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Bandungexpat has heard that Indonesian immigration is operated mostly to profit the bureaucrats who run it; of course we don't believe that.

Male spouses of Indonesian nationals have no special rights. For women married to Indonesian men, it's supposed to be easier. "Interfaith" marriages are not really allowed by the government. See Jakarta Post article.

Indonesia may be the only country that does not allow a child born there to an Indonesian mother to live there or be a citizen if she is officially married to a foreign man (with the foreign man's name on the birth certificate). The baby is automatically an illegal alien if not paid for each year to immigration. Indonesia also has a rare distinction of charging its residents rp1000000 tax to leave by air

There is a vague law that says that foreigners in Indonesia more than 6 months have to pay a percentage of their world-wide earnings in tax. (Mr Gates: be careful if you plan a long vacation in Indonesia!)

There are several options for the foreigner who wants to live in Indonesia:

• Tourist visa - 60 days, supposedly non-extendable, one has to leave the country and return to get another stamp in one's passport. A round-trip flight from Jakarta to Singapore costs around US$120. Bandungexpat has also heard that after a number of these stamps are placed in one's passport, the officials at the airport may hassle one and accusing one of working. Maintaining. honestly that one is a a tourist and remaining patient is recommended. Department of Foreign Affairs' visa site
• Business visa - 60 days, extendable. Similar to tourist visa. A multiple-entry is available. Far-flung embassies may give this easily. Singapore has a different, more difficult system.
• Student visa - (More info needed here). One year stay(?)
• Social/cultural visa - 30 days, extendable. Involves long waits at immigration office and/or payment of "fees" to expedite the extensions.
• Residency/work visa - Sponsorship required. Expensive with maybe a $1200/year tax pre-paid, due at sign-up. Lots of redundant reporting to various offices required. Residents are also honored with having to pay rp1000000 tax every time they leave the country by air. (Rp500000 by sea.) Residents' international driver's licenses are not valid.
• Citizenship - (More info needed here). It's been done. Dual citizenship is not yet allowed. See Jakarta post article.
• Retiree - (More info needed here). One year stay. Possible but with the usual hassles/monies-asked-for. Minimum age & income requirement.
• Illegal immigrant - One just stays and takes one's chances. Tricks, fines, jail, and/or bribes used when one wants to leave the country.

Visa runs

Are getting cheaper: http://airasia.com http://jetairasia.com

Good advice

From expatforum.digitaldevelopment.com:

"Re: Sosial Budaya or retirement visa Author : namtac @[202.155.57.45] Date : 01-09-2005 @ 1:39 PM

"In Singapore social visas, 60 day visas extendable 4 times by 30 days, cost SGD$100 and take 3 working days…UNLESS… you pay an agent a total of $160 (visa $100, agent’s fee $40, express service fee $20) in which case they are done same day. It’s a pick-up/drop-off service, so in addition to saving the cost of 3 nights’ hotel accommodation you save at least 4 taxi fares and a lot of messing about. There’s no way you can arrange to get a social visa yourself in 1 day. After the first 60 days, the 4 1-month extensions cost up to 500,000 each in Indonesia, also better via an agent unless you like lots of waiting and being messed around. You must leave the country every 6 months. Contact Mr Wahab Merican, Hana Express, telp 65 6221 2181, 6440 9605, fax 65 6344 6912, 6224 2975, HP 65 9654 0870, email shohib@starhub.net.sg, Website, www.hana-express.com.sg . I have used social visas for years with no hassles other than the usual niggling by Immigration gateway staff trying to line their pockets in various nefarious ways, but If you enter and leave Indonesia via Batam there are almost never any hassles with Immigration staff. If you don’t mind more time in transit, the new fly and die (ie budget) airlines, make this route pretty cheap, too, and you can find an excellent ikan bakar on your way through Nagoya. "

Also see:

• indonesianimmigration.com - FAQ
• http://www.okusi.net/WhatWeDo.html#visas Okusi Legal & Corporate Services - gives prices!
• http://www.expat.or.id/info/docs.html
• http://www.expat.or.id/info/registeringbirth.html
• Advice for researchers making applications for permits in Indonesia (c1995)
• Department of Foreign Affairs' visa site
• Indonesian Consul, NYC