What is the process and experience of applying for a DTV visa at the Jakarta consulate as a remote worker?

Sep 21, 2024
2 months ago
DTV Jakarta approved - Remote worker.

After researching all the options, Jakarta seemed by far the simplest and most friendly.

Gave them my application, work letter, Jakarta hotel confirmation, photos, passport, bank statements, and the fee (5,600,000 Rupiah, cash only).

They started glanced at the documents, mostly just verifying the info on the application and quickly started writing up my receipt for pickup, no questions asked. Took maybe 5 min.

The clerk didn’t look at my other passport stamps. Maybe the person who processed it did but they didn’t care about two past EDs (last ED extension was canceled properly but I doubt they would have cared if it wasn’t).

Bank statements had well over the required amount in a savings account for about 3 months. Also included an account information letter that stated the balance, account type, owner but I doubt I needed it. The statements had only had a handful of deposits and interest deposits, none of this “a lot of transactions in and out” that some have been asked for in Laos, Taiwan, and elsewhere. Although I suspect that’s for people applying as a freelancer or otherwise owning their own business.

Work letter had the company seal and signed by a manager. They were fine with a color scan and print, didn’t notice or care that it wasn’t the original which is helpful in not having to have a physical letter sent from overseas.

All the staff the were nice, polite, and fast.

Got there 30 min early and was the first one, another 15 or so quickly showed up after. Was surprised it wasn’t more busy as the day before they were closed for a holiday.

Only annoyance was getting the cash for the visa. Schwab ATM card wouldn’t work at three different machines (2 in the airport, 1 in my hotel). The bank said it was an issue with the machines not approving and not an issue with them or Visa.

I later found people online saying only 2-3 banks would accept Schwab cards there, but I didn’t have time to go hunting down more.

I used a backup card and got hit with about 9% in fee.

The ATMs only dispense up to 25 bills. Some have 50k notes, others 100k. I only had the 50k ones around so it took 5 transactions and I had over 110 bills stuffed in my pockets and wallet. If I knew this I’d have brought a bag to carry it all back.

IO in BKK mentioned he hadn’t seen many DTVs and wasn’t sure what would be involved with the extension. Guess we’ll see what they make up at the last minute.

Indonesia will be on eVisa sometime next month. If you’re looking to get this visa in the next few weeks and want to apply near Thailand, I wouldn’t bother with anywhere else unless you have to.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process for obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Jakarta was described as straightforward and efficient. The applicant submitted their application along with essential documents like a work letter, hotel confirmation, and bank statements, and was approved after a short wait. They noted the requirements for cash payment, which posed some inconvenience, as well as the casual approach to previous visa stamps and bank transactions. Comments from others in the community highlighted differences in experiences regarding visa processing and the extension knowledge at immigration offices.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Salahuddin *******
Where is your home country?
Max *************
How many working days did it take you from the documents submittion day? For example, if you're applying on Monday, when do you receive the passport back?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
3 days after submitting so 4 business days total.

Drop off Monday, pickup Thursday.
Andi ***********
@Max ************
Jakarta is about 3 working days to approve
He***
How many copies of application have you submitted?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@He***
Two passport sized photos, everything else I only gave one copy.
He***
Anonymous participant Great. Thank you.
Alessandro **********
Did you get your passport back on friday ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Alessandro **********
Participant(e) anonyme what time ? I need to organize my venue
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alessandro *********
Pickup is Monday to Friday from 1:30 pm to 3pm only.

Drop off is Monday to Thursday from 9am to 12 noon.

Check their website to see what holiday they are closed. They close for Thai and Indonesian holidays.
Rachel *****
Did they ask Proof of deposit or just a bank statement? how long did you wait for to get the visa
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rachel ****
I had bank statements covering 3 months and an account information letter, different banks call this different things such as proof of account but it’s basically just a letter saying the owner(s), account type, current balance, and current date.

I don’t think I needed that account info letter, and based off what others have said, it seems 1 month showing 500k+ is enough but I had 3 months so brought that.

The bank statements I provided had all the transactions for the account.

It took 4 days including the day I applied and the day I picked it up.

Pickup starts at 1:30pm and took about 10 minutes so I had time to fly out that same evening.
Rachel *****
匿名參與者 thank you!
Klee **************
You start off by saying everything went really smooth, and I guess as far as the visa getting approved at the consulate/Embassy everything was smooth, but forcing you to pay cash only is pure insanity in this world, I use md my visa online at the consulate in Vancouver Canada, it was so easy and so painless, I didn’t have any difficulties. Once I switched to soft power category, I originally applied for a remote worker, I’m self-employed and that was a big problem, but they were so easy to deal with in Vancouver Canada at the consulate, they simply switched my category to soft power, and I provided an estimate from my dentist in Hua Hin for work that I needed to get done. Anyway, I was approved the same day I applied, the next day I applied for my wife and was approved. Bringing 110 bills in cash to a consulate/embassy is a little bit ridiculous 
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Klee *************
I’m not sure why Thai embassies aren’t set up to handle card payments.

I was able to pay my Indonesia VOA fee by card.

In the grand scheme of flying to another country and staying for 4 days, on top of getting all the documentation together and researching things, paying in cash was a very small hassle.

If I did I it over again I’d have just exchanged baht to USD and then to IDR (as THB to IDR is a bad rate).
Klee **************
Anonymous participant yes I totally understand you, but there are many Thai embassy/consulate that do take credit cards, US cash is King all over the world. It seems
Greg ********
Good info. The bit about Immigration and lack of knowledge about extensions is interesting too. I suspect Immigration themselves have not fully decided the processes or if they have it is not filtered down.
Paul ********
@Greg *******
I will do a quick in and out DTV reset before I will ever do a DTV extension. It's too risky for the reason mentioned: requirements are open to interpretation by local IO. Best to keep your already approved DTV for 5 years IMO and not extend, just leave and come back in.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
I think most will do that unless they show it’s very consistent and easy. Might be a while before it’s sorted out and there’s good info on what different offices want.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
I also think that’s the case. They will probably reveal the rules in a 2-3 months and then every immigration office will do things a bit differently.

Mainly they need to standardize the bank statement requirements and it will be very interesting to see if soft power applications will need to show more and more gym memberships or medical appointments.

I’m sure agents will be there to happy simplify things for a fee.