Confused...!

[Sleepless_Snake]

i'm in a dilema, or rather to say, confused

i have been living & working in jakarta (legally of course) for the last 1.5 years

last month my wife & my 11 year old son came over to join me here and they both have had limited stay permits issued for them, valid for 1 year

we are now in the process of finding a suitable school for my son, who has completed year 6 at the australian international school in my home country of bangladesh (western australian curriculum)

meantime, my daughter, who is 18.5 years of age, is in her 2nd semester at an australian university (campus) in malaysia (curtin uni of tech)

her present semester ends in mid june and we would like her to join us over here during her recess between semesters

i tried to apply for a VITAS for her (the same way that i did for my wife & son before they arrived here), but am given to understand that only very very recently, the process or the regulation has changed, concerning family members willing to join up here

i was told that she must first apply and obtain a "calling visa" (whatever that means) from the indonesian embassy in malaysia and then fax the visa here, after which the immigration dept. can commence processing her
VITAS visa, only after issuance of which can she come and join up with us here

does anyone have any knowledge of this change or any insight(s) into this

i will be grateful for some informed thoughts on this matter, which as you can understand is rather important for us

many thanks in advance

regards

[marcus]

I can't help on that , but , if it is only for her school vacation , why not the social cultural visa (sosial budaya visa) ?

[Sleepless_Snake]

thanks

yes, it's actually for her school vacation

how to apply for this visa ? must she apply from there or can this be processed here and then sent over to the indonesian embassy in malaysia for her to endorse on her passport ?

[ohmdafyd]

thanks

yes, it's actually for her school vacation

how to apply for this visa ? must she apply from there or can this be processed here and then sent over to the indonesian embassy in malaysia for her to endorse on her passport ?

The most common method is to apply from where she is however the application must include supporting documents from a sponsor here in Indonesia.
There are many threads on Social Budhaya Visas, read up on those and that should clarify the process for you, if not post any specific questions you still have.
They are not difficult to obtain and definately sound like the best way for her.
Addit.. how long is the semester break, what length of time are we talking about? I'm a bit confused now, you mention a VITAS but talk about semester breaks,..breaks as in regular times or break as in one visit? :)

[marcus]

.................................................. ......................
how to apply for this visa ? must she apply from there or can this be processed here and then sent over to the indonesian embassy in malaysia for her to endorse on her passport ?
First step is to write the sponsor letter (the sponsor being any Indonesian or foreign with KITAS/VITAS) . See www.expat.or.id , "Practical Information" , "Visas and Documents" , "Sosial Budaya.." , "Sample letter to.." , or my sample at this Forum , "Laws, Visas,.." , "Social/Budaya Visa Sponsorship sample" , dated 31-08-2008 . Second step , you have 2 options : a) Send this letter to your daughter (she will submit to the Embassy , with the other documents) , or b) you submit to Jakarta Immigration Office (they will approve and send a message to Malaysia Embassy). If a) you also need to send her a copy of the sponsor's ID, or if foreign , copy of relevant pages of the passport and the KITAS (and I would suggest to add a copy of the sponsor's bank account statement , can be a smaller secondary account) . For other info , see in this Forum other related posts and "Indonesian Visas at Kuala Lumpur".

[Sleepless_Snake]

thanks vm for all the relevant info

actually, this term (semester) break is for 6 weeks, so presumably social visit visa perhaps is the best option this time around

however, the break in end november/early december is for about 3 months, when probably a VITAS is more applicable

i heard that rules regarding this visa (social visit) was changed on the 28th or 29th of march 2009. do you know or have any idea about this ?

what if she only comes here on a tourist visa ? is that possible ?

[ohmdafyd]

thanks vm for all the relevant info

actually, this term (semester) break is for 6 weeks, so presumably social visit visa perhaps is the best option this time around

however, the break in end november/early december is for about 3 months, when probably a VITAS is more applicable

i heard that rules regarding this visa (social visit) was changed on the 28th or 29th of march 2009. do you know or have any idea about this ?

what if she only comes here on a tourist visa ? is that possible ?

Yes, Tourist Visas are available for a two month period.
The three month semester break is where I would use the Social Budhaya Visa.
If any rules regarding Indonesian Visas were changed I'm pretty sure we would have heard from Atlantis about it.

