Harassed by Indonesian immigration

[UnhappyVictimAmer 2]

After receiving her visa everything seemed to be going OK until minutes before boarding the plane. The Indonesian immigration detained us and harassed us saying that I needed a permission form to leave. They brought us to an office and told us to sit down and wait, three different times we were told to sit down. We waited over an hour with no explanation. They would not take bribes and they said there were no fees or fines that I could pay. Waiting and waiting, I got up and went to the door and saw the same men just standing around not working on anything. I motioned for them to come and read something. I had a residence visa and the control book clearly reads that all that is required to leave the country is to turn in the control book to them. This was written in Indonesian and English. I told the first man earlier that I had no intentions on returning and that they could take my visa book. Then they stopped talking to me and demanded that my wife hand write a letter saying that I will not enter the country again with my visa book. This conversation went on for another hour and she was told to rewrite it three more times because the man kept making changes to it. They made HER sign it not me but not until they fumbled around their offices for a tax stamp for 45 minutes. Then they wanted copies of all passports and marriage certificates. At first the head officer said that I couldn't leave today and that I needed to go talk to the city immigration office that would open up two days later on Monday and that it would take a week or longer to get permission.

We boarded the plane just minutes before taking off.

This took place at the airport in the city of Medan, the worse airport I have ever been to in my life.

[TheMilner 3]

I am sorry for what happen. I guess they are just trying to do their job. Good thing they finally let you board on the plane. Glad things worked out kind of smoothly to you.

Congratulations for the visa!!

[nenooye 8]

yes they are sucks

[Utha 10]

Sorry for what happened. Can't imagine how mad both of you. Immigration is one of the most corrupt department in the country. I experienced it for myself. Thanks God, you passed it in the end.

[Otto 83]

** Topic is certainly Asia-related but may be more appropriate in "Asia: East and Pacific"; moving thread there.

[himher 634]

WOW. We are trying to digest this - were they asking for a permission from your "sponsor" to leave like they do in the mideast?

After receiving her visa everything seemed to be going OK until minutes before boarding the plane. The Indonesian immigration detained us and harassed us saying that I needed a permission form to leave. They brought us to an office and told us to sit down and wait, three different times we were told to sit down. We waited over an hour with no explanation. They would not take bribes and they said there were no fees or fines that I could pay. Waiting and waiting, I got up and went to the door and saw the same men just standing around not working on anything. I motioned for them to come and read something. I had a residence visa and the control book clearly reads that all that is required to leave the country is to turn in the control book to them. This was written in Indonesian and English. I told the first man earlier that I had no intentions on returning and that they could take my visa book. Then they stopped talking to me and demanded that my wife hand write a letter saying that I will not enter the country again with my visa book. This conversation went on for another hour and she was told to rewrite it three more times because the man kept making changes to it. They made HER sign it not me but not until they fumbled around their offices for a tax stamp for 45 minutes. Then they wanted copies of all passports and marriage certificates. At first the head officer said that I couldn't leave today and that I needed to go talk to the city immigration office that would open up two days later on Monday and that it would take a week or longer to get permission.

We boarded the plane just minutes before taking off.

This took place at the airport in the city of Medan, the worse airport I have ever been to in my life.

[UnhappyVictimAmer 2]

No. They wanted a permission form from immigration before they would let me leave. From my experience Indonesian immigration does whatever they want, they don't follow ANY rules even the ones posted on the wall inside immigration offices or written in their policy by their government on their own websites, or the policy written inside any resident control books. These guys were completely out of line and either stupid beyond belief or intentionally harassing a foreigner from the USA.

WOW. We are trying to digest this - were they asking for a permission from your "sponsor" to leave like they do in the mideast?

[NataliaMcCarthy 0]

Hi,

I'm from Medan and so sorry that it happened to you. I guess they wanted to get money from you but I'm glad that they finally let you board and had a safe trip together. Much happiness to you and your wife.