Indonesia Immigration, I Was Surprised by the Changes
(Review After Extending My Visa Myself)
As our family's visa renewal season approached recently, I visited the South Jakarta Immigration Office (Kantor Imigrasi Jakarta Selatan), a familiar yet always nerve-wracking place. We have a large family and run a business, so visa-related costs are significant. We usually handle most of the procedures ourselves. Of course, we use a notary (Notaris) for legally complex matters like regulation changes. This time, I felt a lot of changes when I visited the immigration office.
1. The President Changed, and So Did the Head of Immigration
At the end of 2024, Indonesia's president changed, and in February of this year, the head of the South Jakarta Immigration Office was also replaced.
They say that when people change, the atmosphere changes too, and I really felt it this time.
2. No More 'Authoritarian Atmosphere'
Previously, immigration officers wore uniforms that looked like military ones, which were quite intimidating.
Just their appearance made me feel discouraged, but now they wear more approachable and practical clothing, making it much easier to approach them.
Also, the main gate used to control access to the internal parking lot, which was off-limits to the general public. Now, that restriction has been eased.
It's a small change, but it makes a big difference for visitors.
3. From Pointing Out Problems to Offering Solutions
The most significant change I felt was the service mindset.
Previously, they only focused on pointing out problems, and you had to find solutions yourself.
But now, the staff approach you first, explain the procedures, and even suggest better methods or options. It was really impressive.
For example, if a document was missing,
"This is missing, so please come back next week" → "You can replace this with this document, which you can get nearby. Please come back this afternoon."
This kind of guidance now happens naturally.
4. Is 'Backdoor Deals' a Thing of the Past?
Previously, there was a base camp located in an upscale neighborhood near the immigration office that acted as unofficial agents.
They accepted bribes and served as a window for those who wanted to cut corners... But now, that atmosphere is gone.
The mood has changed, and many foreigners are applying directly or processing through official channels.
>>> Changes I Felt When I Tried It Myself
To summarize, the changes at the immigration office are not just about 'procedures,' but a clear shift in the attitude towards foreigners.
While extending visas is still complex and requires administrative effort, from the perspective of someone handling it directly,
"It's impossible" has been replaced with "I can try this."
If you are currently preparing for visa renewal or family visa processing, don't just worry based on past experiences.
I recommend experiencing the current atmosphere of the immigration office firsthand.
Even though it might be a bit inconvenient, you'll definitely feel positive changes in the systematized processes and the changed approach.
