Nabil83
Hi all Hope you are all well :) I live in England at the moment but I would like to live in Bali from late July 2014 until early/mid February 2015 i.e. less then 7 months. I won't be officially working there (my work is mobile.) I won't be there for any official purpose.I've looked in a lot of detail at the types of visas and I'm unsure what category is best for me. Do you have any advice here? I don't want to end up like the people I saw in Bali who had to go to Singapore every 2 months to re-apply for a visa as this is a waste of time and my budget is tight.Do you guys recommend getting specialist advice? I used to be an immigration lawyer, so I'm aware of the pitfalls in systems etc. If you could recommend anyone that would be much appreciated.Also, with sponsorship, do you know anyone who can sponsor me in return for a fee or a favour? I'm sure I came across this on another thread but haven't been able to find it since. I haven't been able to get in touch with my Bali-based friends unfortunately.Many thanks :)Thank you.Nabil
davita
I'd think a consolidated re-run of what is available to you is apt...then you have those choices to consider and decide.1. The primary visa most use is the Visa on Arrival. It is bought as soon as getting off the plane and costs US$25 or equivelant. This lasts for 30 days and another US25 extension is available for a further 30 days.2. The easy one is a tourist visa from the nearest Republic of Indonea (RI) Consul/Embassy to where you live. This visa, once issued, allows you 90 days to enter RI as it expires after that date. Once entered the origiinal restricion is invalid and you are permitted a 60 day stay...however, some have managed to extend this visa within Indonesia, especially at Bali. Worth a try, Otherwise it requires the holder to leave for Singapore/KL/Penang/Hong Kong or home to get a new one and start over.3. The third is called a Social Budaya (sosbud) which requires someone quailified to sponsor your visit. If you don't have anyone in mind then an agent can provide the accompnaying support letter. There will be a fee but the agent will do the run-round once you get to RI. They will also get your monthly extensions up to a max of 6 months. Then you will need to leave and return with a new one.Once here, and settled down, there are many agents an forummers who can advice on other ways.
modelt1826
On more option would be a retirement visa valid i believe for one year but it comes with restrictions. the cost to fly out to Sin or KL can be cheap if you plan well in adavance. just a reminder as i got caught on the way out in Jan. Your visa starts on the day you arrive that is day 1 not 24hrs later just be warned.
Markit
Come initially on a Visa On Arrival (VOA) good for 2 times one month with extension. During that time here organize your Social Visa (6 months - available from Singapore agent) with Bali IDE (agent in Denpasar). Leave sadly in February after 8 months of manic bliss in Bali
davita
On more option would be a retirement visa valid i believe for one year but it comes with restrictions. the cost to fly out to Sin or KL can be cheap if you plan well in adavance. just a reminder as i got caught on the way out in Jan. Your visa starts on the day you arrive that is day 1 not 24hrs later just be warned.[/QUOTE]modelt1826's reminder of the day the visa should start to be counted is good advice. I've read of many who have been caught out by not counting the days the way RI immigration count. I've even had one officer stamp my visa with the wrong date...check as soon as issued at the airport.Another point to consider is a VOA/Tourist/Sosbud is only valid for one visit...it becomes invalid as soon as exiting Indonesia.I didn't cover the retirement visa in my previous post as not considered useful to the OP. It is only available to those over 55, and is expensive, so I didn't want to confuse.
klaatu
Apparently I read (on the other forum?) that you can have a sponsorship letter emailed to you then take to Indo consulate and apply for Social Budaya visa (60 days and extendable 4? times, a month at a time)..maybe someone here (in Bali) can find a local willing to do this at a price..That person who writes the sponsor letter will have to be the one who makes the extension letter as well.As far as I know can be just a friend (Indonesian citizen)...Maybe even better a woman can say she is your fiance'...You might even marry her as this is the easyist way for immigration here.....Keep away from agents and lawyers if you can
Smoke
i would have a sponsor letter emailed to you and process it in your local indo embassy there.just the "standard" sponsor letter no need to get into senerios about marrage.just check what the indo embassy needs first. the one in NY USA wanted my sponsors bank statement and would not accept any of my bank statements to prove more then enough funds. With that i opted to arrive and get a VOA then leave and do a visa run in SG before the extension expired.weight out your options for your needsi do have many many local friends that would possibly write a quality sponsor lettee for a cash fee.they do accect paypal
klaatu
Sorry.I didn't read properly the part where you said 'I used to be an Immigration Lawyer'... Have you been to your local Indo Consulate to ask them?
