Visa Procedures in Indonesia: real experience from chats
From real experience
ruleFor a family KITAS (spouse is an Indonesian citizen), the process often involves obtaining a SKTT (Surat Keterangan Tempat Tinggal) based on the spouse's KTP (ID card) registration area.
If the spouse's KTP is registered in Jakarta, the initial registration may need to happen there, although subsequent residency can be moved to Bali. It is recommended to consult official Dukcapil (Civil Registry) websites or legal professionals for the latest specific document requirements for spouse-sponsored visas.
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riskWorking as a self-employed foreigner (e.g., nail technician, tattoo artist, beautician) without a proper corporate KITAS and working permit (IMTA) is strictly illegal in Indonesia.
"Protection fees" paid to locals do not protect from official immigration raids, especially those initiated from Jakarta. Penalties include deportation, blacklisting, and heavy fines (up to 100 million IDR to recover seized passports).
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ruleFor Russian passport holders in Bali, VFS Global Bali facilitates Schengen visa submissions, but country options are strictly limited.
Germany and the Netherlands no longer accept tourist visa applications from Russian citizens in Bali, regardless of KITAS status. Active options include Portugal and Bulgaria, which generally issue single-entry visas strictly for the trip dates. Processing times are long, taking up to 1.5 months.
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riskVisa processing (C1/E-visa) in Indonesia is currently experiencing delays due to internal immigration administrative changes.
Standard processing times may extend to 10-15+ days. Avoid agents promising same-day or 24-hour service, as these are currently unreliable. Always verify status through the official government e-visa portal.
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riskIndonesian immigration authorities are strictly enforcing visa compliance for content creators.
Commercial activity (including brand collaborations, barter for stay, or paid filming) on a tourist visa is illegal and leads to deportation. A specific visa category for content creators is currently under development.
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ruleVisa on Arrival (VOA) in Indonesia is valid for 30 days and extendable for another 30 days.
Travelers staying longer than 30 days can present an outbound flight ticket matching their total stay (e.g., 45 days). Immigration officials typically accept this, knowing the visa can be extended.
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tipIf you don't have an electronic card, you can pay for the Indonesian e-visa at the airport.
Alternatively, explore options through currency exchange chats to facilitate payment.