Indonesia
Republic of Indonesia · Capital: Jakarta
Indonesia pairs very low living costs and a tropical lifestyle (Bali above all) with new routes for remote workers, retirees and investors: the Second Home Visa, an E33G remote-worker visa, and investor KITAS permits. Work permits remain employer-led, but the door to longer stays has opened.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Indonesia.
Policy overview
7 visa routes into Indonesia
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Second Home Visa
InvestorSecond Home
A 5- or 10-year residence for financially independent foreigners, based on holding funds in an Indonesian account or qualifying assets.
Eligibility
- Proof of funds of IDR 2 billion in an Indonesian state bank account
- Or qualifying property
- Valid passport
- Health and character checks
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
E33G
A one-year digital-nomad visa for remote employees and freelancers earning from companies outside Indonesia.
Eligibility
- Remote employment/contracts abroad
- Foreign income of at least USD 60,000 a year
- Valid passport and health cover
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
KITAS
Employer-sponsored limited-stay permit tied to a foreign-worker position approved by the manpower ministry.
Eligibility
- Sponsoring Indonesian employer
- Approved foreign-worker plan (RPTKA)
- Relevant qualifications
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Investor KITAS
InvestorInvestor KITAS
Residence for foreigners holding shares in an Indonesian (PT PMA) company, without needing a separate work permit.
Eligibility
- Personal shareholding of at least IDR 10 billion in a PT PMA (raised from IDR 1.25 billion)
- Company registration
- Company bank statements for the last 2 months
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Golden Visa
InvestorGolden Visa
Launched 25 July 2024. A 5- or 10-year stay permit for investors, with priority airport lanes and no separate stay-permit application.
Eligibility
- Individual: USD 350,000 in government bonds, listed shares or funds for 5 years, or USD 700,000 for 10 years
- Or set up a company investing USD 2.5M (5 years) or USD 5M (10 years)
- Hold the investment for the whole visa period
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentStudent
Study at an Indonesian institution, including language and Islamic-studies programmes drawing regional students.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from a registered institution
- Proof of funds
- Sponsor letter
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Family / Spouse KITAS
FamilyID-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Indonesia, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Indonesia needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
Jakarta's unicorn and startup scene hires senior tech talent.
Energy & mining
Nickel and EV-battery supply chain drive mining/engineering demand.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing investment needs process and quality engineers.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Bali (Canggu/Ubud)
Nomad capital of AsiaThe world's leading digital-nomad destination, with strong communities and the new nomad visa.
- Cost index
- 48
- 1-bed rent
- $800
- Quality
- 80
Jakarta
Capital & startupsSoutheast Asia's startup and corporate powerhouse, the place for serious career growth.
- Cost index
- 50
- 1-bed rent
- $750
- Quality
- 70
Surabaya
Industry & tradeThe industrial and trade hub of eastern Java, more affordable than the capital.
- Cost index
- 44
- 1-bed rent
- $550
- Quality
- 71
Bandung
Cool highland cityA cooler highland university city known for creativity, cafés and lower costs.
- Cost index
- 42
- 1-bed rent
- $500
- Quality
- 74
Yogyakarta
Culture & valueThe cultural and student heart of Java, exceptionally affordable and welcoming.
- Cost index
- 38
- 1-bed rent
- $400
- Quality
- 76
Medan
Sumatra's gatewayThe largest city on Sumatra, a diverse commercial gateway with very low costs.
- Cost index
- 40
- 1-bed rent
- $450
- Quality
- 70
Lombok
Quieter than BaliBali's quieter neighbour, increasingly popular with nomads seeking a calmer island base.
- Cost index
- 42
- 1-bed rent
- $550
- Quality
- 77
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Indonesia.
Good private hospitals in Jakarta/Bali; many expats use Singapore for serious care.
International schools in Jakarta and Bali; quality varies elsewhere.
Very low outside Jakarta; Bali is a value nomad base.
Good in Bali/Jakarta hubs; variable rurally.
Tropical, warm with wet and dry seasons.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendGenerally hospitable, especially in lifestyle hubs; localised regulatory friction.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Petty theft and traffic risk; Bali safer for newcomers.
Higher = safer (crime index 44/100).
Where to live
Which Indonesia city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Bali (Canggu/Ubud)
Beach-and-rice-field life
The world's leading digital-nomad destination, with strong communities and the new nomad visa.
Yogyakarta
Javanese cultural heart
The cultural and student heart of Java, exceptionally affordable and welcoming.
Lombok
Up-and-coming island
Bali's quieter neighbour, increasingly popular with nomads seeking a calmer island base.
Surabaya
Hardworking second city
The industrial and trade hub of eastern Java, more affordable than the capital.
Bandung
Creative student city
A cooler highland university city known for creativity, cafés and lower costs.
Medan
Bustling trade hub
The largest city on Sumatra, a diverse commercial gateway with very low costs.
Jakarta
Vast, energetic megacity
Southeast Asia's startup and corporate powerhouse, the place for serious career growth.
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Immigration solicitors for Indonesia
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