RELO NEWS
Dependents’ Telex VITAS (Limited Stay Visa Pre-Approval) can no longer be filed with the primary visa applicant's Telex VITAS application, which will prolong the overall processing time for dependents’ entry applications.
Additionally, Telex VITAS sponsor letters must now be signed by a company director of the local sponsoring entity. These developments follow the recent policy changes made by the Directorate General of Immigration.
A new regulation issued November 7 requires sponsoring companies to transact directly with the Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) to submit applications involving their foreign employees. Third-party agents will no longer be allowed to perform these services on behalf of foreign nationals.
Processes likely affected by this change include the Telex-VITAS (pre-approval letter for entry visa), Stay Permit (KITAS) and Cancellation (EPO) of KITAS, which historically have been permitted to be processed entirely by third-party agents.
Foreign nationals renewing their Work Permit (IMTA) can now apply for a new Temporary Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) that will allow a stay in Indonesia for up to three months while their IMTA renewal is processing.
Additionally, the KITAS expiry date will now be counted starting from the approval date of the IMTA.
New Temporary KITAS Option
The main benefit of the Temporary KITAS is that foreign nationals can avoid having to leave Indonesia if their IMTA is not renewed prior to the expiry of their current KITAS
Employment visa (entry permit) applicants from certain countries will soon have to process their immigration applications through designated UAE consular service centres in their home country before entering the UAE, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Foreign nationals and their employers can expect immigration processing delays over the coming weeks in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and parts of Asia during the observance of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. Many government offices worldwide reduce their hours and/or close during Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.
The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is enforcing the requirement for foreign nationals to submit additional documents to apply for long-term work permit (IMTA) extensions. Although this was previously stated in the regulations, the MOM did not strictly enforce these requirements until recently.
Volcanic activity from Mount Barujari, Lombok, is affecting flight schedules and the operation of regional airports including Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali) and Lombok International Airport. Disruption to flights could continue for some time. Contact your airline, tour operator and travel insurance provider for more information.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued an amended regulation that reverses most of the controversial new requirements issued in July (which had been implemented progressively since then). Among other changes, the local to foreign worker ratio and the rule for non-resident directors and commissioners to obtain a work permit have been removed.
Following the announcement of stricter and broader work authorization-related rules for foreign workers in June, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has further clarified the changes, which were proposed in an effort to protect the local workforce. Generally, the rules have been implemented, but contrary to previous reports, an internal review of the proposed changes is being conducted by the MOM instead of having a public comment period before implementation of some of the more significant changes.
