will not be able to leave before your visa expires, ask a friend to officially report your illness in writing to the local immigration office so that you officially acknowledge that you have overstayed your legal stay limit. This will lessen the monetary penalties. Don't wait until the immigration catches you!
For lots more advice on this subject see Overstaying Your Visa
Repeated Short-term Visas Necessitate Leaving the Country to get a New VisaChoosing (okay it's no one's first choice to come to Indonesia for short periods on a Tourist or Business visa, and then going to Australia or Singapore to renew your visa ... is quite common. The Indonesian government does not approve of people working on these visas, yet they continue to grant them to people who repeatedly come back to Indonesia after a short trip outside the country.
Feedback from some visitors to this site that have been in this situation:
“According to Indonesian consular officials, it's perfectly legal to come to Indonesia on a 60-day VOA, leave before the end of the sixty days, flying out of Indonesia, then returning on a new 60-day VOA. There is no need to pay bribes or any other fees upon arrival in Indonesia.”
“Some immigration officers may suspect that you are working in Indonesia without a permit. They just wonder how you finance your living costs (extended holidays after having returned for the x-th time to Indonesia. That's why they might ask you some questions. Some officers might go further and try to put you in an embarrassing situation in order to extract bribes from you, or simply asking for some money. It's a psychological game. There is no general answer on how to deal with each kind of such situations. The best results come from staying polite and taking in easy.”
Other Important DocumentsExit / Re-Entry Permits
Note: Under the new immigration law (4/2011) there will no longer be single entry permits, only multiple exit/reentry permits (MERP).
Whenever a foreigner holding a KITAS or KITAP wants to leave Indonesia for a short period, they are required to apply for a exit/re-entry permit from the immigration office. The permit is stamped into your passport.
A multiple exit/re-entry permit allows you to leave and reenter Indonesia as many times as needed during the validity of the permit. Permit can be issued for 6 months, 1 year or 2 years. (Peraturan Menteri nomor M.01.IZ.01.10 tahun 2007): Six or 12 month multiple exit/re entry permits can be issued for KITAS holders whose KITAS is valid for 1 year, and a 6 month, 12 month or 24 month multiple exit/re entry permit can be given for KITAS or KITAP holder whose KITAS/KITAP is valid for 2 years.
In other words, if you have a KITAS, you can only get a Multiple Exit Reentry Permit for the same length of time as the validity of the KITAS. You can spend as much time as you want abroad as long as you return to Indonesia before the MERP and KITAS expire. If the permit expires and you are out of the country, you will lose your KITAS/KITAP and have to go to an Indonesian embassy to apply for a new visa all over again (not another permit). This is NOT advisable! Be prepared :) You can not apply for an exit permit with an expiration date past the expiration date of your visa or your passport.
It is advisable to always have a valid multiple re-entry permit stamped in your passport just in case of the need for an emergency departure, such as illness in a family member back home or a medical emergency for a member of your family in Jakarta or the need to escape an situation of unrest in Indonesia.
The fees concerning exit/re entry permit, as indicated in Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 38 tahun 2009 as follows:
Letter of Guarantee: Surat Permintaan dan Jaminan. Contains: Name, place of birth, date of birth, profession, income, nationality, KTP, Address of your sponsor. Your name, nationality, passport, relationship with the sponsor. Date, signature of the sponsor and Meterai.
Sample Letter to request an Multiple Exit-Reentry Permit
Final Departure or EPO (Exit Permit Only)When you are reading to leave Indonesia for good you will need to turn in your KITAS, Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing and obtain an 'exit only' permit from the immigration office. After getting the EPO stamped on your passport, a copy of the stamp is needed to apply for cancellation on your SKPPS (if you have it) and your Work Permit. You must turn in the original documents to each department who issued the permits.
Registering the Birth of a ChildFor foreigners who give birth in Indonesia, it will be necessary to get a local birth certificate before a foreign passport can be issued for your baby. Then, you will need to apply for a limited stay permit (KITAS visa for your baby, if both of the parents are foreigners, which will follow the visa of the working spouse.
You will have to first get a Surat Keterangan Kelahiran from the hospital where the mother gave birth. With this document you go to Catatan Sipil (Civil Registry office to obtain the formal birth Certificate (Akte Kelahiran). Though you should have 60 days to report the birth to the Catatan Sipil (Pasal 27 undang undang 23 tahun 2006 tentang Administrasi Kependudukan), you have ONLY 15 days to do so to the immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi).