Markit
Guys the fella needs to stay for 7 months - at some stage he's gonna have to leave the country. Better my way - VOA then Social that gets him the 8 months.
Nabil83
Hey guysThanks a lot for all the hints and tips :) Much appreciated.Retirement visa would be a long shot - I'm only 31!Yes I'm hoping to have a 6/7 month split between the UK and Bali. I've been there before but just trying to plan thoroughly visa wise so I don't get caught out.I'm thinking of trying Markit's plan but how sharp are the Immigration Officers? I'll have 30KG checked in luggage, and a medium sized backpack, which would make it a little obvious that I'm staying long-term.In Europe, if you have a lot of luggage they won't believe for a second that you're just here for a holiday = visa rejected. Also, how will they react if my return flight date is 6/7 months away? The problem is, with VOA (at least in the western world) they want to see evidence of a return flight.Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the tips so far everyone :)
Smoke
i came in on a VOA with 2 oversized bags, a carryon and a laptop bag.my exit ticket was a Batam ferry for i think $8. usd. (i use that same printed reciept with adjustsments for sosbud runs)just make sure your exit ticket is within the 60 daysps .they have no idea on your luggage as you pick that up after(only see your carryon if they even look)
Nabil83
Smoke, that's such a simple and brilliant idea! Of course, so obvious! Thanks, I never though of ferries :)Thanks for saying USD by the way. It drove me mad when everyone said 'dollar' in Bali as I never knew if they meant US or Australian! hehe
Nabil83
Hey guys I'll look into the rules and such in more detail again but I think a combination of Markit's and Smoke's plans should really help.So the plan would be VOA twice (with ferry 'exit ticket') and then the 6 month social visa with my return flight for the month I'm planning to leave.The rules for social visa seem quite straight forward but if anyone has any final tips it would be greatly appreciated.I hope to be in the Seminyak area, so I owe you guys lunch!
Fred2
No one will look at your exit ticket when you arrive, but leave 1 hour over your visa & you will pay.Just get a 60 day visa before you leave(its simple) then find a friend in Bali(anyone) then fly to singapore with a copy of there paper work.
Markit
No one gives a toss about exit tickets, except possibly the airline you fly in with...I've heard stories of some airlines not letting you board because you don't have a ticket for your onward journey - Virgin Australia. Not sure about others.
Nabil83
No one will look at your exit ticket when you arrive, but leave 1 hour over your visa & you will pay.Just get a 60 day visa before you leave(its simple) then find a friend in Bali(anyone) then fly to singapore with a copy of there paper work.[/QUOTE]Hi FredThanks a lot for the tips mate. When you say flying with someone else's paperwork you lost me there. Can you elaborate please? Cheers
Fred2
As I said "No one will look at your exit ticket when you arrive," But if Nabil83 is going to fly from England-Australia-Bali then don't fly virgin.Nabil83 you need a copy of Sponsor letter, sponsor KTP(id), If you go to any Indonesian embassy web site it will give you a list of what you need.
klaatu
[ATTACH]2008.vB[/ATTACH] something like that at top -who it is addressed to ie.Kepada bapak kepala consulate ..at bottom signature of sponsor over top of meterai (rp 6000 stamp)
Nabil83
Klaatu/Fred/Markitt and coThanks for clarifying :) Really helpful! I'll let you guys know how I get on! :)Take care and best of luck with everything.
samsiam
The tax on the ferry has gone up by 1$ so dont let that bring you undone........I just sww the 60 days comment too....mine was for circa 170 days..Also and to avoid a new thread...is there a site to go to download the sosbud immi forms to fill out prior to arrival at embassies ?
