Job Discussion Forums

Elkythedogsperson · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject: New teacher coming over

Hi folks,

I've been lurking here for about two months. I want to thank you all for the information and opinions you all have posted which gave me background on what to expect. I fly over in about two weeks to begin a one-year contract (I'll remain anonymous about location for now.) Hopefully I'll be able to return the favor and share my insights down the road.

Newbie questions (sorry): I've flown into Bali but as a tourist, plus Thailand, Costa Rica, Cambodia and Mexico so I'm fairly comfortable dealing with immigration. Anything special I should expect at Jakarta (CGK)? I will be doing a tourist visa initially (will trip to Singapore when work visa is finalized.) The return portion of my round trip ticket is beyond 30 days...is that usually a problem at immigration? Also, will I be ok coming in with US $20 bills to convert to rupiahs or is a different denomination better?

Thanks again to all regular posters on the board.

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

If you get a 30 day visa you will need a ticket to show you are leaving within those 30 days. You can always go to your local Indonesian consulate and get a 2 month visa which has the added advantage of bypassing the queue at the visa on arrival booth. They shouldn't question you too much as theor English may not be that great but if they ask say you are there on vacation and don't even think of saying you will be teaching. A month later your school should send you on to Singapore and return with a work visa. All the best.

wannaBguru · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 110

most banks and money changers only accept crisp, clean, new 100 dollar bills. those that accept wrinkled/folded bills or denominations less that 100, cut the rates by 10-20%. there are some series that are not accepted, but i dont remember the starting letters. maybe someone else can help with that.

not having an ongoing ticket can be a problem. just make an e ticket and print it from your computer have it in hand when u arrive. good luck

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

The return ticket date shouldn't be a prob - you are perfectly within your rights to enter Indonesia for the first part of your 'holiday', pop over to Malaysia for a while (if asked, your onward ticket itinerary is in your hold baggage which you can't get until you are through immigration), then back to Indo for part 2 of your holiday. In all fairness, though, they probably won't even look at your ticket...

USD20 bills if they are crisp and unmarked can be changed at any bank or moneychanger. Strangely, other currencies don't need to be clean and pristine.

Fishy · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 138

wannaBguru · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 110

actually, u are not within your rights to enter indonesia without an ongoing ticket within 30 days as stated in their laws. however, it depends on who is working....... sometimes they check sometimes they dont. if they do ask for it, i seriously doubt they will accept that it is in your bag without wanting to see it. i am sure they will be happy to retreive your bag if necessary.

some officials dont take bribes, but those that do want a lot more than 20,000 rp. gone are the days of cigarrette money, except for driving infractions. anyway, silly to take a chance and start off your indonesian experience on the wrong foot when it is completely avoidable. i actually got detained a couple of years ago after doing a visa run to singapore while i was waiting for my work permit to be processed. i was refused entry and they told me that i had to buy a ticket back to singapore. i told them that they had to buy the ticket if they wanted to deport me. they wouldnt accept a bribe. in the end, i had to call some of my friends. they got the money together and bought me a refundable ticket to singapore. they had to bring the ticket to the airport and give it to immigration before i was allowed to enter the country. my friends cancelled the ticket and got their money back. not a pleasant way to spend 4 hours. while this is an extreme case, not all as are easy as some people would have u believe...... a little cigarette money.

if u arrive on your work visa, no problems.

i found it difficult to change 50's, much less 20's. but that was a while ago. maybe things have changed. malu... did they give u a lower rate for bills under 100?

after your experiences at LCSE, i hope that you enjoy your stay and u arent coming to work for EF, especailly swara group

Elkythedogsperson · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. What I feared, a mixed bag with people having experiences across the board. I can understand: like in Cambodia or Mexico depends who what line I end up in. All of the info is useful though.

basil, thanks for the dialogs and translations.

wannabeguru, believe me after the LCSE experience I did extensive research on the school. I had taught before teaching at LCSE as well as after, so I know they are the exception rather than the norm.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

Elkythedogsperson · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:00 am Post subject:

Selamat siang.

Just thought I'd follow up here...

I came in last night and had no problems. Since posting the above, my employer had arranged my Singapore ticket on Lionair within the thirty days to get my KITAS, so I just put that date and flight info on the visa departure card. The immigration agent just asked verbally what day I was leaving Indonesia and said Feb 15. That was all it took; they never asked to see the ticket.

As for money, new US20's worked just fine for a bottle of rum (and change) at the duty free station and money changer at the airport for rupiahs to get me started. Today, a bank exchanged two new US100's. They did turn away two bills, however. One because it had just a minor blemish, and one because one corner was ever so slightly folded. No problem though as my employer will be able to cash the balance later.

So I'm here, it's hot and muggy (as expected) and people are driving on the wrong side of the road. But all's well.

Thanks again for your help

Kebo · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 26

Glad to hear it.

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

What do you mean the wrong side of the road? They drive in the middle don't they?

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

father Mackenzie · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Jakarta Barat

People drive all over the road. The motorbikes on the sidewalk and against on coming traffic, a skill to master if not a foolish one, but never the less a skill.
But the choreography of it all is amazing.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

When I first arrived in Jakarta, I was told that when I wanted to cross a busy main road in Jakarta that I should just step off the sidewalk and ignore whatever was coming.

I was informed that the VEHICLES would avoid ME.

I'm living proof.

Did you know that when they first installed traffic lights at the Hotel Indonesia end of Jln Thamrin, the traffic police used to arm themselves with rocks and whenever a car went through a red light they would quickly hurl a rock hoping to either get the driver to stop and/or damage the car for 'breaking the law'.

Wonderful !

best
basil