5 Issues with Business Visas in Indonesia and How to Overcome Them

Corporate Secretary Service Indonesia – One of the visas that foreigners can apply for to enter Indonesia is a business visa. A business visa is also one of the most misunderstood legal documents issued by Indonesian immigration, as it is always confused with other visas such as cultural visas, social visas, tourist visas, exempted visas and visas on arrival.

There are many unpleasant events that you will have to face if you have visa issues, including being deported or blacklisted, paying huge fines and/or being imprisoned. You should not take visas lightly, as the Indonesian government imposes severe penalties for visa violations. This article will discuss the most common issues concerning business visas in Indonesia and how you can overcome them.

ISSUE 1: EQUATING A BUSINESS VISA WITH A WORK PERMIT

As discussed earlier, a business visa is reserved for foreign visitors conducting business activities or negotiations in Indonesia without payment. Meanwhile, a work permit, also known as IMTA, allows foreigners to work and be paid legally in Indonesia.

Another clear difference is that a business visa requires fewer documents than a work permit, and the application process is simpler. In addition, a business visa takes five working days to process (which can be done online), while a work permit takes 55 working days to process.

ISSUE 2: EQUATING BUSINESS VISA WITH KITAS

KITAS is a limited-stay permit in Indonesia. If you plan to work or stay in Indonesia for more than 60 days to a year, you must obtain a KITAS. The validity period of a KITAS depends on the type of work you do. KITAS is usually valid between 6 months to 1 year and can be extended. Just like a business visa, having a KITAS does not mean you can work and get paid in Indonesia. You will also need to obtain an IMTA.

For more extended stays and if you plan to work in Indonesia in the future, KITAS is the best option. To know the comprehensive differences between different types of visas and which one suits your needs best, PortCorp can help you efficiently.

Read Also: 4 Reasons for the Importance of Contracting

ISSUE 3: NOT KNOWING THE EXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE-ENTRY BUSINESS VISAS

Many foreigners need to learn that they can apply for a multiple-entry business visa if they visit Indonesia several times a year. This visa is valid for 12 months and allows unlimited arrivals.

Multiple-entry business visas can be picked up at consulates or embassies outside Indonesia. However, the principle remains the same: this multiple-entry visa only allows you to conduct business activities, and you are not entitled to work and be paid in Indonesia.

ISSUE 4: OVERSTAYING WITH AN EXPIRED VISA

The main advantage of having a multiple-entry business visa is that you can use the same visa multiple times to enter Indonesia. However, you must remember that although this business visa allows you to enter Indonesia at various times, you only have a maximum of 60 days for a single entry. If you stay longer than 60 days, you may not be able to exit Indonesia or be detained to pay a fine of USD 25 per day.

Of course, the perfect solution to avoid overstaying is to leave Indonesia and come back if you have a multiple-entry business visa or apply for a new visa if your previous visa was a single-entry business visa. Always make your visa issue a priority and check all documents periodically to ensure compliance with Indonesian law.

ISSUE 5: APPLYING FOR A VISA FACE-TO-FACE

It may be a minor issue, such as a different photo background colour or a misspelling in your address, but your visa application could be delayed. Procedural delays can result in late visa issuance, and you may even have to postpone your flight. In addition, you will spend a lot of money and time if you have to go back and forth to the embassy or consulate.

Now, if you apply for a business visa to enter Indonesia online, all the hassle can be avoided when you contact PortCorp. Don’t worry about developing your business by setting up a company in Indonesia, because Portcorp is here as a solution for your business, also when you need Business Visa. Portcorp is your comprehensive corporate secretary service in Indonesia. With our presence, you can get a dedicated company secretary to support you to what you need. Our company secretaries will track deadlines and file paperwork so your business keeps running smoothly. Contact us now on +6221-5020-8090 for your business succeed in the future!