If you want to stay in Indonesia more than 30 days (what you can do with “Visa on arrival”), you can apply for another visa type, which allows you to stay in Indonesia for 60 days.
If you want to get “Tourist visa” or “Social Budaya visa” you should apply for it outside of Indonesia. Most travelers till August said that the best place for it – Penang island in Malaysia (here is information how to get to Penang). Because of the quick, 2 days, process and possibility to get 60 days visa (in some other countries the visa making takes 7 working days and can be given only for 30 days). Unfortunately after 1st of August, 2017 – things changed:
Some travelers said that in Indonesian embassy in Penang they started to have a quota system. They could issue only a limited number of 60-day visas (per month or per week) – but nobody knows how many or who will get it. Others say, that there is no quota system and is giving 30-day visas for “Tourist visa” or “Social Budaya visa” (only with sponsor letter) if the sponsor is not family. The official seemed to imply that if the sponsor letter is from a spouse or other member of the family then they will get the 60 days. That, and the new RM10 KL + RM2 Penang room tax has we budget travelers giving USD$3.00 per day just in tax.
I didn’t try to make new visa in Penang after the system changed, so correct me, if there is any new changes or another place in any other country with better “conditions”.
Further information is about getting 30 days “Tourist visa”.
So, how to get Indonesian visa in Penang?
Here are some my advice and experience about applying for Indonesian 30-day “Tourist visa” in Penang island (I did such visa already twice but before 1st of August, 2017 and got 60 days visa).
Notice: all information prepared according 08 2017.
Contacts
Official website of Indonesian Consulate in Penang, Malaysia (but you won’t find much information there)
467 Jalan Burma, 10350 Penang (about 4 km West of the Chinatown tourist area)
Tel: (+60) (4) 227 4686; (+60) (4) 226 7412;
Fax: (+60) (4) 227 4955
Email: penang.kjri@kemlu.go.id or info@kjripenang.org.my
Before going there, be sure that in Malaysia or Penang are not public holidays.
How to get to Indonesian Consulate
If you are in the hurry and don’t want search by yourself public transport – easiest way, just to take a taxi and say the address (in some hostels in Chinatown written that taxi price to Indonesian Consulate is 20 MYR).
If you want to save some money and explore Penang use public bus – number 101 from Lebuh Chulia street or 103 from Komtar bus terminal (the main buses terminal).
The bus 101 starts at the Jetty (where the boats to Butterworth depart from). There is a bus stop on the corner of “Love Lane” and “Lebuh Chulia” streets (it’s the best stop if you are staying in Chinatown).
This bus stop not marked like usual bus stops, but you just stand in opposite street of “7 eleven” mart entrance (you will see there all the time gathering people) and when you will see coming bus 101 just wave your hand to stop it.
One way journey takes ~20-40 min. depends on the traffic and one way ticket costs 1,4 MYR (but you should say to a driver that you want to go to “Gurney Plaza”).
Get out of the bus in front of “Gurney Plaza” shopping mall (it will be on your right side). You will pass on the way first mall “Gurney Paragon”, next stop – “Gurney Plaza”. If you scared to miss it, ask the driver to say when will be that stop (I saw many people do that and drivers says when time to get out :)).
When you will get out from a bus on your left side (when you stand face to bus stop) will be traffic light. Go straight to it and turn right (to street Lebuhraya Maktab). Go all the time straight (you will pass some small streets on your right and left sides) till you will come to one big street in front of you (with 3 or 4 one way lines) – Jalan Burma. Here turn right. Go straight, on your right side you will pass “Midlands Park Center” mall. After it, on left side you will see traffic light, cross the street there and still go straight. On your left side you will see Adventist hospital. Just after it, on the same left side will be Indonesian Consulate.
First of all – dress properly. In the security post you will see the sign how you should look (no flip-flops, short shorts, T-shirt with sleeves and etc.). Some people don’t follow it and still pass inside. My advice, just dress in polite way, you are not going to a beach, yeah?.
For visa applying you should come in the morning (9:00-12:00 am.). By the way on Mondays it’s more people than on other days.
