furble
Spent a few years living in Bali with my wife (she is Indonesian). About 3 years, and over those 3 years was always SosBud and did the extensions myself at KanIm each month then went to Singapore for a new Visa every 6 months etc...Now we have been in America for about a year, wife has Green Card now.We are going to go back to Bali and stay for 6 months.Being that I am kinda of tired with the SosBud process I found me a sponsor for a Multiple Entry Business Visa but have run into a bit of confusion on it.I understand that it is valid for 1 year and good for multiple entries (great). I also understand that each visit is limited to 60 days but can just go to Singapore for a day and come back to start a new 60 days.The main confusion comes regarding whether it can be extended rather than going to Singapore for a day.These are the answers I have gotten:[INDENT]Some internet websites say it cannot be extended.Some websites both says it cannot be extended and also that it can be extended 30 days per extension 4 times.I called the consulate in Los Angeles and they said it cannot be extended at all.And I have a friend in Bali who has one and he had been extending it every 60 days for quite some time with each extension being 60 days. He just gets a new one every year.[/INDENT][B]So who is right?[/B]Other things I am not clear on, is when I buy my round trip ticket from Los Angels to Bali must it be a 60 day round trip (which I will change the return date later) or can I just buy the 6 month round trip from the beginning and I will be allowed to board the plane and enter the country. Visa agent told me Embassy won't check plane tickets to issue the Visa. I called the Embassy twice and both time got 2 different answers (one time they said they will need to see tickets and another time said not necessary). Called the airlines and they said I have to call the embassy, yet the airline seems to be good about knowing the answer and making decisions when you are checking in for your flight.A final question that is just too complicated to ask any government agency is so what happens when I extend the Business Visa (if it can even be extended)? If I extend it after the first 60 days, and then go to Singapore for example at the 120th day, would I be able to extend it again on the 180th day (yes I realize that we only plan to stay for 180 days anyway)? Would an extension change it from Multiple Entry to single entry? Lots of little details that seem important.I don't really do Business so to say in Indonesia. Only reason I even want this thing instead of SosBud is because it would seem less hassle (no need to basically go to KanIm every week which gets old). And also although I don't work in Indonesia I am one of those guys that works online, all based in America. No bank accounts in Indo, nobody is paid to or solicted there, absolutely no local business activities. I basically check my email a lot. I don't even need to make phone calls. It is one of those gray area things though and the Business Visa gives me a bit more piece of mind than a SosBud does.One of my concerns is that an extension or something messes up my Business Visa and then I have to go to Singapore and come back on a Tourist visa or SosBud and then they are gonna question why yesterday I was on a Businss Vissa and then the next day I am coming in as a tourist. If the Business Visa can really be extended at KanIm or renewed by getting a new stamp in my passport (exiting and re-entering the country) then this would be a great solution.
BKT
I had to go to Singapore to extend my Business Visa after it expired, they wouldn't extend it while I was here.In the past though I've had SosBuds, 10 Day tourist Visa's, 30 Day tourist Visa's, 60 Day tourist Visa's, Business Visa's, KITAP's and now an ITAP, even had a working visa for half a day due to a mistake immigration made. I say if you have a reliable agent who can extend your Sosbud for a decent price then stick with a Sosbud. If not then go for the Business Visa, both work out to be almost the same price anyway.
furble
I had to go to Singapore to extend my Business Visa after it expired, they wouldn't extend it while I was here.[/QUOTE]Was it the Multiple Entry type? How long ago was this? Would it have been the first extension on it? And what reason did they say they could not extend it (maybe because you had already been to Singapore to extend it before?When you say expired you mean the 1 year validity period of the Visa expired or the 60 day stay expired and you were trying to get your next 60 days?Sorry I know lots of questions.