If the mother or the father are Indonesian, and the baby born after August 1st 2006, the baby is automatically an Indonesian citizen. However, you will still have to report the birth to the Kantor Imigrasi, even though the baby is Indonesian (as per law 12/2006 about Citizenship For more information.
Pajak Fiskal - Fiscal TaxEffective from 1 January 2011, Indonesian residents, including expatriates, will no longer be required to pay fiscal tax or produce their tax ID card to receive an exemption.Fiscal Tax Changes ! Effective January 2011 - Read the Government Letter explaining this decision
Airport TaxThe amount of the airport tax depends on the airport you are flying from and whether your flight is domestic or international. You pay this tax at the airport prior to departure Costs are as follows:
International flights departing from:
- CGK, DPS, SUB: Rp. 150,000
- BTJ: Rp. 115,000
- HLP: Rp. 80.000
- AMQ, BIK, BPN, BTH, JOG, LOP, MDC, MES, SOC, TIM, UPG: Rp. 75,000
- BDO, PDG, PKU, PLM, PNK: Rp. 60,000
- KOE, TNJ: Rp. 50,000
Domestic flights departing from:
CGK: Rp. 40,000
DPS: Rp. 30,000
other airports vary from Rp. 13,000 to Rp. to 30,000.
Exemptions:
However, effective January 1, 2014, foreigners no longer have to obtain these police documents. The official announcement from Mabes Polri/the Central Police Dept. - SPRIN/2471/XII/2013 TGL. 23 Desember Temtang Penghentian Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri (SKLD). This applies in all regions of the country.
Here is a copy of the SKLD Announcement (in Bahasa Indonesia) - print it out and take it with you to show to any government official that asks you to show them your SKLD!
However, It is still mandatory that the STM should be obtained from the resort police department in the area where the foreign expatriate and their family members are living in Indonesia. It takes 1 to 2 working days to process the application of STM.
Registration with the Civil Registry OfficeAll KITAS and KITAP holders are required to register at the Civil Registry office. Process is quick, easy and free - but very important.
What is required for the registration?
Report your Resident Status to your local RTAlthough there is no document required, once you have established yourself in your place of residence you must report your presence to the local Neighborhood Head, the Rukun Tetangga; RT (pronounced err-tay). You will undoubtedly have contact with him in the future regarding various community matters, such as garbage collection and security, so it is important that he knows you have moved into the community.
You should keep copies of all your relevant immigration documents at your home (even though some originals may be kept at your office), just incase you are caught in an occasional 'sweeping' check of expat documents. These are relatively routine operations that are conducted periodically and are not necessarily an effort to harass or otherwise inconvenience the foreign community. They are usually checking for people who are here illegally. If you are here legally and your papers are complete and up-to-date, you have nothing to fear.
Do be careful, however, about bogus officials wanting to check your documents. You should always ask for a 'surat tugas' which is the letter from their office detailing what they are allowed to do in the field. If they don't have a surat tugas ... it would be wise to not show them anything! Ask them to return once they have the surat tugas. Or, refer them to the working spouse's office for any further needed information on documentation.
And by no means pay any bribes to these officials. It would only ensure their repeated return to your place of residence, or encourage them to prey on other unsuspecting foreigners. Again, if you are here legally and have the documents to prove it ... there is nothing to fear. If you are approached or threatened by suspicious persons try to get their names, affiliations and contact numbers.
Expat RegistrationThe Indonesian government periodically announces a new regulation wherein all expatriates resident in Indonesia must register with the Immigration Department for an Expatriate Registration number. This is billed as a routine registration of all foreigners living in Indonesia. The last time this registration were held was in 2001 and 1986, though an immigration official told us that there is a regulation that says it must be done every five years. When asked why we need to register when we already have a visa ... the immigration official said that “sometimes foreigners go home and don't tell us ... so this is the only way we can know how many foreigners really live in Indonesia.” He stipulated that the information went to the central immigration office (kantor pusat).
