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Download the New Immigration law - in Bahasa Indonesia - unoffical translation of Chapter V in English

The processes of obtaining proper documentation to live and work in Indonesia can seem like an endless maze of bureaucracy. New laws and regulations, lack of posted regulations, irregular application of existing regulations, vested interests and other matters complicate what one would think would be a relatively smooth processing of paperwork for foreigners to live and work in Indonesia.

This review of the necessary documents should help to clarify some of the questions newcomers may have about the various documents required.

Passports

Passports for your family members are issued by a passport office from your own country. While your government may allow children to follow on their mother's passports, it is better to have separate passports for every family member, just in case separate travel is required.

In order to apply for a KITAS visa (semi-permanent stay permit) to Indonesia, your passport must be valid for:

• 12 months passport validity remaining to apply for a 6 months KITAS
• 18 months passport validity remaining to apply for a 12 months KITAS
• 30 months passport validity remaining to apply for a 24 months KITAS

If your passport is nearing expiration, we recommend you renew it to the maximum time allowable before you begin procedures to apply for an Indonesian work permit and visa. You do not want to have your sponsoring office go through all the paperwork of getting your visa and work permit, only to have to repeat the procedure after six months because your passport has expired.

Company Sponsorship

Company sponsorship is required as a FIRST STEP in order for a foreigner who wants to work in Indonesia to be issued a work permit/visa. This sponsorship is required BEFORE a semi-permanent visa and work permit can be processed.

No charge for Immigration forms and folders

As per a Memorandum (Surat Ederan) signed on January 25th, 2013 by the Director General of Immigration, Bambang Irawan, SE, effective from February 4th 2013, the map (folder) including all immigration application forms (Paspor RI, Izin Tinggal, Izin Masuk Kembali,etc.) MUST be given FREE of charge by the immigration officers in all Immigration offices across the Indonesian archipelago.

The so called 'map' was until now charged for - from anything in between a few thousand rupiah to up to IDR 25.000. For years, many Indonesian citizens and foreigners alike have been complaining about this dubious charge. It is now officially forbidden for an Immigration officer to charge anything for the folder or the forms.

Download this letter and take it with you whenever you do immigration paperwork, to be sure you're not charged for forms and folders!

RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan)

The Indonesian government has strict guidelines on what foreign expertise is required for the development of the country. These guidelines determine who can be issued work permits. See Employing Expatriates for other info.

National, multinational or joint venture firms must submit a manpower plan to Kemenakertrans (Article 42 Manpower Act number 13 year 2003, Download detailing their annual foreign labor requirements. Foreigners can only get a limited stay visa/permit and a KITAS card if they already have been issued a TA01 recommendation (from the Manpower Department if the company is a domestic company; or from BKPM/Investment Board Department if the employing company is a foreign investment company, a so-called PMA company). A TA-01 is based on an approved Expatriate Placement Plan (RPTKA).

The IMTA - Ijin Mempekerjakan Tenaga Kerja Asing

This "Work Permit" is the authorization given to a company to employ a foreigner. If you are not holding an IMTA, you are not working legally in Indonesia.

If a company wants to employ foreigners, the company must submit an Expatriate Placement Plan, RPTKA - Rencana Penempatan Tenaga Kerja Asing- to the Manpower Department if the employing company is a domestic company; or to the BKPM (Investment Coordinating Board if the company is a foreign investment company. In foreign investment/PMA companies, work permits for senior positions (such as Director held by foreigners are for three years and can be renewed just before expiration. (Note: Director's positions held by foreigners is only applicable for foreign investment/PMA companies). Other position slots in the RPTKA are only for one year and can be renewed annually, usually up to a fixed number of years.

Based on the approval of the RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan TA-01 is issued, and then a work permit, Izin Kerja Tenaga Asing (IKTA is issued by the Manpower Ministry (Kementerian Tenaga Kerja or Kemenakertrans after your arrival and the issuance of the KITAS card and have paid your annual DPKK.

Small Indonesian companies incorporated as a CV are not allowed to hire expats. So-called "medium companies" are only allowed to hire two expats. In larger companies there is no limitation to the number of expats hired, as long as the ratio of 1 expat : 1 local expert as a counterpart is followed.

For more detailed information on the process, please see Employing Expatriates in Indonesia.

DPKK - Dana Pengembangan Keahlian dan Keterampilan - Skill & Development Fund Fee

Companies employing foreigners are charged $100/month (US$ 1,200/year per expatriate employee to offset the costs of training Indonesian nationals (Download Manpower Laws). This tax is administered through the Manpower Ministry. Proof of payment of the Skill & Development Fund fee to the BNI '46 bank for one year in advance, amounting to US $1,200 (non refundable) is needed before a Work Permit can be approved.

For positions other than Directors, a foreigner's expertise must be proven, as government regulations limit the employment of foreigners in Indonesia to 'experts'; which can contribute to the national development. Due to the high unemployment rate of nationals, it must be proven that the expertise of a foreigner can not actually be supplied by a national instead.