BKT
Expired as in I had already had it for 1 year and was wanting to extend it for another year, you must leave the country to do this. This was more than 5 years ago, it was a multiple entry business Visa.
furble
Expired as in I had already had it for 1 year and was wanting to extend it for another year, you must leave the country to do this. This was more than 5 years ago, it was a multiple entry business Visa.[/QUOTE]Ah yes, I understand that after 1 year you need a fresh one.During the year it was still valid were you extending it every 60 days at the local immigration office or frequently leaving the country and coming back in?
davita
The multi-entry business visa is the same as a multi-entry Sosbud. It is initially authorised from Jakarta and telexed to be issued at the foreign Indonesian Embassy/Consul of your choice. The foreign RI Embassy/Consul is NOT authorized to issue this visa without approval from Jakarta.The visa lasts for 1 year and you must enter Indonesia within 90 days of its issue.Once entered Indonesia you must leave within 60 days...it is NOT extendable within Indonesia. You could fly to SIN/KL in the morning and return, with a bottle of duty-free, that same day...perfectly legal and my wife and I have done that more than once.Frankly, it is a pain in the butt for those who are using it to just attempt to stay in Indonesia for a longer period...coz that is NOT the intention of the visa. If wanting to stay for up to 6 months, not needing to exit, and living near the Immigrasi of the sponsor I found the single-entry Sosbud was the easiest way...but getting the extensions is indeed a small headache.If wife is WNI then, after arriving on a Sosbud, it is possible (DIY or using an agent) to get it transferred to a spousal Kitas with multi-entry-exit permit (MERP). This lasts 1 year and IS extendable within Indonesia...in itself it does not permit employment but a work permit (different organisation issues this) can be attached.
furble
it is NOT extendable within Indonesia. You could fly to SIN/KL in the morning and return, with a bottle of duty-free, that same day...perfectly legal and my wife and I have done that more than once.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the fast reply! [B]You are telling me the same thing that the Embassy is telling me[/B]. It's always good when more than 1 person say the same thing :) Meanwhile I also had Facebook chat with a good expat friend in Bali (a few hours ago) who is currently there and been there for several years. For the past 2 years (a little less than that actually) he has been on the Multiple Entry Business Visa and he swears he extends it an additional 60 days at KanIm every 60 days for 1.3jt. He does it in person not with an agent. In fact he just did one last week. Also looks like BKT above had extended one a few times before too. Go figure.Maybe it is one of those things like how the VOA says right on it that it is not extendable, however you can extend it for an additional 30 days (done that many times myself).I don't really see a way to make a poll in this forum but it would be interesting to make a poll for people that have been able to extend their Business visa and those who haven't.
davita
There are many things done in Bali which are not legal, or are in disputed grey, and many foreigners accept this as the way of life and look the other way. So, I suggest you could ask your facebook friend to take you to his Kanim and have your multi-entry visa extended....just make sure the 60 days has not yet expired; just in case it's a different officer on duty.....:frog:I would add that I've recently heard of foreigners being interviewed, in their own residence, for proper documentation...so fair warning. I even witnessed the Pecalang, in my Banjar, checking villas for undocumented workers.I don't understand your comment on VOA...it has been available for a 1 X 30 day extension for a couple of years, and this is documented on websites.Also, I didn't interpret BKT post that he had it extended in Indonesia, to the contrary, I read that he advised he went out of country as the 1 year had expired....not the 60 day rule. But maybe I got that wrong...I'll leave that to BKT.Sometimes posters say extensions when they mean renewals.