If the registration is required again, take your original passport, KITAS/KITAP, Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing (POA) and two 3 X 4 cm photos to the immigration office that issued your visa ... and fill out their form in duplicate. No need to bring photocopies of anything - just the originals. The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes and is free. For more information
You may get a letter from your local kecamatan (district office or RT (neighborhood chief asking you to register ... this is for the same thing as the immigration's expat registration.
SKPPS & SKTT - Population DocumentsSKTT is no longer required for an expatriate work and his family members in Jakarta. However for expats and their families who live in other provinces, the SKTT/ Domicile Permits are still mandatory. .
Foreign Individuals who have obtained a work permit and a KITAS are considered residents, just as citizens are. As such, they must register with the local municipality's population office (Kantor Catatan Sipil - or Civil Registry to obtain a Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident (SKPPS).
SKTT - Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal A Certificate of Place of Residence must be obtained from the Sub-district Office (Kantor Kelurahan in your area.
SKPRK - Surat Keterangan Penelitian Registrasi Kependudukan
SKPPS - Surat Keterangan Pendaftaran Penduduk Sementara (Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident) - information on SKPPS application process
Kartu KeluargaBeginning in 1998, foreigners holding a KITAP visa (Permanent resident are able to obtain a Kartu Keluarga WNA (family card for foreigners), model number OS-01B. This Kartu Keluarga enables you to apply for a KTP Warga Negara Asing (Foreigners ID card). With this KTP WNA, you can apply for a 5-year driver’s license.
See more information about the importance of Kartu Keluarga for families of mixed Indonesian-foreign marriages.
Drivers License and Vehicle RegistrationPlease refer to Making a Driver's License for information on these documents.
TV TaxEvery television owner in Indonesia is required to pay a monthly TV tax. The tax collector will come to your home and should have some kind of identification card authorizing him to collect the fee. The fee is based on the size of your TV and is minimal. This tax is meant to cover the operating costs of the national television station, TVRI, since it does not have advertising revenue. A small booklet will be issued to you after payment of the tax, and tax stamps will be put in the book depending on your payment. Read the regulationCertificate of Good Conduct from PoliceIf subsequent visa applications after your stay in Indonesia, or requirements for a visa application process in another country will require a Certificate of Good Conduct: Indonesian Police Certificates and Security Clearances ... find out more about how to obtain those here.
Agents/Biro JasaThere are a plethora of agents which can assist you in obtaining your documentation. They range from scam artists to small time operators who have a cousin who works for immigration to legitimate businesses. Be extremely wary of the claims of an agent who doesn't come highly recommended from friends or colleagues. Look at the classified listings in the Jakarta Post for names of agents. Tell them you are shopping around to compare prices and that should bring their prices way down.
The danger is not only that the agent will charge you an excessive amount for his assistance, but that he will complete the documentation incorrectly. This could, needless to say, cause you numerous difficulties in the future. The best bet is to use an agent that has given good service at reasonable rates to your friends and colleagues. Remember, something that sounds too good to be true is usually just that.
A new class of professional Document Services has arisen in recent years which gives an entirely different class of service that the average calo; or broker. Again, let the experience of others be your guide to a wise choice.
For information on visas and documentation required for them, call the South Jakarta Immigration office at 021-522-4658 ext 2203 or 2200. Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm. Closed for lunch hour 12:00-1:00.
Additional information:
Some initial info on the new residency requirements
For information on ... Indonesian Individual Incomes Taxes
Mini GlossaryVITAS - Temporary Stay Permit Visa (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas)
ITAS = Izin Tinggal Terbatas (Temporary Stay Permit). This is the immigration status/permit by itself. It is materialized by the stamp in your passport that the immigration offices stamps into your passport every year.
KITAS = Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (Temporary Stay Permit Card). This is the yellow card that Immigration will give you after the ITAS has been granted.
ITAP = Izin Tinggal Tetap (Permanent Stay Permit). This is the immigration status/permit by itself. It is evident by the stamp that the immigration office stamps into your passport.
KITAP = Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (Permanent Stay Permit Card). This is the blue card that immigration will give you after the ITAP has been granted.
RPTKA - Expatriate Placement Plan
DPKK - Dana Pengembangan Keahlian dan Keterampilan - Skill & Development Fund Fee
IMTA = Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing = Work Permit for foreigner
Kementerian Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi - Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
Kantor Imigrasi - Immigration office
DitJen Imigrasi - Directorate General of Immigration
Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia - Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
WNI - Indonesian Citizen - warga negara Indonesia
WNA - Foreign Citizen - warga negara asing
Note: Under the new immigration law (4/2011) there will no longer be single entry permits, only multiple exit/reentry permits (MERP).