On entering the visa hall go to the table just inside the door. The lady will give you the form, fill it in and return to the table.The application form should be filled with black pen, if you don’t have, borrow it from workers.
The lady will check it briefly and give you a number. Then when the time will come they will announce the number and you will need to go to window 7. Give the papers and pay 205 MYR in cash (such price was in the end of July, 2017). If you don’t have cash in the “Midlands Park Center” mall (that you passed on the way) you can take money from ATM, as well make documents copy, take a picture – if needed. Important: Like in consulate will take your passport, don’t forget before make a copy of it.
After giving everything and pay, you will get a number. Then you need to wait till your number will appear in TV screen. Go to the counter and there you will get receipt. With it you will need to come back next day at from 14:00 to 16:00 pm (the same receipt you will need to show for a security when you will enter consulate next day).
When you will come next day, go to a counter 7 again and show your receipt – you will get your passport back. Important: in the evening of the day when you will apply check your e-mail. Because I had interesting experience, that in the evening I got e-mail from consulate, with information that I should come next day on different time that was written on receipt. Like some responsible person will be in the meeting and won’t be able to issue my visa earlier. If I wouldn’t check that day, I would need to go to consulate twice next day.
Beware of the day counting trap! The way the immigration officials’ count stay period is: the day of arrival counts as day one. The day of departure also counts. For example you have 30-days visa, you arrive on the 1st day, you must leave on the 30th day (not the 31st or the first of the next month). Even if you leave 5 min. after midnight, it will be counted as a full new day. If you overstay you will have to pay a penalty of 1 000 000 Rp per day (update from 2019). Up to 3 days is usually no problem, you will simply pay the fee at the immigration counter.
How to fill the application, what to have with you
The first few questions on the form (what type of visa, your name, passport details etc.) you should fill.
This lines you don’t need to fill if you apply for Indonesian 60-day “Tourist visa”
Occupation in Indonesia
Address of office/occupation
Address of residence in Indonesia
Name of sponsor/reference
Address of sponsor/reference
In the “Reason for applying” section write Tourism
For the supporting documentation I provided:
A photo (even if in a form written that it should be in red background, I gave without – and everything was fine, they accepted)
A photocopy of passport (info page only)
A photocopy of return ticket from Malaysia (when I will leave to Indonesia)
I read that I should give the photocopy of returns ticket from Indonesia but I didn’t have it yet on 1st time, so I brought photocopy from my bank account where shown that I have enough money to buy a ticket out of Indonesia (I just log in to my e-bank, made print screen and printed it). 2nd time I brought flight ticket, when I’m planing to leave Indonesia.
I didn’t got any extra questions or asking to bring something more.
If you didn’t make copies of needed documents, you can do it in Midland Park Center that you passed on the way to Indonesian embassy.
What to do after applying?
If you want to come back to Chinatown you should wait for the same bus 101 in front of “Midlands Park Center” mall.
But my advice, after consulate go further to explore Penang island, for example:
Go to Batu Ferringhi or Penang National park to spend rest of the day. You just need to return back to the stop, where you get out from the city center, take the same 101 and go further. From that stop it will take ~40 min. to National park and will cost 4 MYR.
By the way, during two my trips to Penang I stayed in 75 Traveller’s lodge. I found this place quite affordable, with good location and quite good condition. But there are many other places to stay in Penang.
Pin it for later!
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you tried to make Indonesian visa in Penang island? How was it?
Did you make Indonesian visa in any other country? What was your experience?
If you have any update to add, feel free to do it in comments
3rd time I arrived to Indonesia with Indonesian tourist visa (for 60 days), which I made before coming here. I made it in Indonesian embassy in Denmark (this office is responsible for administration couple of European countries, including Lithuania). Indonesian tourist visa is possible to make in any other countries as well (once I made it in Penang island, Malaysia).
After 2 months I wanted to extend my tourist visa. At that time, I was in Bali, so I needed to do it in one of immigration offices there (you can extend Indonesian tourist visa in any Indonesian island where is immigration office, for example in Java island, Yogyakarta).
