Getting a residence permit or a work visa is difficult for expats. Each government has a strict set of guidelines that expats need to pass before the permits are provided. In Indonesia, things are changing with its recent announcement.

On Tuesday, August 13, the Indonesian government said that it will be improving how fast visa and residence permits are given to both investors and foreign workers. This is in light of the government’s aim to open the country to investors and foreign workers.

Improved Visa and Residence Permit Regulations in Indonesia

The Directorate General of Immigration announced the new changes before foreign representatives in Jakarta. Some of the changes will include the introduction of online applications and shorter processing time.

Director of Residence Permits Yudanus Dekiwanto said “We have simplified the legitimization process, which was a bit complicated before; now it is faster. For example, after they arrive in Indonesia, they can sort out their sponsorship. They can go to the embassy to get their visas without any more payment. This is because they can request the legitimization online.”

Yudanus also adds that fast-track booths will be found in airports where foreign investors can finalize their applications in the near future. The government also established immigration service tariffs, employment of foreign workers and improved visa and residence permit procedures.

New technologies will also be a part of the country’s new visa policy. One of them is the Immigration Management Information System, which is a part of President Joko Widodo’s Industry 4.0 scheme.

This new system will help filter foreign visitors who are not in the country to work legally. Immigration Director General Ronny Sompie said, “Foreigners entering Indonesia must be useful to the country and not pose any dangers. But, we must prevent international syndicates, such as those involved in transnational crimes, drug smuggling and human trafficking, from operating in the country. All data would be in the Immigration Management Information System.”

Ronny also said that the system would record every foreigner who applies for a visa and checked again when they pass the immigration checkpoints in Indonesian airports.

What Else Will Change

The new changes will ensure that the country is ready to welcome the influx of foreign citizens working in the country. According to the acting director general for protocol and consular affairs Winanto Adi, they are expecting an increase of people who will work for career and diplomatic affairs after the ASEAN established its Secretariat office in Jakarta.

“This [new policies] will increase the number of ambassadors and foreign representatives accredited with Asean [visiting Indonesia]. It could lead to new issues, so we are cooperating with the immigration office,” Winanto said during the Tuesday briefing.

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For foreigners who would like to live for good in a foreign land, applying for a residency permit is important. It will help you stay longer in the country without having to go out of the country ever so often. If a person gets a residency permit, they are a step closer in getting a citizenship. But, some people who get these permits abuse their benefits and sell it to others like in the case of Georgia.

This fact is what the latest regulation imposed in Georgia is trying to stop. On July 5, Georgia enacted the amendments for the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons. The law, which was amended on May 30, requires foreigners to have real estate worth $100,000 to be eligible for residency.

What is included in the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens and Stateless Persons Amendment?

Aside from having a real estate property, new requirements are also imposed on working foreigners. Foreigners must have a monthly income of no less than five times the subsistence minimum. The current minimum is $68. They must also be employed by a company with an annual turnover of $18,000 per working foreigner. The law will also require the company to report contract termination with any foreign citizen.

The new amendments also raised the minimum investment value for an investment residence permit (IRP) from $110,000 to $300,000. They also removed immediate permanent residency for those who avail the IRP. Instead, they will only grant a five-year residency permit.

The Revenue Service and the government will also check IRP holders yearly. They will determine if the foreigner’s permit should be renewed. It will be renewed if the applicant’s annual turnover is no less than $100,000 in one year and $120,000 in the next year. They will use their IRP if their real-estate acquisition is resold within five years.

The new residency permit guidelines are done to prevent foreigners to purchase ‘short-term’ residency permits through cheap real estate. Some foreigners would transfer their properties to another foreigner, creating a ‘carousel.’

How to Travel to Georgia?

Traveling to Georgia from Europe is very easy if you are flying from any European country. Several low-cost carriers have flights out to and from Tblisi and Kutaisi. Asian and American travelers can take connecting flights from Dubai, Seoul, Beijing, Riyadh, Tel Aviv and Doha to get to Georgia. Russian travelers will have to take connecting flights to get to Georgia due to the temporary suspension of direct flights by Russian airline carriers.

To get you started, you can check out the Georgian National Tourism Organization and the VisitGeorgia websites. You can also check out our guide on where to stay in Tbilisi and how much is the average salary if you plan to live in the country.

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