Manpower plans are only approved for one year. When a company's manpower plan is approved, a certain number of slots for positions held by foreigners are approved by Kemenakertrans. If a firm wants to add another foreigner to its staff, they must go back to Kemenakertrans and revise their manpower plan and wait several months for approval. It is not always easy for a firm in Indonesia to hire a foreigner and involves considerable expense and dealing with bureaucracy.

Deportations of foreigners for 'abusing' their work permits is not uncommon. The usual offense is that the person is working in a position other than what is allowed by the work permit. If your work permit says you are the Production Director ... and your business card says you are the Managing Director - those are grounds for deportation due to abuse of work permit. Another problem is caused when the declared address of work on the IMTA differs from your actual work location. If it does not match, this could void the IMTA and put the employee at risk of a deportation. BEWARE and be cautious about what you put on your business card - make sure it agrees with your work permit!

One common misconception is that the IMTA belongs to the expatriate employee, actually they are issued to the company, NOT to the foreign worker. If a foreign worker loses his job, he is not entitled to work for any other company without processing a new IMTA, even if the previous IMTA still has validity. This very common misconception leads expats to think that they have a work permit - they don’t - the company has it!

A work permit issued for a foreigner does NOT entitle their spouse to work as well. A “dependent spouse” must obtain their own sponsor and work permit in order to work in Indonesia. This can be done, but depends on the demand for their expertise. Many working spouses find the transition difficult as they are used to working. There are, however, many opportunities for worthwhile and meaningful involvements in community and educational organizations and opportunities for everyone to hone new skills during their time in Indonesia.

If you want to keep your KITAP active, you must pay the DPKK.

TA01 Recommendation

After the RPTKA has been approved, the TA01 recommendation has to be applied for at the Manpower Ministry in order to get a temporary residence visa. The original approval letter on the TA01 recommendation will be needed to apply for the VITAS or VBS (Visa Tinggal Terbatas).

The RPTKA & TA01 recommendation are only necessary for foreigners working in Indonesia. Dependent family members; accompany spouse and children up to 17 years old will be under the sponsorship of the working spouse. Dependent family members are only entitled to stay with the working spouse/parent - this visa does NOT entitle them to work. If a spouse is also working in Indonesia he/she will have to apply for a separate Work Permit and independent Stay Permit from their sponsoring company.

For more information, see the Manpower Act of 2003.

Working in Indonesia Without a Work Permit (IMTA)

The new immigration regulations (2011) which have been passed and which should be legalized in May 2011 require a MUCH more coercive than UU 9/1992 if a foreign citizen is caught working without proper visa and work permit. Don't risk five years in jail .. get the proper documents before you start working in Indonesia! The wording of the new regulations:

Dipidana dengan pidana penjara paling lama 5 (lima) tahun dan pidana denda paling paling banyak Rp500.000.000,00 (lima ratus juta rupiah):
a. setiap Orang Asing yang dengan sengaja menyalahgunakan atau melakukan kegiatan yang tidak sesuai dengan maksud dan tujuan pemberian Izin Tinggal yang diberikan kepadanya;
b. setiap orang yang menyuruh atau memberikan kesempatan kepada Orang Asing menyalahgunakan atau melakukan kegiatan yang tidak sesuai dengan maksud atau tujuan pemberian Izin Tinggal yang diberikan kepadanya.

Indonesian Visas

To read the Indonesian government's description of the various visas, see Consular and Visa Services on the Foreign Ministry website.

List of Most Common Immigration Fees as per Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 38 tahun 2009

Visas

- Visa Kunjungan (SosBud, Business) valid for 60 days: USD 45
- Visa Kunjungan Beberapa kali Perjalanan (SosBud 12 months): USD 100
- Visa Tinggal Terbatas 6 months: USD50
- Visa Tinggal Terbatas 12 months: USD100
- Visa Tinggal Terbatas 24 months: USD175

2. Izin Keimigrasian

- Sosbud Visa/business visa extension: Rp. 250,000 per extension, 30 days.
- Izin Tinggal Terbatas or extension:
6 months: Rp. 350,000
1 year: Rp. 700,000
2 years: Rp. 1,200,000

3. Izin Masuk Kembali (for KITAS/KITAP holder)

Single exit: Rp. 200,000
Multiple exit for 6 months: Rp. 600,000
Multiple exit for 1 year: Rp. 1,000,000
Multiple exit for 2 years: Rp. 1,750,000

4. Overstay fine : Rp. 200,000 per day

Source: Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 38 tahun 2009 - see article IV to IX for immigrations related fees

The above fees are the official ones as of 9/2008. If you keep all your papers in order and are up to date with all necessary document renewals and taxes/fees, and follow the proper procedures, then that it is what you will pay if you do the paperwork yourself (in person). Service companies may charge you in between 3 to 10 times the official fees to cover their services. Considering the hassle of dealing with a new bureaucracy in a foreign language, this fee may be worth it. Long-timers who speak fluent Bahasa Indonesia may be able to (and choose to) handle the bureaucracy themselves.

VITAS - Temporary Stay Permit Visa (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas)

VITAS - This is the sticker visa put in a foreigner's passport in a Indonesian Embassy/Consular Office abroad which will give the person the right to an ITAS (which they apply for after arrival in Indonesia).

