In the heart of Bali, Tristan and his son Dylan were enjoying their life as expats in Indonesia. Tristan, a seasoned professional, had moved to Indonesia a few years ago to open his own business and had brought his family along. Dylan, who had grown up in Indonesia, was now 17 and looking forward to his 18th birthday next year. Little did they know that this milestone would bring unexpected challenges to their stay in the country—challenges that we recently helped them navigate.
The Dependent KITAS: A Comforting Assurance
Since arriving in Indonesia, Dylan had been living under a dependent KITAS, a visa that allowed him to stay in the country as long as his father’s KITAS was valid. This arrangement had given Tristan peace of mind, knowing that his son could stay with him without any legal hurdles. Life was good, and neither Tristan nor Dylan had given much thought to what would happen when Dylan turned 18.
A Surprising Discovery
One day, while reviewing his immigration documents, Tristan stumbled upon a detail that caught his eye: a dependent KITAS was only valid for children under the age of 18. Concerned, Tristan decided to dig deeper. He discovered that once Dylan turned 18, he would no longer be eligible for a dependent KITAS. This revelation sent a wave of worry through Tristan—what would this mean for Dylan’s future in Indonesia?
A Father’s Determination
As Dylan’s 18th birthday approached on September, Tristan realized that they had little time to find a solution. The validity of Dylan’s KITAS was directly tied to Tristan’s own KITAS, which was due for renewal in December. To complicate matters further, new immigration rules now stated that Tristan couldn’t extend his KITAS more than 3 months before its expiration date. This meant that the earliest Tristan could apply for his KITAS extension would be in October.
Faced with this challenge, Tristan consulted with us at Ratu Visa to explore the two possible options:
Option 1: Early Extension of Tristan’s KITAS
Tristan wondered if there was a way to extend his KITAS earlier than the 3-month window, which would allow Dylan’s KITAS to be extended as well. If this was possible, Dylan could remain on his dependent KITAS until September next year, just before his 18th birthday. However, this option required special permission from the immigration authorities—a gamble that Tristan wasn’t sure would pay off.
Option 2: A Short-Term Extension for Dylan
The second option was less complicated but far from ideal. If an early extension wasn’t possible, Dylan could still extend his KITAS, but only until December. This short-term extension would give Dylan a bit more time, but it meant they would have to go through the extension process again as soon as Tristan renewed his own KITAS. This also meant added costs and the inconvenience of dealing with immigration twice in a short period.
A Lesson for All Expats
Tristan and Dylan’s experience serves as a valuable lesson for all expat families living in Indonesia. Age limitations for dependent KITAS can have a significant impact on your family’s ability to stay in the country. As your children approach their 18th birthday, it’s crucial to start planning for their visa transition. Whether it’s exploring early extensions or preparing for alternative visa options, being proactive can save you from last-minute complications.
A Happy Ending
In the end, Tristan managed to secure a renewal for Dylan, allowing him to remain in Indonesia until Tristan’s KITAS was renewed. He is relieved to have navigated the process successfully and was grateful for the advice and help he received along the way.
Dylan and Tristan’s story highlights the importance of understanding the rules around dependent KITAS in Indonesia. For expat families, planning ahead and seeking expert advice can make all the difference. If you’re facing similar challenges, remember that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. At Ratu Visa, we’re here to help you every step of the way, ensuring that your family’s stay in Indonesia is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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