[Sleepless_Snake]

thanks vm. that's what i thought would hv been the best

however, given to understand that for nationals from a few countries, i.e. india,
pakistan, bangladesh and the like, the new "calling visa" system applies since march 29, 2009, even to obtain a tourist visa

anyone aware of this ?

sounds ludicrous to me.....

plsd to hear back on this

hv a pleasant weekend all of u

[ohmdafyd]

thanks vm. that's what i thought would hv been the best

however, given to understand that for nationals from a few countries, i.e. india,
pakistan, bangladesh and the like, the new "calling visa" system applies since march 29, 2009, even to obtain a tourist visa

anyone aware of this ?

sounds ludicrous to me.....

plsd to hear back on this

hv a pleasant weekend all of u

According to our resident Immigration expert there are no new Immigration rules, just a slight change in the guidelines on processing some aspects of the 'sosbud' visa.
Personally I have no idea what a 'calling Visa' is, sorry.:confused:

[Davita]

The 'Calling Visa' System is used in Malaysia for citizens that need a visa to arrive in Malaysia. I do not believe it is used in Indonesia.

[ohmdafyd]

The 'Calling Visa' System is used in Malaysia for citizens that need a visa to arrive in Malaysia. I do not believe it is used in Indonesia.


Davita, why would a Malaysian citizen need a visa to enter Malaysia, or am I missing something here. :confused:

[Davita]

I've no idea OM..I didn't even follow this thread.

I only know that 'Calling Visa" is an expression that the Malaysian Immigration uses and I only know that because I'm researching the MM2H program.

You know how to Google...be my guest and inform the OP. Unless you are still trying to catch up with that "how many times statistic" :D

Then you are forgiven.:rolleyes:

David

[Sleepless_Snake]

hi all

well here i am with an update. thought it would be interesting for all of you to know.
gotta be 'careful' now with what one posts nowadays on the internet, but even then, this is something that may be useful for some, can save a lot of hassle and time plus money just to know this

it is as i said before

applicants for indonesian tourist/business visas from 23 countries (including my home country of bangladesh) has to go through the following process :

1. have a sponsor write a letter to the indonesian emabssy in the applicant's country of residence (in my case, my company wrote to the embassy in kuala lumpur, sponsoring my daughter's visa)
2. the applicant then has to bring copy of such letter together with other required documents to the embassy in the country of residence and apply for the visa
3. after a week, the embassy is to send a 'recommendation' letter to the Deplu (ministry of foreign affairs) in jakarta
4. the Deplu then writes back to the embassy with their 'recommendation'
5. after that the embassy sends a letter (or perhaps the same initial letter) to the Dirjen Imigrasi in jakarta, who processes the application
6. thereafter the Dirjen Imigrasi sends an approval letter to the embassy, upon receipt of which the applicant can have the visa endorsed in his/her passport and then travel to indonesia

it may sound ludicrous, but it's true. it's happening to my daughter now in real time and we (me/my wife) is having to go through with it

the entire process is way too clumsy, to say the least, and what with the notoriety here about "speed", it is easily imaginable how long this process can take

my guess is about 1 month at the earliest, from the date of actual submission of application till the date of actual endorsement on the passport

until then, one just has to have infinite patience and wait.........

there, now you know and have it all

cheers and good luck

[ohmdafyd]

hi all

well here i am with an update. thought it would be interesting for all of you to know.
gotta be 'careful' now with what one posts nowadays on the internet, but even then, this is something that may be useful for some, can save a lot of hassle and time plus money just to know this

it is as i said before

applicants for indonesian tourist/business visas from 23 countries (including my home country of bangladesh) has to go through the following process :

1. have a sponsor write a letter to the indonesian emabssy in the applicant's country of residence (in my case, my company wrote to the embassy in kuala lumpur, sponsoring my daughter's visa)
2. the applicant then has to bring copy of such letter together with other required documents to the embassy in the country of residence and apply for the visa
3. after a week, the embassy is to send a 'recommendation' letter to the Deplu (ministry of foreign affairs) in jakarta
4. the Deplu then writes back to the embassy with their 'recommendation'
5. after that the embassy sends a letter (or perhaps the same initial letter) to the Dirjen Imigrasi in jakarta, who processes the application
6. thereafter the Dirjen Imigrasi sends an approval letter to the embassy, upon receipt of which the applicant can have the visa endorsed in his/her passport and then travel to indonesia

it may sound ludicrous, but it's true. it's happening to my daughter now in real time and we (me/my wife) is having to go through with it

the entire process is way too clumsy, to say the least, and what with the notoriety here about "speed", it is easily imaginable how long this process can take

my guess is about 1 month at the earliest, from the date of actual submission of application till the date of actual endorsement on the passport

until then, one just has to have infinite patience and wait.........

there, now you know and have it all

cheers and good luck


Taken from The Indonesian Consul website, Melbourne Australian... not quite 23 but enough...