Once the TA01 recommendation has been approved, the VITAS must be applied for, for the working spouse and his dependent family, at the Indonesian Immigration office in the intended city of residence. Upon approval, the Indonesian Immigration office will send a telex approval to the Indonesian Embassy where the foreigner and his dependent family want to pick up the approval and to get the VITAS/VBS stamped into their passports.

This VBS visa stamp permits your entry into Indonesia. Within 7 days of your arrival in Indonesia, you and your dependent family members must go to the Immigration office to report your arrival "lapor diri" and complete the necessary paperwork. Failure to do this within 7 days will constitute a violation of your status, a legal hassle that can only be overcome through a visit to the courts and will incur large fines. So don't delay your initial trip to the Immigration office to report your arrival. At the immigration office, you will be called to take a full set of fingerprints and to sign various documents and provide at least four 2 x 3 cm color photographs.

Note - the V stands for Visa ...!

ITAS/KITAS or Temporary Stay Permit and Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing (POA)

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 Imigrasi will give you after the ITAS has been granted.

KITAS can be issued for a variety of reasons:

• for foreign investors (PMA owner)
• for foreign experts - most of the expats have this kind of KITAS. They theoretically have skills that Indonesians don't have. Thus they are called tenaga ahli/expert.
• for foreign researchers who come for research, usually with an agreement of an Indonesian university
• for dependant foreign spouse/kids, sponsored by a foreigner, holder of a KITAS himself/herself or being an Indonesian citizen
• for religious clerics (foreign priests/imam, etc.)
• for retired foreign citizens
• for former Indonesian citizens, returning to Indonesia in the framework of repatriation to get back their citizenship

KITAS Flow Prior to Arrival [ PDF 384 KB]

KITAS Flow After Arrival [ PDF 92KB]

When all the paperwork on your Vitas visa is done, you will be issued a Limited Stay Permit - Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas, better known as a KITAS card for the working expatriate and each dependent for a one year period. The KITAS is the residency permit card which is issued by a KanIM in Indonesia, based on the VBS/VITAS Visa.

In order to avoid the risk of losing the original KITAS card and the resulting hassle, many expatriates keep the original at home in a safe place and carry only a photocopy.

With your KITAS you will also receive a Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing, or buku POA (Foreigner's Control and Supervision book). It's a similar size as a passport. The Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing tracks changes in your immigration status. All changes of address, marital status, new children, etc. need to be notified to the Immigration Office and recorded in this book within a timely period.

This is a valuable document and should be kept safely. The KITAS card and POA book allow you to live in Indonesia for one year and may be renewed annually, allowing you to stay up to six years.

True Cost of KITAS Visa

The cost of the KITAS issuance is Rp 350.000 for a 6 months KITAS, Rp 700.000 for a 1 year KITAS, and Rp 1.200.000 rupiah for a 2 years KITAS (12/09).

Advice from one applicant on documents needed to apply for a KITAS without paying any bribes:

1. Fotocopy of RPTKA and IMTA (2x each)
2. Fill out the three forms obtained at the immigration office (if I remember correctly form 22, 23 and 26). One of the forms is the “surat permintaan dan jaminan” and has to have a meterai tax stamp (Rp 6,000) on it. Forms and folder should be free.
3. Surat permohonan (sponsor letter) (2x)
4. Fotocopy of the KTP of the sponsor (2x)
5. Fotocopy of all nonempty pages of the Buku Pengawasan Orang Asing (2x) and original book
6. Fotocopy of *all* pages of the passport (2x) and original
7. Fotocopy of KITAS (2x) and original
8. When receiving the new KITAS, paying the fee of Rp. 700,000 for which you will get a receipt. This is actually the only fee to be paid. When I was asked to pay additional “administrative fees”, I always asked for a receipt, and if there was none, I did not pay and that did work very well.
9. You may also be asked to pay Rp 55,000 for the photos/fingerprints.

Do-it-yourself guide for KITAS renewal for children

ITAP/KITAP - Permanent Stay Permit/Card

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.

KITAP are for foreign investors, CEOs or to workers in fields that require a specific skill. However, others, who don't fall under these categories, can also obtain a KITAP as well, with persistence and knowing the regulations. Special provisions are also available for foreign nationals to get an ITAP if they are married to an Indonesian.

Official cost for a KITAP application - Rp 3,000,000, Extension Rp 2,000,000 (6/2011)

Who can apply for a KITAP?

Indonesian Law is, in fact, quite clear. But as in many cases in Indonesia, this is more a problem of getting the right text of law with all of its amendments to clearly understand who can apply for to a KITAP. Once you get the right context, everything becomes very clear and the only remaining difficulty is to explain the law to the ones who are supposed to know it: the Immigration officials, who in many cases seemingly ignore the law. Once you get past the lower echelons, things are much smoother, because at the higher levels (i.e., KanWil or DitJen), they know the law regarding KITAP issuance.

Concerning KITAP, here are the two main sources that you need to keep in mind:

1. Pasal 49, Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 32 tahun 1994 corrected by its second amendment as stated in the Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 38 tahun 2005:

(1) Izin Tinggal Terbatas dapat dialihkan statusnya menjadi Izin Tinggal Tetap.
(2) Pengalihan status sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) dapat diberikan atas dasar permintaan orang asing yang bersangkutan, dengan syarat telah berada di wilayah Negara Republik Indonesia sekurang-kurangnya 2 (dua) tahun berturut-turut sejak tanggal diberikannya Izin Tinggal Terbatas.

