Visa on Arrival, Fiscal Tax
Jan 24th, 2007, in Travel, by PatungOn visas and fiscal tax.
Comments on these two interesting topics are split off from the Dating Indonesian Girls page to prevent it going wildly off-topic.
The nationals of many countries have, since 2004, been required to pay a small fee to obtain a tourist visa to enter Indonesia, called Visa On Arrival.
Meanwhile Indonesian citizens and foreigners employed in Indonesia are required to pay a fee of one million rupiah (about $110) each time they leave the country. The fee, called Fiscal Tax, is meant to be an advance payment on that person’s income tax for the next year. Technically citizens who have paid it can claim it back on their tax return, but this is rarely done as many claim that doing so invites the attention of tax auditors.
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February 16th 2007.
Vice President Jusuf Kalla announced that shortly tourist visas will have a duration of four months, in order to attract more foreign tourists. Visitors have complained that 30 days is far too short a time to take in the vast archipelago. antara
159 Comments on “Visa on Arrival, Fiscal Tax”
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Dimp says:
Btw:
Do the people going to hadj also have to pay the fiscal tax?I wouldn’t be surprised if they have to, the “Departemen Agama” travel agency has already squeezed every penny they can get from these people, the tax agency may as well tried to strike the final blow….
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Achmad Sudarsono says:
Friends,
Isn’t it a bit cynical to be seeing conspiracies everywhere ? If we have religion don’t we need to have a Departement for it ?
You know, friends, sometimes, perhaps we should have more faith in our fellow Indonesians. Those officials at the airport are just hard-working good family people, trying to make an honest living. Same as tax department, and at the Departement of religion.
As for the Hadj, they’ve paid the tax where it matters most: in the heart. If you’re going on the Hadj, material things shouldn’t matter; what’s a little tax here and there.
Sometimes, friends, I wonder how we can build our country without building trust – in ourselves and others. That’s why the Internet is the good one, to make a friend, and increse da peace.
Achmad.
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Tomaculum says:
As for the Hadj, they’ve paid the tax where it matters most: in the heart. If you’re going on the Hadj, material things shouldn’t matter; what’s a little tax here and there.
Thanks A. Sudarsono for the idea, next time I will request for allowance to pay the taxes where it matters most: in my heart. 🙂
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Joy says:
PerempuanRantau,
Yes, I agree with you. At least they can use the money to improve the airport.
We have a big International Airport (Cengkareng), but the bathrooms are just not good!! Try to use the one on the baggage claim area.And also I have a problem with the “Airport Helpers”. Last time I was at Cengkareng, the porter help me with the bags from the baggage check in to the airline counter which was only 25 steps away. So, I gave him Rp. 20.000,- ($2) which I thought would be enough. But, no. He asked for double!! He said it was for the boss!!
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Ali says:
Isn’t it a bit cynical to be seeing conspiracies everywhere ? If we have religion don’t we need to have a Departement for it ?
Some of us have dogs, cats, birds and what not… we definitely need a department for that – let’s call it the “Department of Pets”
You know, friends, sometimes, perhaps we should have more faith in our fellow Indonesians. Those officials at the airport are just hard-working good family people, trying to make an honest living. Same as tax department, and at the Departement of religion.
Hmm, they are probably hard-working… but are all of them “trying to make an honest living”? that’s a million-dollar QUESTION there.
Same as tax department? HAHA, a billion-dollar question there…
Department of Religion? HAHAHA, how about that Hajj money paid by Muslims that has been swindled…———————————————–
Have you taken your medication today? -
Ihaknt says:
Yeah Joy, I am with you! The airport clearly needs a HUGE makeover. The “WCs” are disgusting, so not in international standard. The ‘duty free’ shops are just like warung. They look so dodgy. SO, if the money is to ‘improve’ the airport, then where the hell does it all go?? SIGH! And in general, the airport looks dirty and disgusting. The park outside is nicely looked after, but the inside??? Pah!! But that’s very Indonesian right? Only the outside matters. 2 decades ago, yes, it was quite advance for its time, but now, I dont think it’s even compArable with many Asian international airports which countries Indonesia claims to ‘compete’ with. Has anyone seen HK and Changi airports?? That’s how it’s supposed to be. Clean, efficient, clear with information, no one is trying to do business with you, and it just feels safe.
And the so-called airport helpers? Joy, I always ignore them. I know if I give them money they will ask for more. And saying it’s for the boss is just a lie. I understand they dont get paid enough to start with, but being greedy and lingering around you like a bad cold-sore just doesnt work. Even worse if they insist they have to help you even if you only have a carry-on. I always get anxious in Jakarta airport, coming or going. It just doesnt feel safe.
