Moving to Indonesia

Indonesia has work visas (KITAS/ITAS), student visas, and retirement visas. The Second Home visa targets wealthy long-term visitors. Work permits require employer sponsorship through the RPTKA system.

Indonesia's economy is the largest in Southeast Asia, with opportunities for foreigners concentrated in Jakarta (finance, consulting, tech, oil and gas), Bali (tourism, hospitality, creative industries), and Surabaya (manufacturing, logistics). The tech startup scene has produced unicorns like GoTo, Tokopedia, and Traveloka. However, work permits are strictly regulated and expensive for employers, which limits formal employment opportunities for foreigners.

Indonesia has a two-tier healthcare system. The public system (covered by BPJS Kesehatan, the national health insurance) provides basic care but is overwhelmed and under-resourced. Most expats use private hospitals exclusively. In Jakarta, Siloam Hospitals (multiple locations), RS Pondok Indah, and MRCCC Siloam are among the top private facilities, offering international-standard care. In Bali, BIMC Hospital (Kuta and Nusa Dua locations), Kasih Ibu Hospital, and Prima Medika Hospital serve the expat community. KITAS holders are required to enroll in BPJS Kesehatan (approximately IDR 150,000/month for the top tier), but virtually all expats supplement this with private insurance from providers like Pacific Cross, Cigna, or Allianz. A specialist consultation at a private hospital costs IDR 300,000-500,000 ($20-32 USD). Pharmacies (apotek) are widespread, and many medications are available over the counter. For complex conditions, Singapore is the nearest destination for world-class medical care — just 1.5 hours by flight from Jakarta or 2.5 hours from Bali.

Indonesia is one of the most digitally active countries in the world, with over 200 million internet users. The app ecosystem is incredibly mature — ride-hailing, food delivery, grocery shopping, bill payment, and even government services are all app-based. The super-app model pioneered by Gojek (now GoTo) and Grab means a single app handles transportation, food, payments, and services.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, but its cultural identity is far more complex than any single religion. The national philosophy "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) reflects the extraordinary variety of ethnic groups, religions, and traditions across the archipelago. Bali is predominantly Hindu, with daily offerings (canang sari) placed on sidewalks, temple ceremonies, and a deeply spiritual relationship with nature. Java blends Islam with ancient Javanese traditions and mysticism. Social interactions across Indonesia are governed by a strong emphasis on harmony, politeness, and avoiding conflict. Indonesians rarely say "no" directly — "belum" (not yet) or "mungkin" (maybe) are common substitutes. Losing your temper in public causes both you and the other person to lose face, and the social consequences can be severe. Food is central to social life: eating together, sharing dishes, and trying local specialties are key bonding activities. Indonesian cuisine is extraordinarily diverse, with each island and ethnic group contributing distinctive dishes.

• •Never point with your index finger — use your thumb (with fingers curled) or an open palm gesture. Pointing with a finger is considered rude across Indonesia.
• •Use your right hand for giving and receiving items, eating, and handshakes. The left hand is considered unclean. If you must use both hands, that is also acceptable.
• •Getting visibly angry in public is one of the worst social mistakes you can make. Indonesians value "sabar" (patience) and "tenang" (calm). Losing your temper results in immediate loss of respect and cooperation.
• •In Bali, step around (never on) the canang sari offerings placed on the ground outside homes and shops. These are daily religious offerings to the spirits, and stepping on them is deeply disrespectful.
• •Dress modestly when visiting temples (sarong and sash required at Balinese temples) and mosques (long sleeves, head covering for women). In everyday life, Bali is relaxed about dress, while Java and other Muslim-majority areas expect more modest clothing.