Danger: Social visa 211

davita

The "D" is for Deutschmark and the it was a Social Visa as gotten from friend Malik in Singapore many, many times. Cost as usual S$ 175...[/QUOTE]hehe...I'm sure you meant Deutschland markit.....The Deutschmark is long gone but not forgotten.I think your beef is with your friend Malik in S'pore...due diligence is not evident!There is an old saying.....'Never assume coz!' I will refrain from commenting further on that saying.

Markit

Uhha Yeah, due diligence. Boy that phrase gets bandied about a bunch here don't it? But I do think you are right about that and have informed friend Malik of the issue in both sms and email format this morning. I wait very patiently for an answer.... still.

Lea

Markit, let us know when Mr Malik replies to you..Have used Mr Malik in the past, and found him to be very professional, maybe a tadlate for his appointments..!!Going back to see Mr Malik in a month for visa...!!

Markit

Received this post from Mr. Malik this morning (Sunday): [B][I]Thank you for your email.Information noted. For your information Visa 211 normally will be given 60 days by the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore and not 14 days as stated. I think there's an error in the system. What I can do is I will print the attachment and show it to the Immigration Department of Indonesian Embassy on Monday. Once they have retrieved back your application and confirmed, I will request them to prepare a letter for you to show it to the Immigration in Denpasar stating that there's an error and that the visa should be 60days instead of 14 days. I will than scanned the letter and forward it to you ASAP once I received the letter from them. P.S. If you still have a copy of the sponsor's letter and ID with you for their reference, please forward it to me as it will be much easier and will take lesser time for them to process/prepare the letter for you. RegardsMalik Yusof[/I][/B]

Lovegrove

That sounds like good news :eagerness:I hope it works out this way, a much cheaper option than overstay, trip to Singapore etc., good luck to P, tell her to hang in there!

Markit

THE REST OF THE STORY;I will have to be very careful how I write this so please feel free to read between the lines and draw all the inferences that you wish. Ours and everyone elses best Agent in Singapore Mr. Malik came through like a prince, he wrote to us: [I][B]Thank you for your email.Information noted. Please call me after 12pm and I will talk to the official in Indonesia to explain the actual situation. I will let the officer in Indonesian Embassy Singapore know regarding this matter together with the prove of your visa in the morning and wait till they give me the letter (It will take quite some time for the officer to prepare the necessary). Once received, I can only forward the letter to you by email in the evening after I get back to my office. RegardsMalik Yusof[/B][/I]We then took said letter (see attached and feel free to use it for your own "issues") on the next day along to our "friendly" imi offices where the "problem" that the idiots in SG Imi had caused was made to go away and a week later poor panic stricken wife with symptoms of post traumatic stress syndrome now is allowed to stay for a further 4 months with only a single donation to the Imi Officers Pension Plan. Moral of the story - trust is great, control is better. Read the print on the visas that you get back and pay attention to what the border staff at imi in the airport are doing with their stamps. [ATTACH]1567.vB[/ATTACH]

Lovegrove

So glad to hear that everything turned out ok!.......

dontworryaboutit

Good to see a happy ending. I was in Singa on 15th May for a Sosbud and my man Mr Gan was telling me how there had been a few "issues" recently and he showed me some "Rejected" stamps in passports to prove his point. Not sure if he was angling for a tip or what but everything went smoothly as usual (S$ 160)

Markit

calitobali

I entered Bali on May 22nd on a Social Budaya. Unlike Markit, my visa was for the full 60 days, but the immigration officer stamped me in on MARCH 22nd, instead of May 22nd, effectively causing me to overstay as soon as I arrived. I didn't even check the date, but 46 days into my 60 days, I brought my passport to my visa agent, who contacted me later in the day, saying I had overstayed by 46 days and owed 9,200,000 rupiah. I emailed my agent a copy of my ticket back into Bali from Bangkok on the 22nd of May, and the other stamps in my passport supported I had already been out of Indonesia after the date of March 22nd when I was stamped in, so obviously no way of still being an overstay.Worked out OK for me in the end, but make sure to check the date they stamp you in for when you clear immigration at the airport. Don't know if it was intentional in an attempt to extort money, but given how easy it was to clear up, I will probably jsut chalk it up to incompetence. Still better to check in the future though, not worth all the trouble.

