I'm going to be in Jakarta for 24 hours to do some speaking and technical demonstrations for clients -- I'll be carrying a couple of laptops and related gear. I won't be doing any "productive work".
Some colleagues, including some Indonesians, are insisting that I need get a visa before I depart, but all documentation I can find suggests I can get a visa on arrival for US$10. Has anyone had any trouble with that or are my colleagues just being paranoid?
Some colleagues, including some Indonesians, are insisting that I need get a visa before I depart, but all documentation I can find suggests I can get a visa on arrival for US$10. Has anyone had any trouble with that or are my colleagues just being paranoid?
They're being paranoid. Immigration doesn't care how many laptops you have, and Customs is looking for booze and drugs.
Some colleagues, including some Indonesians, are insisting that I need get a visa before I depart, but all documentation I can find suggests I can get a visa on arrival for US$10. Has anyone had any trouble with that or are my colleagues just being paranoid?
Thanks
If you are a US citizen, you just get your Visa on arrival. The counters are clearly marked right before immigration.
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I'm going to be in Jakarta for 24 hours to do some speaking and technical demonstrations for clients -- I'll be carrying a couple of laptops and related gear. I won't be doing any "productive work".
Some colleagues, including some Indonesians, are insisting that I need get a visa before I depart, but all documentation I can find suggests I can get a visa on arrival for US$10. Has anyone had any trouble with that or are my colleagues just being paranoid?
Thanks
FYI, the visa on arrival cost $25 USD oh and a bit of advice would be for you to handed them an exact amount.
FYI, the visa on arrival cost $25 USD oh and a bit of advice would be for you to handed them an exact amount.
Actually, it is $10 for a visit up to 7 days (inc the day you entered) and $25 for a 30 day on arrival visa.
And yes, do pay in USD or you'll pay an exorbitant fx rate...also, bring exact change as there may be a chance you'll forget to pick up the change and it's gone forever (I am dopey that way, left $100 bill twice...no matter how much you fight, you will never get the change back...).
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Excessive I think. I flew into CGK 8 years ago with no return ticket (against visa rules) and multiple recent 'visa run' stamps in my passport.
They pulled me out to ask for a bribe, I was thinking 'oh no, how much, 1 juta?', but said nothing. They asked for either 100 or 150,000 rupiah (I forget which). I was very pleased
Of course 8 years is a while, but prices have not yet doubled. Although I think Indonesia might be realising that crazy bule routinely pay much higher prices for such services. I wonder how much they get for 'express immigration' for tourists flying off to spend the night in Amankila at $1200/night.
100k really isn't expensive. The cheapest I have ever got in was at 50k and with an Indo paying for us so I usually just pay 100k so no arguments or rejections.
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"In victory you deserve Champagne, in defeat you need it." Napoleon Bonaparte
How is Jakarta these days if you are just taking Taxis and walking around a local shopping area ? any problems during the day or say to 10-11 at night ?
Are there any websites in English that tell you the areas in Jakarta to visit if you are looking for a certain product , In Bangkok there seem to be areas that have all the same type shops , is it the same in Jakarta ?
Are there any large Flea Market places like the weekend Market in BKK. hopefully with more old , used stuff and not as commercial ?
Sort of antique shopping but more just stuff from the 60s - 70s
I was thinking of using my FF miles to do a trip from California -Bkk - Jakarta,
staying in Jakarta for 4-5 days to see if I like it , then next trip traveling farther out
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I've never had any problems, day or night in Jakarta. I do use some common sense, most of the time. There are areas of town where many similar businesses are located. Printing, tailors and the like.
Most of the markets I've been to are selling new clothing, knockoff goods and the like. I don't look for antiques, though, so I'm sure they're around somewhere.
The biggest problem I have in Jakarta is with some of the scam taxi drivers. Usually if you stick to Blue Bird (Silverbird, etc), or Expres taxi companies, you'll be fine.
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I'm considering taking a job in Jakarta, which would pay in U.S. funds. Is U.S. currency widely accepted? Can you deposit USD in local banks? I've no idea how that works.
How much more to expats pay for apartments and things than locals? I'd actually probably prefer to live more locally than expat-ly (if that's a word) but am not sure I'd be viewed that way.
I'm considering taking a job in Jakarta, which would pay in U.S. funds. Is U.S. currency widely accepted? Can you deposit USD in local banks? I've no idea how that works.
How much more to expats pay for apartments and things than locals? I'd actually probably prefer to live more locally than expat-ly (if that's a word) but am not sure I'd be viewed that way.
No US Currency isn't widely accepted but you can fx the funds at your local bank or at fx houses. Yes local banks offer multicurrency accounts. The Rupiah is the local currency and used for daily transactions. Indonesia has a weird quirk where your foreign notes must be unfolded and crease free to deposit at banks and not be of certain serial numbers. Fx houses will accept folded notes but at a worse rate than unfolded.
As for apartments, I am not sure but usually you pay 1 year in advance. Not sure what you mean by locally? Many young locals lives in Kosts which are basically a small room in a boarding house. If they make a little bit more money, they live in apartments.
Location: Phoenix, AZ USA, CO Plat, NWA Plat, BMI Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, Priority Club Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 10,589
You'll have no real problems with USD. There are plenty of exchange places. The USD has been heading south the last few months, and not the 12k+ per dollar it was earlier this year. Before that time, it was usually in the 9k-10k range, which is good enough.
Depending on how nice of a place you want, you can spend $200-$1000 a month. I know some expats who spend $300-$400 a month in a decent place (Rasuna, I think), for a one bedroom.
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Jaimito's recommendation of Rasuna is good...decent place, good location on Jl Rasuna and has a good gym and Aphrodite, an excellent bar and restaurant.
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"In victory you deserve Champagne, in defeat you need it." Napoleon Bonaparte
