| "I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the | | | | liable to a prison sentence if detected. |
| world". When Socrates uttered these immortal words | | | | Expect the whole application process to take up to a |
| around 450 BC, residency matters were clearly much | | | | month after which time a fax will be sent to the |
| more straightforward. Perhaps, today taking into | | | | Indonesian consulate you nominated authorizing them |
| account Greece's financial troubles he would probably | | | | to issue you with a Kitas. After entering Indonesia you |
| classify himself as a citizen of the E.U. Similarily, when | | | | are allowed about 5 days (exact period will be on |
| someone decides to live in Bali, one of the first tasks is | | | | immigration stamp in your passport) to report to |
| to determine your current situation and circumstances | | | | Immigration office to validate your visa. Your agent will |
| and then apply for the appropriate visa. You will be | | | | normally accompany you on this visit and babysit you |
| offered many shortcuts and tricks to beat the system | | | | through the ensuing fingerprinting process. |
| but I strongly advise against those options and to play | | | | On completion of the process you should have in your |
| it straight. If you plan to spend many years in Indonesia | | | | possession 4 original documents issued in the following |
| it is surely worthwhile to take time to understand the | | | | order. A KITAS - identity card, a Blue Book - |
| basic application process and familiarize yourself with | | | | immigration log book on which will be logged any |
| the paperwork involved in living and working in | | | | changes to your immigration status including changes |
| Indonesia, legally. | | | | of address, martial status,etc. a work permit IKTA and |
| Having decided to live in Bali, and with a job lined up, | | | | a police certificate SKLD. You should bring your KITAS |
| the next step is to apply for a visa. I know of many | | | | with you at all times and remember you are allowed |
| companies who tell their employees to get business | | | | only to work for the company documented as your |
| visas as it is much easier and quicker. They are | | | | sponsor and in the capacity listed on your KITAS and |
| correct in saying it is much easier and quicker but it is | | | | IKTA. |
| also illegal to work in Indonesia under a business visa. | | | | Once you are granted a KITAS you are obliged to get |
| A business visa is only applicable where someone is | | | | a personal tax number NPWP and file your tax report |
| visiting or staying in the country short term to conduct | | | | at end of tax year. You are responsible for this |
| business such as sourcing products and services or | | | | process, not your employer. In many cases, the |
| arranging contracts with manufacturers. If you are | | | | employer undertakes to pay taxes on behalf of the |
| employed by an Indonesian company or an Indonesian | | | | employee, however you must be sure to demand |
| division of a foreign company and are based here long | | | | certificate of payment from your employer. There |
| term, then a business visa is not suitable and you need | | | | have been many documented cases where the |
| to apply for a KITAS (temporary stay visa) with work | | | | employee only discovered at the end of a contract |
| permit. There have been several incidents over the | | | | that he/she owed a lot of money to the taxman. |
| years of people who were working illegally under | | | | Once a KITAS is issued, you are not allowed to leave |
| business visas being detained, deported and barred | | | | the country without an exit permit, there are a few |
| from Indonesia for a period of years. | | | | options here like single re-entry exit permit, multiple |
| The KITAS permits are valid for one year and are | | | | re-entry valid for 6 months or multiple re-entry valid for |
| extendable in-country. To lodge an application you will | | | | twelve months. I would recommend you have a valid |
| need to provide the following documents: | | | | permit at all times should you need to travel abroad for |
| - Copy of your passport. | | | | emergencies. At the end of your KITAS period you |
| - Curriculum Vitae and references | | | | have the option to extend in-country. If you are not |
| - Copy of Acedemic qualifications | | | | extending you must apply for a termination certificate |
| - Passport photographs with red backgrounds (21 x | | | | EPO, this is basically a guarantee to the government |
| 4cm x 6cm, 8 x 3cm x 4cm, 6 x 2cm x 3cm ). | | | | that you are not leaving with any "unfinished business". |
| Additionally, you will need your employer to provide the | | | | Overall, it would be advisable to memorize and |
| following original paperwork. | | | | understand the terms KITAS, IKTA, SKLD, KTP and |
| - The company Deed (Akte Perusahaan) | | | | EPO as you will hear them over and over again. |
| - The company's domicile doccuments (Domisili | | | | If you have much time and patience, you can process |
| Perusahaan) | | | | the visa and work permit yourself but be prepared to |
| - The company's tax number (NPWP) | | | | spend many days waiting in Government offices. |
| - The company's business license letter (SIUP) | | | | There are many agents "Biro Jasa" offering visa |
| - The company's registration number (TDP) | | | | processing services and though they appear to be |
| - Organisational chart | | | | selling similar products their prices vary quite |
| - Copy of employee contract between you and | | | | considerably. Shop around until you find an agent you |
| company | | | | are comfortable with and do not not base your |
| - Director's identity card (KTP) | | | | decision solely on price. Contacting an agent who gave |
| - Commissioner's identity card (KTP) | | | | you a great price and whose office is on the back of |
| - Certificate of registration to the Department of Labor | | | | a motorbike may be more challenging than |
| (UU no. 17, 1981) | | | | communicating with an established professional firm. A |
| - 20 company letter heads, signed by the company | | | | couple of practical questions to ask an agent before |
| director, and sealed with the company stamp. | | | | committing would be: |
| It would be wise to check that your prospective | | | | 1. How long they have been providing this service? |
| employer actually has all these papers before getting | | | | 2. Can they introduce you to somebody who has been |
| over excited about your career prospects.You must | | | | a client for years (original application and extensions). |
| also give instruction as to which Indonesian consulate | | | | You should also visit their office and get familiar with |
| abroad you wish to pick up your visa. Before a work | | | | the individual handling your application. It may sound |
| permit can be issued the applicant must pay the sum | | | | complicated and a hassle but frankly if you plan to live |
| of 1,200 USD into a government bank account which is | | | | in Indonesia, it is definitely worth the effort to get |
| supposed to fund training of professionals who will one | | | | familiar with the process and then future extensions |
| day replace expat experts. This payment should be | | | | will be just a minor formality. You also wont need to be |
| made in person or at least you should accompany the | | | | looking over your shoulder and suffering from anxiety |
| agent when making this payment. There have been | | | | attacks when you hear rumors of a "razia" or raid by |
| many cases where unsuspecting applicants had their | | | | the immigration officials, or end up like Socrates |
| agents make this payment on their behalf only to find | | | | "philosiphying" about weighty matters, - like why you |
| out that the dodgy agents pocketed the monies | | | | didn't go to the trouble of getting the correct visa in the |
| leaving the clients with fake work permits and thus | | | | first place and avoiding the repercussions. |