I read many stories how hard to extend visas in Bali, that immigration officers are corrupted and etc. Most of the people were suggesting for visa extension in Bali hire an agent and don’t deal with immigration officers by myself. But to pay for agent almost the same amount like cost visa extension fee I didn’t want. So I decided to extend my Indonesian tourist visa by myself. And I was nicely surprised how easy it was and not so scary as I was told. So, if you have enough time and want to save some money, I suggest to extend your tourist visa by yourself.
What you should do if you want to extend Indonesian tourist visa by yourself?
1. Choose immigration office that is near your staying place
I made my tourist visa extension in Denpasar office. Here are the contacts of immigration offices in Bali:
Bali immigration office Ngurah Rai (nearby Bali Airport)
Address: Jalan Raya Taman Jimbaran, Kuta Seletan, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 (map)
Website: www.ngurahrai.imigrasi.go.id
Bali immigration office of Denpasar
Address: Jalan D.I. Panjaitan No. 3, Kel. Dangin Puri Kelod, Kec. Denpasar Timur, Denpasar, Bali, 80235 (map)
Website: www.denpasar.imigrasi.go.id
Opening hours: 08:00 – 12:00 am and 13:00 – 16:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
Opening hours: 08:00 – 12:00 am and 13:30 – 16:30 pm (Friday)
Bali immigration office of Singaraja (north Bali)
Address: Jalan Seririt Singaraja Pemaron Singaraja, Bali, 81151 (map)
Website: www.imigrasi-singaraja.com
2. Go to immigration office 7-10 days before your visa will expire
As well check if during that period won’t be any holidays when immigration office won’t work.
I went 2 weeks before my Indonesian tourist visa expiration date. And I was happy about it, like during those weeks was Eastern holidays and I had some misunderstandings with my first sponsor as well. Extra couple days helped me to make everything on time.
3. Prepare needed documents before going to immigration
Bring a black ink pen with you. Application form should be filled with black pen. Even if in immigration office you can find it, but can be that somebody else will be using it.
Bring your passport.
Have 2 photocopies of your passport picture page and Indonesian visa page. 1 copy you will leave in immigration office, 1 leave for yourself because while passport will be in immigration office it’s good to have passport copy with you.
Have 1 photocopy of your travel ticket for departure from Indonesia. You must show for immigration officers proof that you are planning to leave after your Indonesian visa will expire (even if you are thinking to make another extension in a future).
You will need bring sponsor letter sign by sponsor. Here is an example of the letter I provided (places you need to fill marked in red). The sponsor can be a person from the place you are staying, your friend and etc. (if he agree to be a sponsor).
Have 1 photocopy of your sponsor’s ID.IMPORTANT, if you will make Indonesian visa extension in Bali, your sponsor should have living permission in Bali as well (if he originally from other island and his Indonesian ID (KTP) registered not in Bali) or Bali ID card. In this case if sponsor not from Bali, you need to provide 1 photocopy of Indonesian ID and 1 photocopy of living permission in Bali.
Have the address where you are staying (likely your hotel), your sponsors contact details.
Amount of 355 000 Rp in cash. You actually won’t need to pay on your first visit, but it’s good to make sure you have everything in order when you begin the process.
4. Dress properly before going to immigration
If you arrive on flip-flops and a singlet shirt you may be not be allowed entry until you dress properly.
shoulders and knees should be covered
no slippers
no barefoot
no bikini
5. Start the process of tourist visa extension
You will need to visit immigration office 3 times till your tourist visa will be extended. Here is the process for visa extension in Denpasar office.
1st time visit
Come with your sponsor in the morning (documents for visa extension officers accept till 2 pm, at least in Denpasar office).
Just after entering the office, on the right side in front, you will see the counter. Select “Application”, take a number and go to right side (you will see where many foreigners will be sitting). Sit down and wait till your number will be announced by speaker and you will see your number in TV screen.
When your number will be called, go to the counter 1 and give all of your documents and passport. Officer will check it and will give you red folder, 2 application forms to fill (how to fill forms you can find the examples in the left side after you enter the office). 1st form is about your contact details. 2nd again about your details and sponsor details. 2nd form should be signed by you and sponsor with a stamp.
