IMHO, it makes little sense to even discuss Indonesian visa issues. No question in my mind that too many disparate posts, “this is how I did it” will come up, but they are all useless.

Cut and pasted below, because I am too lazy to re-write it, is a submission on this topic that I made on the Virtual Tourist site a few weeks ago. Even with an uncle at the immigration office in Denpasar, I will never say to anyone, THIS IS HOW IT IS DONE.

Bottom line, in my opinion, and in the opinion of the vast majority of expats that I know very well...use a pro...PT Bali Ide being the hands down best.

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It’s frightening how much disparity, inaccuracy, and confusion about the topic of visas for Indonesia that can be found on this string. It is not surprising however, and it is entirely understandable, as this a complicated area. Moreover, similar disparity and inaccuracies in information provided on other forums, and web sites, only add to the confusion.

Another frightening aspect to this whole topic which has not been previously addressed, is the fact that each individual Indonesian consulate or embassy, depending on where they are located in the world, will issue visas in a disparate manner. None of the immigration offices in Indonesia will pay any heed to the visa number that was issued by the consulate or visa office of an embassy if in fact that visa number is incorrect in how it reflects on the nature of the visit. Unfortunately, when this comes up as a problem, it is generally when the visa holder goes for their first 30 day renewal at one of the immigration offices in Indonesia.

If there is any good point in this string, in my opinion, it is the absolute need for top notch professional visa assistance. As I have mentioned before, for the vast majority of expats that I know living here in Bali, that means PT Bali Ide,

http://www.bali-expat-business.com/

I spoke to my wife’s uncle this past Wednesday, which was Galungan, about this. He works at the immigration office in Denpasar. As far as he is concerned a 211 visa is still a very specific sosbud, or social/cultural visa to be used only for non Indonesian citizens visiting Indonesian family relatives in Indonesia. A 421 visa, in his view, still remains a sosbub visa for visiting other than relatives...such as friends, a sweetheart, etc. Both of these visas, extendable for up to a total visit stay of 180 days, require a sponsorship letter...period...in his view and understanding. To renew any single entry 60 day visit visa, in his view, requires sponsorship letters, more photos, and very likely fingerprinting at the immigration office. However, with all that said, he quickly acknowledged that various immigration offices may well use “other approaches” and even the fees will likely be different. Worse yet is the very high likelihood of inconsistencies by immigration officers within the same immigration office!

Stories like, “my friend did it this way, or that way” are useless, as the specifics applicable at that time, and for that person will never be exactly the same...right down to which specific immigration officer one will be dealing with at the time of application for extension.

If you consider that the majority of expats use a professional service, PT Bali Ide to be specific, then why on earth would a tourist want to play “Russian roulette” with their chances of having their 60 day visa extended? To me, that makes absolutely no sense.