Changes affect Temporary Resident Visas for foreign employees and family members

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Immigration authorities in Indonesia have implemented changes affecting employees and dependents applying for a preapproval of a Temporary Resident Visa (VITAS).

What does the change mean? Employees and their dependents can no longer apply for their preapprovals simultaneously.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Telex VITAS preapprovals.
• Who is affected: Foreign employees and dependents applying for VITAS preapprovals.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants should factor in an additional five to seven days at a minimum when estimating processing times.
• Business impact: The changes affect the timing of filing the dependents’ applications, which now must be filed subsequent to the employee’s application.

Background: The Telex VITAS preapproval application is filed with the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta before the employee and family can travel to Indonesia. Once the preapproval is issued to the appropriate Indonesian consulate, the employee and family members then apply for their VITAS based on the preapproval.

Although there has not been an official policy change, authorities are now requiring that dependents wait until the employee’s Telex VITAS is approved and issued. Dependents must include the approved employee VITAS in their applications. Previously, the employee and family members could file their applications at the same time.

Additionally, authorities may now require that the employer and/or individual applicants present bank statements for the previous three months demonstrating a minimum balance of US$1,500 for each of the three months.

B·A·L Analysis: Employers and foreign employees should plan for longer overall processing timelines and the additional documentary requirements.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Indonesia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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