spicyayam
The only time I have been really questioned is at the embassy in KL. They asked a lot of questions and finally only gave me the visa but only for 30 days. Fred2 mentioned some kind of interview, so you could be right that there is a crackdown going on. Having said that, I can imagine how much some people are making from foreigners using agents for all of their extensions.
gilbert de jong
if you have a SOSBUD in your passport, there's no way they can denie you acces...your sosbud has been approved by Jakarta.
they can't force a KITAS on people, unless someone is going to work/married to Indonesian/55 years or over one is elegible for a KITAS.
andrewbaker77
Anyone have trouble lately with immigration when showing the Social Budaya/211 Visa?
My girlfriend and I came through and both of us, separately of each other, had an immigration officer ask why there were so many Indo social visas in our passport.
And this was not a bribe/fine style question where they smile and tell you that you can simply take care of the question there etc, we've had enough of those to recognize.
Technically speaking, when you go Social Budaya, you're breaking the law, as the tenants for the visa (religious ceremony, relative etc) are always false.
Thinking maybe Indo is cracking down on Social B's, as they realize there is money to be made forcing KITAS on expat Bali residents.
Makes you anxious when you're in line and realize, they can deny you entry right there, and all you've invested in here (for us, rental house, car, really nice mountain bikes etc) will never be seen again.
Fred2
There are reason that immigration can refuse entry, even if you have a valid visa. The problem with a sobud visa is, you can only stay for the number of days printed on your visa, then you have to apply to extend it . With the change in immigration laws, things will change slowly. Immigration are checking visa holders, interviews with visa holders & sponsors & asking lots of questions, so in the future sobud visa will be harder to keep renewing as this is not the purpose for this visa.
calitobali
They were probably just wondering how you have been supporting yourself in Bali for so long without a visa that allows you to work. If you have a reasonable explanation it should be no problem.
Jimbo
gilbert de jong wroteif you have a SOSBUD in your passport, there's no way they can denie you acces...your sosbud has been approved by Jakarta.
they can't force a KITAS on people, unless someone is going to work/married to Indonesian/55 years or over one is elegible for a KITAS.
It clearly states on the application form that issuing the visa does not grant right of entery and it can be refused at immigration.
andrewbaker77
The only thing a visa guarantees is that they took your money. - AB
andrewbaker77
Fred2 wroteThere are reason that immigration can refuse entry, even if you have a valid visa. The problem with a sobud visa is, you can only stay for the number of days printed on your visa, then you have to apply to extend it . With the change in immigration laws, things will change slowly. Immigration are checking visa holders, interviews with visa holders & sponsors & asking lots of questions, so in the future sobud visa will be harder to keep renewing as this is not the purpose for this visa.
"as this is not the purpose for this visa"...100% agree. Big thanks for the smart perspective. - AB
Fred2
andrewbaker77 wrote"as this is not the purpose for this visa"...100% agree. Big thanks for the smart perspective. - AB
???????????
gilbert de jong
:highly_amused:
balidavo
Dont worry about it , every now and then they have a so called crackdown and ask a few extra questions etc ..., usually after a few days or a week they will go back to doing as little as possible , and enjoying their coffee and ciggerettes :icon_wink:
andrewbaker77
[b]correction[/b]
Fred2 wrote???????????
100% agree with what you're saying, that entering over and over on a Social Budaya is not the purpose of the visa. -AB
gilbert de jong
so then what is the purpose of the sosbud?
tintin
gilbert de jong wroteso then what is the purpose of the sosbud?
Facetious.
Quote: "The purpose of this visa is to visit friends / relationships, social - cultural or educational exchange. With this visa you are not allowed to do business activities in Indonesia or to take up employment. "
gilbert de jong
hahaha...exactly my point, there are no restrictions on how many times one visits friends...this friend is ofcourse the sponsor of the sosbud.
Annam
yep! :icon_wink:
andrewbaker77
[b]No limitations...[/b]
Indonesian Immigration can restrict you from entering/staying any time they want.
If they think you are here on Social B too many days of the year to not be earning money here, they have the right to take away your privilege of entry/stay.
But my question is not about if you score a gold star for your answer.
My question is to hear from anyone who's been hassled recently upon entering or renewing, to see if this is a new trend. -AB
Fred2
There are reports on other forums about immigration checking on visa's including sobud visa holder & sponsor, work kitas sponsored by company's.
I don't think they are hassling anyone, I think they are doing there job as nobody has complained about having to pay money.
It will interesting to see what happens, some agents mite feel the pinch:icon_mrgreen:.
matf
i was questioned leaving the country about 3 months ago when i was leaving to re extend social bud, he simply asked why i have been in indonesia so long,
i replied honestly,
surf
sun
and my girlfriend
he simple said ohhhhhhhh surfing
then let me through with a smile
meerkat
how often can or does one 'get a new' Sosial Budaya for another 6 months then...and how long generally do you stay out of Indonesia between the old and the new visa's ?
