Bali Expat Forum - Bali Travel Forum

My indonesian husband, (who just received his US citizen ship) wants to move back to indonesia for around 3 - 5 years (possibly longer?) I have no idea what kind of visa we would need. Since he is not an indonesian citizen anymore will this be very complicated? I have read some information on expats moving to indonesia, but our situation seems a little different. Does anyone have any advice on where to start? Terima Kasih.

Welcome to the forum!

I don’t recall the specifics like your husband’s situation ever being discussed on this forum before, but even if it had, I would still offer the same advice: consult the nearest Indonesian Embassy to where you live...AND if any of the advice there included the suggestion that he renounce his US Citizenship, then also consult with an American consulate or embassy.

It is difficult for a non Indonesian to get a long term visa even if they had an Indonesian passport previously. He can do what a lot do by getting a Sosial Budaya visa and extending it after two months each month for 4 months making 6 months in all. After that he needs to go out of the country and start over again.

If he is there that long he may want to work in which case he needs to get a work visa and pay the appropiate taxes and either be sponsored by his company or start his own company (Expensive)

This has been discussed may times and is a dificult problem to solve. Search the Archives in here for more info or go to you local emabassy/consulate for the latest info. If you find more info please post in here.

thank you for the replys the indonesian embassy is not too far from us. That would be a good place to start. I would not have thought of that. Does it make any difference that his parents are still indonesian citizens, or is that a mute point? thanks again.

i too have friends who have kept their Indonesian passports and travel into Indonesia on that.

i too don't kow how it's done but i could maybe find out ...

It is illegal to have two different passports and if caught you would have the Indonesian one taken away. I know some do this but it is dangerous and not to be reccommended. If you can afford a life style outside Indonesia and can afford to travel there a $100 dollars is not that much.

Thank you all for the replys. I def. would not want to do anything illegal or shady. I suppose it is better to fork out the extra money and time rather than have a problem with the indonesian government. I will just have to do some more research, talk to the embassy and such...and my husband will have to decide how long he really wants to stay...and then go from there. If I learn anything new, I will post it.

Mimpi makes an excellent point, especially when considering that your husband most likely first came to the US on his Indonesian passport (and with a visa). In that case, his departure stamp (from Indonesia) is in his Indonesian passport, so re-entry into Indonesia using that passport should be no problem. However, one issue might be, is his Indonesian passport still valid, as they are only issued for 5 year periods.

In the early days of our marriage Maria renewed her passport at the Indonesian Embassy in London. Even though at that time she did not have a British Passport the embassy asked if she had one. She has also been asked by Immigration in Jakarta.

I agree many take the risk but that is what it is ....a risk. I am surprised that some seem to be advocating that risk for a serious matter whilst in other parts of this site are warning against minor risks.

Jimbo, it might be how one defines “risk.” While the US accepts dual citizenship, and Indonesia does not, abdicating Indonesian citizenship may well be too much for an Indonesian to accept...most understandably, in my humble opinion.

The concept of dual citizenship has in fact already been embraced by the Indonesian government...as in minor aged children of those mixed races...Indonesian and some other.

Taking the risk of international travel with a huge sum of cash...like 60,000 US dollars is not taking a risk...rather it is Russian Roulette!

Roy. It is against the law of Indonesia and has nothing to do with feelings. My feeling is that I want to stay in Indonesia without visa's but I would be a fool to do so as the penalties are severe.

If you have dual nationality outside the law you open youself up to the force of that law which could make you persona non grata. A risk I am not nor is my wife prepared to take.

You normally give such good advice on these matters that I am totally suprised at your attitude on this. End of story for me.

Roy wrote: While the US accepts dual citizenship, and Indonesia does not, abdicating Indonesian citizenship may well be too much for an Indonesian to accept...!

As I understand it, and this is often a hotly debated topic, the US accepts dual citizenship for people who were born US citizens, but not for those who become naturalized citizens. That said, as I understand, many naturalized citizens sort of secretly keep their original passport and still use it.

If anyone can really clarify this (finally), with some kind of link, I would really apporeciate it.

Even though Jimbo says its risky to keep one's Indonesian passport, I can definitely understand why someone would, especially because it makes it legal to own property in Indonesia.

If I were you, I would invesitigate the potential risks of getting caught with a dual citizenship before renouncing it. Then you can do a risk/ benefit analysis.

Jimbo, maybe you have more concrete info about what the risks are?

Jimbo, maybe you have more concrete info about what the risks are?

The ultimate risk is that you can be banned from Indonesia. This may not be likely but could happen. If being Indonesian means so much just keep that passport alone. If you just want to keep it for fiscal or convienience reasons you could well have a problem.

Best advice would be to contact the indonesian foreign office and tell them you are thinking of changing you nationality and ask them what the consequences are. You do not have to give them your name. They are the only ones who could give you concrete advice.

Or you can ask Bali IDE see links above

Let’s keep in mind one fact that clearly indicates where Indonesia is headed. That fact is that Indonesia already recognizes dual citizenship, i.e., the children of mixed Indo/foreign marriages.