Pursuant to Decree from Department of Foreign Affairs in Indonesia No. 0801434, hereby we announce that citizens whom countries listed as follow:

Afghanistan Mali
Bangladesh Niger
Cameroon Nigeria
Ghana Pakistan
Iraq Papua New Guinea
Israel Sri Lanka
North Korea Somalia
Liberia Zimbabwe

are obliged to obtain a clearance from Indonesian authority prior to a visa issuance. Indonesian Consulate General requires more than 5 (five) working days to grant a visa in this regard.

[ohmdafyd]

From the same website... http://www.kjri-melbourne.org/visa_types.html


'TOURIST VISA


Maximum length of stay in Indonesia is 60 days. Requests for Tourist Visas are submitted to the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne by filling out the appropriate forms (1 copies for each person) and enclosing:
• Passport still valid at least 6 months from the date of submission).
• One 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm colour Passport photographs.
• Letter of Employment, indicating the employment status of applicant. For retiree, please submit proof of the retirement fund.
• Letter of recommendation from a sponsor in Indonesia (if necessary).
• Marriage Certificate or Letter of Employment (if necessary).
• Proof of permanent residence for non-Australian Citizen (stay permits/student visa). Please be advised that applicant with no proof of PR/Student Visa would be suggested to obtain Indonesian visa from country of origin/country of residency.
• Proof of a ticket in and out Indonesia, or a ticket to continue travel to another country.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to maintain himself/herself during his/her stay in Indonesia (e.g. recent Bank Statements or Credit Card).
Note:
• Tourist Visa only for single entry. The tourist visa holder should not enter the restricted regions (Aceh, Papua and Maluku).
• Visa is issued min 5 (five) working days from receipt of application. However, citizens from certain countries may have a longer time upon the approval from Indonesia Immigration Office in Indonesia.
• Visa Fee Aus $ 60 may be paid only by Money Order, Company Cheque or Bank Cheque payable to Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne.
For Visa application by mail, please read carefully:
• Visa application by mail should enclose a self stamped and addressed envelope for Express Mail, DHL or any other service that the applicant deems safe. The Consulates would not be held responsible for application that lost through mail. So make sure you chose the most secure service.
• Before you mail the application, please remember that the application must be send along with the applicant's passport. Consulate General would attach the visa in the passport. No passport, no visa.
• Also remember that amendment and endorsement pages cannot be used for visa purposes. Check your passport for a blank visa page. Please be advised that we will return your application and passport if we found there are no blank visa pages on the passport. This would delay your application processing. Please remember to address the envelope to:
Consular Division (Visa)
Indonesian Consulate General
P.O. BOX 6765 , Melbourne Vic 3004
• Visa Fee may be paid only by Money Order to Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne.
» Application Form Download
All Forms of Employment are Prohibited! '

[atlantis]

hi all

well here i am with an update. thought it would be interesting for all of you to know.
gotta be 'careful' now with what one posts nowadays on the internet, but even then, this is something that may be useful for some, can save a lot of hassle and time plus money just to know this

it is as i said before

applicants for indonesian tourist/business visas from 23 countries (including my home country of bangladesh) has to go through the following process :

1. have a sponsor write a letter to the indonesian emabssy in the applicant's country of residence (in my case, my company wrote to the embassy in kuala lumpur, sponsoring my daughter's visa)
2. the applicant then has to bring copy of such letter together with other required documents to the embassy in the country of residence and apply for the visa
3. after a week, the embassy is to send a 'recommendation' letter to the Deplu (ministry of foreign affairs) in jakarta
4. the Deplu then writes back to the embassy with their 'recommendation'
5. after that the embassy sends a letter (or perhaps the same initial letter) to the Dirjen Imigrasi in jakarta, who processes the application
6. thereafter the Dirjen Imigrasi sends an approval letter to the embassy, upon receipt of which the applicant can have the visa endorsed in his/her passport and then travel to indonesia

it may sound ludicrous, but it's true. it's happening to my daughter now in real time and we (me/my wife) is having to go through with it

the entire process is way too clumsy, to say the least, and what with the notoriety here about "speed", it is easily imaginable how long this process can take

my guess is about 1 month at the earliest, from the date of actual submission of application till the date of actual endorsement on the passport

until then, one just has to have infinite patience and wait.........

there, now you know and have it all

cheers and good luck

You are unfortunately right. This discriminating procedures have started to appear in 2007 from wht I recall, then in 2008 they started to complete the regulations and the last text (Peraturan DitJenIm IMI-300.GR.01.06 Tahun_2009) has been enacted in March 2009 and is responsable of this situation. :(
They re tightening the visa application process because there is too many abuses from to many foreigners from any nationalities. This is sad, because honest and genuine people are then victims of these new regulations.