Hi guys, so I will be going to Indonesia for 1 semester as a student exchange over at ITS , Surabaya. Before this, there were so much problem and complications in weather my friend and I are suppose to go for VITAS 316 or VKSB221 . YOu can see the comparison from BINUS , just searched online. To cut the story short, we end up taking the VKSB which is the normal kind of visa, ( Mentally so tired because after enquiring and asking all the details and documents , end up back to square one ) valid for 60 DAYS only , and have to renew like maybe 3 times ??!! The whole study course is 5 months. Visa must be applied in person with original passport at Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia at Kuala Lumpur.
You can go to their website and fill up basic details and the date to go to the Embassy to submit the form. Its really easy. As someone who is so alert and careful, I make sure to read, understand and prepare all the documents required . Students from other faculty went and forward the require documents too , but yup, as expected, things always goes wrong. Set my time appointment at 10am ( it was crowded, I suggest you to book maybe for 11am time slot , way way less people ) .
If you are taking the public transport, just stop at MRT TUN RAZAK EXCHANGE , walk around 10 minutes, there is no sign so its best to depend on google map. Quite easy to locate , once you are near the embassy , you will see many Indonesians lingering and asking weather you need pictures, passport pic services or teksi. Just ignore and ask the guards that is standing at both small entry gate for any enquire.
There is 2 machine to get your ticket number for Visa , one is you need to scan the barcode after you done an application online, another one is walk in application . The walk in application definately will be more people so you have to wait longer . The funny this is the walk in counters actually move way way faster than the online application, weird........ When it was my turn, I went to the counter and told her that I am a student and will be going to Indonesia as a student exchange , and then she took all my documents and then tell me that I have one missing document. She will require an ID card of the person that sign my letter for the Visa type confirmation.
I am like..shit !! Because all the while I only enquire and get information from a lady name Bilqis , she is the one responsible for helping and assisting international students. But the Visa letter was sign under someone's else name. And normally Bilqis will reply my messages like in a few hours , and the lady requested me to get it, print and give to her before 1pm.
Lady luck must be smiling on me, Bilqis replied me immediately with the ID picture of the lady that sign my Visa , and then another trouble upfold. There is only two small makeship store for people to print stuff , and guess what! They both charged RM5 for one piece of black and white paper. One piece!
I think this is not right at all in so many levels , how can the Embassy actually approve and did not stop such activity, they are basically taking advantage of the people that will require printing services on the spot. No wonder when I walk past them, many of them approach me and ask me weather I need to print of photostap anything? Cut throat!
The embassy itself should have just prepare maybe a special counter or place for people to go to to get their missing documents printed out with a reasonable charge of fee of course. Imagine if a black and white printing cost RM5 , colour confirm more expensive. So I rejected both stall and searched the net for the nearest printing shop. I really did not want to support their business and their despise look when I rejected them as if I cannot find any other option besides printing from them.
As I was alone , I searched the net and found quite a few printing shops around there and decided to walk 1.2km (about 15 mins ) to a printing shop name IMAGE MAGIC DIGITAL PRINTING , but I did not manage to find the place and somehow bumped into another printing shop under a building somewhere near there. Was charged RM0.50 for a black and white piece. The place that I walk to is already near KLCC as there is a bridge connection.
SO finally reached the embassy again, went to the same lady , gave her the documents and passport , and then pay the fees. Was asked to come and collect on 4 working days.
Documents require for a student exchange for my case :
1. Visa document ( Can take on the spot (free ), or print online )
2.Visa Recommendation letter from your host university in Indonesia
3. Visa recommendation person ID
4. Passport
5. Photocopy of passport (page of signature and name details)
6. Letter of student exchange from the University you studying in Malaysia
7. Flight Itinery
8. 2 passport size picture ( one stick on the form, one give to them )
9. RM205 for the Visa business one entry
Simple tips, make sure you get all your documents printed and ready , or else you might just need to spend RM5 for one piece of paper , unless the person over the counter that serve you is kind. I overhead the lady at the next counter helping her customer (a guy next to me) to print some of his documents as he did not prepare the photocopy of the require documents , she was so helpful. Why didn't I get that counter ?? :(
For my case. as I will be coming back in November for my Brother's convocation, I will have to apply the same Visa again and pay another RM205 again. Yeap :(
Got it done and will be collecting it this Friday ( 4 working days, they will stamp the date and time to collect .
Till then,
Cheers.
