Staying on tourist visa

[nebuzar]

Hi guys,

I was wondering, im married to my Indonesian wife and I am still in the process of trying to get her a visa for my country to stay with me.

In the mean time when I stay in Indonesia I will stay in her parent's house possibly up to 2 months.

My question is, is it necessary to report myself to the police or immigration that I am staying at their house. Last time I was there, there was a discussion about it at her house because no one likes to involve the police but some people said that it was obligated for me as foreigner to report myself even though I'm family now.

I read somewhere it is not necessary, unless your staying on a Kitas / Kitap.

Can anyone give me the correct answer so I don't need to worry. I prefer also to keep the police, immigration out of our business, but if the penalty is heavy im not risking it.

Thanks in advance.

[jstar]

My question is, is it necessary to report myself to the police or immigration that I am staying at their house. Last time I was there, there was a discussion about it at her house because no one likes to involve the police but some people said that it was obligated for me as foreigner to report myself even though I'm family now.

It is NOT your responsibility, but theirs. Many think it's the sponsor (in case of a SosBud), but that's not true either.

The hotel/landlord/person in whose premises the foreigner resides*, has the duty to report within 24 hours.

Do a search here on STM. Some police stations might say it's not necessary (anymore), this happened to us reporting family members that came over. And to make it even more fuzzy; there seems to be no more fine/penalty defined in the law when one doesn't report. Anyway, better safe than sorry.

[marcus]

...My question is, is it necessary to report myself to the police or immigration that I am staying at their house...

In this case her parents are responsible to report you at the nearest Police office to get a "Surat Tanda Melapor" (STM) within 24 hours ( if after that , just tell them that you start staying there last night) . It is a very easy report , just bring a copy of your passport/visa , and houser's owner KTP , they may make it in few minutes and charge around Rp10'000 (although it is officially free) .

You need to be reported to Mr.RT too (also free) .

http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.or...ering%20polisi (STM , post no.2)

Note : The regulation requiring the STM is still valid , but the law (stating the penalty for not reporting) was canceled .

[nebuzar]

Yes we always let the RT know. But we haven't involved the police, her parents prefer not to, my wife agrees so do I. But the family are Indonesian citizens, and I am a Foreign national that only goes there on a tourist visa so no one is dealing with any Kitas / Kitap.

But if alot of police stations say it's not necessary anymore, why bother? Perhaps the penalty is 'rokok money'. As long the consequences are only minor I wouldn't bother.

Im not gonna report if there's no penalty on not reporting.