Moving to Indonesia
The Republic of Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country comprised of 17,508 islands. It is the fourth most populated country in the world, and also has the highest population of Muslims. It is a republic with its capital in Jakarta. There are many different distinct ethnic, linguistic and religious groups in Indonesia, and the Javanese are the largest and most politically controlling group. Many foreign powers have influenced Indonesian history, such as Muslim traders (who brought Islam) and Dutch colonizers.
Visas
Work Permit
To work in Indonesia, you must duly apply for a KITAS, which is a stay permit, and an IKTA, which is the expatriate work permit. Your company must first notify the Department of Manpower that they plan to hire an expatriate.
In order to apply for a work permit in Indonesia, you are required to submit the following documents:
1. Valid passport, valid for at least 18 months
2. Record of education certificate
3. Record of job experience, in English or Indonesian
4. Current curriculum vitae signed by the expatriate concerned
5. Photos with a red background of the following sizes: 4 X 6 CM = 16 color photos
3 X 4 CM = 4 color photos
2 X 3 CM = 5 color photos
Your prospective employer is also required to submit several documents and various records of their financial history.
It takes 1-3 weeks to process your visa. Your visa will be valid for one year, and can be extended up to three times. If your company wants you to continue working, they will have to get you an exit permit so you can leave and come back again.
Click here for information about doing business in Indonesia.
Student Visa
In order to study in Indonesia, you are required to obtain a Social Visit Visa. You must first be accepted into an accredited institution. You should apply at your nearest Indonesian embassy.
You are required to submit the following documents:
1. Valid passport
2. Two completed visa application forms
3. Two color passport photos
4. Letter of registration from your school, describing your course
5. Proof of payment to your institution
6. Proof of funds
Once you obtain this visa, you are allowed to enter Indonesia. Once you are there, that is when you apply for a student visa from the Immigration Office in Indonesia. You should report to the Student Administration Office at your school, who will assist you in this process.
Click here for information about international schools in Indonesia.
Click here for information about day care in Indonesia.
Moving Pets
Indonesia is a rabies-free country, and has strict rules about importing animals from certain countries. You are not allowed to bring pets from rabies-infected countries into Jakarta, and the rest of the nation has different regulations. All pets must be vaccinated to rabies prior to arrival to Indonesia. You must also obtain a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian. It must state your pet is in good health and has been vaccinated against rabies. You must also present your pet’s vaccination records.
Pets coming from rabies-infected countries must spend 2 weeks in quarantine.
Keep in mind that the cost of feeding a cat or dog pet food in Indonesia is high compared to other countries. Pets are not as common to Indonesians as to Westerners. Animals are regarded and treated much differently.
Click here for information about why Indonesian cats do not have tails.
Other Information
Click here for a forum on living in Indonesia.
Click here for information on shops and services in Indonesia.
Click here for a directory of Indonesian embassies.