Basically, it means that (1) an ITAS can be transformed in an ITAP and that (2) this transformation of status can be given after a demand of the foreigner with the condition that he/she has already stayed a minimum of two full successive years in Indonesia since the date that his/her ITAS has been issued.

2. Pasal 72, Keputusan Menteri Kehakiman nomor M.02-IZ.01.10 tahun 1995 corrected by its second amendment as stated in the Peraturan Menteri Hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia nomor M.01-IZ.01.10 tahun 2007:

(1) Izin Tinggal Terbatas dapat dialihstatuskan menjadi Izin Tinggal Tetap, kecuali Izin Tinggal Terbatas Kemudahan Khusus Keimigrasian;
(2) Alih status Izin Tinggal Terbatas menjadi Izin Tinggal Tetap sebagaimana dimaksud dalam ayat (1) dapat diberikan kepada orang asing dalam rangka:

a. menanamkan modal;
b. bekerja sebagai tenaga ahli langka;
c. bekerja sebagai pimpinan tertinggi perusahaan;
d. melaksanakan tugas sebagai rohaniwan;
e. menggabungkan diri dengan suami atau istri warga negara Indonesia;
f. menggabungkan diri dengan orang tua bagi anak sah pemegang paspor asing dari seorang warga negara Indonesia;
g. menggabungkan diri dengan suami atau istri pemegang Izin Tinggal Tetap;
h. menggabungkan diri dengan orang tua pemegang Izin Tinggal Tetap bagi anak yang berumur di bawah 18 (delapan belas) tahun dan belum kawin;
i. memperoleh kembali kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2006 tentang Kewarganegaraan Republik Indonesia; atau
j. wisatawan lanjut usia mancanegara.

(3) Alih status Izin Tinggal Terbatas menjadi Izin Tinggal Tetap harus memperhatikan aspek kemanfaatan orang asing tersebut bagi pembangunan nasional dan aspek kemanusiaan.

This is the article of law which lists the category of KITAS holder that could be entitled to be issued a KITAP. They are:

a. investors
b. rare foreign experts
c. top foreign manager of a company
d. foreign churchmen with religious duties
e. foreign spouse joining an Indonesian husband or wife more info
f. legitimate child who holds a foreign passport joining an Indonesian parent
g. foreign spouse of a foreigner holding a KITAP
h. legitimate unmarried foreign child (under 18 years old) joining a foreign father/mother who is a KITAP holder.
i. Former Indonesian willing to regain Indonesian citizenship as per Citizenship law number 12/2006
j. Retired foreigner

However, belonging to one of the above categories may not be enough. If you read point (3), it says that the change of status (from ITAS to ITAP) must consider the benefits that this foreigner brings to the nation in terms of national development and must consider the human aspects. This is for the very least highly subjective, and apart for the one belonging to the category e.), f.), g.), h.) and i.) it may well remain a demand without automatic approbation.

If your change of status is accepted, you will receive a KITAP which allows you to remain in indonesia for five years - which may be worth all the paperwork hassles.

*definition of “retired” is given in Keputusan Menteri nomor M.04-IZ.01.02 Tahun 1998 tentang Pemberian Visa dan Izin Keimigrasian Bagi Wisatawan Lanjut Usia Mancanegara

If you think you may qualify or be interested in a KITAP status someday, you might want to save all the documents you receive from the immigration office/s throughout the years, as they will help you to prepare your application.

Service Visa (Dinas)

Service Visas are given to foreign citizens bearing service passports, on assignment to Indonesia for diplomatic purposes. They are working in Indonesia under official government entities such as UN bodies, aid organizations, etc. Visa Dinas are directly handled by the Indonesian government department who employees the expats and they apply direct to Menlu to process the visa. Private agents are not allowed to handle this type of visa.

Visa on Arrival - VOA (Izin Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan)

The Visa on Arrival are for persons who are visiting Indonesia for a short period (30-60 days) as a tourist, for business, or to attend a conference or meeting. This visa is NOT for expatriates intending to work and live for an extended period of time. The VOA is a single entry visa; it terminates when you leave the country and you must get a new VOA on your next visit.

Remember that both the date of arrival and the date of departure will count as one day each in the 30 day stay limit. Overstaying your visa is a punishable offense and you WILL incur a fine for each day you overstay.

211 is the index for a visit visa (non-working purpose) that can be issued for various reasons including governmental, business, tourism and socio cultural (sosbud), and allows you to stay for a maximum 60 days. Of these types, only the tourist VOA can not be extended, the others can.

To emphasize, we will repeat - no employment of any kind, paid or unpaid, is allowed on a visit visa!

Once the visa is issued, you have 3 months (90 days) to use it to enter Indonesia. Once you arrive, it's good for 30/60 days (see what's stamped in your passport!). If you want to renew it, start the process at least 7-10 days before it expires.

