The Adventure Begins (Again)

You have my  sympathies , im in indonesia , but ya its a similar boring tiresome  dance , fortunately im y now on 5 year visits to imm to tell em im still around , thats life in these countries ,plus and minus .

Enzyte Bob wrote:

Maybe it's to early to call it an adventure, it looks like it's going to be an obstacle course going from a temporary ACR-1 to a permanent ACR-1 and 13A

The temporary took four or five trips to various government agencies, which I did not want to repeat, hell the cab/grab fares almost added up to be more than the fees.

Well anyways I could not find any definitive or useful information about the conversion. So my son would be the point man for me, doing the down in the trenches dirty work.

He went to immigration and returned with a bunch of paperwork. It seems when applying for the permanent ACR-1 and 13A, you have to do a repeat of all the paperwork that was done for the temporary ACR-1.

He spent last evening filling out all the forms and getting our documents together. First thing on order was a new clearance from NBI, he thought that would be an easy process, just show up with your original clearance.

So today we went to the satellite NBI office in the Robinson Mall. There we were told all foreigners must apply through the main NBI office. On further checking we had to register for an appointment, no more walk ins. The first appointment we could get was November 19th.

So the question is how many hoops do we have to jump through again and can we clear these hoops without running up fines, fees and  and more taxi fares.

Unfortunately, there are no ways in clearing these hoops in this procedure, at least to me.  The process keep changing by the way and hence most recent applicants might be the ones to let you in on any existing clear pathway if there are any. But once you secure your NIB clearance there is a couple of dance and hoops to go through and then a long wait to finally secure the 13A. 

Good luck and do update this thread, once you are done.

I haven't started it yet...was planning on leaving the country and coming back to reset the BB visa...however, looks like that plan got COVIDed...not sure how to proceed.

Miguk wrote:

I haven't started it yet...was planning on leaving the country and coming back to reset the BB visa...however, looks like that plan got COVIDed...not sure how to proceed.

Encase any Expat is planning on leaving, I believe you still need clearance from the NBI. In the past it was said to visit the NBI several days before you exit.

I had to make an appointment with the NBI (ACR Card Renewal) and that appointment is/was three weeks away.

So if you already have a plane ticket better plan in advance for your NBI clearance.

For me it will be the freedom of movement...If I don't see any clear window of that being given in my destination country (without the need for home quarantine).....I'd rather stick it out in this 3rd class province which gives me more than enough freedom of movement.
You can take away my airline ticket (with a full refund    ) but you cannot take away my freeedooom.

Enzyte Bob wrote:

Maybe it's to early to call it an adventure, it looks like it's going to be an obstacle course going from a temporary ACR-1 to a permanent ACR-1 and 13A

The temporary took four or five trips to various government agencies, which I did not want to repeat, hell the cab/grab fares almost added up to be more than the fees.

Well anyways I could not find any definitive or useful information about the conversion. So my son would be the point man for me, doing the down in the trenches dirty work.

He went to immigration and returned with a bunch of paperwork. It seems when applying for the permanent ACR-1 and 13A, you have to do a repeat of all the paperwork that was done for the temporary ACR-1.

He spent last evening filling out all the forms and getting our documents together. First thing on order was a new clearance from NBI, he thought that would be an easy process, just show up with your original clearance.

So today we went to the satellite NBI office in the Robinson Mall. There we were told all foreigners must apply through the main NBI office. On further checking we had to register for an appointment, no more walk ins. The first appointment we could get was November 19th.

So the question is how many hoops do we have to jump through again and can we clear these hoops without running up fines, fees and  and more taxi fares.

Update. . . As November 19th is just a week away till my appointment. My son who is handling the paperwork  and did not receive a confirmation of the NBI fee he paid.

So he contacted the NBI and the NBI said they had a computer glitch and all the appointments were wiped out and to make a new appointment. So our new appointment is in the middle of December.

I wish they had a computer glitch that I received 100,000 appointments in the middle or the night.

Computer glitch?
I don't understand they could lose records that were recorded weeks before.
Databases are backed up daily.
In the old days, the term used was: grandfather-father-son for 3 generations of backups. Now it is much more because storage media are no longer pricey.
Maybe they're using one excel spreadsheet for their records. 😀

Yup...many still think of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" till its too late...not realizing the need for regular upgrading obsolete system/the way things are done & also some knowledge of how new tech makes things even more cost effective & efficient.