Resident permit

[Feelhip]

Hi Roy,
You mention on few ocasion that from time to time you go to Bangkok to renew your visa. Being married with an Indonesian lady do not give you right to a resident permit? Or is it by choice that you took this option?
I will be in the same situation one day when I go back to Indonesia with my wife, and so interested in your answer. Thanks

Philippe

[Roy]

Hi Philippe,

My three boys are on a Kitas, but as you noted, I am not. Moreover, they are expensive, (for adults), and for right now, a Kitas for me has no advantage over my current visa arrangements.

To be honest, I like getting off of Bali every six months. A periodic change in pace and environment is good for the soul, I think.

In addition to renewing my visa, I also get a check up at the famous hospital in Bangkok, Bumrungrad. If I were on a Kitas, I would have to pay Rp 1 million departure tax every time I left Bali.

Visa issues vary widely from expat to expat based on their individual needs, age, and activities in Bali.

To answer your question, "being married with an Indonesian lady do not give you right to a resident permit?" No, I have no special rights because of my marriage to an Indonesian woman. The reverse, a foreign woman married to an Indonesian man is a different case I believe. Hopefully Mimpi could add more details about that case.

[Feelhip]

Thanks Roy,
I didn't know this "detail" that being married with an Indonesian woman didn't give you any right. Macho country then..lol
Well, in Malaysai where we lived my wife, my daughter and I for 11 years they have created what they call the "silver hair" visa. It is obviously for retired people willing to stay in Malaysia. If there is any governement official reading this forum, that might give them some idea...Old people, retired, free incoming money...Hello...Not a bad idea....
Good week end. And thanks for your reply.
Philippe

[Bert Vierstra]

Hee they woke up !!

http://www.bali-expat-business.com/indo ... sa.php?p=2

8)

[Petenjo]

Roy, just to clarify because I am thinking of doing the same, do you just renew a tourist visa until a maximum limit of 6 months has passed?

[Irislahay]

Being married with an Indonesian lady do not give you right to a resident permit?

:( Sadly no, but my husband will get it when he is 52 years old!! :evil: :evil:

[mimpimanis]

Hi Petenjo

NO, the 6 month visa is the Social Budaya. It has to be issued out of Indonesia. You get given 2 months initially & be sponsored by an Indonesian. Then every month you go to immigration to extend it for a further month. On your 4th month you have to go to the justice & you also get fingerprinted.

Incidentally, is anyone aware of any changes to this? I have just done my final extension & we had to go to the justice again. I have never been twice in a 6 month period before. The only other person I know who has, is someone who always pays the justice. We on the other hand have never paid before (The money goes in his pocket) However when we went last time it was a different guy & insisted on Rp250,000. Do they just get the payers in a second time to get more out of them or what?? They tried for Rp250,00 again but this time Made went alone with only Rp50,000 in his wallet so that was all he got & he even said that if Made did not pay, he could stop immigration extending my visa!!

So what about the new president putting a stop to corruption, havent they heard those speaches yet?

A freind of mine now does all his visas through an agent in Bali to avoid the hassles that Mataram give us. Is it any better there?

Mimpi

[Sanurian]

I have been living here for about six years on a Social Visa.

Usual crap - still have to go out every 6 months to renew. Different Immigration Offices around the country charge different amounts and even have different attitudes/interpretations of the "rules".

My current scenario in Bali costs me about Rp400,000 each month - agents cost more. As for anybody (official/government) in Indonesia coming to grips with the rampant corruption, don't hold your breath. We can only wish and hope.

And for that person who thinks her husband (?) will get permanent residency when he's 52 - I don't think so. The "retirement visa" kicks in at age 55...after that, one is upposed to be here another 5 years to get the KITAP. Don't quote me on that - but that's my understanding. Good luck to all.
:roll:

[Roy]

Well, as I already wrote, different strokes...visa wise, for different folks. As Bert advises, there is the retirement visa, that Philippe calls, the "silver hair" visa. But that visa is no good if you intend to continue to do business. I don't ever see myself ever retiring, so I guess I'm stuck with the business visa forever.

For Petenjo, yes, in sorts to your question, but it is not a "tourist visa" you need. It is called a social/cultural visa, that requires an Indonesian sponsor, and yes, after the first 60 days subsequent to your entry into Indonesia, can be renewed, here, in Indonesia, for up to another 120 days on a montly basis. It's a single entry visa, so if you leave Indonesia, you will need to renew it.

[Irislahay]

Sanurian,

I will not quote you, just editing for this sign -(?)- yes for my husband, my friends told me like that, my husband will get it when he is 52. But if the true age is 55 years old to get it, means we have to wait 3 years longer (now he is 33 yo, so we will be in the nightmare for a long time!!!!!)