On some Garuda Indonesia medium-long haul flights, there is an “Immigration Onboard” program through which an Indonesian immigration officer will process your Visa on Arrival before you leave the departure airport. At the time you arrive in Jakarta, you can skip the Visa on Arrival counter and head straight to Immigration counter.  In these cases, the Visa on Arrival is payable in local currency at the departure airport (e.g. for flights departing from Sydney, you can pay with AUD instead of USD).   

Pay-for-visa-on-arrival (VOA) is open for citizens from these nations:

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brasil, Bulgaria, Canada, People's  Republic of China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.

The cost of the 30-day (only) VOA is US$10 for a 7-day visa or US$25/person for a 30-day visa. The fee must be paid in cash; no credit cards are accepted for visa fees on arrival at the airport. If you don’t have cash, the staff will hold your passport and let you visit an ATM. But ideally you should bring USDs or order the visas before you arrive through a commercial "Meet and Assist" service provider so you won’t need cash or have to queue for it.) Indonesian Rupiah and limited other currencies may be accepted, but the exchange rate to USD is not a favorable rate.  Any change due will be converted into Indonesian Rupiah before being paid to you.

Visitors from countries with visa-on-arrival facility will have to go to a special counter to have their passports stamped with the on-arrival visa before going to the immigration clearance desk.

Visa purchasing takes 15-30 minutes per applicant, depending on the number of persons applying. Payment counters, a bank counter, and a money changer have been set up to process payments. Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Payment must be made on arrival. An onward or return trip ticket must be shown on arrival.

The VOA visa is extendable for one 30-day period (only). To extend the VOA, go to the nearest immigration office, accompanied by a "sponsor" (Indonesian friend/family member you are visiting). Present your passport, ticket showing departure from Indonesia, fill in a few forms and submit with copies of relevant documents. Sponsor may be required to write a short letter of sponsorship. Return the next day and pay Rp 250,000, get a photo taken, and pick up your passport. After this, it takes 3 days to process your application.

Download the official regulation - Visa Kunjungan Saat Kedatangan - (M.HH-01-GR.01.06 TAHUN 2010)

The visa on arrival facility is only available at the following international gateways:

Airports

1. Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Banda Aceh
2. Polonia Airport, Medan, North Sumatra
3. Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Pekanbaru, Riau
4. Minangkabau International Airport, Padang, West Sumatera
5. Hang Nadim Airport, Batam, Riau
6. Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport, Palembang, South Sumatera
7. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta
8. Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport, Jakarta
9. Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, East Java
10. Adi Sucipto International Airport, Yogyakarta
11. Adi Sumarmo International Airport, Surakarta (Solo)
12. Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung, West Java
13. Ahmad Yani International Airport, Semarang, Central Java
14. Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, Bali
15. Selaparang International Airport, Mataram, Lombok
16. El-Tari Airport, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
17. Hasanuddin International Airport, Makassar, South Sulawesi
18. Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado, North Sulawesi
19. Sepinggan International Airport, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan
20. Supadio International Airport, Pontianak, West Kalimantan

Seaports

1. Sekupang; Citra Tritunas; Nongsa; Marina Teluk Senimba; Batam Centre, Batam, Riau Islands
2. Bandar Bintan Telani Lagoi; Bandar Sri Udana Lobam, Tanjung Uban, Riau Islands
3. Sri Bintan Pura, Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands
4. Tanjung Balai Karimun, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Riau Islands
5. Belawan, Belawan, North Sumatera
6. Sibolga, Sibolga, North Sumatera
7. Yos Sudarso, Dumai, Riau
8. Teluk Bayur, Padang, West Sumatera
9. Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, DKI Jakarta
10. Tanjung Mas, Semarang, Central Java
11. Padan Bai, Karangasem, Bali
12. Beno, Badung, Bali
13. Bitung, Bitung, North Sulawesi
14. Soekarno-Hatta, Makasar, South Sulawesi
15. Pare-Pare, Pare-Pare, South Sulawesi
16. Maumere, Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara
17. Tenau, Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur
18. Jayapura, Jayapura, Papua

Land/Border Crossing

Entikong, West Kalimantan

Read more information about Airport Arrival and Departure Information for Jakarta's International Airport

Extension of VOA

To extend your Visa on Arrival requires a visa to the immigration office (2-4 visits are required). The extension application requires:

• 2 forms ("Formulir untuk perpanjangan pertama visa Sosbud" and "Formulir Perubahan Data Orang Asing") and a folder. Forms and folder should be free.
• a Rp 6,000 meterai tax stamp (you can purchase from the post office), or you can use two Rp 3,000 stamps
• a sponsor's letter "Surat Permintaan dan Jaminan" saying that they'll cover your expenses while you are in Indonesia (typed - but no translation is required)
• copy of the sponsor's KTP (identity) card
• photocopies of your outbound air ticket
• your departure card (that you received on arrival)
• original and photocopy of passport front/signature page, and original visa page, and the pages of any subsequent extensions
• black pen
• Rp 250,000 to cover the official cost of the extension. This is paid for each extension. During the extension where you pay for the digital fingerprints and photo, the cost is Rp 265,000 (that time only).

Note: you may need different numbers of copies of the above (or maybe not all of them) for different extensions. Best to have all the originals and copies with you each time, to be safe and save processing time and return trips!