furble
There are many things done in Bali which are not legal, or are in disputed grey, and many foreigners accept this as the way of life and look the other way. So, I suggest you could ask your facebook friend to take you to his Kanim and have your multi-entry visa extended....just make sure the 60 days has not yet expired; just in case it's a different officer on duty.....:frog:I would add that I've recently heard of foreigners being interviewed, in their own residence, for proper documentation...so fair warning. I even witnessed the Pecalang, in my Banjar, checking villas for undocumented workers.I don't understand your comment on VOA...it has been available for a 1 X 30 day extension for a couple of years, and this is documented on websites.Also, I didn't interpret BKT post that he had it extended in Indonesia, to the contrary, I read that he advised he went out of country as the 1 year had expired....not the 60 day rule. But maybe I got that wrong...I'll leave that to BKT.Sometimes posters say extensions when they mean renewals.[/QUOTE]Thanks for your reply!I hear ya. I definitely like the Business Visa over the SosBud because I feel more comfortable using my laptop and checking my email on it. I think it is normal for anyone who is on an extended vacation to call work at home sometimes or use their email, even with a tourist visa. Just I think better to have a more appropriate visa if you are gonna be somewhere for 6 months (like myself) doing these sort of things.I thought BKT was saying that during the year term of his 1 year visa he had been extending it to get to the 1 year point when it had expired, but I did ask him for clarification because I am not sure.Reality is it really isn't a big deal for me to go to Singapore for the day 2 times during my 6 month stay. It is inexpensive with advance planning (very close in price even to the 1.3jt my friend keeps paying to extend his Business Visa) and probably a faster / more efficient way to get another 60 days. Just like to know all of my options ahead of time. Now that my wife has lived in the US for a while she will probably want me to go to Singapore anyway and get some of the things that she has grown to love in the US like Velveeta Mac & Cheese, Cheez-Its or some of our breakfast cereals. Have it all in Sing.Regarding the VOA thing, yes it is well known that you can extend it but I am pretty sure that it says right on it (lazy to go check my passport right now) that it cannot be extended. Some quick searches online you can find websites that tell you that it can be extended and those that tell you it cannot ([url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/bali/practical-information/visas]Practical travel information on Visas in Bali - Lonely Planet Travel Information[/url]). But yes in reality we all already know that the VOA can be extended.
davita
Furble re #9I've only ever held single and multi-entry Sosbuds and currently a Retirement Kitas. I never had a VOA nor single or multi Business.I think the Business and Sosbud have the same Numbers and that creates confusion. My recollection to get a Business visa is it requires an invite from an Indonesian Company and request from a Foreign Company to send a foreign employee to enable the visa...the purpose of a Business visa is for the Foreign Company Staff to instantly and/or frequently engage in presentations or sales etc. in Indonesia........not for actually working on a permanent basis within Indonesia.....that requires a Kitas and work permit.i.e. link from Canada RI Embassy.....[url=http://www.indonesiavancouver.org/layanankonsuler/12-business-visa-single-multiple]BUSINESS VISA (SINGLE/ MULTIPLE)[/url].My multi-entry Sosbud was an invitation to instantly and/or frequently visit our family where the elderly mother was unwell and, sadly, subsequently died. I used my laptop and email often.As you are not avert to a trip to Singpore may I suggest you could simply apply for a Tourist Visa from where you live. This doesn't require a sponsor and is valid for 60 days. I've heard that, like your facebook friend, it may be extended in Bali...but not official. If not availed in Bali then a trip to Singapore/KL and apply for another Tourist visa, or a VOA on return and extend. This can be repeated.Recently I had visitors from Seattle for 3 weeks on VOA...my friend spent nearly every day on the phone or laptop conducting his business in the US...that isn't illegal.
spicyayam
If your wife is still Indonesian why not just get her to sponsor you for a KITAS? It is good if you plan to stay here long term as you can get a KITAP (valid for 5 years) at 2 years on a KITAS. Since your wife is Indonesian and I imagine you would like to always be able to visit Indonesia, I wouldn't advise doing anything dodgy or under the table, like paying someone to renew your visa when you are supposed to do it outside of the country.
furble
If your wife is still Indonesian why not just get her to sponsor you for a KITAS? It is good if you plan to stay here long term as you can get a KITAP (valid for 5 years) at 2 years on a KITAS. Since your wife is Indonesian and I imagine you would like to always be able to visit Indonesia, I wouldn't advise doing anything dodgy or under the table, like paying someone to renew your visa when you are supposed to do it outside of the country.[/QUOTE]We are really just going for 6 months. The entirety of my job in America an be done completely remotely via email so can do this.For this time I think the KITAS is probably not practical because we are only going to be 6 months and I believe the allowed Business activities with the Business Visa actually cover my needs as I'm not working in Indonesia, just doing my own non-Indonesian Business activities remotely which is one of the things it seems to cover.Definitely no desire or intention to do anything dodgy. Thats why I am trying to get to the bottom of this. My VISA agent that has a company sponsoring me for the Business Visa and good friend both insist that it can be extended as well as 50% of the websites I find on the matter. The friend is a very good long time friend, not just a Facebook friend. Practically like an unofficial brother to my wife and he also is not the type of guy to have any interest in anything dodgy.Seems like if the extension thing is in fact dodgy (which seems to be the popular vote here) then it's not a big deal I can just go to Sing for an afternoon. There is a conference in Singapore in March which I should probably attend so I will probably be going to Singapore at least once anyway.
