Indonesia is one of the most sought-after places to move for expats, and it’s understandable as to why! This beautiful country boasts lovely weather, beautiful landscapes, and a laid-back atmosphere both in its cities and countrysides alike that make life both enjoyable and varied for both locals and those moving there.
From Jakarta to Bali and everywhere in between, Indonesia is a great place to live and have a nice change of pace from your current everyday. If you’re interested in moving to Indonesia, learn how to do so and what you should know before moving to the country so that you’re fully prepared for your immigration. We’ve also included helpful tips to help you have everything you need settled and squared away before you make a large international move like this.
Before making a huge move like this, consider what you’re looking for out of your life in Indonesia and how your current lifestyle and habits will fit in there. First of all, consider what you do for work, and whether you’ll need to find work or be sponsored by a company for a visa when you arrive.
If you’re a digital nomad or work remotely, you’ll be able to stay in the country for up to 180 days, which can make renting a home tricky. Don’t worry – many places are looking to make themselves accessible and expat-friendly, so you can find the right place for you in a variety of places (and even through a long-term Airbnb if need be).
The average cost of living in Indonesia is very appealing to expats, especially if you come from a country with a much higher general cost of living. The average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in Bali’s city center is around $491 USD (Rp 7.3 million) per month, or $288 USD (Rp 4.3 million) for 1 bedrooms outside of the city. Estimated monthly costs outside of rent will run you around $550 USD, including food and recreation.
One of the biggest draws of living in Indonesia is its plentiful activities in the various parts of the country, as well as its plentiful areas to explore all over. The capital city of Jakarta has a plentiful nightlife scene, and offers tons of recreational opportunities for those of all ages.
Bali, a particular hotspot for digital nomads, offers opportunities for swimming or water sports at its many beaches, amazing sites at the Uluwatu Temple, Gunung Kawi Temple, or Tirta Empul, or many attractions like meditation retreats, beach clubs, and various forest sanctuaries and waterfalls outdoors.
How long you stay in Indonesia will depend on your visa type. In case you did not apply for a visa before arrival, you’ll need a 30-day VOA permit for a temporary stay in the country. This permit is tough to get an extension on, so it’s best to have all of your visas in order before you arrive, especially if you intend to stay long-term.
If applying before you arrive, you can apply for a visit visa, which grants single entry for up to 60 days, or multi-entry for 60 days if you intend to go back and forth between the country and another. Both of these visas require fees to be paid in order to obtain them, and need time to process.
If looking for a residency visa, you’ll want to look for the VKSB visa, which is valid for 6 months. This is good for those visiting for long periods or studying there, and can be renewed. This visa does require an Indonesian sponsor. There is also a multi-entry version that is valid for 12 months, but has more conditions to obtain.
There is a semi-permanent visa issued to expats employed by companies based in Indonesia called the VITAS visa. This requires an approved work permit and allows your spouse or children to accompany you to the country.
A KITAS visa is obtained by your employer upon your initial hiring and employment and is a precursor of sorts before applying for a full work visa. You’ll need to be a salaried worker at an Indonesian company to obtain this type of visa, and is valid for an initial 12 months, though it can be extended up to 5 years. After 5 years, you can obtain a KITAP, or permanent residence visa.
Work visas are tougher to get, and require employer sponsorship. You’ll need this type of visa to work in Indonesia for over a year or if you intend to obtain permanent residency. This visa type will be issued after you move to the country, though you should be well prepared ahead of time.
If you’re a digital nomad or remote worker and all of this sounds out of reach for you, fear not! The country has taken steps to be more accessible for those looking to work remotely, including the introduction of new visa types. There is another type of visa, the B211 single-entry tourist visa which allows those interested to work remotely and live in Indonesia for up to 180 days. This visa requires those interested to have $2,000 in savings at the time of applying and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You’ll also need to have your flight ticket home or to another country booked and provable. The country is also working on a 5 year digital nomad visa, though this has not been introduced yet.
When gearing up for any international moving process, you should always be fully prepared and take the process months (or even a year!) in advance to ensure you won’t have any unwelcome surprises.
Before moving to Indonesia, consider the following for your international moving checklist:
As is the case with any foreign country, you should always prepare well ahead of time and try to learn the language of the country you’re moving to. Though English is widely spoken and understood in the country, making an effort to understand or speak basic Bahasa Indonesian (the official language) will take you a long way – and earn you points with the locals as well! Thanks to its use of the Latin alphabet, this language is also fairly easy to pick up for native English speakers.
Now that you’ve gotten a taste of what it’ll take to move to Indonesia (and what to expect from life there), it’s time to get started on your international moving company search! For the best and easiest relocation possible, having an experienced moving company on your side for a large move like this will make your relocation easy and nearly stress-free. Not to mention, having all of your items’ moving coordinated for you and customs handled by experienced professionals will make your entire move that much easier.
If you’re looking for the best international moving company, look no further than Allied International. Our affordable and comprehensive international moving services make moving to any country easy, no matter where you’re headed or how many items you have.
Learn more about our customizable international moving packages and hear from our specialists when you contact us today or get a free moving quote.
We carefully and methodically pack and crate your items, ensuring their safe and secure arrival. We take pride in the expert packing, crating, and handling of your possessions.
Our aim is to have your belongings safely and quickly transported to your new location, with a focus on customer service and your utmost satisfaction.
We provide you with a personal moving coordinator. You can check in any time you wish, connecting to the same person who will be very familiar with your particular custom moving plan.
