Hidupid – If you want Indonesia to be your new home, the first thing you need to do is to be open-minded and be ready for the adventure. This beautiful archipelago offers almost everything to make your life more exciting. But first things first, there are few things you have to consider.
As a country with a tropical climate, hot and humid, there are only two seasons: The wet season that brings heavy rains, and the dry season. So, for people who come from the colder climates, this is the first thing to think about and to be prepared for.
White beaches and stunning scenery is what people first think of when they hear ‘Indonesia’. Although the country has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, the country has a lot more to offer. Indonesia also offers expats with rich and ancient history, cultures and traditions. As the fourth most populous country in the world with 260 million people, Indonesia also has a lot of diversity.
Climate
Whether you want to live in a city or a village, it takes you some time to get used to the local weather, especially the expats who come from the northern hemisphere. Indonesia’s climate is tropical which means very hot and humid. Monsoon seasons are the other thing that you have to be aware of each year. There are two kinds of the monsoon seasons. The eastern monsoon from June to September, which is dry and hot. The western monsoon from December to March which comes with heavy rains. If you want your move to be optimal, pick your start at the eastern monsoon.
Accommodation in Indonesia
Securing temporary accommodation is highly recommended before moving to Indonesia. This is to ensure that you will have a place to stay in once you get to Indonesia. This is where hidup.co.id can be of assistance and enable you to find and secure your accommodation well-before you arrive in the country.
Visa requirements
Bureaucracy in Indonesia can sometimes be very confusing. First of all, it’s your future employer who will obtain your work visa, not yourself. There is a work permit called IMTA that a company has to be obtained before a company can hire foreigners. A company has to prove that a particular position needs foreign nationals, due to the government policy to prioritizing local applicants. A company can submit an application for a limited stay visa (VITAS) on your behalf after your future employer gains approval from the Ministry of Manpower. Then they will send a letter of recommendation to the General Directorate of Immigration in Jakarta for approval.
Understanding how Residence and Work Permits work
Once you step your foot on Indonesia, you have seven days in which to report to the regional immigration office with your passport and embarkation card in order to get yourself fingerprinted and exchange your visa for a limited stay permit card (KITAS). It usually takes two weeks for this card to be issued. The original KITAS permit is valid for one year and renewable annually for up to five years. After five years, a permanent stay permit card (KITAP) can be applied.
Along with KITAS, you will also be issued a foreigners control and supervision book (POA). Any changes in your immigration status will be tracked by this book, such as change of address, job, marital status, etc. KITAS card and a POA book will also be needed by any dependents that move with you to Indonesia. Additionally, you must register to the local police headquarters 30 days after receiving your KITAS permit.
IKTA or expatriate work permit also needs to be obtained after you have received KITAS after the Skill and Development FUND (DPKK) have been paid by your company for 12,000 USD annually which is used for the training of Indonesian citizen. The DPKK and IMTA payment receipt must be submitted with your IKTA application.
Health Insurance
Healthcare in Indonesia is very different compared to western countries. The public healthcare sector is not always adequate, so it is good decision to obtain private international health insurance. Be sure to get a comprehensive medical insurance plan for yourself and all family members which covers both illnesses and accidents. Many wealthier Indonesians and expatriates also prefer to go to Singapore for high-quality treatment. The telephone numbers for police and emergency medical help in Indonesia are 110 and 118/119 respectively.
