Lots of children and visa runs

Largetribe

Hello and thanks for taking the time to read my query; My wife and I and our five young children are coming to Bali in October and I still have visa questions and I have plenty!!! I have contacted the embassy in Canberra and they have advised me I need the B211 Social visa rather than the Tourist visa so we can extend it to meet our 84 day requirements. So here I go 1. We have friends in Bali but will find it difficult to explain to them what is required with the Sponsorship letter is this a complicated process- as in the letter and getting it back to me can it be emailed? 2. If I go through an agent I realise it is much less hassle but the sponship letter and admin costs alone are $450 aust as I need seven for us, should I just bite the bullet and pay up? 3. Should I risk getting the Toursit visa and hope to be able to extend? Bit scarey with five kids in tow! 4. If I did a visa run does the whole family need to leave with me or could I "do it for them" ? If they all need to come it cancels it self out getting seven flights is expensive! Any other suggestions? thanks, can't wait to finish work and have a couple of quiet Bintangs! Thanks in anticipation.

ronb

Here is an attempt at answers - others may improve the info. [quote=Largetribe] 1. We have friends in Bali but will find it difficult to explain to them what is required with the Sponsorship letter is this a complicated process- as in the letter and getting it back to me can it be emailed? [/quote] Get your Bali friend to agree to be a sponsor, then use an agent to get the letters written. Your friend goes to the agent's office and signs, the agent mails you the sponsor letters, you take them to your local Indonesian embassy or consulate. [quote] 2. If I go through an agent I realise it is much less hassle but the sponship letter and admin costs alone are $450 aust as I need seven for us, should I just bite the bullet and pay up? [/quote] I suspect that you won't save a huge amount if you avoid the agent, but it will be a whole lot harder. [quote] 3. Should I risk getting the Toursit visa and hope to be able to extend? Bit scarey with five kids in tow! [/quote] It's an option for sure. Check Air Asia fares to KL to get some idea. [quote] 4. If I did a visa run does the whole family need to leave with me or could I "do it for them" ? If they all need to come it cancels it self out getting seven flights is expensive! [/quote] Yes all the visas expire after 60 days so all visa holders must depart.

Jimbo

450 Aussie Dollars is hardly a fortune so spend it and do the right thing. Why will your friends not understand? The letter is very simple (do a search as there is a copy in the records here) and you need this and a copy of your friends KTP card. You fill in the application form and send it to the embassy with the above and get your visas back in a few days. Renewing them after the initial two months is also in the archives or you can get an agency to do it for you. You will still have to pay the renewal fees of about 35 dollars US a person.

gilbert de jong

Hi... as for the sponsorletter requirements check this link... http://www.bali-expat-business.com/indo ... sa.php?p=6 I have no idea how much 450 aussie dollars is, but for prices check this link http://www.bali-expat-business.com/bali-product.php They mention that for groups there are different rates and I would think you would qualify as a group :) . Don't know the ages of the kids, but if they are small kids it could be a hassle doing a visarun, but like Ronb said/wrote all persons would have to leave the country before the visa expires. Hope everythings works out, take care, friendly greetings.....Gilbert.

charlie

i would pay for the agent to do it and be done with it ... that way you're not relying on anyone's help, if the friendship soured you don't know what could happen.

Largetribe

Thankyou for the advice I think the best way to go is the agent option as pointed out by all, again thanks.

spicyayam

There is an example letter here on the forum which I used to get my visa. I emailed it to my sponsor and he printed it, signed it and scanned it and emailed it back to me. I also just needed a copy of his KTP id card. I had never met my sponsor when I got the visa, so I suppose he might have been worried at what he might be getting himself into :) Aussies don't have the best reputations in Bali! I have been using an agent though for my extensions, which saves a bit of hassle. Even if you use an agent you need to visit immigration for the 2nd renewal to get finger printed.