The process:

1st trip - About 7-10 days before the original VOA expires, go toVisa Kunjungan counter at the nearest Kantor Imigrasi with your sponsor and pick up 2 forms and a folder. If you have all needed documents and photocopies (see above) and your sponsor with you, it will save a trip as you could fill the forms out, have them signed, and submit them at the same time. Be prepared to wait if you want to accomplish all of this in the first visit. Forms and folder should be free.

2nd trip - You will receive a slip of paper with a date about 3-6 days later, when you go back just to pay the Rp 250,000, and take digital photo/fingerprints (in one extension process only). You will receive a recipt for your payment detailing what it was for. If you want to wait, you can return to the visa kunjungan counter and give them the copy of the slip and wait for the passport. Or you can take care of this step the next day.

3rd trip - The next day you go back to pick up your passport and new visa.*

The need for a local sponsor, and all the trips is a reason why people use agents, but it isn't necessary as one can take care of the process themselves.

Extensions past the first and second will require additional paperwork. You will need to get an approval letter issued by the Kantor Wilayah Immigrasi (this will be at a provincial office/not a local immigration office, depending on where you live), allowing these further extensions.

Sample Sponsor/Extension Letter

*Note, one person experienced the above 3 visit procedure actually only took 2 visits because he came with all documents in hand at the first visit (Ciawi Immigration Office).

Free Visa for Short Visit (BVKS)

Visa-free facility is granted to the citizens of 12 countries whose governments extend visa free facility to Indonesian nationals would continue to enjoy short visa-free stays. Included in the 12 countries and administrative districts that are granted the 30-day visa-free facility are:

• Brunei Darussalam
• Cambodia
• Chile
• Ecuador
• Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region)
• Macau SAR (Special Administrative Region)
• Malaysia
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Laos
• Peru
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Visitors with the visa-free facility will be able to proceed directly to the immigration clearance counter after deplaning. Passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of arrival. Onward or return tickets must be shown on arrival. Additionally, APAC cardholders may be entitled to a free visa on arrival under the terms of their scheme.

Other Citizens

Citizens of other countries not on the visa on arrival or visa free lists will be required to apply for a visa overseas - in their home country - before entering Indonesia. Citizens of any country wishing to stay more than 30 days must also apply for an appropriate visa (cultural visit or business visit) at their nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before traveling to Indonesia.

Tour agents are able to arrange express handling for groups at no additional charge by presenting the completed immigration cards, passports and applicable visa fee. Passengers who overstay their visa period for a short period of time can be processed immediately at the airport by paying Rp 200,000 for every day they overstayed their 30-day visa (as per PP 38/2009). Airlines that experience technical difficulties or delayed flights can apply for their passengers to be exempted from paying any overstay penalties.

To avoid the long wait at airports to apply for a visa on arrival, and if you want to stay for 60 days, you must apply for a visit visa at the Indonesian consular office in your home country. The consular office at Indonesian embassies (outside of Indonesia) can issue a 60-day visit visa.

Note: A tourist VOA on arrival can NOT be transformed in a SosBud visa, or a semi-permanent stay visa, or any other form of visa.

Beware ... of the 30-day counting trap! The way they immigration officials count the 30-day period is: you arrive on the 1st day with, for instance, a 30-day visa, and you must leave on the 30th day (not the 31st or the first of the next month, as you might think). This is actually their policy for how to count the days. and, after getting burned once and learning my lesson, I see their point and follow their definition of 30 days.

If you want to stay in Indonesia LONGER than 60 days, you must leave the country and re-enter on a new VOA/visit visa. People commonly fly to Singapore or Timor for this. There is no stipulation on the time you must stay outside Indonesia, in fact, you can return the same day if you want and be issued a new visa upon your arrival in Indonesia.

Visa Kunjungan Sosial Budaya (SosBud)

Persons coming to Indonesia for short term stays (longer than 60 days allowed on VOA), not as tourists and not for business, should apply for another category of visa - the Visa Kunjungan Sosial Budaya or SosBud (Social/Cultural Visit Visa or SosBud) at an Indonesian consular office overseas. A letter of invitation/sponsorship from a sponsor in Indonesia is required. This can be an Indonesian citizen or a foreigner with a Temporary (KITAS) or Permanent (KITAP) Resident permit. You should also have a photocopy of the sponsors ID card (KTP or KITAS/KITAP) to present along with the letter. This visa status is used by persons coming to study, for research, training programs or to visit family members (for example, expat college age children who want to stay longer than a VOA visa would allow).

The letter of invitation/sponsorship must include:

• the full names and addresses of your visitors
• their passport numbers
• describe the purpose of their visit
• principal addresses during their visit and estimated duration
• guarantee that the sponsor will cover all living expenses, transportation costs and any other costs incurred during the visitors time in Indonesia.

You might have to include a bank statement to guarantee availability of funds for covering their expenses. They may also have to provide proof of return or onward ticket (onward ticket to any destination booked for a date no later than 6 months after your date of entry into Indonesia for the maximum stay of the sosbud. An onward ticket means any plane, boat or bus ticket for any destination outside Indonesia.