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Andrew says:
Ihaknt, I can’t agree more – I haven’t found any airport that is more “liveable” than Changi. HK, Osaka, Schiphol, Dubai, KL, may be bigger or merrier, but they still feel like airport. Not so is Changi – it feels like a hotel lounge. It is not uncommon for me to deliberately pick a long layover at Changi so that I can enjoy it.
In no way can Cengkareng compete…
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Oh Andrew, even better, if your transit time is long enough you can also do a quick tour of Singapore right? Hehehehehe, in Jakarta you will spend that time stuck in traffic.
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Oh Andrew, even better, if your transit time is long enough you can also do a quick tour of Singapore right? Hehehehehe, in Jakarta you will spend that time stuck in traffic.
There is an option of city tour in Singapore, where you don’t get off the bus, but this way you don’t pay for the airport tax again, as you are still in transit status. A good way to spend two-three transit time.
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Hi Ali,
Some of us have dogs, cats, birds and what not”¦ we definitely need a department for that – let’s call it the “Department of Pets”
Good one, while we are at this, may as well created “Department of Department”, and then we obviously need “Department of Department of Department” and so on. This is of course a good way to create more work for people, so no more poor peple in Indonesia.
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Hey Ali, Friend, don’t be like that.
There is ever many unemployments in Indonesia and we need to give them the job. Public servants is one way to do this. Another way is the helper at the airport.
Why does Indonesian Airport have to look like Changi, or Malaysia, Friend ? What’s wrong if it has it’s own character ? Indeed, many villages have toilet like that. The Airport can reflect the character of the Nation and the People. Our Nation is built on the village. In fact it is more clean than the village, so I don’t know what you’re complaining about.
Better you be proud of your country.
Ali, Friend, we already have department of department in the Meko-coordinasi. Better we have a menko-menko-menko if we want to create more jobs. My idea is that the menko could coordinate everyone, including the helpers.
That’s my idea, Friend; that’s how we will realise the Pancasila.
Sava Da Flava,
Achmad -
Why does Indonesian Airport have to look like Changi, or Malaysia, Friend ? What’s wrong if it has it’s own character ? Indeed, many villages have toilet like that. The Airport can reflect the character of the Nation and the People. Our Nation is built on the village. In fact it is more clean than the village, so I don’t know what you’re complaining about.
No, it doesn’t have to look like anything else in this world, it can be very unique, but we should learn from others on how to make the airport enjoyable. That means better maintenance and continuous improvement, among other things.
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Andrew and All, dont worry about the ono brothers. Their idea of ‘characters’ is a dingy, dirty, run-down airport. He simply lives in his own world. As for us who are a bit more worldly, we know what we are talking about.
And I agree with Andrew, of course it doesnt have to look like other airports, but it definitely is missing the comfort, enjoyable and safety features an airport needs. But Indo as a country sometimes is just too proud to learn from anyone, gengsi is the word here. It’s the characteristic that you know who also posseses as an Indonesian. -
Our civilization is 5,000 years old. Why should we have to learn from Singapore, Germany or the U.S.A ?
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Anna says:
Achmad.
Why don’t get educated every country and everybody need to learn about other culture, civilization etc, learn about history.
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Friends,
Just a friendly reminder to try to stay broadly on track with the discussion. We’re talking about airports. Please don’t try to steer the conversation in xenophobic directions. Some people come here to try to have a serious conversation.
A few meanderings are ok. But the main discussion is fiscal tax and visas on arrival. Personally, I think the visa on arrival is usefull. Pak Yusril Izha Mahendra was the first to suggest it in the Megawati cabinet. It hasn’t reduced tourists numbers and helps the country generate tax revenue from the visitors. (The fact that many of these visitors are Bule is just a bonus).
Thank Friend.
Check, Check, Check it ! -
Anna, we can tell that he doesnt learn from anything or anyone for that matter. Let’s ignore him.
I am off to Japan to check out their airport and learn about their culture! See you later!
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Dear Friend,
Some people find The Truth threatening. Some people don’t like it that I am the most popular commentator on this Blog. That’s life, Friend. Maybe such a person is Ihaknt, who in a nasty kind of way, said it would be better if I shut up.
Friend,
Let’s just stick to the topic in hand. Try to find the best way to use tax revenue to develop Indonesia. Let us work together and raise our heads high.
Yo ! Yo ! Yo !
Flicka ! Flicka !
Check it ……
Fres !