Whenever a foreigner holding a KITAS or KITAP wants to leave Indonesia for a short period, they are required to apply for a exit/re-entry permit from the immigration office. The permit is stamped into your passport.
A multiple exit/re-entry permit allows you to leave and reenter Indonesia as many times as needed during the validity of the permit. Permit can be issued for 6 months, 1 year or 2 years. (Peraturan Menteri nomor M.01.IZ.01.10 tahun 2007): Six or 12 month multiple exit/re entry permits can be issued for KITAS holders whose KITAS is valid for 1 year, and a 6 month, 12 month or 24 month multiple exit/re entry permit can be given for KITAS or KITAP holder whose KITAS/KITAP is valid for 2 years.
In other words, if you have a KITAS, you can only get a Multiple Exit Reentry Permit for the same length of time as the validity of the KITAS. You can spend as much time as you want abroad as long as you return to Indonesia before the MERP and KITAS expire. If the permit expires and you are out of the country, you will lose your KITAS/KITAP and have to go to an Indonesian embassy to apply for a new visa all over again (not another permit). This is NOT advisable! Be prepared :) You can not apply for an exit permit with an expiration date past the expiration date of your visa or your passport.
It is advisable to always have a valid multiple re-entry permit stamped in your passport just in case of the need for an emergency departure, such as illness in a family member back home or a medical emergency for a member of your family in Jakarta or the need to escape an situation of unrest in Indonesia.
The fees concerning exit/re entry permit, as indicated in Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 38 tahun 2009 as follows:
- Single exit: Rp. 200,000
- Multiple exit for 6 months validity: Rp. 600.000
- Multiple exit for 12 months validity: Rp. 1.000.000
- Multiple exit for 24 months validity: Rp. 1.750.000 (issued only to KITAP holders and rare categories of KITAS holder)
- Official form - Perdim 25: Formulir Izin Masuk Kembali dan Pemulangan
- Official form - Perdim 27: Formulir Perubahan Data Orang Asing
- Original and photocopy of both sides of your KITAS/KITAP
- Original and photocopy of your Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing
- A letter of guarantee from your sponsor
- Application letter from your Sponsor
- Original Passport and copies of relevant pages
Letter of Guarantee: Surat Permintaan dan Jaminan. Contains: Name, place of birth, date of birth, profession, income, nationality, KTP, Address of your sponsor. Your name, nationality, passport, relationship with the sponsor. Date, signature of the sponsor and Meterai.
Sample Letter to request an Multiple Exit-Reentry Permit
Final Departure or EPO (Exit Permit Only)When you are reading to leave Indonesia for good you will need to turn in your KITAS, Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing and obtain an 'exit only' permit from the immigration office. After getting the EPO stamped on your passport, a copy of the stamp is needed to apply for cancellation on your SKPPS (if you have it) and your Work Permit. You must turn in the original documents to each department who issued the permits.
Registering the Birth of a ChildFor foreigners who give birth in Indonesia, it will be necessary to get a local birth certificate before a foreign passport can be issued for your baby. Then, you will need to apply for a limited stay permit (KITAS visa for your baby, if both of the parents are foreigners, which will follow the visa of the working spouse.
You will have to first get a Surat Keterangan Kelahiran from the hospital where the mother gave birth. With this document you go to Catatan Sipil (Civil Registry office to obtain the formal birth Certificate (Akte Kelahiran). Though you should have 60 days to report the birth to the Catatan Sipil (Pasal 27 undang undang 23 tahun 2006 tentang Administrasi Kependudukan), you have ONLY 15 days to do so to the immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi).
If the mother or the father are Indonesian, and the baby born after August 1st 2006, the baby is automatically an Indonesian citizen. However, you will still have to report the birth to the Kantor Imigrasi, even though the baby is Indonesian (as per law 12/2006 about Citizenship For more information.
