How to Move to Indonesia: A Short Guide for Expats

Staying and living abroad in a faraway country like Indonesia for any purpose requires thorough preparations. Hence, it’s important to understand how to move to Indonesia properly.

Such a thing is especially true when you decide to be an expat that resides temporarily or permanently in another country like Indonesia.

There are requirements that need to be fulfilled when it comes to moving to Indonesia for a longer period than the usual tourist visit period.

While moving is not an easy thing to begin with, it’s not impossible to do with the help of the right agency and the Indonesian employers you are affiliated with.

To help you see the bigger picture and learn how to move to Indonesia according to the legal procedure, check out the following information!

Why Do People Move to Indonesia?

Many of you may wonder what makes people want to move to Indonesia. First of all, Indonesia is an appealing getaway place from the cold, snowy environment. It’s a tropical place full of pleasantries you may not find anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere.

Second, Indonesia has diverse business sectors that have the potential to attract brilliant minds from all over the world who need a different type of environment. From tourism, agribusiness, biomedical research, and mining, Indonesia is a place that offers many job opportunities.

Last but not least, Indonesia’s abundant natural resources hold enormous potential. Oil, rice, tea, coffee, and spies are abundant in the country. Not only that, medicinal plants can also be easily found here. Having easy access to these natural resources can ultimately improve your life’s quality in the long term.

Basic Things to Learn About Indonesia

After knowing the main reasons people move to Indonesia, you may still wonder if relocating is the best option for you. Indeed, moving to Indonesia is not an easy decision to make. However, once you learn how to move to Indonesia, you may find the idea quite appealing.

But first, before proceeding to learn about how to move to Indonesia, you should know the basics of all the things in the country. Starting from the official language and currency, up to the daily living customs of the locals,

Here are some of the basic Indonesian things to know before you start proceeding with your relocation to Indonesia:

Official language: Indonesian
Capital: Jakarta
Currency: Rupiah
Timezone: UTC +7 to UTC +9
The area code: +62
Emergency number: 112

How to Move to Indonesia: The Essential Points

Basically, learning how to move to Indonesia is an essential part of the relocation procedure. It’s important for you to understand the place you move to. Hence, we have compiled a list of things you need to know to prepare yourself for the new environment you will live in.

Be Aware of the Climate

Indonesia only has two seasons, which are dry and rainy. In most parts of the country, the dry season usually starts in April and ends in October. On the other hand, the rainy season starts in November and ends in March. However, the time period of these seasons can change unpredictably.

Be Prepared for the Accommodation

Before arriving in the country, you must ensure that you have a temporary place to stay. You can try to find rented spaces for foreigners or simply book hotel rooms for several days during your temporary stay.

Once you manage your documents and get in touch with your employer, you can find several real estate agencies to help you search for an apartment that fits your living conditions best.

Be Knowledgeable About Visa Application

Make sure to apply for the right visa for your living arrangements in Indonesia. In this case, you should pick between four available options for foreign applicants listed below:

Tourist visa: apply for visa on arrival for a 30-day stay with no-work policies.
Visit visa: can be used to conduct business activities for up to 60 days.
Temporary residence: for work purposes, get VITAS (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas) before applying for the temporary residency permit, KITAS/ITAS, that holds the validity up to 5 years.
Permanent residence: for permanent residence, apply KITAP/ITAP. You can only get it after living in Indonesia for 3 years. With this permit, you can stay for 5 years with possible extensions.

At last, we have come to the last part of the short guide to how to move to Indonesia. Moving to this tropical country requires meticulous preparation, from learning the basics to proceeding with the visa application.

If you need help preparing for your relocation to Indonesia, you can contact DoorToID. We assure you that every piece of information and service you receive will be provided quickly, professionally, and transparently.