ronb

Wow! that's a wierd one. If his stamp was set wrong, I wonder how many he stamped that day before it got put right?So I just scanned my passport to look at the various stamps, and only now realize that Australia does not stamp my passport any more. The passport identifies itself to the computer, and all the records they keep are in the computer - not in your passport. Apparently its been like that since 2005 - bu I had not noticed.So, one day Indonesia may become more computerised and avoid the problem of someone setting the stamp wrong. But that day may be a way off.

alex margou

Well at least they (the agents, who [U]should[/U] fecking know this!) have become sensitized to the dangers too. My new watchword is still "Trust is good, control is better!" when dealing with pretty much anything official now.[/QUOTE]Hi Markit, Bit of a serious drama you had there - glad it worked out OK in the end.Why do folks use an agent in Singapore to get a Social Cultural Visa - SOSBUD visa?It's so simple - I always did it myself. It used to take 3 days but now the embassy website says 2 working days.1. You just turn up at the embassy in Chatsworth Road (number 75 bus from the MRT at Outram Park, get off at Lucky Tower - 3 minute walk to embassy) with passport, ID photo, sponsor's letter + their photocopy KTP and the fee Sing $ 65.2. Get there in the [U]morning [9-12am][/U] on DAY 1 - grab a queue number then grab a form and fill it in. Wait for your number - hand in all your stuff - they check it and you wait then they call you and give you a paper - go to the cashier and pay - get a receipt - then go, that's it for Day 1. [COLOR="#FF0000"] takes about 15 minutes + however long you wait in the queue with your number [but it's not too long!][/COLOR]3. DAY 2 - Go back to the embassy on the [U]afternoon [3-5pm][/U] of DAY 2 - DON'T GRAB A QUEUE NUMBER ! - go straight to the loket, hand in your receipt and get your passport with visa in it [COLOR="#FF0000"]AND NOW, WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE HINDSIGHT MARKIT HAS PROVIDED - READ THE BLOODY THING AND SEE WHAT IT SAYS BEFORE LEAVING THE EMBASSY! takes just 5 minutes and you're done!![/COLOR]Of course I know that busy hard working folk don't have the time to spend 2 or more days shopping and sight seeing in Singapore and so use an agent who can crack the whole thing in just 1 day FOR A FEE! But if it's a SOSBUD visa then, of course, [U]you're not working are you ![/U] - plus, you've already forked out for the air ticket from Bali anyway, so spend some time on a little holiday to get away from all the stress and strain of life in Paradise!NB Embassy open Mon-FriClosed on Indo and Sing holidaysNB [COLOR="#FF0000"]Important[/COLOR] - when you arrive at the embassy you will be given a pass on string to wear round your neck. To get this you have to hand in something/anything with a photo ID. So bring along a driving licence etc with your name and photo on it (No - not your passport - you need that with you inside the embassy to hand in!)NB This is how it was around 10 to 5 years ago when I was living in Bali on SOSBUD visas for years - maybe it's a bit different now, but not much I dare say. Does anyone out there know? Is there anyone who currently does their own SOSDUB visas and who would like to comment?EXTRA Here's the embassy websites:Hours and Dress Code [url]http://www.kemlu.go.id/singapore/Pages/AboutUs.aspx?IDP=105&l=en[/url]SOSBUD VISA - [url]http://www.kemlu.go.id/singapore/Pages/AboutUs.aspx?IDP=58&l=en[/url] (Ignore the stuff about "One copy of Singapore ID Card")!Download the form and fill it in at home before you go! - [url]http://www.kemlu.go.id/singapore/Documents/visa_green.pdf[/url]SPONSOR LETTERVincentOG has kindly provided a sample of the sponsor letter. It's #4 here - [url]http://balipod.com/bali-visa-questions-answers-f42/sos-bud-visa-invitation-letter-t3418.html[/url]tintin has also very kindly provided a sample of the sponsor letter. It's an [U]excellent letter[/U] and is #9 on the same thread. You will have to decide which of the two you will use!

