How to apply for a visa and stay permit

JAKARTA (JP): Any foreigner who wants to work in Indonesia should obtain a visa and a stay permit. The immigration authorities will issue the visa upon the request of the foreigner's sponsor and a recommendation from the Ministry of Manpower.

The visa application should be submitted along with the following requirements:

* passport or travel document which is valid for at least another 18 months.

* recommendation from an overseas local sponsor or sponsor in Indonesia and related institution or technical department.

* two photographs, size 4x6 cm.

* proof or guarantee of sufficient funds for living expenses during the stay in Indonesia.

The immigration fee for the visa is US$40.

Generally, a visa is issued within three days of application, according to Hario Subayu, the editor of Immigration Guidance, which was issued earlier this month.

The visa application can be submitted either by the foreigner or the sponsor to the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta or to the Indonesian representative offices abroad. But the visa cannot be issued in Indonesia. Foreigners who have been in Indonesia as tourists have to go out of the country to get the visa. They usually go to Singapore.

The visa is valid for 90 days. Upon expiration, the foreigner should apply for a new one.

Within seven days after the foreigner arrives in the country, he or she should go to the local immigration office and apply for a limited stay permit. This document is known locally as KITAS (formerly KIMS). A copy of the applicant's curriculum vitae and other proof to support the data is required. In addition, the applicant should also enclose a copy of the sponsor's identity and a letter of guarantee from the sponsor.

The fee is Rp 125,000 ($54).

The limited stay permit is valid for one year and can be extended five times.

After five years, the holder can apply for a permanent stay permit, or KITAP (formerly KIM). The fee for a permanent stay permit is Rp 300,000 ($130). It is valid for five years and can be extended as long as the holder is still in the country.

Anyone violating immigration regulations is subject to deportation. (sim)

Table of stay permit issuance from 1990 to 1995:

Year Number of Number of foreigners Number of

stay permits Temporary Permanent deported

issued residents residents foreigners

1990 18,007 52,451 236,057 332 1991 18,418 61,244 235,048 370 1992 19,974 71,058 212,461 161 1993 26,399 83,235 200,338 277 1994 26,335 99,607 193,560 144 1995 30,913 94,952 195,719 195

Sources: Directorate General of Immigration