January 4, 2012

Indonesian Immigration Law still up in the air

 Last April there was much excitement about the new immigration law which was going to grant permanent residency and the right to work for foreigners married to Indonesian citizens. The law hasn't official been activated but there has been some talk about foreigners who have managed to get it done in Jakarta. Here's a look at the new rules.

Q:  What happens if a mixed marriage couple, who have been married for more than 5 years and live abroad, want to return to live in Indonesia?
A:  The foreign spouse should enter Indonesia on a Visa Tinggal Terbatas (Temporary Stay Visa). Once in Indonesia, she/he can apply for Izin Tinggal Tetap (ITAP = Permanent Residence Permit, or PR).

Q:  What happens if a mixed marriage couple have just got married abroad and want to live in Indonesia?
A:  The foreign spouse should enter Indonesia on a Visa Tinggal Terbatas. After getting an Entry Stamp (Tanda Masuk), they must  apply to the local Immigration Office for Izin Tinggal Terbatas (ITAS = Temporary Residence Permit).  The ITAS is valid for 2 years and can then be converted to ITAP. To get the ITAP, the foreign spouse must also sign a Declaration of Integration.

Q:  Can a foreign spouse who has an ITAP due to being in a mixed marriage, work in Indonesia?
A:  Yes.

Q:  What happens if the child of a mixed marriage, who has foreign citizenship and lives abroad, wants to live in Indonesia?
A:   She/he should enter Indonesia on a Visa Tinggal Terbatas. Once in Indonesia, they can immediately apply for an ITAP.

Q:  What happens if the child of a mixed marriage, who lives in Indonesia, chooses her/his foreign citizenship upon reaching the age of 18?
A:  She/he can get an ITAP immediately.

Q:  What happens in the case of the foreign spouse in a mixed marriage who has been married for more than 2 years and is living in Indonesia?
A:  She/he can get an ITAP immediately.

Q:  What happens if the couple divorce?
A:  A mixed marriage ITAP will not be cancelled due to divorce if the couple has been married for 10 years or more.

Q:  What happens if the Indonesian spouse dies?
A:  A mixed marriage ITAP will not be cancelled due to the death of the Indonesian spouse.

Q:  Do ITAP holders need a sponsor?
A:  People holding an ITAP due to being in a mixed marriage do not need a sponsor.

Q:  Does the mixed marriage ITAP have to be renewed?
A:  ITAP holders must report to the Immigration Office every 5 years. There is no charge for this.

Q:  Is a re-entry permit still needed with an ITAP?
A:  Yes. ITAP holders can get a multiple re-entry permit that is valid for 2 years.

Q:  How long can an ITAP holder stay away from Indonesia without losing their ITAP?
A:  The ITAP will be cancelled if the holder is away from Indonesia for more than 1 year, or if they do not intend to return to Indonesia.

Travel safe in Bali - Travel insurance from Worldnomads.com  

For visitors on a short stay in Bali, check out the affordable Bali hotels in Denpasar, Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Seminyak, Tanjung Benoa, Tuban, Ubud, Uluwatu and Umalas

For visitors on a longer stay in Bali, check out the affordable Bali hotels in Amed, Candi Dasa, Canggu, Lombok, Lovina, Nusa Lembongan, Tabanan and Tanah Lot.

1 comment:

  1. bit confusing that here.

    -5 years married can apply for itap
    -fresh married apply for itas, than for itap

    in fact, both need at first itas

    ReplyDelete

CATEGORIES

HOME
BALI NEWS
BALI HOTELS
BALI VILLAS
BALI SURFING
BALI CULTURE
BALI MONEY
BALI NIGHTLIFE
BALI PHOTO
BALI RESTAURANTS
BALI WEATHER
EXPLORING BALI

AMED
CANDI DASA
CANGGU
DENPASAR
JIMBARAN
KUTA
LEGIAN
LOMBOK
LOVINA
NUSA DUA
NUSA LEMBONGAN
PETITENGET
SANUR
SEMINYAK
TABANAN
TANAH LOT
TANJUNG BENOA
TUBAN
UBUD
ULUWATU
UMALAS
REGIONS OF BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
EAST BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
LEMBONGAN / PENIDA TRAVEL GUIDE
LOMBOK / GILI ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE
NORTH BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
SOUTH BALI TRAVEL GUIDE
WEST BALI TRAVEL GUIDE