So, in list form, you need:

- a letter of sponsor which invites to stay in Indonesia (see above bulleted list for contents of letter).
- a photocopy of the Indonesian sponsors KTP/paspor RI or a copy of the expat sponsor's KITAS and passport.
- a copy of your airline ticket (return trip)
- your passport
- a couple of pics
- fill out the form that the Indonesian Embassy will provide to you
- pay the visa fee (60 days: USD 45 or 12 months USD 100)

If, after 60 days, the guests want to stay longer, you will have to apply for a visa extension for them. Be careful, as you must apply for the extension in the same wilayah (district) as the address stated by your sponsor's KTP (Identity card). This means that if the KTP of your sponsor has been issued in Makassar, you must apply for all extensions in Makassar and are not allowed to apply for an extension in Bali.

Visa extension are granted for 30 days each. You can extend your sosial budaya visa up to 4 times for a total maximum stay of 180 days. The two first extensions will be granted by the Kantor Imigrasi, while the two last will require a prior approval from the Kantor Wilayah before issuance by the Kantor Imigrasi. Each extension has a legal fee of Rp 250.000. They may ask you to buy the forms for anything between Rp 10,000 to 30.000. Though this last fee has no legal basis, it is customary.

Extensions are not guaranteed. You can only submit a “permohonan” (request). However, if you do follow the procedures carefully, you will minimize the chance of a refusal. If they decide to refuse it (they may threaten you with that in order to get some additional money from you), ask your sponsor to request a Surat Keterangan Penolakan remitted to him, stating the reasons why the immigration department refused the extension. This is the law; they must list the reasons why they refused you the extension. If they do refuse, go with your sponsor to the Kantor Wilayah and ask to talk to the Kepala Divisi Keimigrasian. If you have initiated the procedure of the extension no later than 7 days before the expiration of your visa, if you have submitted all of the requested documents, if you don't do anything illegal (working), if you have submitted a copy of your onward ticket, and if you have proven that you or your sponsor have enough money to pay for your expenses, the Imigrasi usually won't risk your sponsor filling a complaint to the Kantor Wilayah (district office).

Regulations necessitate a 3-working day processing for these visas in Singapore, Bangkok, or your home country ... but from some reports, this process only takes ONE working day in Kuala Lumpur. Wherever you choose to process the application, be sure to allow the correct amount of time.

Some expats have reported to us that 'facilitating agencies' can in fact still process visas in one working day in Singapore, and that the staff in the Consular section at the Singapore embassy can refer you to these companies. Of course, the fees are significantly higher than the usual method.

List of Visa Agents for Indonesia in Singapore

Don't forget also to get a SKLD (Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri) if you're planning to be in Indonesia and staying in a private house.

Important Note: While some cultural and education activities are covered by this class of visa, paid employment for any Indonesian legal entity is not allowed to holders of this class of visa, Sosial Budaya. You can be in Indonesia on a variety of visas, but you cannot legally work on a sosbud visa - even if your employer is processing your IMTA.  You can not work legally while waiting for the work permit unless the government issues a special permit to allow you to work on a non-work visa.

SAVE money ... on visa runs through Batam

Sample Letter to request a SOSBUD Visa (for expat spouse of an Indonesian)

Sample Letter to ask for an extension to a SOSBUD Visa

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 Visa

Overstaying 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 Visa

Choosing (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.”

Retirement Visa

Other Important Documents

Exit / Re-Entry Permits

Note: Under the new immigration law (4/2011) there will no longer be single entry permits, only multiple exit/reentry permits.

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.

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)

It normally takes 2-3 working days to process your Exit/Re-entry Permit. To apply you'll need:

• 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

Forms and folder should be free.

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.

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 & SKLD (if you have them) and your Work Permit. You must turn in the original documents to each department who issued the permits.

Registering the Birth of a Child

For 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 Tax

Effective 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 Tax

The 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

SKLD - Police Documents

Expatriates holding a KITAS card must register with the National Police within 30 days of issuance of their Stay Permit. The Police Department (Direktorat Intelpam Sub Direktorat Pengawasan Orang Asing will issue a Certificate of Police Registration (SKLD - Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri), which was previously in the form of a book and more recently a card. The SKLD is an important document and you must keep this card, or a photocopy, with you at all times.

1. Failure to report exposes you to harsh punishment… Article 61 of the Immigration law number 9 year 1992 says: "Orang asing yang sudah mempunyai izin tinggal yang tidak melapor kepada kantor Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia in tempat tinggal atau tempat kediamannya dalam waktu 30 (tiga puluh hari terhitung sejak diperolehnya izin tinggal, dipidana dengan pidana kurungan paling lama 1 (satu tahun atau denda paling banyak Rp 5.000.000,- (lima juta rupiah).

Failure to report would expose you to a maximum of Rp 5.000.000 fine and a maximum of 1 year in jail as per Pasal 61, Undang-Undang nomor 9 tahun 1992. It is no joke.

Holders of a ITAP, can apply for an SKLD with a 4 5 years validity. Cost is Rp 200,00 and they may ask for your sponsor letter and a photo copy of your ITAP, passport and a photo.

What is a SKLD?

