Travelling to Indonesia for business - visa question!

[Febs]

Hi all,

I have to make a quick trip to Jakarta next week (Mon-Fri, leaving Sydney on Sunday) for a few meetings. I was told I'd need a single visit business visa, but also that it's unlikely to be processed before my departure, as there's a new guy at the embassy who really slows down the process.

I looked into it a bit further though, and was told (by a few people, including someone at the embassy, a colleague, and two people who work in Jakarta) that I "should" be OK to enter on a Visa on Arrival (as I'm an Aussie passport holder), provided I tell them that I'm there to conduct meetings, and bring along a letter from my employer stating that I'll receive no reward/financial benefit from those meetings (I also have a letter from the sponsoring organisation in Jakarta explaining the need for my visit).

Just wondering how other Australian passport holders have handled short business trips to Indonesia? I don't want to lie and say I'm entering as a tourist. Mon-Fri trip, by myself, with a laptop...that won't look suss at all.

As I see it, my options are:
1) Apply for a Visa (my form and letters are all ready to go - I'd need to get them to the embassy in Maroubra by midday today), give them my passport, and cross my fingers.

2) Fly there and hope for the best with the Visa on Arrival.

Really keen to hear anyone's experience though? Given the horrible flights I'm taking (SYD-PER-CGK, at the most ridiculous times) I'd really hate to be turned around at the border...

Appreciate any advice.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[munitalP]

From been in your situation numerous times in the past - tourist visa on arrival will suffice. As long as it is meetings only, you will have no problems. Don't offer any more information than is really needed - thats if they even bother talking to you. You will have no issues.

PM me if you want more information

munitalP

 

[Bundy Bear]

From been in your situation numerous times in the past - tourist visa on arrival will suffice. As long as it is meetings only, you will have no problems. Don't offer any more information than is really needed - thats if they even bother talking to you. You will have no issues.

PM me if you want more information

munitalP

I am now in Bali, 2nd trip to Indonesia in 3 days caught short a ferry to Batam and the caught Jetstar last night, seems that all they are interested in is getting the USD 25 from you, not many questions were asked even though my trips are short.



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[JohnK]

Personally I would not risk it and the company I worked for felt the same.

I went through the process of obtaining a visa from the Indonesian embassy in Maroubra and from memory it did not take longer than a week to process. I took the passport, sponsorship letter, 2 photos along to Maroubra and left them a Postpak with my address details.

You may not have issues getting into Indonesia but may have issues if immigration decides to visit the work place and you are there without a work visa.

 

[Austman]

Spend a few minutes on The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia's website

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visa on Arrival to Indonesia

In accordance with the Regulation of Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia N° M.02-IZ.01.10, dated May 28, 2007, citizens from 62 countries and 1 region are eligible for applying a Visa on Arrival (VOA).

This visa can be obtained directly when you arrive at certain airports and seaports in Indonesia, regardless of the purpose of your visit (Business, Tourist, Social-Cultural).
Visa on Arrival is neither a work visa nor a visit visa. Therefore, it can not be extended or converted into another immigration permit. The maximum stay permitted is thirty (30) days.

I bolded the Business, part. A VOA should be fine.

 

[Febs]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Spend a few minutes on The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia's website

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Visa on Arrival to Indonesia



I bolded the Business, part. A VOA should be fine.

Thanks. This website was significantly more useless:
TOURIST VISA

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[moa999]

also note that they no longer offer the shorter us10 voa's.
Apparently at one of the airports the staff were collecting us25 visas and then recording them as the cheaper visa, substantially increasing their salary.

or you can use apec card.

 

[Febs]

or you can use apec card.

Sadly mine expired recently and wasn't renewed. I filed my renewal application just after the new guidelines, and couldn't convince them I was eligible (I appealed and was shot down. C'est la vie. At least I had a good 3 years out of it.)

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Sprucegoose]

They will look for regularity in your passport. A few trips are fine on Tourist. You are looking for a good wedding reception place........

Never offer information, they will twist it around and extract money out of you!

 

[JohnK]

Never offer information, they will twist it around and extract money out of you!

Another reason why the company I worked for had a local representative meet us at CGK before immigration to guide us through immigration....

 

[Sprucegoose]

Another reason why the company I worked for had a local representative meet us at CGK before immigration to guide us through immigration....

Yes my PA in Manado used to turn up with the Police Chief!!