davita
Furble your comment on post #12"[I]My VISA agent that has a company sponsoring me for the Business Visa and good friend both insist that it can be extended as well as 50% of the websites I find on the matter"[/I]Im not going to argue as you seem to be assured but I'd be interested where you find those websites that state the visa is extendable within RI. All the RI Embassy websites I read say it is only for 60 days and that includes the one in Washington DC.
furble
Furble your comment on post #12"[I]My VISA agent that has a company sponsoring me for the Business Visa and good friend both insist that it can be extended as well as 50% of the websites I find on the matter"[/I]Im not going to argue as you seem to be assured but I'd be interested where you find those websites that state the visa is extendable within RI. All the RI Embassy websites I read say it is only for 60 days and that includes the one in Washington DC.[/QUOTE]Here are a few from a quick search. One of which is expat.or.id which I think a lot of expats rely on for accurate information.[url=http://www.expat.or.id/info/docs.html#Business]Visas and Documentation - Information on working documents for expatriates in Indonesia[/url][url=http://www.visa-indonesia.com/52599/multiple-entry-visa.htm]Multiple Entry Visa - VISA INDONESIA[/url][url=http://www.wijayaco.com/index.php/library/23-multiple-entry-business-visa]Multiple Entry Business Visa[/url][url=http://www.visabureau.com/worldwide/indonesia-visa.aspx]Indonesia Visa: Worldwide Visa Bureau[/url]The second one is kinda confusing I may be reading it wrong.The third one says it both can be extended and can not.The fourth one just says you can.
matsaleh
The link below is for the visa agent I use and on his website is says for Single Entry Business Visa: "[COLOR=#000000]When you have got your visa from the embassy, you must return to Indonesia straightaway, then you will get 60 days free visit, monthly extendable in immigration to a total of stay 6 months."For Multiple Entry: "[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]When you get your visa from the embassy or consulate, you must return to Indonesia straightaway, then you will get 60 days free visit, monthly extendable in immigration to a total of stay 12 months. Within those 12 months you must leave the country at least once after 6 months."I have no idea if it's legal or not.[url=http://www.expatrustbali.com/?Business_Visa]Immigration Service Bali - Expatrust Bali - Business Visa[/url][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR]
spicyayam
Ok, 6 months probably doesn't make it worthwhile enough to bother. I stayed on a social visa until I got married and that worked out fine for me. Used an agent at first then later started doing it myself. I don't think having a business visa offers any more 'legitimacy' than a social visa, but that is just my opinion. Your wife is Indonesian and you are coming here to visit friends/family, which I think is the purpose of the visa. I know of someone who got into trouble recently when they got extra help from a friendly person at immigration and probably unlucky for him the KPK got involved and he was kicked out of the country. Fortunately for him he was allowed back in, but not on that same visa. Certainly a worst case scenario, but people do occasionally get caught out.
furble
I have heard that one too about having to leave at least once in the 6 month period. But what your agent's site is saying is more or less why my agent is saying. And yes, who knows.Probably will just figure it out when I'm there based on what actually happens. If I can't extend I at least have the fall back ability to just go to Sing for an afternoon.
furble
Btw my friend says when he goes in to extend he doesnt do anything special or talk to anyone special. He says he just fills out the normal form, in the normal folder. Comes back a fee days later to pay the fee, then comes back a few days later to pickup his passport.Though I will say somehing that is striking me as strange is that I know from the SosBud that after you have been in for 4 months there is a requirment that you be fingerprinted and get some extra stamps so I don't see why that same law wouldnt apply to people extending with a Bus visa.
spicyayam
[COLOR=#333333]He says he just fills out the normal form, in the normal folder. Comes back a fee days later to pay the fee, then comes back a few days later to pickup his passport.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]If that is the case then it sounds legit. From my experience on the social visa you apply one day, come back again a couple days later to pay and then a couple days later again to pick up the visa. Is that the same for your friend's business visa?
matsaleh
For the social visa, the fingerprinting and photo are done at the time of the 1st extension now. No idea about the business visa, but I'd imagine it's the same.
