rudicantfail
Hi guys,
I've seen this posted a few times on Facebook in the past 24 hours - all posted by the same visa agency:
NEW 2016 STRICT IMMIGRATION RULES OF INDONESIA | Visa For Bali
Anyone know if it's true? Can't seem to find any official announcement.
New regulations will take effect on 1st of January 2016 at least in Bali (Badung Regency)
According to new rules, foreigner's visas will be rejected in case if during past 12 months visitor has had:
- 2 visas on arrival (paid or free)
- 1 Social/Tourist Visa B211
There are no changes for holders of KITAP, KITAS, Diplomatic and multiple entries visas.
New regulations are about to affect foreigners who work in Indonesia illegally.
Who is Affected:
- English Teachers
- Scuba Instructors
- Divemasters
- Bartenders
- Tour Guides
- Anyone working in Indonesia without a KITAS or KITAP.
Seems like immigration police will look for illegal workers harder.
Here's the good news:
- If this is your first time to Indonesia, don't worry about it.
- If you are a digital nomad coming to Indonesia to work online as an entrepreneur you are fine.
- If you've reahed retirement age - it is just right time to apply for Retirement Visa
- If you've had already 2 paid or free VOA or at least 1 Social/Tourist Visa and want to stay in Indonesia longer - there is still the solution.
The Solution:
1. Get a multiple-entry Business Visa B-212
2. After 60 days - make a border run to get another 60 days (check AirAsia chep flights)
3. Make again step 2. up to 6 times, so you will get 420 days straight
ronb
It says
[quote]
New regulations will take effect on 1st of January 2016 at least in Bali (Badung Regency)
[/quote]
which is a bit odd. Do different rules apply in different regencies? Presumably this story comes from Immigration in Renon (or maybe the Airport Office), so if anyone had the energy they could go there with a copy of this article and ask.
spicyayam
[ATTACH]2545.vB[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]2546.vB[/ATTACH]
spicyayam
Apparently it is just a proposal and announcement of a meeting. Maybe someone can translate it.
Nydave
Seems pretty much in line with this government`s policies,
After reading other posts about how they intent to increase the number of tourists every year,then I guess this is how they intend achieving it by making it harder to get a visa,
Two steps backwards and one step forward,,
matsaleh
The whole thing sounds like a storm in a teacup, IMHO. :icon_rolleyes:
matsaleh
[MENTION=4966]gilbert de jong[/MENTION], your language skills are better than most of us on the forum. Can you translate the pages Spicy Ayam posted?
mrsgabry
I think this is nonsense. To me it seems that a visa-agent tries to get some business.
Markit
Untwist the knickers and open a cold one.
The dogs bark but the caravan moves on.
spicyayam
Markit
So this "new" law will be funded from budget from the previous year? Haha, don't expect a massive presence or change there...
matsaleh
This was posted on Facebook by another visa agency, in response to the original post. I have tried to translate the original document posted by Spicy, but the formal language is beyond my level of understanding (and Google Translate is not much help)
[QUOTE][COLOR=#666666][FONT=helvetica]Attention!!!
This information for everybody who worry about new immigration rules.
About the document, which appeared on the Internet[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#666666][FONT=helvetica]The document appeared on the network is not an order or an approved rule. It is a temporary recommendation of the Immigration Service Office of Jakarta issued for internal use by the immigration officers in Badung District (the southern part of Bali).[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#666666][FONT=helvetica]It is temporary instruction from the Immigration Head Office (Jakarta) valid from October 20, 2015 until December 31, 2015
Due to a lot of foreigners illegally working in Bali the Immigration Head Office recommended to immigration officers to follow the instruction.
Foreigner’s who has two visas on arrival or one Social Visa during past 12 months not allowed entry Indonesia again unceasingly.
It is a test. A trial period.
Embassies and consulates of Indonesia are advised to pay attention to the number of existing visa in a passport, but the decision to issue a visa is up to them.
In the instruction nothing is said about the procedure of extending visas for those who are already in Indonesia.
[/FONT][/COLOR]
[/QUOTE]
And this from another FB Visa agency page.
[QUOTE][COLOR=#141823][FONT=helvetica]For all our clients worried about the post on Facebook saying people from all around the world will only be able to come to Bali twice a year. The official document dates for this is that the instruction is issued on 20 October 2015 and valid until 31 December 2015. It is to act as a deterrent for foreigners coming here and working illegally of late. This isn't permanent. Please be aware if you come here to work illegally and take jobs from locals you will be caught, fined and possibly deported. Please share to all the pages reporting otherwise.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
davita
Thanks for the translate Gilbert...good job!
My read is there are no new rules...Bali cannot change Indonesian law...that's done in Parliament by Legislators.
It seems they are going to apply the current rules more stringently so that foreigners cannot abuse their visas by working when not permitted. I know lots of foreigners working when not permitted and now think those so doing better be prepared for scrutiny....and the subsequent penalties if caught.
If Gilberts translation of the last sentence (#11) is correct then the purge has already started......and will continue till the end of the year. Maybe that's why the budget is for 2015. If they continue next year, they will probably have to agree to bring that into the 2016 budget.
SHoggard
I was given a bit of a hard time coming in 1st Oct on a VOA (not through Bali) .... I've had 5 this year - I was "Ok this time, but go to the Indon Embassy next time & apply for 'other visa' (longer or business) "
Maybe it is some national trial
Markit
Isn't it about time to launch the "Last Hope" or whatever you call your glorified dingy?
ronb
So the fifth point suggests that a person who has done a visa run to Singapore, and has the visa in their passport, could be refused entry in Bali because "
he/she could potentially be working in Indonesia". You would think this decision should be made by the Singapore Embassy when issuing the visa.
The workings of government departments are indeed curious.
davita
Although Gilbert doesn't specifically mention in his translation....other summaries of point #2 are of importance to some...viz
Point #2; Improve the checking of foreign visitors at immigration checkpoints with extra attention to foreigners who have lived legally in Indonesia for more than [COLOR="#FF0000"]four months within the last year[/COLOR]. With the exception of foreigners on an ITAS, ITAP, diplomatic visa, service visa (visa dinas) or multiple visa holders;
This could include those on Sosbud repeated visas.
Many of us have routinely advised this Sosbud/Tourist Visa to stay longer in RI...but that advice may no longer be appropriate.
davita
RE: Post #20
December is still a long way so hopefully someone who has recently experienced the new scrutiny, using multiple Sosbuds, will post.
If not Steve...bon voyage...nice knowing you....keep in touch and we'll update all info so you'll know when it's safe to return. Oh! please send your address in Geylang (affordable Singapore) so we know where to send the rest of your clothes, you might be needing some clean underwear...:icon_lol::icon_twisted:
spicyayam
[QUOTE][COLOR=#333333]December is still a long way so hopefully someone who has recently experienced the new scrutiny, using multiple Sosbuds, will post.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
I have a friend who will be going through next week. If he makes it back I will let you know
davita
ronb wroteSo the fifth point suggests that a person who has done a visa run to Singapore, and has the visa in their passport, could be refused entry in Bali because "
he/she could potentially be working in Indonesia". You would think this decision should be made by the Singapore Embassy when issuing the visa.
The workings of government departments are indeed curious.
This is the case with most visit visas to most countries. A visa may be issued in an Embassy/Consul but the final arbiter of allowing entry is the immigration officer at the airport.