Pajak Fiskal - Fiscal TaxEffective from 1 January 2011, Indonesian residents, including expatriates, will no longer be required to pay fiscal tax or produce their tax ID card to receive an exemption.Fiscal Tax Changes ! Effective January 2011 - Read the Government Letter explaining this decision
Airport TaxThe amount of the airport tax depends on the airport you are flying from and whether your flight is domestic or international. You pay this tax at the airport prior to departure Costs are as follows:
International flights departing from:
- CGK, DPS, SUB: Rp. 150,000
- BTJ: Rp. 115,000
- HLP: Rp. 80.000
- AMQ, BIK, BPN, BTH, JOG, LOP, MDC, MES, SOC, TIM, UPG: Rp. 75,000
- BDO, PDG, PKU, PLM, PNK: Rp. 60,000
- KOE, TNJ: Rp. 50,000
Domestic flights departing from:
CGK: Rp. 40,000
DPS: Rp. 30,000
other airports vary from Rp. 13,000 to Rp. to 30,000.
Exemptions:
- Children under 2 years, provided not occupying a seat in the aircraft.
- Transit passengers in possession of through tickets and continuing their journey the same day (not applicable in Jakarta unless passengers stay within customs area/ transit room).
- Officials of the Directorate General of Air Communications (on duty and with a travel order)
- Official guests of the Indonesian government
- Aircraft crew
However, effective January 1, 2014, foreigners no longer have to obtain these police documents. The official announcement from Mabes Polri/the Central Police Dept. - SPRIN/2471/XII/2013 TGL. 23 Desember Temtang Penghentian Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri (SKLD). This applies in all regions of the country.
Here is a copy of the SKLD Announcement (in Bahasa Indonesia) - print it out and take it with you to show to any government official that asks you to show them your SKLD!
However, It is still mandatory that the STM should be obtained from the resort police department in the area where the foreign expatriate and their family members are living in Indonesia. It takes 1 to 2 working days to process the application of STM.
Registration with the Civil Registry OfficeAll KITAS and KITAP holders are required to register at the Civil Registry office. Process is quick, easy and free - but very important.
What is required for the registration?
- photocopies of your passport, buku nikah, buku POA, and the visa card with the photo inside that is stapled to your buku POA.
- photo
Report your Resident Status to your local RTAlthough there is no document required, once you have established yourself in your place of residence you must report your presence to the local Neighborhood Head, the Rukun Tetangga; RT (pronounced err-tay). You will undoubtedly have contact with him in the future regarding various community matters, such as garbage collection and security, so it is important that he knows you have moved into the community.
You should keep copies of all your relevant immigration documents at your home (even though some originals may be kept at your office), just incase you are caught in an occasional 'sweeping' check of expat documents. These are relatively routine operations that are conducted periodically and are not necessarily an effort to harass or otherwise inconvenience the foreign community. They are usually checking for people who are here illegally. If you are here legally and your papers are complete and up-to-date, you have nothing to fear.
Do be careful, however, about bogus officials wanting to check your documents. You should always ask for a 'surat tugas' which is the letter from their office detailing what they are allowed to do in the field. If they don't have a surat tugas ... it would be wise to not show them anything! Ask them to return once they have the surat tugas. Or, refer them to the working spouse's office for any further needed information on documentation.
And by no means pay any bribes to these officials. It would only ensure their repeated return to your place of residence, or encourage them to prey on other unsuspecting foreigners. Again, if you are here legally and have the documents to prove it ... there is nothing to fear. If you are approached or threatened by suspicious persons try to get their names, affiliations and contact numbers.
Expat RegistrationThe Indonesian government periodically announces a new regulation wherein all expatriates resident in Indonesia must register with the Immigration Department for an Expatriate Registration number. This is billed as a routine registration of all foreigners living in Indonesia. The last time this registration were held was in 2001 and 1986, though an immigration official told us that there is a regulation that says it must be done every five years. When asked why we need to register when we already have a visa ... the immigration official said that “sometimes foreigners go home and don't tell us ... so this is the only way we can know how many foreigners really live in Indonesia.” He stipulated that the information went to the central immigration office (kantor pusat).
If the registration is required again, take your original passport, KITAS/KITAP, Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing (POA) and two 3 X 4 cm photos to the immigration office that issued your visa ... and fill out their form in duplicate. No need to bring photocopies of anything - just the originals. The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes and is free. For more information
You may get a letter from your local kecamatan (district office or RT (neighborhood chief asking you to register ... this is for the same thing as the immigration's expat registration.