After you will fill both forms (and contact details, passport number on the folder) bring them straight to the counter 1.
They will tell you to take a seat. Shortly after will call your name and give you a receipt that will say to come back in 2-3 days (on the receipt you will see exact day to come back and time period). Do not lose that receipt!
Red folder, 2 application forms
Stamp
Receipt with information about when to come next time
2nd time visit
Again come in the morning (don’t forget to take money and receipt), go to the cashier (straight after you enter the immigration office). Give your receipt (no need to pay now). They will make some paperwork and will call your name and tell you to go to the counter 3.
With your receipt go to the counter 3, give it them. Wait till they will announce your name.
After they will call you, you will need to go back to cashier and pay 355 000 Rp in cash. Later come back again to the same counter where they will give you new number to go to make photos and finger prints.
Take a sit and wait till you will see your new number in TV screen and hear that they announce your name. Go to make photos and finger prints.
After it, they will inform you when to come back to take the passport.
3rd time visit
With your receipt go to counter 5 and give it to the officer.
Sit down and wait till they will invite you to sign the list that you get back the passport.
You will get back your passport with a stamp inside with date till which you have extension
Important: if you will come to extend 2nd time your tourist visa on 2nd visit you don’t need to make picture and finger prints again. You need to go straight to cashier, pay money and show the receipt in counter 3. Officers will put the date when come back to take the passport.
Tips for making Indonesian tourist visa extension in Denpasar office
If you didn’t make photocopies before coming to immigration office, you can do it in office are. Go to left side before entering the office. There you can buy a stamp for sponsor form as well, but there is no printing possibilities.
Around immigration office you won’t find nearly ant place to print documents, so better take care of it day before coming.
You should plan to stay in immigration office from 1 to 3 hours each time (depends on amount of people who are making visa extension). If you make 2nd time extension on 2nd visit you will need ~40 min.
If you are going to immigration office (for 2nd visit – pay money and take pictures) on the last day of the month – the cashier will work only till 12:00 am (not till 14:00 pm like other days)
That’s all! Your Indonesian tourist visa extended 30 days extra.
You can extend tourist visa 4 times (each time for 30 days). After it, if you would like to stay in Indonesia again, you will need to go abroad to make new visa. I did it in Penang island, Malaysia (it was quick and easy process).
If you think that all this process is too difficult for you or you don’t have time to come 3 times to the immigration office, you can use agent service. What is the difference to make visa extension with the agent?
If you take agent service you will need to go to immigration office only 1 time to make pictures and fingerprints.
You will meet agent 3 times – to give documents and tell needed information, go to make photo and come back to take the passport (some agents even bring and take papers from your place).
The agent will be your sponsor too, so you won’t need to provide sponsor letter and copies of sponsor ID.
It will cost more, approximately from 600 000 to 850 000 Rp (agent service and visa extension fee). The price depends in which city you will use agent, how fast you want to have extension (it’s possible to have it during couple of days paying more).
Did you made Indonesian visa extension in Indonesia? What was your experience? If you have something to add extra, updates – fell free to do it in the comments :)
Here you can find answers for frequently asked questions (FAQ) that new Darmasiswa scholarship students asks before applying for the program or after it. If you don‘t find the answers here – fill the question form (in the end of the page) and I will try to answer or give information where you can get the answer.
Do I need to translate my diploma in English language?
Nowadays most of universities already gives diploma written in 2 languages (native and English). If you have such diploma – it‘s enough.
If your diploma written only in native language – then you will need to add to application the original diploma written in native language and the translation of it. Sometimes Indonesian embassy’s in different countries have their own rules, so it‘s better to ask embassy in your country if you really need to add translated diploma.
What kind of medical report I should add to application?
Each country has international form for medical report written in English. You should ask your doctor for this form and he will fill needed lines about your general health condition. This filled document should be add to application. Here is my example from Lithuania.
What to select in line ‟Where do you prefer to stay“?
Before coming, it‘s hard to decide where you would like to live, as well different universities has different situation with their students host. Some universities have their own dormitories, others – don‘t. My suggestion, in application select the most suitable place.
