Indonesian Nationality for foreign spouse of WNI

**MarkH** · 03-09-12, 17:06

How long has it taken to get to the interview stage and how did the interview actually go?

**Scribe** · 04-09-12, 07:24

I've lost count, but it must be around 3 1/2 years now.

When I was first married, I was on a KITAS with a work permit sponsored by another company. Prior to that I owned a PMA for 10 years, with KITAS and IKTA sponsored by my PMA. I still had about 6 months on the KITAS when we were married, so I let that run out before starting this long and complicated process of becoming WNI.

First I had to exit the country and re-enter on a Sosial Budaya (kunjungan suami) visa. That was extended once while waiting to process a KITAS (ikut suami). Then 2 years on KITAS to qualify for a KITAP (after being married 2 years).

Then more time has passed processing the citizenship application and getting all the documents passed and signed (it's amazing how much paperwork has accumulated - all going back and forward between provincial and Jakarta offices). Once the SKIM was issued, I was into the "home run" stage.

It's worth noting that the 10 years I held KITAS and work permits with the PMA, plus the one year with KITAS and work permits with another company, were all wiped out when I changed status to "KITAS ikut suami" and you basically go back to square one, so it's a minimum of 2 years before you can get to the KITAP stage (although the fact that I've lived here for almost 14 years was brought up at the interview and worked in my favour).

I'll do a separate post for the interview as this one is getting a bit long!

**Scribe** · 04-09-12, 07:37

The interview went really well. I'd learnt much more than I needed to but I think that helped to be well prepared for any questions they throw at you (it seems they can ask anything about the constitution, foundation of Indonesia, symbols of Garuda Pancasila, etc and it depends on who is asking at the time, so it pays to be prepared).

The panel was made up of 9 people - headed by the KanWil, with representatives from police, immigration, Catatan Sipil, and others. The majority of questions came from KanWil but I was also questioned by police and immigration, and they all threw random questions my way.

I don't know how anyone could go through that without having a good grasp of Indonesian (although, I guess with enough money, anything is possible). KanWil in particular was tricky as he spoke fast and had a Javanese accent!

Questions included how long I'd lived here, if I worked, how I supported myself, how long we'd been married, etc. Very important was "visi" and "misi" of why I wanted to become WNI.

Basically, the main points are that you understand the principles of Pancasila (you must recite all 5 points) and be prepared to be questioned on it. You must be able to sing "Indonesia Raya" (it seems absurd, but you are required to sing it in front of the panel) and the KanWil said it was not just the "recitation" but the "intent" or "sentiment" that counted. Fortunately I entertained them all without a single mistake and got a rousing applause at the end (Assistant KanWil was beaming and giving me the thumbs up!)

Things went very friendly after that and I was told "lanjutkan" and I will!

It's a crazy little world... but it's their world and we live in it

**Davita** · 04-09-12, 09:31

Scribe...just out of interest and no problem if you wish to remain private but...what nationality are you giving up to achieve Indonesian and what age group are you in (+/-10yrs)?

The reason I ask is because my wife is an ex WNI but lost that when we both became Canadian over 25 years ago. I ended up with dual citizenship but she lost her WNI status.

Now I'm in my mid 70s and she is 20 years younger. We live in Indonesia permanantly and, should I demise soon, I would like her to have her RI citizenship back. However, she is not convinced that she wants to do so until I'm gone, so your post has been helpful on the timing implications.

I told my wife as soon as I start that coughing and spluttering she should file her application post haste!!!

**jstar** · 04-09-12, 11:03

Not so easy to time 3.5 years in advance David.

So I guess she's on your retirement KITAS? But wasn't there some kind of an easier KITAP possibility for ex-WNIs? So less worries then.

Congrats Scribe. Very interesting.

**oeltheman** · 04-09-12, 12:00

Hi all, this post has caught my eye and I would appreciate more information on the matter. First a bit of background. Filipino by birth but have been living here for 25 years employed for the past 12 on KITAS. I am now 36 and my wife in Indonesian. Been trying to convert to WNI seriously for the past 5 years but unfortunately there are so many different versions and so many different prices that I have gotten from those who claim to be able to do the process. Its ridiculous as I have been "quoted" anywhere from 50 juta to 300 juta to get this done.

Reading this forum shows that it is possible and that it can be done without it costing an arm and a leg. Perhaps you all could offer tips on how I should start. Also as an added question, how did it effect your current work status / compensation if say you stayed in your current company after your process was finalized?

Thanks in advance for any help.

**Davita** · 04-09-12, 12:47

Originally Posted by jstar

Not so easy to time 3.5 years in advance David.

So I guess she's on your retirement KITAS? But wasn't there some kind of an easier KITAP possibility for ex-WNIs? So less worries then.

Hahaha That's why I spend so much time perusing the medical data to see what is the average time between the start of the cough to the final gasp!!!

Yes...spousal visa attached to my retirement......I'm Scottish and sponsor my Indonesian born and bred wife to live in Bali.......ironic isn't it!

Like you I'd heard that the law passed over 18 months ago was going to allow ex WNI to apply for Kitap but...so far...no further news, unless I missed something.

**atlantis** · 04-09-12, 19:32

Originally Posted by Davita

Like you I'd heard that the law passed over 18 months ago was going to allow ex WNI to apply for Kitap but...so far...no further news, unless I missed something.

The law has been enacted 16 months ago and was giving 12 month to the government to implement it by passing the necesary regulations. They almost manage to do so and made an almost complete draft. Unfortunately many points were still discussed and no agreement was reached for the last few points discussed (mainly about passport RI from what I heard). The law is a complicate one and includes many topics. A disagreement on one of them means that all the regulations are put on hold.
They are now 4 months late on their timing, which is still below the average delay for regulations implementing new laws.

**Davita** · 04-09-12, 19:41

Thanks Atlantis...as usual good info...
I only hope they make a decision before my cough starts or the 3.5 years expires...whichever comes first....hehe!

**Scribe** · 05-09-12, 07:41

Davita, I'm Australian and around the same age bracket as your wife. I have no idea about the law re ex-WNI resuming her citizenship but I do know that there is an Indonesian lady going through the same process with me at the moment. She has been living in Australia and lost her WNI status when she gained Australian citizenship, but is going before the panel shortly... so it must be possible. I'm due to see my agent this morning so I'll see if I can find out about it.

I'm not sure it would take 3 1/2 years for everyone. If you lived near a large city, or had an immigration office that was up to date, I think it would be faster. I live out in the sticks and as far as I know, less than half a dozen people have ever gained WNI status here. Most people in immigration know nothing about it, which is why I'm using an agent. It seems like, when they have a few people wanting to convert, they tend to group us together and process us as a batch (!) - there were 3 going before the panel the other day.

Oeltheman, I think these forums give excellent advice for changing over to a spouse sponsored KITAS and starting the process to KITAP on your own. This would be the cheapest way to go. As far as work goes, you could be on a spouse sponsored KITAS and your company would still pay for and arrange your IMTA or work permit.

For the citizenship process, I used an agent... mainly because nobody here seems to understand it and I've seen the amount of time and documentation required. I don't have the time to do it. Around 50 million seems right, but I've heard of others paying Rp 180 million. Of course, choose your agent carefully... the sharks come out when there's blood in the water

Once you achieve WNI status, no need for KITAS and work permit anymore! Yes! And surely that would be grounds to negotiate a raise with your company, if they weren't paying KITAS and work permit every year?