Visa Extension

Since February this year it has been possible to extend the visa on arrival by a farther 30 days – but this means hanging around by an immigration office for up to a week. I had enquired about using an agent whilst in Bali but they wanted at least 800,000 Rp to do it – when the visa itself only costs 250,000 Rp. As I was keen to go back to Rote I decided that I would try to process the extension in Kupang. I again contacted an agent – I never got to find out how much he would have charged me as his KTP (identity card) had expired so he could not sponsor me. I therefore decided to do it myself and contacted a friend in Kupang to see if he would act as sponsor and he agreed – many thanks .Dominggus. I ended up paying 350,000 Rp and as I was not prepared to pay anymore for the administration of the sponsor letter had to wait a week instead of 3 days. Day 1 I had to fill in the application form and submit it with photographs and copies of my passport, visa and my sponsors KTP and a sponsor letter had to be produced. Then day 2 I had to return to pay the fee and then day 6 the passport complete with visa extension was ready for collection. As day 1 for me was a Friday this meant I had to hang around in Timor until Tuesday before I could go to Rote – I will know better next time. I was able to get another friend to collect the passport for me on the following Friday so did not have to rush back.