alex margou
Alex this is the type of "visa" my friend is working on, ...[/QUOTE]This is not a VISA. To see what VISA your friend has just look in her passport. What kind of visa is there? I wanted confirmation of my suspicion that this wasn't legitimate.[/QUOTE]This letter is not a legitimate letter giving permission for any kind of activity. It merely acknowledges that an Immigration report has been made....has the lawyer essentially bribed someone?...[/QUOTE]I could not possibly say whether a bribe has been paid. This letter is indeed a standard letter used in Immigration Matters. So no bribe is need for its issuance. I have used this letter many times in the past when I was holidaying at my Indonesian friends' house. I would report my presence to the local Kelian Dinas in the village, to the local Police at the Police Station, and, if the Police asked me to, which they did occasionally, to the Immigration people using this letter. Your "lawyer" may have greased the palm of some immigration clerk to get it done speedily...... how high up could the person receiving the bribe possibly be? So then my concern for my friend is - what are the odds that someone higher up catches wind of this and then decides to show up and bust my friend?[/QUOTE]Can't comment about high up people.Just this -[COLOR="#FF0000"][SIZE=5]DON'T TOUCH IT WITH A BARGEPOLE![/SIZE][/COLOR]
deyowulf
My friend said that they also got a stamp in their passport to accompany the letter - I am waiting for a picture of it and then I will share it. I'm with you Alex and I would also like to get to the bottom of it both for my friend's sake and to satisfy my curiosity.
davita
So many people here on multiple entry business permits who 'work' as exporters. Buying and selling online of furniture, statues etc etc. [COLOR="#FF0000"]Apparently it's legal to do so. [/COLOR]I don't see why it would be deemed any less legal if that was adjusted to an online point of sale.[/QUOTE]It may be apparent and may be done but I recall an elderly English lady had a [COLOR="#FF0000"]legitimate work permit [/COLOR] issued to be employed in a spa. She did a bit of moonlighting in her own villa on time-off from her work schedule. Her employer got immigration to charge her with 'working outside the limits of her work permit'. She was convicted and got 3 months jail, less time served, and deported. [url=http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=6972]Bali News: British Woman Receives Light Sentence[/url]
gilbert de jong
So many people here on multiple entry business permits who 'work' as exporters. Buying and selling online of furniture, statues etc etc. Apparently it's legal to do so. I don't see why it would be deemed any less legal if that was adjusted to an online point of sale.[/QUOTE]if they would have a im/export business abroad, then indeed it would be legal...buying and selling straight from here to customers abroad without having the proper paperwork, then one is in violation of immigration laws and obviously he/she is also not paying taxes..imho, every person needs to decide for him/herself if he/she has moral grounds not to persue doing business like that, and/or weigh the possibility of getting into some problems when found out/get caught doing illegal activities in Indonesia..
ferdie
I think the OP already know the answer and Gilbert's post must be considered seriously.He might get problems for doing this:1. he uses sponsorship from other company but working as a different business entity in the reality 2. he wants to sell the product directly to customers in Indonesia (for export-import activities/ sourcing for product, maybe still legal, except if he has a base in Indonesia and didn't register his company legally)
deyowulf
Yeah Ferdie you're on point I've been asking for opinions from lawyers and various people who have lived in Bali for a while and it seems like everyone has a different answer. I was looking for more expert points of view, and I appreciate everyone who has used their time to share with me. Still waiting on a picture of the stamp for the temporary work "visa" that my friend got - will post it when I get it.
spicyayam
I would guess they have a business visa which might be why there is a company name sponsor on the letter you posted. Personally I think you are wasting your money getting advice from lawyers here on immigration issues. If you want to pay someone, then I think you are better off just using an agent.
Markit
Why would anyone want to make their lives so fecking complicated?I presume your website is done and running and you have a good business started with loads of potential - otherwise it's even sillier going to all this trouble isn't it?If it was me I would hire some nice brown lady to "front" your operation here in Bali carry on running around Indonesia doing your business buying and selling and letting everything run through your "front" lady. Pay all the appropriate fees and taxes as all good business should - they aint much here in any case!What happens to the profits interests nobody if all the dues are paid and I'm sure you can put them to good use if you are half way clever. All you need is to make sure your name appears on nothing by letting your lady write all comms to your suppliers and a stink-normal Social Visa with a trip to Singapore every 6 months - shouldn't be hard. Another way would be to get a pre-existing Indo distribution company to collect and supply your products from the orders you make to them - you get paid over Paypal and pay them bank tranfer - easy-peasy? Who knows or cares where you are?But what do I know?Markit