This is a Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri which is Police ID card that any foreigner who has a residency permit (ijin tinggal) is supposed to have. It dispenses you for example to have to carry your passport at all times. Foreigners with KITAP/KITAP are supposed to report in the 30 days of issuance of their Residency Permit and have 7 days to report any change (Pasal 19, ayat 1 dan ayat 2, Peraturan pemerintah nomor 31 tahun 1994 tentang Pengawasan Orang Asing). Reporting to the police as soon as you get your "Ijin Tinggal" would entitle you to nice plastic SKLD card (Pasal 19, ayat 3, Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 31 tahun 1994 tentang Pengawasan orang Asing). The actual regulations read - Pasal 61 - Undang Undang nomor 9 tahun 1992 - Orang asing yang sudah mempunyai izin tinggal yang tidak melapor kepada kantor Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia di tempat tinggal atau tempat kediamannya dalam waktu 30 (tiga puluh) hari terhitung sejak diperolehnya izin tinggal, dipidana dengan pidana kurungan paling lama 1 (satu) tahun atau denda paling banyak Rp 5.000.000,- (lima juta rupiah).

The STM is a resort police report acknowledging your residence, which is issued by the resort police office nearest your residence. This document must be obtained within 24 hours of the foreigner’s arrival (especially for foreigners who live in Bogor, as that police office is very strict on this regulation). For foreigners living in Jakarta normally the SKLD only be issued after obtaining a KITAS card from the Immigration office.

In Jakarta, the Foreigners' Surveillance (Pengawasan Orang Asing - POA office is located at the Police Department at Jl. Trunojoyo No. 3, South Jakarta, Tel. (62-21721-8037.

What is a STM?

This is a Surat Tanda Melapor, better known as a Certificate of Police Registration which concerns any foreigner (tourist, visitor, resident, guest of resident, etc), though the foreigner himself is not forced to apply in person. This is a report to the police that states where a foreigner is living and for how long. The Pasal 10, Peraturan Pemerintah nomor 31 tahun 1994 tentang Pengawasan orang Asing reads: Setiap orang yang memberikan kesempatan orang asing menginap di tempat kediamannya wajib melaporkan kepada Kantor Kepolisian Republik Indonesia atau Pejabat Pemerintah Daerah setempat dalam jangka waktu 24 (dua puluh empat jam) sejak tanggal kedatangan orang asing tersebut.

This means that the person who gives the foreigner/s shelter (hotel, wife, friend, etc) has to report your residence within 24 hours after your arrival. Here there is no notion of type or duration of stay. The person who provides you accommodation reports to the police. This is a report about one person, giving shelter to a foreigner, to the police. This is not in any way an authorization asking to shelter someone to a particular date. This just means that you don't have to be reported again as long as you don't change your address. However, if one forgets to report your residence after 24 hours after your arrival, that person will receive the penalties listed in the Pasal 60, undang undang nomor 9 tahun 1992 which says: Setiap orang yang memberi kesempatan menginap kepada orang asing dan tidak melaporkan kepada Pejabat Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia atau Pejabat Pemerintah Daerah setempat yang berwenang dalam 24 (dua puluh empat) jam sejak kedatangan orang asing tersebut, dipidana dengan pidana kurungan paling lama 1 (satu) tahun atau denda paling banyak Rp 5.000.000,- (lima juta rupiah).

None of the two laws quoted tie the length of the STM to the length of an Ijin Tinggal or Ijin Kunjungan. It is submitted to the length of stay reported. What some crooked police officials may try is to make you believe that the article 61 UU 9/1992 concerns STM and that you have to report every 30 days. This is totally not true. Article 61 concerns people with an Ijin Tinggal (residence visa), not those on a visit visa (Ijin Kunjungan).

To summarize:

- If you are a KITAS/KITAP holder (resident visa), report to the police for SKLD (30 days maximum after the issuance of your Ijin Tinggal) and report any change in your residency within 7 days of its occurrence. Make sure that the person who provides you accommodation (even if it your wife/son or whoever in the family) reports you within the 24 hours and has an STM remitted. You need to do it again only if you change to a new accommodation.

- If you are holder of an Ijin Kunjungan or VoA (visit visa), you are only concerned by the STM in the conditions defined above.

Best is not to fight with the police! Either, ignore what they tell you and just follow what the law says, or if you feel uncomfortable with it, just report every month without giving any money Since the STM absolutely does not have any legal fee, they will soon understand your point and ask you to come back only if you change residence.

Registration with the Civil Registry Office

All 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

You can opt out of getting an old version of the KTP and get your photo and fingerprints taken for the electronic KTP (kartu tanda penduduk) instead.

Report your Resident Status to your local RT

Although 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 Registration

The 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 Documents

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. This certificate is necessary in order to register with the Police Department to obtain the Certificate of Police Registration (SKLD).

SKPRK - Surat Keterangan Penelitian Registrasi Kependudukan

SKPPS - Surat Keterangan Pendaftaran Penduduk Sementara (Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident) - information on SKPPS application process

Kartu Keluarga

Beginning 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 Registration

TV Tax

Certificate of Good Conduct from Police

If 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 Jasa

There 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 Glossary

VITAS - 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

Our thanks to Olivier Rula for all his help with regular updates on this page!

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