Spouse Volunteering

josh87

Hi All, What's the go with my wife doing some volunteer work in Bali? She's here on a Spouse dependent KITAS through my company. Is she allowed to to any volunteer work so that she doesn't go crazy sitting at home? If she was to get sponsored by a Volunteer organisation, is there a multiple entry SosBud visa? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

josh87

Hi Davita, I'm not sure if helping children with learning disabilities would actually take jobs from Indonesians, but I agree, it is a very Open-Ended question/regulation.Would having a written & signed letter from the Yayasan stating that they require the help but no money is being paid help the cause of being to able to volunteer? Flying in and out of the country seems like a bloody awful way of getting the visa renewed. At least I hope you were happy with the vodka. Might be the priciest vodka trip ever.

spicyayam

I would keep it as informal as possible. The less documentation the better. No business cards, formal position in the yayasan etc. Don't have her name appear on any events/marketing material etc.

davita

Indonesian bureaucrats typically never write regulations with clarity and thus leave openings for their own interpretation...that's why my wife stopped volunteering/consulting. I read of one English lady who had an IMTA to work for a spa but was moonlighting at her villa. Her boss found out and reported to Immigrasi she was working outside the limits of her work permit. They put her put in jail while processing her deportation. If it was a local doing the same all that could happen is she would be fired. As I suggested earlier... your wife could approach the management of the yayasan or charity and pass the responsibility of her legally volunteering onto them and avoid personal confrontation.

Nydave

A similar question has been answered here several months ago,unless the organisation she will volunteer with are her sponsor and paying the necessary $$ to the right departments then she is breaking the law,google it like i did couple of months ago and you will see for yourself,,

davita

The principle question to ask oneself is...'by volunteering am I taking an Indonesians job?' I know some foreigners on retirement kitas/kitap who volunteer for organisations like Rotary, Animal Welfare (BAWA), Smile, Soleman and no problem from Immigration. Here's a list of charities in Bali...I'd suggest you call any selected one and find out the legal requirements. http://www.balispirit.com/community/ngos A multi-entry Sosbud is available...It lasts a year but it requires one to exit Indonesia every 60 days and return. I had one but found planning a return trip to S'pore or KL too onerous. I even tried to pass immigration in Jakarta, avoid the flight, and return to the arrival desk but was caught and scolded. I had to take the flight to KL, buy a duty-free vodka and return on the next flight...such a stupid waste of time and effort never mind the cost.