spicyayam

[COLOR=#333333]NB This is how it was around 10 to 5 years ago when I was living in Bali on SOSBUD visas for years - maybe it's a bit different now, but not much I dare say. Does anyone out there know? Is there anyone who currently does their own SOSDUB visas and who would like to comment?[/COLOR][/QUOTE]I have done a mixture of doing it myself and using an agent. I would encourage anyone to try doing it themselves at least once and then they can decide which they prefer. I think it is a good idea to understand the process, so you are prepared later for KITAS/KITAP if you end up staying here long enough.

Markit

calitobali

I do it myself in a place like Bangkok, but only with an agent in SIngapore. Reason being, even though the agents charge a decent fee, it's still works out much cheaper than spending 2-3 full days in Singapore!

alex margou

Great story Alex. If I could suggest it - why don't you combine your 2 stories and then publish it along the lines of: [url]http://balipod.com/bali-visa-questions-answers-f42/idiot-s-guide-one-day-visa-run-kuala-lumpur-t9198.html[/url]and not to forget - [url]http://balipod.com/bali-visa-questions-answers-f42/idiot%92s-guide-one-day-visa-run-singapore-t4037.html[/url]With hopefully a guide to getting the Kitap yourself if someone cares to explain how that can be done...[/QUOTE]Thanks, Markit. It's a thought - maybe I'll get round to it?I never really understood the one-day visa run idea. When I first started living here (after having visited regularly for the previous 11 years) I used the free 60-day visa - this was before the $25VOA was invented. Every 60 days I'd go off to Singapore and back again - but not one-day - maybe 3, 4 days or even a week of just mooching around shopping, drinking, popping over to Malaysia for lunch at Stulang Laut etc etc. Never just a one day frantic rush.Also, I see that you talk about the AirAsia flight leaving Bali at 7:00 a.m. What time do you have to get up in the morning to be on a 7 am flight? 4am? 3am? I can't do that! I always take the AirAsia flight leaving Bali at 12.30 in the afternoon, not now for a visa run any more, but just for shopping etc 3 or 4 times a year. I get up at a civilised time, have breakfast and leave for the airport at 9 or 9.30 am.Next, the KITAP. " ... [I]With hopefully a guide to getting the Kitap yourself if someone cares to explain how that can be done[/I]... " Ahhh! If only.....The problem is that I am here on a Retirement KITAP. With a Retirement KITAP or KITAS, just as with any other type of KITAS/P, you must have a sponsor eg your employer or your husband/wife etc. Everything you do, such as KITAS extensions or getting a SERP or MERP etc starts with a letter from your sponsor.We poor buggers on a Retirement KITAS/P have to use a commercial agent as our sponsor and they will insist on doing the work themselves and charging us a bloody great fee! There is no way out of this trap! We're stuck - like or lump it! Early on in my KITAS time I asked the guys at Immigration about doing the MERP myself. For many years I had lived here in Bali on VISA SOSBUD doing my own renewals. But then I changed to KITAS LANSIA (now become KITAP) and I went down to the Immigration office, which I had grown to know very well over the years, to ask about getting a MERP:"Hello, I have a KITAS LANSIA. May I apply for a 1-year MERP and do it myself, without my sponsor agent?""Certainly you can.""Oh good! So tell me, what is the process?""Well, first you have to get a letter from your sponsor asking us to issue a MERP and then you fill in ..................." !If you have a KITAS/KITAP LANSIA then your sponsor agent has you (and your wallet!) by the balls, and he's not going to let go and let you do the work yourself and so lose his fat fee!Example - now on a KITAP I am entitled to a 2-year MERP - official price Rp.1,750,000 - my sponsor agent price - Rp.3,500,000 ! Nice? And don't try to suggest "why not shop around?" One can't shop around. If your KITAS LANSIA sponsor is Mr A, you can't ask Mr B or Mr C to get you a MERP. Only your sponsor Mr A can do it - and doesn't he know it!So I've no useful info as [I]"a guide to getting the Kitap yourself"[/I] other than this:1. Go to your agent with your passport, ID photos and blue book with KITAS and a bloody great pile of money.2. Go home without the documents and money - open a large bottle of whisky and drown your sorrows mourning the loss of your millions of Rupiah!