Don‘t worry, after you will arrive you can change your mind and live in another type of house than you selected in application. Here is my recommendations how to find a place to live in Indonesia.
Communication with Indonesian embassy:
Indonesian embassy don‘t reply to my e-mails, what should I do?
Most probably you will have many questions, would like to clarify something before applying or after you will be selected. But you won‘t be the only one with many questions :). As well some Indonesian embassies administrate couple of countries requests.
My suggestion, just be patient, they will answer you, just maybe not so quick like you used to. In urgent case – you can always call to embassy. If you didn‘t get the answer after ~ 1,5 week you can remind them that you still waiting for answer (of course in polite way :)).
Study and scholarship amount:
How many and what kind of classes I will have during studying time?
Everything depends on study that you choose and university. Each university and department has their own timetables. Unfortunately you can‘t get this information before applying, like all new year study programs and information is preparing during that year June-August. But you will get all information from your coordinator when you will come to your city.
Just for example, I was studying in ISI Yogyakarta, ‟Seni Tari“ (traditional dance). In first semester I needed to choose 3 classes that I want to attend. In some days I had lessons from 7.30 am till ~2 pm (with breaks). Other days I had 1 lesson in the morning, 2 lessons in the evening or even only 1 lesson per day. In second semester the time table was different.
Those who didn‘t select study object “Bahasa Indonesian“ (Indonesian language) will get first 2 months of language course (approved only exact hours amount for language courses, so can be that different universities can manage to organize those hours quicker or slower).
Will I have exams like regular university students?
You should have (in some study objects instead of exams – final projects). Just some teachers are more flexible to evaluate you, others the same strict like for local students. Everything depends on university and teachers policy concerning foreigner students.
Most of the time, those who choose “Bahasa Indonesian“ – will have not only exams but as well to write essay and other final works.
Will be enough scholarship amount for living in Indonesia?
In each university it can bit a bit different studies year ending time. Even some of the same university departments finish in different time. So you need to ask your scholarship coordinator in university.
But preliminary studies year finishing between the end of May and end of June.
Even scholarship program closing ceremony can be organized when you won‘t finish officially studies in your university ;).
When I can travel during study year?
There are many opportunities to enjoy long weekends and holidays as there are 13 national holidays in Indonesia. So you can travel during them (but you should know that during such weekends Indonesian people will travel as well, so many places will be quite crowded). As well you will have some long vocations in the end of Christmas till ~the end of January or even middle of February. Again the period depends on each university. Just ask your university scholarship coordinator the timetable of study year, there will be marked all free days from studies :).
Can I quite scholarship program and not stay all 6 months or 1 year?
You should discuss about such case with your university program coordinator, like it can be many important reasons (because of your health condition, some case related with your family issues and etc.).
But if you want to quite because you see that you don‘t manage to live in Indonesia, too many differences between your previous surrounding and etc. I suggest just wait a little bit more ;). Usually at least adapt in new surrounding need not less than 3 months. Some students who quit the program earlier – later regret that they gave up so early and were missing life in Indonesia. So, try to adapt and see positive things, if nothing will change and you will “suffer” in Indonesia then talk with your university program coordinator about quitting the scholarship.
Selection procedure:
Who selects the students for scholarship?
First of all, your application form will read the responsible person in Indonesian embassy in your country.
Then you will have conversation with this person (by “Skype‟ or live). This person will put some notes after meeting and will send your application, notes to Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia (in Jakarta).
Later, the responsible person (or group of them) in Ministry of Education and Culture will read your application and embassies notes. They will make first selection and decide to which university to send your application (for university that you choose like first option or second).
After it, the selected students application forms will be given for university that you applied (first or second option). They will read your application and will decide to choose you or not.
Each university has fixed amount of students that they can accept for scholarship, unfortunately they can‘t accept all applicants that Ministry of Education and Culture send to university.
I don‘t find information about selected students on the day when they should be announced, what to do?
Like many people and institutions are involved in the selection process, sometimes announcement of selected students can delay ~ 1 month from the date that written in the timetable. So you need to be patient and check official Darmasiswa scholarship website for the further information. Usually as well about date changing they inform in Darmasiswa scholarship „Facebook“ page.
