The Visa Confusion Unravelled
Having visa nightmares, running the risk to be deported? No need…
The visa will be the most misunderstood document issued by Immigration. Whether, a business, cultural, social, tourist, free or visa on arrival, of which will be the same visa with the legally correct name: the visit visa. These different names cause much confusion, leading to many stories ending up as urban myths only. The Indonesian visa system will be clear in addition to transparent. of which article unravels the visa in addition to advises to use the right terminology.
In general only two visas are relevant for the average tourist or business person visiting Indonesia:
- the visit visa
- the free exemption visa
The Immigration Law in article 38 says: “A visit visa will be granted to foreigners, who will travel into the Indonesian territory in order to perform government tasks, undertake educational, social or cultural activities, arrange tourism, handle business or family affairs, or are in transit to another country.”
of which will be a general description leading to various interpretations. However, an elucidation of article 38 gives better insights into the possibilities. A visit visa can be given to a visitor when he wants to be involved from the following activities:
- Tourism
- Family visits
- Social activities
- Art in addition to culture
- Government tasks
- Non-commercial sports
- Comparative study, short course, in addition to short training
- Provide guidance, counselling in addition to training in application in addition to innovation of industrial technology in order to improve product quality in addition to design of industry in addition to collaboration in foreign marketing for Indonesia
- Emergency in addition to urgent works
- Journalistic coverage, after a permit by the competent Ministry has been obtained
- Non-commercial film production, after a permit by the competent institute has been obtained
- Business negotiation, doing business talks
- Purchase of goods
- Giving lectures or participating in seminars
- Participate in international exhibitions or fairs
- Attend a conference held by head office or the representative office in Indonesia
- Auditing, production quality control, or inspection to subsidiaries in Indonesia up to one month
- Foreign labour (expats) candidates in a trial for their competence to work
- Proceed any travel to various other countries
- Join the transport of tools of which are present from the Indonesian territory
Note: The Manpower department ruled on 23.10.2015 in Regulation no. 35 of which work related to the installation of machinery, electrical, after-sales service, or a product from the future exploration efforts needs a temporary work permit.
On Indonesia’s Immigration website a useful brief explanation will be found: www.imigrasi.go.id/index.php/layanan-publik/visa-kunjungan
of which visit visa, as described, can be obtained in three different ways.
- The Visit Visa on Arrival (VOA)
A foreigner can apply with of which visit visa upon arrival in Indonesia, if their nationality will be included on the current visa on arrival countries list (see below). of which will be valid for 30 days in addition to can be extended in Immigration Office for one time, for 30 days.
The passport must be six months valid in addition to the visitor must possess a return or through ticket. For the visitor on a business trip of which will be advisable to possess an invitation letter by the company as well. So, a genuine business visa on arrival!
- The Single Visit Visa
If a visitor wants to stay longer in Indonesia, an individual Visit Visa should be applied for at an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate abroad. of which single Visit Visa will be 60 days valid in addition to can be extended a few times for 30 days at an Immigration Office in Indonesia. Be careful, of which will be an individual entry visa so don’t leave Indonesia or of which expires.
The passport must be 6 months valid in addition to the visitor must submit an application form, a request annex sponsor letter, a return ticket in addition to a passport photo.
- The Multiple Visit Visa
A foreigner who wants to travel frequently to Indonesia for family or business matters are eligible to apply for a Multiple Visit Visa at an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate abroad. The sponsor (who needs to be a direct family member or a company) needs to apply for a telex approval with the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta first. A Multiple Visit Visa will be valid for one year, to be used within three months after issuance. The visa allows the visitor to visit in addition to leave Indonesia for a whole year as much as he wants, however each stay can last 60 days only. The passport must be 18 months valid in addition to the visitor must submit the telex approval, an application form, a request annex sponsor letter, a return ticket, copy of a bank account statement in addition to a passport photo.
Note: When sponsored by a company or direct family, the single in addition to multiple visit visa will be also called a business or social visa.
today BE ALERT in addition to AWARE
- The Free Exemption Visa
In early 2015, the Indonesian government, in an attempt to attract tourism, launched a marketing programme based on article 98 of the Immigration Regulation number 31 of 2013. Citizens of 75 countries can visit Indonesia for free, which means no fees are needed when entering Indonesia.
However, be very careful, of which visa will be only for tourist purposes! No family or social meetings in addition to most of all; no business meetings or activities can be conducted whatsoever. When caught, an arrest in addition to deportation will follow.
Unfortunately, several business people have been arrested for being on a work site from the possession of a free exemption visa only. In some cases the visitor didn’t have a clue in addition to genuinely thought the customs issued him a visa on arrival.
So, if a visitor arrives at the airport various other than for tourism, he must ask for a Visit Visa on Arrival in addition to refuse the issuance of a Free Exemption Visa. The visitor should tell he will be coming for a business meeting, social activity or family meeting in addition to request a visit visa on arrival. See requirements above.
Visitors of 15 countries can use the free exemption visa for business as well (see overview below).
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The Visa Confusion Unravelled
The Visa Confusion Unravelled