SKPPS & SKTT - Population DocumentsSKTT is no longer required for an expatriate work and his family members in Jakarta. However for expats and their families who live in other provinces, the SKTT/ Domicile Permits are still mandatory. .
Foreign Individuals who have obtained a work permit and a KITAS are considered residents, just as citizens are. As such, they must register with the local municipality's population office (Kantor Catatan Sipil - or Civil Registry to obtain a Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident (SKPPS).
SKTT - Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal A Certificate of Place of Residence must be obtained from the Sub-district Office (Kantor Kelurahan in your area.
SKPRK - Surat Keterangan Penelitian Registrasi Kependudukan
SKPPS - Surat Keterangan Pendaftaran Penduduk Sementara (Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident) - information on SKPPS application process
Kartu KeluargaBeginning in 1998, foreigners holding a KITAP visa (Permanent resident are able to obtain a Kartu Keluarga WNA (family card for foreigners), model number OS-01B. This Kartu Keluarga enables you to apply for a KTP Warga Negara Asing (Foreigners ID card). With this KTP WNA, you can apply for a 5-year driver’s license.
See more information about the importance of Kartu Keluarga for families of mixed Indonesian-foreign marriages.
Drivers License and Vehicle RegistrationPlease refer to Making a Driver's License for information on these documents.
TV TaxEvery television owner in Indonesia is required to pay a monthly TV tax. The tax collector will come to your home and should have some kind of identification card authorizing him to collect the fee. The fee is based on the size of your TV and is minimal. This tax is meant to cover the operating costs of the national television station, TVRI, since it does not have advertising revenue. A small booklet will be issued to you after payment of the tax, and tax stamps will be put in the book depending on your payment. Read the regulationCertificate of Good Conduct from PoliceIf subsequent visa applications after your stay in Indonesia, or requirements for a visa application process in another country will require a Certificate of Good Conduct: Indonesian Police Certificates and Security Clearances ... find out more about how to obtain those here.
Agents/Biro JasaThere are a plethora of agents which can assist you in obtaining your documentation. They range from scam artists to small time operators who have a cousin who works for immigration to legitimate businesses. Be extremely wary of the claims of an agent who doesn't come highly recommended from friends or colleagues. Look at the classified listings in the Jakarta Post for names of agents. Tell them you are shopping around to compare prices and that should bring their prices way down.
The danger is not only that the agent will charge you an excessive amount for his assistance, but that he will complete the documentation incorrectly. This could, needless to say, cause you numerous difficulties in the future. The best bet is to use an agent that has given good service at reasonable rates to your friends and colleagues. Remember, something that sounds too good to be true is usually just that.
A new class of professional Document Services has arisen in recent years which gives an entirely different class of service that the average calo; or broker. Again, let the experience of others be your guide to a wise choice.
For information on visas and documentation required for them, call the South Jakarta Immigration office at 021-522-4658 ext 2203 or 2200. Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm. Closed for lunch hour 12:00-1:00.
Additional information:
Some initial info on the new residency requirements
For information on ... Indonesian Individual Incomes Taxes
Mini GlossaryVITAS - Temporary Stay Permit Visa (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas)
ITAS = Izin Tinggal Terbatas (Temporary Stay Permit). This is the immigration status/permit by itself. It is materialized by the stamp in your passport that the immigration offices stamps into your passport every year.
KITAS = Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (Temporary Stay Permit Card). This is the yellow card that Immigration will give you after the ITAS has been granted.
ITAP = Izin Tinggal Tetap (Permanent Stay Permit). This is the immigration status/permit by itself. It is evident by the stamp that the immigration office stamps into your passport.
KITAP = Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas (Permanent Stay Permit Card). This is the blue card that immigration will give you after the ITAP has been granted.
RPTKA - Expatriate Placement Plan
DPKK - Dana Pengembangan Keahlian dan Keterampilan - Skill & Development Fund Fee
IMTA = Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing = Work Permit for foreigner
Kementerian Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi - Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration
Kantor Imigrasi - Immigration office
DitJen Imigrasi - Directorate General of Immigration
Kementerian Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia - Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
WNI - Indonesian Citizen - warga negara Indonesia
WNA - Foreign Citizen - warga negara asing