KITAP VOID after travelling with expired MERP, have to start over Vitas application. Can it be applied while I'm inside Indonesia?

[jaxpang81]

I applied my first (spouse) KITAP along with MERP at the end of 2020, which the country were still pretty much in lockdown. I wasn't aware much about MERP until it was expired and travelled abroad few days ago with NEW passport (which doesn't have information on MERP). so I passed the immigration when I left Indonesia, but the drama started when I came back to Indonesia. Stucked there for few hours, mostly waiting for the officers to consult with Jakarta Barat's immigration office. long story short, my Kitap is beyond saving. and i had to enter to indonesia with 30D tourist visa. The next day, I went to Jakbar immigration office to inquire about new Kitap. but the officer there said i had to start over again, and need to apply VITAS online (visa-online.imigrasi.go.id)
So I log into previous account to apply for Vitas, and there's interesting option that allow you to choose "lokasi orang asing saat ini" (your current location) = "Di wilayah Indonesia" (within Indonesia).
and with this disclaimer:
"Pengajuan visa tinggal terbatas hanya diberikan kepada orang asing yang berada di wilayah Indonesia (onshore) yang sebelumnya pemegang Izin Tinggal Terbatas (ITAS) atau Izin Tinggal Tetap yang tidak dapat diperpanjangan atau dialihstatuskan."
(Application of VITAS can only be given to foreigner who is within Indonesia (onshore) which previously a holder of ITAS or ITAP that can't be extended or transitioned)
should I choose this option instead since i'm in Indonesia and my kitap is void?
The other option is: "Di luar wilayah Indonesia" which obviously everyone does their first VITAS in general.

 

[snpark]

Who is your sponsor?

 

[jaxpang81]

Who is your sponsor?

my spouse (wife)

 

[R Cameron]

My understanding of that statement is that it is for people who are still on valid KITAS or KITAP which are switching to a different KITAS, for instance changing from working visa to spouse visa, changing jobs with new working visa, etc. I do not believe it is valid or intended for anyone who has ever had KITAS or KITAP which is now expired, in such a case it would likely substitute "pernah" for "sebelumnya".

Furthermore, I have seen many times over that the VOA absolutely can not be changed to a different visa; you can extend it once for 30 more days, but any change requires leaving the country.

 

[jaxpang81]

My understanding of that statement is that it is for people who are still on valid KITAS or KITAP which are switching to a different KITAS, for instance changing from working visa to spouse visa, changing jobs with new working visa, etc. I do not believe it is valid or intended for anyone who has ever had KITAS or KITAP which is now expired, in such a case it would likely substitute "pernah" for "sebelumnya".

Furthermore, I have seen many times over that the VOA absolutely can not be changed to a different visa; you can extend it once for 30 more days, but any change requires leaving the country.

ah i see.. it makes sense that your current KITAS/KITAP has to be valid to choose this option. i guess for my case, i'm required to leave the country in order to apply for new VITAS. thanks for the insight!

 

[R Cameron]

ah i see.. it makes sense that your current KITAS/KITAP has to be valid to choose this option. i guess for my case, i'm required to leave the country in order to apply for new VITAS. thanks for the insight!

You can apply while in the country, but when it is ready you will need to leave the country and reenter to make the change.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I think you have to start the process from the beginning again. Leave Indonesia. Get a VITAS (Singapore). Get a KITAS (or maybe they'll let you go straight to KITAP).
Top tip: use a spreadsheet of expiry dates and deadlines, so you can see when any documents, visas, bank cards etc will expire.

 

[mas_dam]

Get a VITAS (Singapore).

It's online now. No need to visit any embassy abroad. A visa run would be just for the sake of leaving and re-entering on already digitally received VITAS.

 

[jaxpang81]

It's online now. No need to visit any embassy abroad. A visa run would be just for the sake of leaving and re-entering on already digitally received VITAS.

correct, i was told to register VITAS online here visa-online.imigrasi.go.id and still using the same username that i used when i first apply VITAS (5 years ago) the only difference is this time doesn't have to go through Indonesia embassy when you are offshore.

 

[jaxpang81]

I think you have to start the process from the beginning again. Leave Indonesia. Get a VITAS (Singapore). Get a KITAS (or maybe they'll let you go straight to KITAP).
Top tip: use a spreadsheet of expiry dates and deadlines, so you can see when any documents, visas, bank cards etc will expire.

the officer lady at imigrasi jakarta barat said I still need to apply ITAS for 1 year then only i can get ITAP after.

 

[harryopal1]

Jaxpang, you have my sympathy. I had to return to Australia suddenly for health reasons in 2021 when a window opened after the Covid lockdown. Just two days before departure I had my wife renew my Merp realizing that if expired then my Kitap would not be valid and would have to start the long and tedious visa procedures all over again. I wasn't feeling too flash at the time and just focused on returning to Aus but glad we did the Merp renewal. Bad luck, Jaxpang. I hope it moves forward for you without too much difficulty.