Achmad -
Ihaknt
Thanks guys, well I do follow the conversations, it just this Achmad, he so backward, of thinking, is bad influence for the other Indonesian. And I agree that the government need to improve the airport facility, specially the restroom, it’s international airport but don’t look like one, and if they use the fiscal tax to improve the airport then they should do it, not go in their pocket.
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Achmad.
What make you think that you are the popular moderator here? What a joke. I believe these people are not threatened by you friend. Keep it straight.
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Our civilization is 5,000 years old.
I conclude that you’re Chinese then. 🙂
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Our civilization is 5,000 years old. Why should we have to learn from Singapore, Germany or the U.S.A?
And we have to learn from the Arabs (read earlier comments from A. Sudarsono). No wonder that you haven’t have your high school certificate now in your 35th year. Yes, my grandson, you are the most popular comentator in this blog, but surely not caused by your intelligent comments. 🙂
Venceremos!
Köle alaf!
🙂
And people, don’t you know that A. Sudarsono is a provocator and he is a member of Mossad trying to destabilise this blog and Indonesia. And we, as an Indonesian patriot, should ignore his babbles.
🙂
And I’m very, very sorry (again) for this my grandson. As I wrote formerly, he was (and seems:is) a little bit strange.
🙂 -
Ade Wanto says:
Hi,
Why don’t we criticized about visa application at US Embassy? When Indonesians apply visa to the US, they must pay in advance whether it will be given or not. Indonesians must pay (again) to re-apply visa for US if their visa application was rejected. It’s unfair. US collects Indonesians’ money for their pocket.
Enak banget.
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Ade Wanto, it’s either take it or leave it.
US collects Indonesians’ money for their pocket.
Not exactly, don’t you think they pay their staff to process the application?
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Hi,
Why don’t we criticized about visa application at US Embassy? When Indonesians apply visa to the US, they must pay in advance whether it will be given or not. Indonesians must pay (again) to re-apply visa for US if their visa application was rejected. It’s unfair. US collects Indonesians’ money for their pocket.
Enak banget.
Nope, this fee is used to process the Visa applications, not for their pocket, unfortunately it is harder to obtain Visa to the “rich” countries such as USA and Japan, as there are a lot of illegal immigrants abusing the Visa requirements. So these countries have to process the applications with extreme selections thus increasing the fee.
Regardless whether you are granted the permission to enter the countries, they still have to process your applications.
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Not exactly, don’t you think they pay their staff to process the application?
Bang Ali, I don’t think Australian Embassy, British Embassy, and other foreign embassies do not have staff to pay for. Why they don’t take the money first to process visa application like US Embassy? And, they just charge only we get the visa.
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Ade Wanto, the fee is not for the visa itself, it is a processing fee. I’m not sure about the British embassy, but I think the Australian and Japanese embassy do the same.
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Hi Ali,
I haven’t applied visa for Australia and Japan for a while now, so not sure what they charged. But I know that you even have to pay just to obtain some of the forms for certain Australian visa types.
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I haven’t applied visa for Australia and Japan for a while now, so not sure what they charged. But I know that you even have to pay just to obtain some of the forms for certain Australian visa types.
Dear Dimp,
It does not matter if we must pay to obtain some forms in order to apply visa (some embassy do not charge their application visa form at all). I asking about why we must pay in advance to aplly visa in American Embassy with no guarantee our visa will be given or denied. Does it true the application visa’s money goes to feed the US Embassy Staff in Jakarta? Is it true US of America become poorer (after occopy Iraq) then they collect money from visa application service? -
Does it true the application visa’s money goes to feed the US Embassy Staff in Jakarta?
Part of the proceed is for sure used to cover operating cost. I’m not sure which part of that concept is difficult to understand. You go to school, you pay for your tuition in advance, but you are not guaranteed to pass the final exam. The school uses your tuition money to cover their expenses. Similar, if not exactly the same concept.
Is it true US of America become poorer (after occopy Iraq) then they collect money from visa application service?
I don’t think so — a few thousand dollars here and there doesn’t make them richer, or less poorer. The practice of collecting visa fees has been there even before the Gulf War in early 1990s.
Comment on “Visa on Arrival, Fiscal Tax”.
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Friends,
It is important to pay the Tax. The tax helps to develop the country, and to pay for school, education, and road. Friends, don’t just think about dugem and go to Dragonfly all the time ! There are many poor people in our country. We must try to help them.
Zakat can also, but also to the State.
Sava Da Flava, Friend.
Achmad
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P.S. – Parvita, thanks for highlighting George W. Bush’s Indonesia policy. We have to be aware, Friend.