Markit

alex margou

[I]"Thanks, Markit. It's a thought - maybe I'll get round to it?"[/I]You've already done the work so just plug them together with a nice time-line explanation for us idiots and it's done and dusted. And Alex I've followed your quest(ions) on the other board where you ask about doing the 5 year Kitap yourself without the "help" of an agent and I'm a little confused as to the answer you got and were happy with. Maybe you can explain?[/QUOTE]OK Markit I'll have a go a doing it tomorrow .... or ... Just now I'm rather tied up working on a crate of Bintang that's demanding all of my attention!But now the question. For the benefit of folks who don't know, I asked a question here:[url=http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/showthread.php/35421-KITAP-LANSIA-documents-renewal-sponsor-agent?p=341229#post341229]KITAP LANSIA - documents, renewal, sponsor/agent[/url]Markit has picked up on the reply given by Marcus at post number #6 on the above webpage.Now look at Marcus's reply to my question, and look first at Q5 and its answer:Q5. Now, in 2013, do the rules still make it compulsory for retirement visa holders to have sponsor/agents, ...A5. Yes. Unfortunately PP no.31, year 2013, does not show any improvement in this subject.So, in plain language, we are not allowed to DIY our KITAS renewals or MERP renewals etc because we have to have an agent and he will want to do it all himself for his fat fee.Marcus' answer to Q3 that you have highlighted merely explains that the law relating to KITAPs is being simplified. But the relationship between the sponsor agent and his KITAP victim is unaltered!The new law says:Article 155(1) Permanent Residence is given for 5 years.(2) Permanent Residence as referred to in Clause (1) can be renewed for an unlimited time as long as it is not cancelled.Article 156(1) Foreigners with Permanent Residence which have been renewed as in Article 155 Clause (2) are required to report to their local Immigration Office every 5 years.(2) The stipulations as to how Foreigners with Permanent Residence as referred to in Clause (1) will carry out this reporting will be arranged by a Ministerial Regulation.In plain language - 155 says that when you get a KITAP it will be for 5 years. Then you do one single renewal and it's valid until you pop off, or pack up and go back home, or get thrown out of Indonesia for poisoning the dogs and chickens that annoy you in your village, or, worse yet - making jokes about it! {My French friend in Manado - I know you're watching this - sorry, I just can't resist it!}156 says that when you've got this unlimited KITAP you just have to report every 5 years. The method for this will be announced later.Now Q1. For those who don't know it, KITAP holders are obliged BY LAW to have a KTP OA (Kartu Tanda Penduduk for Orang Asing - Foreigners):[I]Pasal 63(1) Penduduk Warga Negara Indonesia dan Orang Asing yang memiliki Izin Tinggal Tetap yang telah berumur 17 (tujuh belas) tahun atau telah kawin atau pernah kawin wajib memiliki KTP.[/I]Article 63 of Law number 23 of 2006.(1) Indonesian citizens and Foreigners with Permanent Residence Cards who are over the age of 17 or who are or have been married are obliged to have KTP.So I asked about this. You can see Marcus' answer. But I can now add that recently I went to the Catatan Sipil in Lumintang, Denpasar and asked for a KTP OA. I was told that first I needed a Kartu Keluarga - Family Card. So I said OK, please can I have a KK? No you can't have a KK because you're a foreigner! Only an Indonesian can have a KK. So I am obliged by law to have a KTP that the Catatan Sipil won't give me!!!Q2. No joy here - same as Q5.Q4. Most likely possible - something for the future.That's all for now folks - I feel a Bintang moment coming on!

Markit

Thanks for the explanation and hope the Binny is like the missus - cold and large.Gil if you see this would appreciate your thoughts as you once reported it is possible for us to DIY a 5 year Kitty without agents.

alex margou

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