JackStraw wroteCan you go over #3 in a little more detail? This is my first time hearing of it. So, say I fly to Singapore and go to the Indonesian embassy there. I can get this tourist visa there in one day, fly back to Bali and then use an agent to extend it every month for up to six months? Also, how much does this visa cost?
No... that isn't correct.
The Tourist Visa is available from one's home country to visit Indonesia for up to 60 days and that's it.
The difference between a Tourist Visa and a Sosbud Visa is the Tourist Visa does not require an Indonesian Sponsor at the application stage and that's why it is not legally extendable. The Sosbud Visa does require a sponsor from Indonesia and is therefore extendable for up to 6 months, within Indonesia.
However, in Bali, it is well known those rules are not applied and the Tourist Visa has been extended by many who, after arrival, get a sponsor to help.... and the original (non-extendable) Tourist Visa can be extended without leaving.
The accepted reason, I understand, is the visa # is the same as a Sosbud.
IMO.... the Bali immigration cannot be bothered as long as they see you are spending foreign money and contributing to their welfare.....but that's all hearsay that I cannot verify.
